Lantern High

Alright so it might not actually be Wednesday, but this is just...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:06:48 -0500

Alright so it might not actually be Wednesday, but this is just a friendly reminder that this blog is not quite dead. :)

Photo

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 04:04:53 -0400

Ask box is now closed.

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:54:10 -0400

((We have received a lot of messages, and many of us are in school now, so we’ll open the ask box again as soon as we answer the majority of questions. Thanks for your patience!))

Mysterious Principal D.C.

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:49:00 -0400

Walker was eating lunch with them. For once in the entire school year, Walker was eating lunch with them. Razer knew that it couldn’t last, and judging by the look on Aya’s and Walker’s face- they knew so as well.

All three ate silently, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Razer mechanically shoveled the grapes into his mouth, picking at the utterly tasteless lunch Aya had prepared.

It wasn’t like she was a bad cook. It was just that whatever she cooked, while not burnt, was somehow completely and utterly devoid of any and all tastes. It left behind an utterly bland and tasteless meal- like this one.

Lunch trickled by slowly, all three shoulders relaxing minutely as time passed and nobody called for Walker.

The black teen sprawled out along the bench they had claimed as theirs, head tilted up to spot the sunlight crawling through the tiny trees leaves. “Walk-“

Aya just had to tempt fate. She just had too. For no sooner had she started saying something, then a giant form that they recognized far too readily appeared on the other side of the courtyard. “Arkillo? What’s he-“

“Hey, Blue-freak.” Arkillo towered over all of them, and Razer could remember the first time they had met the teen- he had gone to cover Aya without thinking about it. The yellow-gang member had ignored both freshman as inconsequential. “C’mon, I just got information that the Princ’ is back.”

“Principal D.C.? He’s back?” Walker laid his food to one side, as Aya and Razer traded confused looks. “Are you sure Arkillo?”

“Wanna tell me who else has a giant limo?”

“Well, in Justice High, there’s Bruce Wayne along with all the other millionaires that seem to gather at this city.” Walker looked thoughtful, “Bruce Wayne, Danny Rand, Hank Pym, Tony Stark-“

Arkillo snarled, one giant hand clamping on a thin shoulder, “Just get over here already, would you?! There’s a rep from each of the gangs gathering to take a peek and see if we can’t finally figure out what he looks like.”

“Each? All seven of us? I didn’t think there were any orange or purple members that were willing to come!” Walker allowed himself to be pulled off and dragged in the direction of the school. He waved to the frozen two watching him go with wide eyes. “Bye! Have fun eating! I’ll probably be in detention after school!”

“Detention?” Razer demanded, “Why Detention-“

“Breaking into the Principal’s room is against school rules.” Walker called back, before finally dragged out of sight.

Razer and Aya looked to each other, and back to the lunches they had in their hands. “I would be killed if I got detention.”

“Hal would be very disappointed.” Aya agreed, looking after Walker with a slightly longing look. “Perhaps we should gather information before making a hasty decision?”

“You want to go see what this is all about, don’t you?”

“Correct.” Aya looked to the school with shining eyes.

Razer sighed as he began packing the food. “Alright, let’s-“

There was a loud booming noise from the building, like something exploding. Razer stopped in his packing, before pulling Aya back, taking shelter behind the desk.

Kyle Rayner went running past, fear and surprise plastered across his face. Walker moved beside him, helpfully blocking a kick aimed at the man’s head. Arkillo, a guy wrapped in odd purple clothes, Fatality in her pink, Bleeze in her red and broken Russian, and oddly enough, a short little guy dressed in orange dashed by aiming blows at the art teacher.

“YOU LOST US OUR CHANCE TO SEE THE PRINCIPAL RAYNER!”

“KILL THE TEACHER!”

“We shall get you for this!”

“Guys, why don’t we all calm down and relax for a moment-“

“DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!”

Walker ducked a punch, chopping his hand up to redirect it harmlessly into air. Kyle took a deep breath as he blocked two punches, and kicked out, sending Bleeze reeling back. “I didn’t mean too!”

“Tell that to the time and effort we put into this! My best mate just got put into detention because of you!”

“I believe that there is a rational explanation-“ Walker began holding his hands up in a peaceful way.

“SHUT UP!”

The entire conversation (fight really) degraded from there.

Razer and Aya, the two sole witnesses of the group melee, didn’t notice the tall man wrapped in shadows watch the fight with a gleeful, happy, demented look in his eyes. He cackled as he rubbed his hands together, and swept out to where a black limo waited.

Instead, the only thing the two of them knew was the fight that took place- and the detention that was subsequently brought down on their heads.

——-

Razer shook his head as he bypassed the detention room, with Guy sitting on top of a desk, swirling a beer in one hand, and smirking at the student’s murderous expressions. He could also see Kyle, head buried in his hands, sitting in one of the seats. Walker sat nearby, smiling and looking completely at ease.

Beside him, Aya peeked into the room, before her eyes spotted Hal from out of the corner of her eyes. Hal grinned as she came dashing up towards him. “Sounds like a bunch of kids got caught trying to peek a glance at the Principal.”

“Yes. But I have a question. Why would anyone want too-“

“Well, you see, it’s said that if you catch Principal D.C.’s eye, then a curse is laid upon you. The most horrible, awful curse of all times.”

The tan teen snorted as he slid next to Aya, “What sort of curse is that?”

“That they would live in interesting times.”

The two teens looked at each other, and back to Hal with a confused look. Hal shook his head. “You guys haven’t quite experienced all that life can throw at you. Trust me when I say that’s the most horrible curse a person could wish on anybody.”

Razer rolled his eyes, even as Aya piped up, “I am going tiger hunting while Razer is at Anger Management.”

“Oi you-“

“No worries Razer, I will remain within easy walking distance.”

“Aya-“

“A one mile radius.” Aya promised, as Razer stared at her with narrowed eyes.

“Fine. One mile radius.”

Hopefully they would remain far, far away from D.C.’s Principal, Hal reflected. Unlike him. And Kyle, John, and Guy. Unlike poor Alan Scott, along with their sister school of Justice High. Yes, hopefully these children at least would remain far, far away from Principal D.C.

-end-

1. At least once a week, all three (along with Arkillo) will...

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 22:24:45 -0400

1. At least once a week, all three (along with Arkillo) will gather to play video games.

2. Razer cannot stand scary stuff, but Aya enjoys horror games/movies, and Walker is the one to break the tension by shouting at the screen.

3. Aya considers Walker’s Guardian Mogo to be hot- Walker banned them from his house for two weeks before giving in and letting them come back. Razer still resents him for that.

4. Razer never brings lunch with him. Aya attempts to cook for him, but more often than not they end up sharing Walker’s lunch, who’s usually so busy during lunch time, he doesn’t get to eat.

5. Razer knows Comic City better then his hometown because he always has to retrieve Aya from her wanderings- Walker is sometimes their guide to the City and will tell them spooky stories about the City.

6. Walker believes Aya when she says she sees a tiger. Razer secretly believes her.

7. Walker loves cheesy old movies that are about love and romance. Aya loves Japanese Horror Movies. Razer loves action and adventure. All three cry over Homestuck.

8. Not a single one of them will ever, ever talk about their real parents unless they absolutely have too.

9. Once a month, Razer is forced into a family dinner, Aya eats and chats with the Guardians, and Walker finds himself completely alone without anyone for company. That day is never a good day.

10. Not a single one of them thought they were ever going to be friends with each other- now they can’t think of anything they’d rather be.

So sorry to anyone who liked or rebloged the first one, but I...

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 01:05:52 -0400

So sorry to anyone who liked or rebloged the first one, but I got it rite now.

Friends Together

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:39:00 -0400

As far as Razer was concerned, life sucked. Really, really sucked. Especially because of this girl right beside him. The white haired teen was holding her map right in front of her, slanted eyes serious and dark.

“Aya, we need to get moving.”

The teen looked from map to Razer, and back to the map. “If I can pinpoint our location, it should be easy to return back to our starting point.”

“I thought you said your phone has a built in GPS!”

“It does, but something is blocking the signal.”

Razer sighed as he glanced around. The empty street was full of blocked off buildings, and abandoned storefronts. Graffiti was the only decoration in this abandoned, forgotten piece of the city. “I can’t believe that you actually followed Drusa out here!”

“She stated that she was interested in my robotics skills-“

“Don’t just follow people around randomly like that!” Razer snarled back, practically pulling out clumps of hair. “I still don’t know what you were thinking when you abruptly ran off-“

“I was following Drusa when I saw a tiger, but unfortunately the tiger has since escaped me.”

Razer stared at her, and she stared back. “You know what- forget it.”

Maybe one day she would actually make sense, but now wasn’t the time. The tan teen sighed as he looked around again. “Why did you follow me Razer?”

He flinched, a minute shaking of the shoulders. His reason for following? He didn’t know. Razer had seen Drusa and Aya leave the school grounds, Drusa’s eyes alight with some emotion he didn’t really want to think about. So he had followed them.

Then Aya abruptly broke off, chasing something down a back alleyway, and Razer had gone after her. That was how they were in this predicament.

“I believe if we go that way, we will soon run into the Continuity River.”

“The what river?”

“Continuity River. According to ancient lore, it once ran clear and clean through the city with many branches that didn’t touch. Then the city planers decided to tie it all together, and since then it has gotten muddy and dirty. It apparently likes to flood as well, wiping out other continuities.” Aya frowned slightly. “It is all very confusing, and not very clear on any point. I think there are legends of a girl named Stephanie Brown bathing in it and everyone getting amnesia and believing that she doesn’t exist?”

How did that work?!

“I don’t care, let’s go.”

The two of them made their way towards the river. Razer scowled down at the ground, and Aya tapped away on her phone, attempting to triangulate their position.

They weren’t friends.

He had been forced to get to know her the little he did because she had been assigned to him and wouldn’t leave him alone. All he wanted was to do his homework/class work and get through the year without talking to anybody.

Aya was messing those plans up big time. “Ah, the River Continuity.”

One of them at least. This one was a tiny little branch, just barely deep enough to get your feet wet in, but promising to become an actual river given enough time. “This is branch GLTAS.”

“GLTAS? What does that stand for?”

Aya was about to answer, before a soft sound caught their ears. Both of them turned at the same time, looking further upstream, to where a small kitten sat perched atop a rock in the middle of the river. It meowed pitifully again.

“A calico cat is in need of rescuing.”

Razer nodded, and looked back at her.

In the three seconds he had looked away, she had stripped of socks, shoes, and rolled up her pants legs. He openly gaped at her for just a second. “How- When did you- Since when-“

“I am going to go rescue the kitten.”

Aya set off towards the kitten, leaving Razer standing by her stuff, openly gawping after her. Quickly he dropped his backpack next to hers and chased after her, “Wait, Aya!”

The teen either didn’t hear him, or ignored him. He wasn’t sure which one he preferred. “Aya, don’t just step out into the river! It might be deeper than you expect! Besides, what if you end up like the Brown girl?”

Aya was ignoring him.

Razer glared after her, before crossing his arms. “Fine. If you fall into a hole don’t expect to me to rescue you.”

“The river is only two to three feet deep Razer. There is no dang-AH!”

There might be no danger from holes, but one step wrong and whoops you slipped and floundered in confusion among the waters. Razer lept forward, trying to catch her before she got completely soaked, when a dark form abruptly appeared.

One dark hand caught Aya on the shoulder, bringing her back to balance. Razer attempted to stop, but couldn’t. All three of them slammed into each other, toppling into the slightly murky water.

“Wait, wait, stop that’s my kidney!”

“My hair, stop pulling on my-”

“I’m sorry, could you please stop stepping on my hand-”

“GET OFF OF ME!”

“Razer!”

“Aya?”

Razer flailed out of the tangled mess of limbs, collapsing to his knees, soaking wet in a tiny river that barely had three feets worth of water to its name. “I can’t believe this.”

Head hung in defeat, he turned to look at Aya and the other kid- Walker. It was Walker. From the first day of class. He would recognize that stupid scarf and hairdo from anywhere. “You.”

“Ah, if it isn’t Razer! Hello!” Walker smiled at him, before turning to Aya, “Are you okay Aya?”

“I’m fine. The cat-”

All three looked to the cat. The cat gave them an utterly disgusted look back, before turning away, and hopping across the rocks towards shore. Razer’s fist clenched, and he snarled, “I’m gonna skin that cat and use its guts as my strings!”

The silvery-haired teen grabbed him before he could get any further then a single step, raging at the heavens, “I’ll skin you! You hear me cat?! I’ll skin you alive! That’ll teach you to-”

Walker placed a warm hand on his shoulder, peace and love practically flowing off of him in nearly visible waves. “You should calm down my friend.”

“Razer, you have steam rolling off of you,” Aya observed. Razer nearly yelled at her, but refrained at the last second to stomp out of the river, and shake off excess water.

Aya followed him out, foot sliding against the mossy bottom. Razer turned, and held out a hand. With a slight smile, she took it, and let herself be pulled up the last few steps out of the river.

Walker stood in the river, stretching luxuriously despite the wetness that clung to his clothing. “Well, that was quite interesting!”

“Says you. What are you doing around here anyways?”

“Oh, I was just about to go meet up with my Judo club, when I saw Aya here tipping over!”

Walker waded through the shallow channel to where the two stood. “I think I’ll have to head back before class starts to get new clothing. You can come along if you want.”

Razer and Aya looked to their wet clothing, to the heavy backpacks perched on the bankside, to the grinning black boy standing on the river bank. His sky blue eyes were dancing as he pointed- “My place is just up the street a little ways, and you can dry off there and even take a shower. Mogo won’t mind.”

Aya nodded. Razer glowered. “Fine.”

“Perfect, come along, and I’ll show you the way!”

Walker walked down the road, wet footprints trailing behind him.

Razer had the feeling that this was the start of something new. Something wonderful, grand and- he wanted to throw up.

-end-

Photo

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:51:35 -0400

Oh look it’s the blue gang. Now in a convenient photoset.

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:56:35 -0400

Oh look it’s the blue gang. Now in a convenient photoset.

Photo

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:53:46 -0400

Out for the Weekend

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:30:00 -0400

RIIIINNNNGGGG

RRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGG

RRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNNGGG

Chaos.

Pandemonium.

Celebration.

Lantern High School was out for the weekend!

——Aya’s Day——

Aya calmly packed her backpack and shouldered it onto one shoulder as she stood. She could hear Mister Jordan down the hallway yelling at the homeroom students in his classroom as she dodged people in the quickly filling hallways.

The classroom was empty of all except Hal when she arrived, and she nodded to him. “Hal.”

“Aya, you heading out again today?”

“Affirmative. I wish to explore the city further, and I wish to locate the tiger.”

Hal shook his head, and Aya calculated that the emotion felt was 80 percent exasperation. “There are no tigers in Comic City. If there were, Mayor Editor would be encouraging the entire city to hunt it down.”

“I saw what I saw, and I will continue searching until I relocate the animal.”

“Just remember to take a picture, okay?” Hal grinned at her, and she smiled back as she nodded. Her brand-new phone (gift courtesy of Ganthet) had a built in camera. She had upgraded the camera herself, and took it upon herself to understand all the mechanics of the phone until she could pull apart and reassemble the phone without needing to look.

“Affirmative. Also, I desire to buy new yarn for knitting. Is there any recommendations you can give me?”

The knitting club had been a bust. Nobody had arrived to make time worthwhile, as Razer was the only other attendee. But Razer, unfortunately, had been put into anger management classes by his parents, making it impossible for the darker skinned teen to attend the club.

Thus- Tiger hunting.

Aya placed her backpack next to Hal’s desk, and picked up her smaller bag that contained a fully stocked survival kit for twenty-four hours, and looped the bag around her shoulder like a purse. “I will be home by five o’clock.”

Hal nodded, already staring at the stack of papers left to be graded. “Got it. If you’re going to be late, don’t forget to call me.”

“Affirmative.”

Aya trotted sharply out the front door, pulling up a mental map of Comic City. The city was usually divided into four parts. The Avenger High controlled a third of the city, and Justice High controlled the second third, depending on unknown circumstances. X-men High and Lantern High fought over the remaining third, but each High School had its own home ground.

The tiger had not appeared in any areas occupied by Avengers, nor X-men.

Through careful plotting and analyzing of data compiled by looking through local web sources and listening to men talk and determining how truthful they were based on interpolation of sources available Aya had determined a pattern of sorts.

The first sighting had been several years ago, around Justice High, in an area formerly controlled by the Fawcette Gang. The rest of the history was muddled and confused, but Aya was unconcerned as it was unconnected to her current pursuit of Tiger Hunting.

The teen reached into her bag to pull out the currency she had on her. So far, Aya had tried a total of four hunting plans, each of them ultimately unsuccessful.

Plan one: Bribe the Tiger with Food. Aya had spent hours researching a tigers diet, before deciding that freshly slaughtered pigs in parks were against several city ordinances. It was also out of her price range. Thus, she fell back on an old movie she had once seen, and left out a trail of Reeses Pieces.

While the tiger had appeared, it ignored the Reeses, and went straight for a leftover hamburger lying out. Her net trap hidden in the ground went ignored.

Plan one: Unsuccessful.

Plan two: Concealed Steel Box Trap. Research showed that animals, while intelligent, tended to become more docile in the darkness and when in small areas. Thus, a steel box, cleverly disguised as a tree with careful construction paper cutouts was propped up with a wooden stick with a string tied around it leading back to Aya, and a half-frozen fish placed on the ground beneath the box.

The tiger had appeared again, and Aya tensed in readiness- but the tiger knocked over the stick too early, making the trap spring too soon. The tiger proceeded to calmly knock the box over, pick up the fish, and stalk out of the park majestically.

Plan two: Failure.

Plan Three: Concealed Pit. It was apparently a staple in tiger, heffalump, woozle, and panther hunting according to all books Aya had read. First one dug a pit, then put a thin cover of leaves and branches over the pit’s mouth. Then, one put some sort of food enticement on top of the covering.

All Aya managed to catch were two bicyclists, three angry pedestrians, one surprised couple, and four laughing children.

Plan Three: Failure.

Plan Four: Determine normal routine. Currently underway. End result: Unknown.

Aya opened up the small map on her phone, red and blue dots instantly appeared. Each red dot was a point where the tiger had been spotted by her, each blue a rumored location. The tiger had a habit of appearing only in wide open areas, where there weren’t many people. It also had a tendency to appear where the buildings were older, seemingly untouched by the march of time.

Thus- Aya was going to explore the oldest parts of the city.

Aya pulled on dark sunglasses to help disguise the fact that she was in another gang’s territory, and began to walk. While Justice High was close by, it was still a fair distance by foot. The public buses were not to be entered into for any reason. People who entered the buses in Comic City didn’t come back.

Streets passed, familiar fading into unfamiliar, mostly unnoticed by the teen focused on her phone and on the dark nooks and alleyways stretching out before her feet. Shops, people, and cars passed by, acknowledged but not thought of.

For two hours, Aya wandered the streets fruitlessly, not minding where she walked so long as it was within her range. She didn’t expect to see anything- the probability of finding the tiger today was below two percent.

Aya just hoped that she would.

The phone in her hand beeped, and went off, playing a tune that was apparently a pop culture hit. The teen hit the answer button, “This is Aya Jordan speaking.”

“Aya. Where are you?” Razer’s curt voice suddenly brought Aya back down to Earth, where her feet were beginning to hurt from so much walking. She glanced around, quickly locating the road she was on.

“I’m on Fawcette Boulevard.”

“Faw- That’s half-way across the city! What are you doing all the way over there you stupid moron?”

Aya was about to answer, she really was- But a ten-year-old boy walked past her, heading for an apartment building, and there in the backyard, almost hidden by the bushes and trees was the tiger. “Razer, I’m afraid this will have to wait, I have located the subject and preparing to pursue.”

The teen shut him off before he could protest, and pulled out the camera, memorizing the address in a flash. Then, slowly and as stealthily as Aya could, she began to stalk towards the tiger, trying to get an angle where the tiger would be visible clearly within the picture-

As if sensing her intentions, the tiger’s head rose. Aya snapped a picture reflexively. By the time she had lowered the phone (the picture on the screen showed the tiger leaping away) it was gone.

Aya pouted and sighed.

The phone died from overuse before it could save the picture.

Aya nearly cried at the loss of her hard work.

“Hey miss, are you okay?” The ten-year-old.

“I am fine.”

“If you’re sure…” The child peered at her for a second, before running down the street to where another child on crutches was waiting.

“C’mon Billy! We’re gonna be late!”

Aya settled onto a low wall, feet brushing against the ground. Razer would be coming for her. And with her phone dead… Aya swore she closed her eyes only for a moment, but when she opened them again, Razer was at her side, gently touching her shoulder.

—Razer’s Story—

Oh joy. The bell just rung. Whoop de doo.

Razer stuffed papers and textbooks into his bag, scowling darkly. Today was Friday- which meant anger management psychologists hired by his parents in an attempt to soothe his ills.

He was doing just fine thank you. No matter what Walker may say about psychologists and trauma, Razer just didn’t feel the older man’s want to help- only to look down on him, and he was determined not to make a single step of this any easier then he absolutely had too.

If it were up to him, Razer would’ve found someone else. Since he absolutely had to get counseling, it might as well be with someone he actually liked, like the woman who was just next door and actually bothered smiling at him and pretending she was glad to see him. Her he could stand, even if he couldn’t stand one tiny little thing about her.

Miss Brown had a pet rabbit. Razer hated that rabbit, and the rabbit hated him. Every single time he opened the door it-

“Razer, come along, we don’t want you to be late.”

Mother. Waiting for him. With a car.

Razer nearly walked back into the school. “Mother, what are you-”

“You’ve been late this week. Wednesday was when the psychologist called and said if you’re late any longer, there would be a fee.”

Ah, now that was more like it. Razer smiled dryly as he slipped into the car, shoulders tightening in the enclosed space. He hated cars, hated them with a burning, fiery passion, and his mother knew that so why was she here with a car, and why wouldn’t she just buy him a bicycle or something like that so she just didn’t have to bother with him any longer?

Mother dropped into the front seat, and barely glanced away from her phone as she texted with one hand and drove with the other. Razer’s hands clenched around the seatbelt, going utterly stiff and still in an attempt to convince himself he was not going to crash, he was not going to crash, they were going to crash -

“Razer. Snap out of it. We’re here.” Mother looked upset. Razer pulled his hands away, surprised he hadn’t managed to make himself bleed.

Something warm and wet trickled down his palm. Oops. Did it again. He grimaced, hiding the palms of his hands from Mother, so she didn’t start fussing over him bleeding in her car. Razer really needed to cut his nails.

“In you go. I’ll pick you up at five o’clock sharp-”

“Don’t bother. I’ll walk home.” He didn’t give her a chance to argue, as he quickly moved up the granite steps to the tall building. It was a highly reputable, utterly dispassionate clinic. Razer hated it all, from the gleaming granite floors, to the arched white roof, and it’s pretty stained-glass windows.

The front office was empty when he arrived, except a slightly bored mother, reading a magazine. He could hear a child’s happy shrieks from within the third room, where Miss Brown worked, and Razer took a step back. Slowly. Discretely. With great purpose and fear.

Miss Brown was a child psychologist. She had pets. She had puppets. She had paint. If that kid burst in through the doorway with a bucket load of paint, then Razer just knew it would-

The door slammed open as the child practically danced out, holding a dyed red rabbit above his head.

The rabbit and the teen locked eyes. The world slowed down, pausing for just a moment as powerful hind legs gathered beneath the fat, tubby body. Abruptly, the rabbit was airborne, flying across the room in an incredible leap that should not of been aerodynamically possible.

Razer barely had time to feel his eyes go wide, before WHAM!

Face full of rabbit.

“ARRRRGHHHHHH! GET THIS STUPID LITTLE BEAST OFF OF ME!” Razer clawed desperately at the furry monster clinging to his head, scrambling for a better position. A surprised shriek caught him off guard, and his head turned quickly to where the woman was covering her child’s eyes, as Miss Brown stood in the doorway with a hand covering her mouth.

Hands clenched into fists, as Razer ground out through gritted teeth. “Get this thing off of me.”

The little kid began to giggle. Giggle. At him. Because there was a rabbit on his head. “You look like you’ve got a really cool helmet Mister! Wait right there! I wanna draw it!”

The kid rushed back into the room. The mother and the psychologist looked to Razer. Razer glowered back. “Get. It. Off.”

“C-Could you please wait for a few moments?” Miss Brown chirruped, suddenly smiling as well, “It’s been a long time since we could make Michael laugh. I think you could really help him by doing this.”

The mother looked slightly worried, glancing between teen and Miss Brown. Razer took a step forward- The woman flinched back. Lips compressed of a few seconds, before he collapsed into the nearest seat, sulking, “Fine. But I better not be late to my own appointment.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll talk to your psychologist, and say that you’re doing a session with me today.” Ms. Brown promised, eyes twinkling as the child came running back out, paper and pencil in hand.

The child settled down a good distance, as the rabbit began to nibble on red hair. Razer glowered even harder at Ms. Brown, who seemed to be overcome with a case of the giggles. “Get me a carrot or something so that way this g-” He paused, and corrected his language, “Silly rabbit stops eating my hair!”

“I’ve never seen Dragon so taken with anyone.”

“Dragon? This rabbit’s name is dragon?” Razer gaped at her for a moment.

“Yes. We named it after it’s ears.” Ms. Brown giggled again, “When they’re at rest, it looks like dragon horns.”

“It’s really, really hard to draw.” Michael murmured, tongue sticking out from between his teeth. “But it’s really, really cool.”

The child was a surprisingly good drawer as well. Instead of stick figures and crude lines, they were semi-straight and neat. Cartoonish, to be certain, but an overall softening of the lines that made him tough.

“You got some neat scars mister. Where did you get them?”

Car tires squealing, the sound of a scream, smell of smoke “Car crash. Hate cars now, that’s why I’m in here.”

The child nodded, unjudging of his fear. “I don’t like cars either. Daddy had a long reach.”

Not quite the same, but both were awful. “I’m supposed to get over it, but I’d rather have a motorcycle instead.” Razer mentioned casually.

“Cool! You can have a helmet just like this!” The kid held up a picture of the brown-skinned teen with a helmet that had two spikes going straight back. They looked sharp and pointy like knives.

“I don’t know sweetheart, he might poke someone’s eye out.” The mother smiled as she drew one protective arm around the child, hugging him close.

The rabbit bit hard on Razer’s hair. “OW! STUPID GO-”

Michael flinched. Razer sat back down. “Where’s my carrot?”

A bright orange delicacy was dangled in front of his nose. “Here you go.”

The rabbit refused to get off his head, despite the carrot being a few inches in front of its nose, taunting it with its withered, yucky-ness. What was he even thinking?

Who actually said yucky? “It really does look cool though. The helmet idea. Maybe if I make it for you?”

It would be pretty cool. Just… there was no way he and Michael would ever meet again. “Sure Michael. You can make it, and leave it in my office, and I’ll take a picture of him with the helmet on, okay?”

Michael beamed.

Razer barely, just barely resisted the urge to facepalm.

The rabbit refused to come off, no matter how much tugging and gentle coaxing Miss Brown attempted, and at last all four gave up.

Razer spent the entire session talking about his feelings with a rabbit on top of his head. Judging by his psychologists look, he wasn’t sure if it was Razer going crazy, or himself. Razer privately hoped that it was him going crazy.

The session was over a whole twenty minutes early, just in time to miss Michael according to Ms. Brown.

“Also, I’m really sorry to ask this of you, but would you please put this helmet on?”

“If you can get this stupid rabbit off, then I will gladly put the helmet on.” It was constructed of cardboard paper, glue, tape, and prayers. “It’s just one picture, right?”

“Well, a nice diorama of pictures would be preferable…”

Razer very nearly sighed, but instead went for staring at her with a blank face. “A lot of pictures? This isn’t going anywhere out of this room, is it?”

“Of course not!” She smiled, “Here, now just hold still.”

The rabbit was deftly yanked off (thus cementing a nagging idea that she was secretly a sadist and had sent him off as her idea of fun) and the cardboard helmet plopped on instead. She lifted the camera- and lowered it again. “Take off your clothes.”

Razer choked on his own spit. “Excuse me?!”

“Take off your hoodie. It’s too big and bulky. It’s ruining the shot. With a helmet like that, your clothes should be streamlined.” The woman gestured impatiently as Razer stared at her incomprehensibly for a few moments longer.

“Well, take it off!”

He took off the hoodie.

“Perfect, and look, you’re wearing a red shirt! It goes along perfectly. Really brings out the blue in your eyes.”

“I thought you were a psychologist, not a fashion designer!”

“Oh, you silly boy, I used to be a fashion designer. Still do on my free time.”

He couldn’t believe it. The woman snapped a picture, and circled in around him. “The lighting is really horrible in here, and there’s so much extra colors cluttering up the photo. It really is too bad.”

Razer stood perfectly still.

“Good, now scowl, all dark and mysteriously.”

Razer settled for a glare. Ms. Brown shrugged. “Close enough.”

She continued taking pictures for a few moments longer, and then held up a finger, “Now give a nice big smile for Michael, and make sure there’s teeth in that smile.”

The teeth were bared in a primal snarl of fury.

“Smile. Pretend a bird is perched on your head, telling you dating advice.” The unimpressed look she got made her sigh in sorrow.

“Fine. What’s one plus two?”

“Three?” As he answered, he felt his mouth pull into an automatic smile.

The camera clicked, and Ms. Brown laughed. “Thank you for the pictures!”

Razer glowered at her for a moment longer, and she tapped one delicate finger against the camera. “So then, what’s your email address? I want to send you these pictures after all.”

“Like I’m telling you.”

“You can either tell me, or I’ll come to your school and give it to you in person.”

Razer entertained the dizzying, very brief idea of Ms. Brown meeting Salaak. His mind couldn’t get past Salaak just staring at her in his perfectly cold fury as Ms. Brown tried to tie ribbons in his hair.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Then e-mail. And phone number. I promise not to abuse it!”

In roughly five minutes, Razer found himself on the steps of the building, phone still clutched in one hand, helmet off, but what suspiciously felt like poop in his hair. He lifted his phone, hesitating.

Mom had said she would be here but it was only around four, and she wouldn’t be there until five. Besides, he and Aya had a system. They would meet after his sessions and go play arcade games where he could shoot as many people as he wanted.

Hal didn’t have a gaming system, and Walker was busy Friday nights trying to get Arkillo to focus long enough to pay attention to school work, so he and Aya entertained themselves.

Razer pressed the call button.

It rung, and switched over to annoying song that Razer knew vaguely off of some sort of billboard top ten or something. Aya had probably chosen it for its value of -

“This is Aya Jordan speaking.”

“Aya. Where are you?” She was probably near his current location.

“I’m on Fawcette Boulevard.”

“Faw- That’s half-way across the city! What are you doing all the way over there you stupid moron?” She had to of been walking for hours to get to Fawcette Boulevard, and it was all the way in Justice Gang territory.

He waited impatiently for his answer, when she said breathlessly, “Razer, I’m afraid this will have to wait, I have located the subject and preparing to pursue.”

Subject? Subject? The phone clicked off, and Razer turned on his heel, dashing for the main street. He’d catch a cab there, despite the fact that he didn’t do well in cars. But he had to stop Aya before she went and did something stupid.

The taxi ride was every bit as nerve wracking as he could possibly imagine, despite the fact that the older gentlemen took each turn smoothly, actually stopped for red lights, and was a mile or two beneath the speed limit.

Fawcette Boulevard came into view, with Aya sitting on a low wall, phone in hands, dozing away peacefully. Razer tossed a few bills at the driver, and got out of the car. He would rather walk home then take that taxi ever again.

“Aya? Aya, are you okay?”

She stirred, and smiled up at him, a small tilt of her lips that most people couldn’t- didn’t see. “Razer. It is good to see you. Is your session over?”

“Yeah, it is. What were you doing all the way out here?”

“I located the tiger. But unfortunately my phone died before I could save the picture.”

The tiger. Of course the tiger. It was always the tiger. Razer rolled his eyes as he tugged her to her feet, making sure that she could still stand. “You going to be okay walking back? Or should I call for a taxi?”

“You do not like cars.” Aya replied, in a way that most would consider cold. Razer knew differently; Aya had difficulty expressing emotion, especially spoken emotion. It was her smaller motions, like the way her eyes softened when she said something, when a tiny line appeared between her eyebrows to express concern-

Aya was difficult to understand until one deciphered her motions, and then suddenly she was the kindest, bravest, most strongly willed person he had ever met.

And maybe, just maybe, it was something that he-

Razer turned away abruptly, “If your feet are hurting, we can take a car. It’s fine.”

“I do not wish to cause you discomfort.” A small, petite hand was placed on his shoulder.

Razer continued staring off in the distance as he insisted, “It’s fine. If you’re hurting, then we should take a cab back to Hal’s place.”

“But our gaming-”

“We’ll do it another time.” Razer said softly.

Aya’s hand tightened for just a moment. “My feet do not hurt badly enough to get blisters, and I would like to walk with you Razer.”

Razer finally turned around to look at her. She looked him back right in the eye, back straight and body posture perfect. As always. “Fine. But if you ever want to call a cab, just tell me. I got their number saved on my phone.”

Aya nodded, and side-by-side, the two set off, slowly tracing the streets back to Jordan’s apartment.

—Walker’s Story—

Walker was always the last to leave class. Not because he had to pack, but because of his inability to leave without first talking to the teacher. As his home teacher was Larfleeze, and Larfleeze had a tendency to hoard everything, it was up to Walker to make sure that everything was properly sorted out and given back to their proper owners.

Most days of the week he didn’t mind, but today was Friday, which meant that today was drama club, and they always needed an extra hand to help set up and prep the stage. Though the teacher did say today was going to be different…

“Noooo! Miiinnneeee!” Larfleeze’s grabby fingers curled around a small iPod, as the student practically looked close to tears.

Walker walked over to Larfleeze, gently holding out his hand. “Come on Larfleeze, you know very well that isn’t yours. It’s Monica’s.”

The girl shot him a grateful look as Larfleeze glared. The teacher clung onto the small machine for a moment longer, but Walker didn’t give up; “Is it really yours that you bought Larfleeze?”

The teacher grumbled, before excruciatingly slowly handing it over to Walker. Walker handed it back over to Monica, who grabbed it, thanked him profusely, and practically ran out of the room.

Walker watched her go with a slight smile. Larfleeze grumbled as he picked his man-satchel from off the ground, and looped it around his neck. “Out.”

Larfleeze always locked his room up before all the other teachers, before most other students even got out, to keep them from stealing his stuff. Walker guided the last other student out as Larfleeze impatiently tapped his foot against the floor- his door had a special key and lock.

No one knew when the teacher had installed his own locks so not even the janitor could get in there, but he had. The fight that had ensued afterwards… well, it was legendary. Salaak and Larfleeze still refused to talk about what had really gone down that resulted in there being only one changed lock instead of five that Larfleeze originally had but Walker suspected-

“Arkillo! Arkillo!” The black teen quickly dodged the crowds, heading straight for the bright yellow mohawk that was half a head taller then most of the other teens. “Arkillo!”

The yellow-gang member stopped, glaring down at him. “What?”

“Cooking Club has been canceled later today, but the blue gang needs to meet up, so I’ll be doing that shortly after drama club ends.”

Arkillo nodded, filing away the information. Despite the rumors that Arkillo was stupid, Walker had found that he had a really good memory and knack for remembering territories and back streets. He was just really, really bad at the written part of language.

“Football practice doesn’t end until around six, probably going to go later tonight because of that stupid-” Arkillo’s curses were many and varied, but Walker had already filed away the pertinent information, and was mentally plotting out how long it would take, and where they could meet. Arkillo refused to let Walker anywhere near where he lived, and the registered address that was placed to his name was completely fake so…

“Can you meet at seven thirty then? We can go to my place to study and then Mogo can drop you off at your house.”

“Hmph. I still don’t see what grades have to do with anything.”

“You do want to graduate this year, don’t you?” Walker said gently, no sting or venom in his voice. “You’ve gotten this far, so let me help you the rest of the way.”

Arkillo glowered for a moment longer, before storming away. Walker sighed as he scratched the back of his head- either Arkillo would show, or he wouldn’t. The other teen, as far as he knew, didn’t have a cellphone. It was impossible to get in contact with him.

He shrugged as he walked into the tiny, run down stage the school had- the drama teacher was standing on stage with a maniacal gleam in his eye, giggling as the drama students lined up, “Listen up, we’re going to be combining a few things- cleaning and singing.”

The members of the club groaned, but it needed to be done, and Walker handed out brooms, cloths, and kept a duster for himself. “Now then, we’re picking a song, and as part of your training, I’m going to number you off. Each of you are going to sing in order, but you’ll be on entirely different sides of the room, so remember to sing from your diaphragm not your lungs.”

“Yessir!”

Students scattered in all directions, and Walker began the quick climb up to the small catwalk hung along the top of the ceiling where the lights dustily shed their load to the ground.

He could hear the others singing below, tossing clothes at each other, and fumbling as they tried to learn how to sing from their diaphragm while bent over. He was number five, smack in the middle, so Walker counted off easily, listening for when the girl before him sang her line.

“Down in New Orleans. Doo-doo-do-dah, do do dooo do do.”

It was fun, enjoyable, to be here singing with the others, and Walker enjoyed every minute of the two hours, as the Theater was cleaned from top to bottom, even if everyone’s voices gave out after the first thirty minutes.

Five o’clock rolled around, the club session ending with the theater looking like it was only twenty years old instead of a hundred, and dusty, dirty tired members of the drama separated, chewing on the cookies that Walker had brought along from home expressly for this purpose.

The black teen grinned as he wiped sweat away from his forehead, trotting in the direction of a small park near where the Blue Gang, his own gang, gathered. Theirs was a small group, and spread all across Lantern territory, and different classes. It was only during these meetings that they even caught a glimpse of each other-

“Warth! I see we’ve grown some!”

The large teen turned, and wrapped him in a giant hug. “Walker! It is good to see you! Welcome back! Meet Sercy, the newest member of our groups, you should’ve seen her talk that gang down. Hymn recruited her to our cause.”

Walker peeked around Warth’s big body to where the reserved woman sat in a wheelchair, hajib around her head, and quiet eyes on him. “So you are Walker, the founder of the Blue Gang?”

Walker nodded, “I am. And you are Sercy?”

“I am.”

“Welcome to the Blue Gang.”

A slow smile curved her lips upwards, as she nodded back, “Thank you… Walker.”

“I was just about to start working her through the rules of the Blue Gang before you came by Walker. Now you can have the chance-“

“Arkillo? What’s he doing around here?” Walker interrupted, peering over Warth’s shoulder in the direction of the tall, broad-shouldered teen with a backpack slung over one shoulder striding along the road.

Then he grimaced, realizing just how rude that was, “Ah, I’m sorry Warth.”

“No problems. Looks like you’re not gonna be here for this meeting, huh?”

Walker grimaced slightly; while the other members didn’t exactly need guidance, Walker still wanted to know how everything was going- “Sunday I’m volunteering at the same soup kitchen you do, so I can pass on the information.” Warth promised, before shoving the black teen in the direction of where Arkillo was rapidly disappearing down, “Now, better go catch your student before he vanishes on you. You said you were going to make him graduate this year after all.”

Walker nodded, darting down the road to where the yellow-toting teen wearily tromped down roads without a real purpose. Football had to of gotten out early. “Arkillo!”

The large teen froze, foot hovering a hairsbreadth above the pavement, before he turned, fire beginning to burn in his eyes, “What do you want?!”

Walker pulled to a stop, hesitant, “Are you okay Arkillo? Did football practice get out early?”

“Yeah. Someone spiked Kilowogs drink.”

“Oh no!”

“He just got drunk. But we broke up early because he was too drunk to open up the shed. Gardner took him home, and told us to break it up for the night.”

So Arkillo hadn’t had any football practice today? Why hadn’t the teen gone home then? “Well, I have free time right now, and so do you, would you like to come to my place and work on homework? You have to do it sometime after all.”

“Fine.” Arkillo was surprisingly quiet today, and Walker couldn’t help but worry. Normally the larger teen would be raging and yelling, but for the past few days, Arkillo had been unusually quiet in the back of class- he wasn’t getting enough sleep, that was for certain.

But Walker got the feeling that it was more than just that. Either way…

“Come on, my place is only a short distance from here.”

Arkillo sneered half-heartedly as he followed Walker. “You’re a rich kid? Makes sense.”

“My guardian, Mogo, is head of a large corporation the specializes in natural, green resources.” Walker hedged, “We have worked out a series of jobs to gain my allowance-“

Arkillo practically roared, “Did I ask?! Do I look as if I care?”

“Sorry Arkillo, come, let’s get homework over with.”

They walked in silence together, Arkillo obviously fuming, and Walker mentally struggling for something to say. The inner city quickly melted to suburban open space, and a slightly richer locale.

Walker pointed ahead, towards the end of the block. Traditional suburban houses lined the way, up until the very end, where a traditional Japanese home sat, the low, sloping, curving roof sticking out like a sore thumb with its thick bamboo walls.

The house, and its property, took up an entire block. People joked that once you got within the walls, it was like being on an entirely separate planet. Or, that’s what Walker felt- the property was huge, sprawling, vast, and Mogo had a tendency to completely rearrange every last plant and rock every few years, in an ever changing quest to make it seem both homely and grand.

Walker pulled out his keys as Arkillo stared narrow-eyed at the low walls. “It’d be easy to get over these walls.”

“Yes, but Mogo apparently planted electrical fencing on the other side, so if you dropped down from above you’d be knocked unconscious in a second.”

Walker shouldered open the gates, and together they walked into what felt like another world.

Birds fluttered through plants, chasing bugs and each other in cart-wheeling frivolity, small flowers kissed by bright sunlight, the sounds of trickling, free-flowing water muted in the background beneath the haze of noisy insects.

“Sometimes I cannot believe you Walker.”

“Mogo should be in the backyard, with his pet falcons and ospreys. He usually takes them out to train around this time.”

“He’s a hunter? I’m surprised-“

“They cannot stop their nature, and Mogo sees no problems as long as they can tell the difference between a wild animal and a pet.” Walker frowned- Just because he was a nice person, didn’t mean he didn’t know how real life worked. Meat eaters ate meat, otherwise known as other animals.

“And here I thought you would be a big whiner about it.”

Walker laughed as he pulled Arkillo further in, opening the main door- the back of the house had sliding doors, but Mogo had a bit of a distressing tendency to walk around shirtless when home, which was a little embarrassing when friends came over.

“Welcome home.”

Mogo appeared from around the corner, completely shirtless except for an arm guard where the red-tailed falcon perched, gimlet eyes flashing in the light.

Walker glanced back at Arkillo, who was rather openly gaping at Mogo, and back to his guardian. “I’m home Mogo. This is Arkillo, the other teen I told you about.”

Mogo smiled slightly as he nodded, a positively effusive greeting for him. “Arkillo this is my guardian Mogo.”

“How does that moth-?” Arkillo spat out, eyeing Mogo upward for a fight- Walker grabbed him before he could start swearing at Mogo (Mogo did not approve) and tugged him towards the stairs.

“We’re going to go start on homework Mogo! Please try to keep the falcons from flying into my room!”

Arkillo, astonishingly enough, didn’t punch him or force him to let go, choosing instead let himself be dragged off in the direction of Walker’s room. They were no sooner around the corner, before he at last in his feet and pulled himself to his full height, still at least a head taller then Walker. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“No swearing in the house Arkillo. Mogo’s rules.”

“You have got to be fu-“

“He’ll set his hawks on you to pick your bones clean of meat if you do.” Walker pointed out reasonably enough. Mogo, for all of his silence, could be terrifying when angered, and Walker doubted that anyone one-on-one could hurt the man, no matter how powerful Arkillo was.

Arkillo’s scowl grew deeper, “I can say whatever I want to say, when I fuc-“

“If you do, we’re going to have to leave and go to your place.”

That shut him up quick, and Arkillo glowered. “Let’s get this over with as soon as possible.”

The next few hours were hard. Walker knew that Arkillo was far behind on his studies. He knew that Arkillo wasn’t actually even up to senior level but had just been passed on through the school system anyways. It was one thing to know it, and another thing to be presented with a third-grade reading level.

Once he managed to figure out what each word was, Arkillo had the general idea of what each word meant, but it was like pulling teeth to even get him to read it half the time.

Arkillo was not a happy student.

But Walker felt well pleased when Arkillo managed to complete the last of the homework due over the weekend. “Good, your homework’s done for the weekend, now I have a question for you- Would you like to join me Saturday? Razer, Aya, and I are going to go see the newest superhero movie.”

“No.” Arkillo shoved the papers haphazardly into his backpack, ignoring the crinkles.

“But-“

“No.”

The larger teen began to walk out of the house, completely bypassing Mogo who was coming down the hallway with a tray of what looked like food. Walker didn’t exactly notice either, intent on getting to know Arkillo at least a little better, “Then can I at least have your phone number? In case you change your mind-“

“Don’t have one.”

“Then how does anyone get in contact-“

“Just tell a yellow gang member you need me, and they know where to find me usually.”

Arkillo wasn’t stopping in his rampage out the door, ignoring the deepening darkness. “At least let us give you a ride back home-“

“Would you stop being so annoying you stupid idiot! I don’t need or want it!”

Walker stopped, hurt by the shout. Arkillo either didn’t notice, or didn’t care as he stormed out of the door, muttering, “I can’t wait until you realize just how much of a waste this is for both of us and give up.”

Give up?

Give up?

Walker gave up on no one and nothing. He turned back to the silently watching Mogo with a smile, “He’s going to be coming around often for homework, so don’t be surprised, okay?”

The corners around Mogo’s eyes crinkled in response, the sign of amusement as he handed over a small plate of rice crackers. Walker snagged one, and popped the entire thing in his mouth as he relieved Mogo of the tray.

“I’m going to go text Razer the details!”

Tomorrow afternoon at 1, we meet for movie? – SW

Sure thing. – R

Tell Aya for me please! – W

Tell her yourself! – R

But I don’t have her number! – W

It was a white lie, but it would at least dig out some interesting reactions from Razer. Walker didn’t touch his phone for the rest of the night.

————————

Halfway across the city, Razer glowered at his phone- it was late at night, he had just dropped Aya off at Jordan’s apartment and was headed home (Aya insisted he stay for dinner since they didn’t go to the arcade to play games, and Razer had sent off a cursory text to his parents, and as expected, received nothing back so he stayed for dinner) so why did he have to send the text?

Reluctantly he pulled out up a new text, and tapped a few buttons.

Tomorrow at 1, want to go for a movie with Walker? – R

The text came swinging back so fast, he wondered if she had been waiting by her phone. I would enjoy that very much. – Aya

I’ll come pick you up. – R

He sent off the text without thinking about it, and didn’t receive an answer back until he walked in through his houses door.

I will be waiting for you at noon, so we have enough time to walk to the theater. – Aya

He smiled at the text, falling into bed, without a care. (Aya spent several hours fretting silently over what to wear, before going with green and white)

—The Teachers—

The long line of teacher laughed as they knocked back beers, laughing and talking about the sports, every last one of them pointedly ignoring the stack of papers stuffed in bags out in cars or backpacks, waiting to be graded.

Screw grading, they were going to celebrate the week being over as much as the kids were.

-end-

((Sorry to whoever reblogged from my personal account I am lame...

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 17:42:13 -0400

((Sorry to whoever reblogged from my personal account I am lame and uploaded this wrong. orz))

((Fatality, Ch’p, Arkillo, and Mogo are also available for questions!))

First Meetings

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:05:00 -0400

The teen was not happy. Not. Happy. Scowling, the red-headed teen shoved his hands into his hoodies pockets, hunched up his shoulders, and glared at his brand new school. Lantern School. Everyone knew about Lantern High School, home of the delinquents.

If somebody wanted a school where the students within either belonged to a gang or were hurt badly, Lantern High was it. There wasn’t a single person in the entire school that didn’t know how to fight at least a little, even the unlikeliest of people (he had heard the rumors of some tiny little kid who had skipped several grades and then beat up Lit Teacher Hal Jordan in gym class. It would be funny, if it weren’t for the fact that Hal was famous for his own fight-winning skills, and most people steered clear of him)

But the school also had another reputation: rehabilitation of ‘danger’ students. Despite the fact that Lantern School was made up of six gangs, probably more, the fighting very rarely spilled out of school grounds, and there had been miracles worked within the building. Of gang members who changed their life, rebuilding their reputation from the ground up.

Not that he cared, because he didn’t. Not one little bit- “So then.” A red-head with a stupid bowl cut walked up to him, carrying a clipboard. “You must be Ra-“

“It’s Razer.” His real name was not mentioned unless he couldn’t help it any longer. The teacher with the clipboard gave him a look that screamed ’You sure about this?’ and he nodded curtly. “Just Razer.”

“Fine. I’m Guy Gardner. Call me Guy. I’m your counselor. If you ever want a fight, come to me.”

There was a low groan from beside Guy, as a dark-skinned man glared at his counselor. “Guy, don’t say that.”

“Loosen up Kyle. I won’t buy anymore students beer-“

“You’re lucky that Principal D.C. didn’t fire you for that.” Kyle rejoined, and Razor didn’t resist the urge to roll his eyes. Why did he always get stuck with the crazies? Honestly-

“POOZERS! GET TO CLASS!” The loud bellow stunned Razer momentarily, and he whipped around to see one of the biggest men he had ever seen storm across the high-school courtyard, lower jaw almost comically jutting out beneath beady eyes.

The legendary Coach Kilowog then. “Well? What are you waiting for you morons! CLASS!”

Razer wondered if he should start believing the legends about Kilowog taking down fifteen gang members with a single sweep of his arm. Guy tutted softly as he yelled back, “LEAVE THEM ALONE! IF THEY’RE LATE THEN SALAAK GETS TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!”

The kids in the courtyard scattered instantly. Razer smirked at their retreating backs- he had never heard of this ‘Salaak’ guy, so obliviously he couldn’t be that bad. “Guy, be careful! If he hears that you’ve been threatening the kids with him again he’ll assign so much paperwork you won’t be able to find your desk. Not that anyone can anyways.”

“Why thank you Kyle. Guy.” The frosty cold voice spoke, chilling in its coldness. “Please fill out the proper paperwork for the pencils you requested.”

A groan rose from Kyle, as Guy glared, “C’mon Salaak-“

A warm, overly-friendly hand clapped Razer on the shoulder, and began to lead him away from the fighting, yelling Gardner and the chilly Salaak in the courtyard, babbling all the way, “Ah, you must be the new student. Come on, I’m your homeroom teacher, Hal Jordan.”

Razer turned around, and was slightly disappointed. Hal was legendary fighter- he also had a graying streak in his hair. “So you’re Jordan?” He muttered sarcastically, glaring sullenly.

Jordan nodded, running a practiced eye over him. “You’re probably going to be approached by the Red’s. I suggest staying away. Atrocitus is their leader, and he goes… a little crazy.”

Atrocitus? Who actually had a name like Atrocitus? Hal, noticing the look, explained, “He teaches history, supposedly. He gets derailed pretty often, but powers through what you need to know at the end of the semester. His philosophy is either sink or swim.”

Well, that was good to know.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to the other new student.”

Other? Wasn’t he supposed to be paired up with a student that had been around for awhile? “I know it’s odd, but well- Aya already has the entire school memorized, she just needs someone to talk too I think.”

So no sooner had he stepped into the school then he got landed with a charity case? Razer snorted bitterly, wondering how this had become his life, when a young girl with silvery hair stepped out around the corner, and Razer felt the blood drain from his face.

No.

No.

She looked like… her. Not exactly, but it was there, from her height, to her facial structure- pixie-thin and almost unearthly. Painfully so, and for a moment all he could remember was hair covered in blood, the sound of tires squealing and- “Greetings. I am Aya. You are?”

“Not interested.” Razer snapped back, eyes going narrow, “I’m leav-“

Hal, still smiling grabbed his shoulder before he could flee. “You are going nowhere Razer. She is your partner, and will show you around. Aya, don’t mind his rudeness.”

“Affirmative.” Aya confirmed, one hand reaching out to touch him on the shoulder, “If you will follow me, then I can show you your classrooms.”

Razer allowed himself to be pulled out Hal’s eyesight, teeth grinding together, before at last he curtly shook her off. “Let go of me.”

She let go. Razer stormed off, scowl growing deeper and deeper as he traced out his own mental map of where everything was located. Like he was going to be around her any longer then he absolutely had too- “Ah. You must be the new student.”

Razer froze- he hadn’t even heard the footsteps signaling that someone was approaching him. Slowly, the young teen turned-

Sky blue eyes smiled back at him, as the dark skinned boy, thin as a willow stood in the hallway. His long dreadlocks were pulled back by a light blue scarf, wrapped around his head so he looked almost like a old granny. “Who are you?” Razer snarled back.

“I am called Walker. I would go back to Aya. She was very excited about having someone new to help out. Ah- And what’s your name?”

Razer snarled, hands balling into fists, glad that he had a target in front of him. “About to send your sorry rear to the hospital!”

“That’s not a pleasant name. Not a pleasant name at all.”

Razer stepped forward, and Walker did something, to where he was no longer standing in the spot he was supposed to. “Really, you should calm down. Fights aren’t well received around here.”

Walker was eating a slice of mango as he spoke, obviously enjoying Razer’s discomfort. Razer’s eyes narrowed as he lifted his fists. He was a good fighter, and he wasn’t about to let a non-name sorry punk make a fool out of him!

“Hold still so I can hit you!”

Walker flipped out of the way, lightly tapping Razer on the back, at a pressure point, letting the teen know that Walker, if he wanted, could’ve hurt him. “Is there a reason why you are so upset? It certainly isn’t at me. Or at Aya.”

Razer stilled, the words settling into his brain like nothing any of his state-hired psychologists had managed to mimic. “It’s none of your business.”

“You are correct, it isn’t. But I hope that you can overcome it- Aya is a good person.”

Why was everyone so determined that Aya was his friend? He didn’t even know her! “I don’t even know her! Why should I be concerned about becoming her friend?”

The blue eyes caught his for a single second, solemn and heavy, “I think you will find that you two are not as different as you seem to think.”

Then, abruptly, Walker whirled away, smiles once again. “Arkillo! There you are!” The giant teen, ugly in a way that could only be natural and compounded by a thousand fights, stopped in the middle of the hallway, his flaming golden Mohawk signifying that he was part of the Yellow Gang dull in the fluorescent light.

“Walker? What’re you doing around here?”

“Ah, I just wanted to tell you that I can’t make it to tonight’s meeting; Mogo requested my help-“

“That stupid planet of a man still sick? Idiot. Fine.” Arkillo stormed off, Walker a step behind him, trying to explain. Razer watched them go with wide eyes.

“Razer?” A quiet voice from behind him, as worried eyes stared straight into his soul. “Are you well? Do you require a trip to the nurses office?”

“I’m fine.” Razer snapped back, about to abandon her again, when he remembered Walker’s solemn eyes. Teeth ground together as he asked her, “Where do we go from here?”

Aya, to her credit, didn’t seem phased by the sudden change in topics. She pointed off to the right. “That way is the shortest possible route to the lockers.”

First day of school always sucked. But at least this was an interesting school. (And maybe, just maybe, he could learn to like Aya)

-end-

Photo

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:53:00 -0400

Guardianship

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:11:00 -0400

There was a little girl staring at him.

The tall man awkwardly juggled his ice-cream cone in one hand as he attempted to ignore the piercing stare. The girl wasn’t actually all that young, either late middle-school or early high-school age, with short silver hair. He bet that she would actually look cute for her age if she cleaned up a little.

For now, there was a twig and leaves sticking up out of her hair like a birds nest. In fact, if he looked hard enough, he could see the outline of a small little bird chirruping…

It made sense, though, they were in a small little park, with trees, bushes, a small ice-cream vendor man… Perfect for teens who liked to stare, stare at him. Creepily. Why was she staring? And did she know about her hair?

The man slapped his face, and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Get ahold of yourself Hal. You are here to meet Carol. Not to pick up strays.”

The child was still staring at him with huge baby blue eyes, like she was expecting something to happen. Hal surreptitiously snuck a glance around himself- there had to be a cat nearby, never mind the fact that if there was, the young teen would probably be getting closer-

When had she moved until she was practically sitting on the same bench as him?!

“Uhhh, hi!”

“Greetings.” The oddly formal word was given back to him, and Hal felt the easing of panic. As a teacher, he had a good handle on ages. She was going to be a freshman in high school when it started in another three or four weeks or so. He could handle this.

“Sooo- uhhh- what’s your name?” When in doubt, revert to teacher mode!

“Aya.”

“Aya? That’s a pretty name.” Hal smiled softly, and she nodded back, still looking faintly ridiculous with twigs and leaves stuck in her hair. He glanced around quickly, but Carol was still nowhere to be seen.

So he turned back to Aya, questioning, “Are you here waiting for someone?”

The girl paused, eyes becoming distant for a second, as if accessing databases. “Negative. I saw the animal referred to as a tiger, and followed it here. Since then I have been attempting to regain bearings.”

Hal blinked, taking only a half-second to understand what Aya was saying. He grinned easily, “So you’re lost then? You’re in League Park. If you go down that road over there, you’ll hit Justice High.”

Aya’s head turned in the direction he was pointing, and her lips moved slightly as if calculating the distance she was from home. At last she turned to him, and Hal held his breath- she nodded sharply, “Conclusion is that I am lost.”

Hal groaned, face hitting the palm of his hand. The forgotten ice cream trickled down the cone, onto his hand, and Hal groped blindly for the napkins. One was thrust into his hand. “Thank you.”

Hal spent a few seconds trying to clean himself up, and rescue his ice-cream, before sadly giving both up as a lost cause. He binned the ice-cream and the used napkin, feeling the sticky sweetness cling to his fingers.

A giant hand descended upon his shoulder, “Yo, Jordan!”

“Kilowog, what are you doing here?”

“Came out to enjoy the sunlight, and get Salaak off my back. What about yourself poozer?”

The chief administrator was already beginning to do his pre-school checks? No wonder why Carol was late, the tall, fussy man must’ve caught her at the last second. They were expecting an influx of new students, and Salaak was doing his best to make the school look respectable.

So, Carol would not be meeting him today. “Well, I was waiting for Carol, but I guess we’re not meeting up today.”

Kilowog laughed loudly at that, barrel chest booming with noise. The small teen perched on the bench watched them both with analyzing eyes. “Anyways, I was just talking to Aya here.”

“Aya huh? Is that her real name, or another nickname you came up with?”

“It’s what she said!” Hal protested, heading towards the girl still staring at them intently, “She’s lost.”

“Whoa there Jordan, isn’t she a little young? Oh wait, I remember now… All the girls in your class like to crush on you.”

“I- What are you- No! They do not! Don’t go there Kilowog!” Hal shook off the coach as he walked closer to Aya, smiling at her, “Aya, where do you live? I think I can probably find your pla-“

“Excuse me, but what was it that you just threw away?” Aya, Hal realized, wasn’t staring at him, but the trashcan that Hal just so happened to be blocking.

“Wha- the ice-cream? Haven’t you ever had ice-cream before?”

“Negative. Is it considered good?”

Hal nodded, and beckoned to her, “Here, I’ll buy you one. You’re not lactose intolerant, are you?”

“Negative.”

“Good, then prepare to eat the most delicious treat you have ever tasted, my treat. Never had ice-cream before, who hasn’t had ice-cream?”

“You’re asking the wrong guy Hal.” Kilowog watched as the girl with the birds nest for hair trotted past him, following after Hal like an obedient puppy. “What I wanna know is how he always manages to pick up the girls?”

Hal ignored him easily through long practice. The small little ice-cream vendor looked up with a surprised smile. Eyebrows disappeared into the graying hair-line as he spotted Aya trailing after him. “Really Jordan? Isn’t she a little young?”

“Why does everyone think that I’m picking her up? She’s never had ice-cream, so I came to buy her some.” Hal whined, leaning against the cool metal, head cocking towards Aya. “What flavor looks good?”

Aya stared at the ten flavors neatly printed across the small cart, and looked back up. “What is the most popular flavor?”

“Chocolate.”

“Vanilla.”

“Strawberry.” All three men chimed, at once.

Kilowog glowered at Hal. “Chocolate? Really?”

“At least I’m not the idiot who said strawberry. You know very well that nobody except you likes the flavor.” Hal sniped back.

The old vendor shook his head, “Go with vanilla, and expand from there. It’s always better that way.”

“Very well then, I would like one vanilla.”

“Cone or cup?”

“Cone!”

“Cup!”

Hal and Kilowog glowered at each other, as the ice-cream vendor leaned over, looking her in the eyes. “You can eat the cone, but the cup is less messy.”

“Oh. Is the cone considered delicious as well?”

“Usually. Get a cone, you can try it out. Might as well try while you don’t have to pay for it.” The ice-cream vendor suggested, ignoring the two arguing idiots over on the side.

Aya nodded, “That sounds like the most efficient way of eating ice cream.”

“You don’t eat it girl, you lick it if it’s on a cone.”

A smooth vanilla ice-cream scoop atop the thin brown cone was passed over. Aya took it cautiously, staring at the ice-cream for a long second. The three men unconsciously held their breath.

A small tongue cautiously licked, and a small, tiny smile appeared on her face. “Ah, it is good.”

“See! I told you so.” Hal smiled proudly as he slapped Aya’s back.

“Careful there Hal, or Carol might think you want kids.” Kilowog grumbled back, sulking.

Hal rolled his eyes as he looked at Aya in her dirty clothing and messy hair, eagerly making the ice-cream vanish. “Aya, where do you live? I can get you back to the general area.”

Aya looked back up with perhaps the blankest look he had ever seen. “I live down Oa road.”

Oa? That was a rich-person neighborhood. It was also where the ‘Guardians’ lived, otherwise known as the board of directors. Hal winced. He couldn’t really bring Aya back to her place looking like this.

Hal reached out to brush a few twigs from out of her hair, and was rewarded with a confused look. “Is my hair unacceptable?”

“I- I wouldn’t say that. It’s a little messy, but nothing a quick trip to the bathroom won’t fix.” Hal patted her on the shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll clean up just fine.”

He stepped forward in time to miss the slightest stain of red on her cheeks, “C’mon, we’ll drop off at my place first and get some of those leaves out of your hair.”

Aya nodded quietly, still licking at her ice-cream as she followed after him. Kilowog shook his head as he trotted after them both- “I don’t believe it. Only Hal Jordan. Only Hal Jordan.”

————

It took three hours to get to the house. Kilowog was counting. He was counting because someone had to keep the two idiots on track. It was like watching a father and his favorite daughter out for a trip together because the two managed to distract each other at every turn.

Aya would ask Hal what something was, and not only would Hal tell her, but he would also let her try it out. This meant that they had gotten distracted, wildly distracted, ranging all across the city, with Kilowog attempting to reel them in back to the house.

“Hal. I know you and your kid there are having fun, but unless you happened to of noticed, the girls parents have got to be getting frantic by now.”

Hal looked to Aya, and Aya shrugged, “Insufficient evidence to make a hypothesis as to their actions.”

“That sounds like they’d be at least a little worried. C’mon, let’s get you home.”

Hal smiled at Aya, and Aya nodded, quickly falling into place beside him, with a huge, tacky sunhat that Kilowog did not want to remember how exactly they got that hat (it involved pigeons. Lots and lots of pigeons. And an old lady. With a cane. He was gonna have bruises for a week.)

“We’ll drop off by my place for just a few minutes to get you fully cleaned up and then we’ll get you to Oa road.” Hal promised, turning right at the corner, and stopping in front of a small apartment building. It wasn’t ostentatious, nor was it breaking down and crumbling. Just an average apartment building, with average tenets, with-

“Oh look, it’s the moron. He’s back again.” The long drawl was echoed by the half-angry glare from the man sitting out on the front stoop, looking all for the world like he owned the entire building, a still smoking cigarette dangling in-between two fingers.

“Sinestro.” Hal greeted warily, angling his body between the man and the teen beside him. “What are you doing back so early? I thought that you were going to be gone all summer.”

Aya peeked out from around Hal to regard the man with the tiny moustache. “Me?” Sinestro glared at Hal, “You haven’t gotten the message, have you?”

“What message?”

“Salaak changed all of our classroom assignments. I am no longer teaching in Building 4, Room 227, but now in Building 3, Room 105. One of our buildings was finally condemned so we are all being reshuffled into something that the idiot insists is organized.”

Sinestro huffed, scowling darkly. “I was forced to cut my activities short and go rescue my classroom items.”

“Salaak didn’t automatically clear it out?”

“Only that which is registered to the school, and proceeded to take glee in informing me that unless I rescued my items within the next forty-eight hours, they would be destroyed with the building.”

That was Salaak alright, doing his best to annoy everyone by using the rules. “Yeah, well, I have a few more errands to run-“

Hal barely ducked the cigarette butt that was lazily flicked at him as Sinestro pulled himself to his full height. “Hey, watch it Sinestro.”

The man smirked as he leaned forward, “You going to make me Jordan?”

Hal nearly punched him, but barely restrained himself. “Not today. Come on Aya.”

Hal quickly guided the girl inside, missing the burning fire that abruptly leapt into Sinestro’s eyes. “What’s this, Jordan? Another girl with a cru-“

The man would never, ever admit it out loud to anyone other than perhaps John over a drink, but it felt really, really good to slam the door in Sinestro’s face. Kilowogs deep, air-shaking laughter made it all the sweeter.

“I live up on the top floor, so we’ll grab the elevator as we head on up.” Hal said quietly, guiding Aya further in. There were only five floors to the building, so it wasn’t exactly a penthouse type of place.

Aya looked around with curiosity as the elevator doors whooshed open, to shiny metal walls. The teen peered at herself closely in the reflective material, tugging a few clumps of hair further down.

Hal smiled at her, and she smiled back as the doors whooshed back open to the fifth floor and standing there was- “Ah, Salaak. Greetings.”

Jordan went stiff at the sight of the tall, gangly man standing in front of his apartment, filling out several pages worth of paperwork. “Ah, Jordan. I see you really did find Aya. I had the suspicion that you might.”

The dry, accusatory tone made him bristle slightly. “Salaak, what are you doing here?”

“I am here to make sure that the ward of Ganthet is properly returned to her home.” Salaak tucked the paperwork under one arm, unfolding to his full height. “I know you Jordan, and your propensity to pick up strays. Sinestro is example enough of that little personality quirk, so I waited here.”

Say whatever you wanted too about Salaak, but he was one efficient man. “I just wanted to get the dirt out of her hair.”

Salaak stared at him for a moment, and looked at his watch. “Five minutes Jordan.”

————-

Aya finished pulling the clumps of dried dirt and the last leaf out of her hair, listening to the tap run water, and trying very hard not to eavesdrop on Salaak and Jordan’s conversation taking place only a short few meters away.

“She’s been home-schooled this entire time? But I mean, hasn’t she made any friends?”

“The board was far more concerned with her education, as it seems that she may be one of the most intelligent people in the entire country.” Salaak, as ever, spoke dispassionately. “Ganthet and Sayd have been lobbying the other directors to allow her to at least go to high school for a year before sending her to college to allow her to adjust to society niceties.”

Aya cast a slightly startled look at the thin wall. She had never heard of this.

“However, due to legal problems, she cannot stay a ward of a member of the board of directors, and still attend high school at Lantern High, but neither will the Board consider alternative schools despite heavy research on my part.”

She hadn’t heard this part either. Salaak had been researching for her?

“That isn’t right! Surely someone could-“

“No Jordan.” Salaak attempted to cut him off, “The amount of paperwork required to transfer her to another guardian takes at least a month, and first someone has to be willing, with a stable income, and a stable home. Moreover, to have the Board approve it would be nearly impossible.”

“It just doesn’t seem right, that nobody gets to see that pretty smile of hers. Don’t give me that look Salaak.”

“Smile? She’s been smiling?”

“Yep. I could be her guardian if we didn’t know that the Board didn’t hate my guts. Carol wouldn’t mind I don’t think.”

Salaak didn’t make a noise, and Aya turned off the tap water, emerging from the bathroom. “I am ready to go.”

“Good. Then let’s go. I brought along a car. It’s probably been stolen by now.”

Hal smiled at her, and she couldn’t help smiling back. She had been doing a lot of smiling today, an odd facial expression that was slowly exercising long unused muscles. “Goodbye Mr. Jordan. It was good to meet you.”

“Yeah Aya, if you ever want to come around again, feel free to do so.”

Aya and Salaak walked out the door, and no sooner had they boarded the elevator, when Salaak spoke. “You heard us, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“And your opinion on Jordan?”

“Mister Jordan is a good man. I had a lot of fun today.” Aya replied instantly, not even having to think about it. “I would like to visit again, if it can be arranged. I have been promised more ice-cream.”

Salaak stared at the wall, but his eyes were calculating and sharp. Aya ran different scenarios of what he could be thinking about, the route home running a high 80 percent, and any other information running only two to three percent.

“Watch then as I drive back. If you wish to visit Jordan, it will have to be on your own time.” Salaak said at last, as the elevator doors whooshed open to the first floor.

Mister Sinestro and Mister Kilowog were not outside, and Salaak’s small car was sitting at the curb where he had presumably parked it.

Aya watched the passing streets as Salaak drove, memorizing each and every street name. “Mister Jordan is familiar to you Mister Salaak?”

“Yes, he’s a teacher at Lantern High.”

“Then you know who Carol is, correct?”

“His girlfriend, and fellow teacher.”

“Lantern High is considered an acceptable school?”

“Correct.”

“Then I would like to attend Lantern High.”

Salaak didn’t say anything to that, flicking the turn signal on exactly 15 meters away from the corner, and slowing down as they turned onto Oa road. Aya stared up at the huge penthouse that her guardians lived within, all shiny and bright, while hiding the dark emptiness within.

Salaak climbed out of the car as Aya remained sitting. I don’t want to go in there. It was a terrible thought, but she didn’t. She wanted to go back to the small, cozy apartment that was Hal Jordan’s place.

Which didn’t compute. Aya had spent roughly four hours with the man, not nearly enough time to truly get to know the man.

Well, she had the road to Hal Jordan’s Apartment memorized. She could easily visit him, and he had extended his invitation. “Salaak, I need to speak with Ganthet about arranging free time.”

“According to his schedule, Ganthet and Sayd should be in the study room.” Salaak watched her walk up to the door, but didn’t follow her.

Aya turned to him with a confused look. “Are you not coming along?”

“No, I have paperwork to file. I will be disappointed if it falls through.” Salaak’s scowl grew a little deeper, “Very disappointed. Tell the Board hello for me please.”

“I will.”

Aya turned back to the emptily large house.

————-

One month.

Aya slowly dragged her feet as she approached her current guardian’s house, head hanging.

It was Monday, the last day of Summer Break before school started Tuesday. Every ounce of free time she could have, Aya had gone to Hal’s small little apartment every day, including one memorable time when she arrived at midnight.

Carol Ferris had been there as well, but she seemed rather indulgent of Aya appearing at random hours. And she met a boy named Walker on one of the visits around the city, along with his friend Arkillo.

Everyone Jordan introduced her too was very interesting, it was new and exciting, and now at nine in the evening she was headed back to the house because tomorrow school would start. She wouldn’t get to hang out with anyone.

Aya was going to be alone- “Aya. Here. Take a look over this paperwork, and talk it over with Hal. If you two agree, then sign it and take it to the table in the main dining hall, a member of the Board shall pick it up. They will handle all matters from there. Your suitcase, if needed, shall be sitting in the front hallway.”

The instructions, crisp and clean, momentarily caught her off guard as a thick manilla envelope rubber-banded together was dropped into her arms. Salaak regarded her for a second, before cryptically saying, “Good luck.”

“Why would I need luck?”

Salaak had already turned away and was halfway down the street by the time the question was fully out, and he didn’t turn to answer. Aya regarded the files for a moment, before making her way to the closest street light, despite the fact that it was still actually a little light out, and pulled open the envelope.

The crisp smell of new paper, and freshly dried ink wafted up. It was all ignored by the teen, whose eyes locked on the bold printed words on top.

TRANSFERENCE OF WARD TO GUARDIAN

Aya snapped the file closed, turned on her heel, and ran back the way she had come, clutching the file to her chest. Startled pedestrians squawked in surprise, as hair and clothes flew back in self-made wind, until Hal’s apartment came into view.

Technically, the elevator was faster when walking. But by running, she would be five point three seconds faster, and she needed to talk to Hal now.

Within two minutes, she was knocking on Hal’s door. There was a confused yell within, and the door swung open. “Aya- what are-“

Aya thrust the papers into Hal’s face, and Hal scrambled for a second, attempting to open it and not drop it simultaneously. He went still as his eyes scanned the first page, mouth forming a small ‘o’.

“Aya, is this- how did you get this? Have you been-“

“No. I was given them.” Aya looked anxiously at him, the foreign feeling of fear gripping her stomach. Nonetheless she shouldered on. “Will you?”

Hal closed the folders. “Do you? What do you want Aya?”

Aya wanted to attend school. She wanted to know more about the world, and see what existed beyond Oa street.

Aya wanted to make friends.

“I want to make friends Mr. Jordan.”

“Then I’ll sign it.” He smiled at her, gently as if he would his real daughter, and Aya’s lips curved upwards in response.

Hal retreated into the living room to where the small table and what looked like two beers sat. Both beers had been crumpled, and there was another person in the room- another male. “What is it now Jordan? Can’t a man drink in peace?”

Sinestro. She had thought that the two of them were enemies, not allies. “Shush Sinestro, I’m about to become a guardian.”

“Heavens help the poor child.” Sinestro drawled, “I guess that means that weekly poker night can no longer be held at your place and once again we will have to move to Gardner’s place.”

Hal looked to Aya, and shrugged, “We’ll see.”

“The joys of parenthood.” Sinestro sneered, but Aya could swear she heard the slightest tinge of sadness in that voice. “I’m leaving before it gets anymore sappy.”

Hal made a noise as he began to carefully sign the papers, quickly scanning each page.

“Aya Jordan.”

Perfect.

—————-

Salaak hid a yawn behind one hand as the Board yelled and screamed at each other, fighting over who had just lost Aya to the insufferable Jordan. Technically, Ganthet was her guardian, but as Sayd pointed out, they had all signed the papers.

It wasn’t the closest he had ever seen the Board at tearing each others throats out, but it was close, and lucky him, he got to be here for it. Such fights actually happened on a semi-regular basis.

The teachers all wondered why he was always so grumpy- between being the administration, running all the paperwork for the guardians, and then listening to them fight, Salaak figured he had enough reason to be grumpy. With his little side project that he had juggled for the past month, he had every reason to be exhausted.

Either way, it was nearing two in the morning, and unlike the Board, he actually had work to do in the morning. His head dipped and nodded, as he slowly leaned back against the wall. Aya was at Jordan’s place, with Salaak’s perfectly packed suitcase. The Board could do nothing.

Salaak had the feeling that the next four years of school were going to be interesting.

He eased into dreamland, missing Ganthet’s sharp eyes on him, and Sayd’s slight smile as she tucked a blanket in around him, removing the pen from where his hand where he had been attempting to fill out paperwork.

The two Guardians pulled up chairs, blocking their loyal Salaak from view of the other guardians before they could make any connections.

If they hadn’t wanted this to happen, then perhaps the Board should’ve bought the touch screen monitors that Salaak had requested. He had a very odd way of striking back.

-end-

Some Down time with Walker and Arkillo :).

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:25:00 -0400

Some Down time with Walker and Arkillo :).

Photo

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:17:34 -0400

Photo

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:57:00 -0400

Aya: To maximize the time I have to get ready in the morning I...

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 01:30:00 -0400

Aya: To maximize the time I have to get ready in the morning I lay everything I need out the night before. It is a lot easier to multitask when everything you need is in front of you.

Walker: It is important for me to find my center every morning so I meditate at the start of each day. I have taken to having my fluffy friend accompany me. It was an anonymous gift given while I was in the hospital. I am sure I know who it is from though…

Arkillo: You think I roll out of bed everyday looking as intimidating as I do without shedding some blood, sweat, and tears every morning.

Razer: Morning what?

*Open in new window for larger view*

Photo

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:03:00 -0400