[Antinous Training Grounds] Another Brick in the Wall

by **Fallon** on June 11th, 2013, 10:30 pm

Gentle fingers guided her gaze back to him, and her eyes almost reluctantly being drawn away from the wall she had locked them upon. She met those blue eyes, her lips for a moment trembling as she shrunk into herself. It was unusual for her to be running on something other than a calculated mind and common sense, and so instead was acting only upon something else. Passion? Rage? Impulses? Or something else? She could not put a finger on it at present, and the more she tried to force herself to think on it the more it slipped from her grasp. Her mouth twitched as she tried to say something, almost as she needed to say something in answer.

“I’m not ashamed,” she managed to let out a low mumble, and then felt her cheeks burn. It was a big step for her, and one that even she was not expecting. If Orion was confused, then she was completely lost on the situation. She froze up after that with everything simply being lost. Fallon felt tiny. Her mind was still ticking over, her expression still torn between several emotions, before falling sharply into surprise at the tight embrace. For a moment she tensed, then relaxed as arms wrapped tightly round her and so she rested her head against him. Just doing something so simple to some had taken a lot out of her.

But with doing something like this, by plucking up the courage to stand up and face a fear she had managed to achieve so much. Her fingers gripped onto him, her eyes clenched shut as she just listened to him and enjoyed the moment. And the world for once, perhaps for only just a chime, seemed just a little bit brighter in the eyes of Fallon Skylar.

Tension, grief, anger, rage it had been washed away in an instant. But instead it left only wants and questions in her mind. Why did she do that? What was the meaning behind it? Was it just a flare of the moment? Or… She glanced up at him, blinking as she tried to register thought. It was ridiculous, she could not be interested in him could she now? He, Orion Michaels the man who went with many? It was a silly idea, a childish idea.

Right?

She wanted to say something back, and so she managed to encourage out a croak. “What… what did I take exactly? Wait… um… I shouldn’t have done that. I really shouldn’t of… should I have done that? I mean you… I… we?” she began questioning herself, her brow going into a frown as she looked upon Orion almost for guidance - and if not that then reassurance. She released a cough, and made her eyes dart away once more, “I… Orion… can you… I know this is nice and all but… can you loosen up a bit? I kind of can’t breathe.”
x

by **Orion Michaels** on June 13th, 2013, 7:05 pm

Orion released his grasp on Fallon, not realizing that he’d embraced her so harshly. Nothing about this encounter was normal anymore. Not how she’d kissed him. Not how he’d hugged her for it, but..it was so much more than that. “Fal, you serious? You took my innocence.” He grinned, making light of the situation as he always did. He still didn’t know what to take from it. Did she really look at him that way? The girl had always berated him for being disgusting or something like that. Not that he’d paid any attention. She had always corrected his behavior, but he’d never really adjusted. Still, it caused all kinds of questions to race through his head. She’d heard the few times he’d gone on about other women. If she actually felt something for him through all that..?

“But no, think about it. You acted on impulse right there; I’ve got no doubt in my mind. I’d say that you took a piece of yourself you’ve hidden and brought it to the surface, if only for a moment.” He took a step back and crossed his arms as he listened to her stammer somewhat, so he did all he could really do to keep things moving along. “Just try not to think so much. I don’t know what any of it means either. If you’re looking for me to say the thing that makes things all better,” he said, grinning, “then maybe you don’t know me as well as you think. Maybe it means everything, maybe it means nothing.”

It was perhaps a bit too plain, but it was exactly how he felt. “I…I don’t know what your intentions were, other than the fact I’m aware that I’m simply irresistible,” he said in a combination of sheepishness and teasing. “You know I’m no good at this. I can’t tell you what it means. That’s for you to decide for Fallon. I’m Orion and I always will be. I’m that horrible shykehead who pisses you off. I’m…” Orion trailed off, unsure of where to go or what to say. What was one supposed to do?

by **Fallon** on June 13th, 2013, 8:25 pm

Fallon shot a glance up at him, her lips pursing together before they curled into an almost devilish smirk, “I bet you say that to all the girls.” Of course Fallon knew about the other women and his exploits with them. Of course she knew of his behaviours with the opposite sex – then again who did not? And every time she generally sat there and listened, occasionally giving a quick quip in tease or a slightly offhand comment. Short of that she never really let her own thoughts come into play; she was after all only a girl next to him. His eye would not turn to her even if she demanded it.

“I’m not expecting you to say things that make things better. Mainly because... well…” she gave a shrug “A hunch tells me it wouldn’t quite be the truth. Plus… well… I like to think I’m old enough now to know not to play with fire,” she paused for a moment as if contemplating something and then promptly shook her head, “Anyway, you’re most likely right it was most probably just impulse and the heat of the moment.” She raised her brow and gave a half smile. She needed to find calm, and with calm she would have been able to think clearly. The smile turned slightly false, and then promptly sunk, “Besides, I’m kind of used to watching people from afar. Guess that’s what happens when you don’t settle in places for too long, you get used to being a watcher.”

Everything was still up in the air. Even the mind of Fallon who tried to desperately ground herself was having trouble still trying to ground herself and gain a better understanding of what was going on. It was easy for him to say not to think about it too much, but she was a creature built upon thought and logic, someone who had to analyse and cut things up before categorising it. Fingers reached out and took his hand, and gently guided it over to her. She gave it a squeeze, and then frowned slightly. Playing with his digits she spoke softly.

“You might be a shykehead. But you’re a shykehead that actually listens, even if it is just rambling from me. You also put up with my bullshyke when I go off on one which is a lot more than most people can handle. That and well…” she met his gaze for a moment and returned his hand. She gave a long sigh, “You’re not actually that much of an asshole as you think you are. I mean, let’s face it, I just do disappearing acts and don’t tell anyone and flitter in and out of your life whenever I fancy it. That and I lecture you on your bad habits; expect you to change and so on. You, well you don’t really push that sort of thing on me. Gods, I think I’m at least level with you on being an asshole if not worse.” The girl swallowed and then looked away “Sorry if, you know, I made it a bit awkward. It was just as you said, just impulse. Right?”
x

by **Orion Michaels** on June 17th, 2013, 2:23 am

"Only to the good looking ones," he teased. Probably not the best thing to say at this moment, but it really was impossible for him to miss a chance to get her going, especially as it seemed they were working their way through this. For all of his social skills, there were gaping holes in that talent. It was those encounters of the one night type he knew how to handle. Friendships were always a wreck. So this was terrifying.

Orion fell quiet as she spoke, a melancholy falling over their conversation. It was deep enough that even Orion was aware that this was no time for jokes, for teasing, for anything but honesty. This could be a pivotal moment in their entire friendship..no..in their entire relationship, and Orion didn't want to let his stupidity ruin it as he did with most things these days. Bitter words, his anger flaring up, daggers of rage when someone pushed him too hard emotionally. Rather than crumble, he would fight back. Rather than talk, he would strike. It wasn't healthy.

But Fallon had always put up with it, and only pushed away to protect herself, whether she really needed to or not.

"I wish you'd show this Fallon more often," he replied as she took his hand. She was never in the forefront unless he engaged her, or at least that's how it played out in Orion's mind. She worked from behind, never voicing too loudly unless he upset her enough. She would lash back as she did today, but never had she reacted like this.

A sad smile rose to Orion's feature as she defended his less than stellar personality and defaced her own. Could he really disagree with anything she had said? If he sat down and thought about it, there was no way he could have. He was the immoral manslut, Orion Michaels. She was Fallon Skylar, flaker extraordinaire. But it wasn't what their friendship was forged on. "None of that matters. I..I don't think either of use are who we really are yet." He licked his lips somewhat nervously, eyes darting too and from the young woman before him. "I mean..we're neither the people we were when first we met...and I don't think the changing will stop anytime soon." Sighing quietly, he looked down to the ground as a reply was given to her final statement. "If anyone knows anything about awkward, it's me..but..you'll have to answer that last bit for yourself. No one else can do it for you, Fal."

But we both have to decide if it means anything...

"..We're okay, Fal." He stepped back up to her, embracing his longtime friend once again, resting his forehead the top of her head as he spoke. "Think about it. Don't think about it. You're going to do whatever you're going to do, regardless of what I say if history is any gauge. Just...be you in whatever you conclude." Releasing her again, he turned to begin making his way back from where they came. "I'm..I'm a bit tired. I think I'm going to go back to the dorms and catch a little shut eye. I'm a little beat up after the training today."

by **Radiant** on July 6th, 2013, 3:38 pm

Fallon :

Orion :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Weapon: Tulwar	+2 XP
Brawling	+1 XP
Acrobatics	+1 XP
Rhetoric	+5 XP
Socialization	+2 XP
Intimidation	+2 XP
Seduction	+1 XP

Skill	XP Earned
Weapon: Longsword	+3 XP
Rhetoric	+5 XP
Observation	+1 XP
Socialization	+3 XP

Completed [Antinous Training Grounds] Another Brick in the Wall