(( you could be my hero ))

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] If there was one thing that Alice was thankful for this particular day, it would have to be the idea of a weekend. It had been a long first week, but then again it often was. It took a bit to adjust from the relaxing pace of life she had while living with her father over the summer in France. This year, they'd even left Paris, gone for a road trip around the country in the car he'd bought her, now that she had her full license and could drive. It wasn't anything special, but it was hers. She didn't have it here, but it was nice to know it would be there when she returned, just like Chocolat, her siamese cat. Her head tilted away from the words on the page and she glanced out the window, missing her summer life a bit. It wasn't anything spectacular, there were no big stories to share, but it had been nice nonetheless. With a soft sigh, she slipped a bookmark into her spot, the book having been propped up against her knees, which were tucked up a bit to allow her to fit in the windowsill's space. She closed the book around the bookmark and turned, sliding off the cushions she'd been resting on and placing the book there. She really should have been looking for one book in particular that she needed for an assignment for her culture and assimilation class, but The Count of Monte Cristo had been far more appealing. A tale of revenge, yet a tale of love. She wasn't one for the modern romance novels, but the older classics often made for good reads, she found, and she had no qualms about Alexandre Dumas. Finally skimming the rows and rows of books, she let her fingers trail along the spines of them, small smile lighting upon her face. She'd always liked libraries. There was something about the quiet silence which just seemed so terribly loud that was enticing to her, and it always had been. The books, the smell of dust that coated many a library, those were lovely as well, in her opinion. Her smile fell to a bit of a frown for a moment. Where the book should have been, it wasn't. Well, that's rather unfortunate. She murmured softly to herself, English accent clear and loud within the silence, her voice refined, well-schooled, each emphasis placed correctly, making each word clear and precise. A habit, in a way. She'd always pronounced things this clearly, no matter what language she spoke, and she wasn't sure if it was picked up from her schooling, or simply something she had started on her own and stuck with. She never thought about it much, either, not anymore. She had, once, when she'd been a curious child, but those days were long past.

[Flame]

Hunter had found himself in the library. Everything reminded him of his parents, but he was dealing… somehow. He’d come here… mainly to read. He loved reading, and so it would go. He needed something, so he’d come to the library. He found himself wandering around, just watching the books. They might jump around… you never know. His hands were in his pockets and his blond hair was flopping about.

Suddenly a voice caught his attention. Well that’s rather Unfortunate.” of course Hunter had to go investigate, the soft feminine voice. Her words were said perfectly. And he turned down an isle to she a shorter girl with brown hair. He smiled slightly. ”Wot is unfortunate?” his accent slipping in on the first word. He watched her glancing at the books.

”Sorry. Oi’m, Hunter.” he held out his hand with a slight smile at the lady, a distraction was always good.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] The voice caught Alice's attention immediately. She hadn't heard the footsteps, though perhaps considering the school she went to, she should have. For a moment, she simply stared up at him in slight surprise, having not known he was in the library, let alone nearby. Still, a moment later a small smile flickered onto her face and her hand fell from the place on the bookshelf that the book should have been. She turned toward him, hand out in a simple gesture, one much overlooked, particularly here at Wicker, she had noticed. As far as she was concerned, it was within the purview manners to greet another properly with a firm, but gentle, handshake. And so, she gladly took his hand in just such a fashion. He'd probably notice, just like everyone else here had, that her hands were soft - something rather unusual considering the manner of education provided here. But she had avoided most of it, and would rather prefer to keep it that way. Alice. And it would seem the book I require for an assignment has already been signed out. I had hoped to start on it this evening, however... It would appear it shall have to wait, at least until tomorrow. She replied, smile not quite fading. It rarely did in matters that were not serious, and this was not. The assignment was not due for another few weeks, she had simply doubted that the others who had been assigned the same book would not be as studious as her and would have procrastinated. She had assumed wrong, and as such, would have to be resigned to wait, but she would manage. If she had to, she would request to go to the local library for it, but she was in no hurry. So, she changed the topic. Your accent... Scottish, if I'm not mistaken?

[Flame]

Hunter watched her with a slight smile. Alice. Pretty. Old English. He liked it. And then his mind went off on a tangent about the meaning of Alice. Which was stopped when she spoke. About a book. Yes that all happened in about two seconds. High IQ. He nodded. ”Ah. Oi’ve never had that proiblem.” he said with a slight smile. Shaking her head. Soft yes, but he was used to soft. It was amazing how many of his father’s busness partner’s hands were soft.

”Roight. Roight oiut soide Edunburgh. You’re a Londoner.” he said easily, his mind drifting into Gaelic. Scottish Gaelic. So much harder then the usual. ” laghachaiche àite” he said softly. Then his eyes got bit. ”Oh um.. Soirry. Nice Place. Forgot not everyone knows Gaelic.” he said softly with a slight laugh.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] Quite alright - but yes, you are correct. Raised in London by my mother. Never been fond of it myself, but when you spend most of your time somewhere, habits and mannerisms get picked up - conditioning, the psychologists call it. I was always more fond of my summers in Paris with my father. Such... culture, and beauty. But, with ten of the twelve months of a year in London... There was a slight shrug, a bit helpless to the fact she hadn't been able to change it then, and she certainly couldn't change the past now that it had occurred. Now that the thought arose, she hadn't seen her mother in nearing four years. Ever since she'd started school here at Wicker. Summers were still her father's, after all. It was their arrangement. She probably could have gotten full custody, if she'd wanted. Alice knew she had thought about it many a time, but it had been her great-grandmother, Marianne's mother, who had stopped her. Alice was always thankful for that. As there often was, a whimsical smile came to her face, traveled to her eyes and made them match. Then, her thoughts floated back to the present. I've always wanted to visit Scotland. Mother never let me, and father was always too busy. Last summer, not as much, but we took a road trip through France instead. Still, there was an instant interest that he had from her from those two simple, Gaelic words. She didn't mention anything right away, though she certainly wanted to. She'd hold her tongue, for now, keep to innocent little stories, avoid seeming too strange and sticking to manners by not simply clinging to him, begging to hear more, to translate, to teach her. That was rather rude, in her opinion, so she ignored the want to do just that.

[Flame]

Hunter listened. It was a different complaint from his own. His was he needed both of his parents, and now had neither, but he nodded. ”Glad I could place it.” he said simply with a slight grin. He watched the pretty british woman, who was interesting, and charming, and definatly a distraction. Hunter was discreet in his looks, but he was looking.

He shrugged. ”Scotland is beautiful. Boit the summars are noit the toim to visit. Unless you wont to be attacked by bugs.” he said with a slight smile. ”Maybe oine day you’ll make it. It is beautiful.” he said softly, refraining from slipping into gaelic. Which was so easy for him. He’d learned English and gaelic at the same time. Hi grandmother had taught him both when he was small.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] Oh, I have no doubt I will. Once I turn eighteen my mother can't stop me from going, and my father will be willing to let me go on my own, albeit reluctantly. And money certainly won't be a problem. She wasn't haughty and uptight about the fact her parents were rich. It was simply a fact, and she knew it as such, so there was no hesitance in stating that fact. Still, it wouldn't have been difficult to tell she was from money. She had soft hands, her voice lacked the rougher bits and pieces of the London accent, and, oftentimes, she was told her paleness gave it away. Though, that, she couldn't help. Her gaze had fallen back to the books she noticed, so she turned it back to him with that same, kind little smile. I plan to travel the world after I'm done here. Scotland is most certainly on that list. So, I'm taking language courses to prepare. Five of them, and I already know English and French. I figure it's a good start. The precise, proper manner to her words slipped into a slightly more regular word choice for a teenager girl as she relaxed more around this boy. But then, she realized, she was doing so very much talking, and letting him hardly do any at all. So she turned the topic back to something he could relate to. Though, I've never heard any Gaelic. It's beautiful... Is it particularly complicated?

[Flame]

The young man chuckled. ”It all depends on your age. Hate that glitch sometimes.” he said with a slight smile at her. He liked her a bit. And obviously she had money. Of course he was just as rich… he just liked walmart clothing. That and he worked on his grandmother’s farm way to often. Ridding pony’s and dealing with sheep isn’t something a Banker’s son often does.

He chuckled. ”Ah. I knoiw English, and gaelic. I’m learnin’ Manderin, and Italian.” he said simply with a chuckle. She was reaching high, and he didn’t doubt that she’d make it and go higher to. She seemed liked that kind of girl. He was more relaxed, and hadn’t really thought about his family much.

”Ah. Gaelic. Yah. It’s complicated. Mainly because it’s unlike anything else… But I learned it when oi was wee.” he said enjoying that last part. ”A very young lad. Me grandmum tought it to me and used to sing to me in it. So I just picked it up. But it’s no where as hard as Manderin. Chinese is not an easy language.” he said with a slight nod of his head.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] It clicked then, when he mentioned the languages he was learning and her smile grew into a bit of a grin before she brushed past, gracefully avoiding bumping him in any manner, but just barely, well-practiced avoidance of contact, before she spun to face him, walking backwards a bit before turning to walk forward again, just watching over her shoulder inside as she moved back towards her window. Yes, I thought I recognized you! I'm in your Mandarin and Italian classes! She was surprisingly easy to excite over little things like this, but she always sort of had been. Little coincidences fascinated her. She made it back to her window, settling on the cushions but drawing her book up to rest it on her lap, leaving enough space for her to sit if he wanted, though she wouldn't be offended if he didn't. And it isn't that difficult, if you look at it in the right fashion. Or, at least, I don't find it that complicated, but languages have always sort of made sense to me, even when I was little. The rest of it... well, to a degree, but no more than anyone else, really. She rested her eyes back on him, ever polite, always paying attention. She knew conversation was a matter of giving leeway to one person to be the focus of attention and then shifting it back upon yourself. This pattern, if kept right, made the conversation continue. It was a matter of practice, of gauging how much the otehr person wanted to talk about themselves and how much they'd prefer to listen. Your grandmum, she sounds like my great-grandmother. My mother always tried to avoid French, and anything to do with France, after she split from my father, but she'd always help me learn when my mother wasn't around. There was a faint sadness there, but most masked. It wasn't anything big and bad, to be avoided. She'd just always been sad at the fact her very own mother couldn't understand her, that they had never gotten along well. Alice had always been very much her father's daughter in both looks and innate personality, and it had annoyed her mother. She had no doubt the woman loved her, but they could both only stand so much of each other, and they certainly had no understanding of the other. It was saddening to think someone so closely related by blood could be so separated mentally and emotionally. But, her great-grandmother had filled that gap as best she could, so the sorrow at that thought was minimal.

[Flame]

He eyed her as she got excited. ”Um. Yois. oi don’ remember yoiu but Oi have been stairing at the book the last few weeks.” he said with a slight sheepish grin. For such a high IQ he had trouble with chinese. It was interesting.

He shrugged. ”It does depend on whoit you think is difficult.” he’d started to force himself to get ride of the accent. Which was hard for him , but he kept trying.

”Me grandmum was a farmer, Sheep. My pa was a banker. But I spent most of my time with my mum and grandmum on the farm.” he said in answer to her words. ”They were…” he was unable to continue, as the memory of his dark haired mother popped into his head.

He shook himself sitting down finally next to her. ”Oi’m sorry.” he said softly.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] She watched him carefully, noticing how he cut himself off. Ah. Family was clearly a touchy topic. She wasn't sure why, but nor did it matter. The point was that he didn't want to talk about it, clearly, so she wouldn't. At his apology, she simply shrugged. It's quite alright. Everyone has their demons. She replied. Sure, hers weren't all that bad. Yes, she didn't get along well with her mother, but there wasn't much more to it than that. They simply had opposing personalities and ideas about life, and that was all there was to it. It wasn't as if Alice was entirely alone. She had noticed the shake, though, the snap back to reality moment. She looked away a moment, staring straight ahead and downwards a bit to gaze at the floor, letting things filter through her memory for a moment before she spoke once more. "I've never tried to block out the memories of the past, even though some are painful. I don't understand people who hide from their past. Everything you live through helps to make you the person you are now." Sophia Loren. Perhaps no more than an actress, but one need not be a philosopher to speak truth or helpful words of advice. To search and find those words of advice is one thing, however it is often much wiser to live by them, or so I've found.

[Flame]

He was thankful she didn’t push it. Because he didn’t want to talk about it. It was hard to even think of his mother or father… or anyone family related. He was trying to surf a wave with out knowing what was going to happen on the other side, and he didn’t know how much longer he’d survive. But he’d keep trying.

He glanced at her. ”It’s harder when the past is extreamly fresh. And I don’t even know what it’ll make me.” he said softly. She’d pretty much asked… at least it seem that way. How would he respond. Talking. It always worked. ”I’m not sure what Boating Accident means, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t mean anything pretty. But I don’t try to hid from my past… it’s more like… try to forget until I can think about it. Like when my first pony died. Couldn’t think about it until about a year later.” oh yes, mum and pa were like a horse. How eloquent of you Hunt.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] She didn't really think about it, just put a gentle hand on his knee in an attempt to be comforting without being too personal. She doubted he wanted pity. If he did, he'd inform more people rather than try and make it through alone. So, she didn't pity him. Simply squeezed his knee a bit before removing her hand. I suppose if it helps. She murmured softly. She wouldn't know. She'd never actually lost anyone, not even a pet. In fact, until Chocolat, her siamese tom, she'd never had a pet. She didn't think a fish counted, not really. It was hard to get attached to a fish. And a fish most certainly couldn't compare to parents, or even a pony.

[Flame]

Hunter glanced at her hand, then up at her. "It will." he murmured. He glanced at the books next to her. "What books are you looking for? If i can't find it I know a teacher who could." he said chaing the subject.

[Centrinity]

alice morel

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400px,true][atrb=bgcolor,0d0a11,true] She respected the topic shift, not bothering to shift it back. She'd let him dictate the direction of their conversation. It was only polite, considering how she'd unintentionally pushed the issue. She shrugged at his question, though. "Geisha: A Life", by Mineko Iwasaki, for a project on Asian culture. But, really, it isn't a problem. I'm in no rush, I've got a month for the project and I'm a fast reader. She replied, not wanting him to worry himself over trying to help her out. The offer was appreciated, of course, but she could manage it fine on her own, it wasn't that big of a deal. If she needed help, she could simply talk to her teacher. She didn't need to waste some of his time by having him help her when it wasn't truly his position to do so. It wasn't like it was a group project that he was a part of.