Nephriel

Vampire Academy

Anna wasn't so focused on her own practice that she didn't hear Gunner's grunt of pain. She turned in time to see him pulling the stake from his leg and winced. She went to him, it was habit.... He was her friend and he was hurt and so she didn't even think about their earlier incident. She took the first aid kit from the teacher who walked off shaking his head and sighed. "I'm going to ruin your pants, you'll get over it."

She took the sizzors and cut the leg of his pants off. She knew he had other pairs and it was safer and more sanitary... also less painful, to do it this way rather than trying to roll the pants over the wound. She knelt in front of him after ordering him to set on the bench. "I don't know how you did it Pretty boy... but that took some skill," she teased as she hoped it would lighten his mood. Her hands were shaking because she was nervous. She poured peroxide over the wound and then cleaned it up gently with a cotton swab. "It's actually not that bad... no infirmary needed... or stitches."

She kept her eyes on the wound on his leg, refusing to look up at him. She sprayed antiseptic on it and then placed a gauze square over it and began wrapping it. She had to say SOMETHING about earlier... She bit her lip and finally sighed. "Look... what happened earlier... forget it okay? It can't happen... I know that..." The words at the end came out a little shaky, probably because it felt like she'd just been stabbed in the heart again. "So, because it can't happen I don't want anything between us getting weird... so forget it. It was a mistake... I didn't..." She couldn't finish so she just finished wrapping his leg and secured the bandage before standing up.

"Besides... I've got an admirer. Who knows, maybe it's just curiosity about any relationship in general and I'll get over whatever is going on with me and fall head over heels with this dude." She shrugged trying to seem nonchalant, even though she'd practically just admitted she was still a virgin and even though she was not really even sure why she'd brought up Jace. Maybe because some part of her hoped he'd react... hoped he'd confirm that she hadn't been imagining him starting to kiss her back earlier but she didn't really believe that. Her eyes were a little empty and her stance a little stiff, the smile a little hollow as she tossed one of her regular punches into his shoulder. "Get up Pretty boy... class will be over soon."

She needed to talk to Serena... even if she had said she didn't want anything to change she knew some of it had to. She couldn't risk what had happened today happening again and so as much as she hated it... she wouldn't be practicing with Gunner anymore. If Serena was willing, she'd practice with her and Gunner could practice with... someone else. She took a breath, stealing herself... it had to be this way. She wasn't losing Gunner. They'd been friends forever... she couldn't see being without him. Who knows... maybe she would get past this and maybe she'd just throw herself into this thing with Jace. It would keep her busy... and maybe keep her mind off this hole eating its way through her chest.

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

Seb smiled as she kissed him and he kissed her back, "I try... you're beautiful as always." He toyed with the pin in her hair a moment before glancing at Gunner and chuckling, "I pitty you."

Anna scoffed, "Oh you'll live. What are you going to do if you don't get Seb for a Ward and you end up with some prissy girl?"

As Gunner climbed in she bumped shoulders with him as per her usual and then began tugging her hair up into a tight bun. If she was going to do this, she was going to look professional about it. The clothes she wore were all practical even if they were her best outfits, all of them good to fight in and easy to move around in... She'd packed one simple black dress that wasn't really anything fancy, just something to wear if the need arose to be formal.

Seb had decided that he was actually going to endeavor getting along with his family this weekend so he'd actually tucked in his dress shirt, buttoned up his vest, and combed back his hair... and hadn't worn faded blue jeans with holes in the knees. It was really the best he was willing to do. He held the door open for Anya and took her hand and kissed it before closing the car door behind her after she got in behind Gunner. He got into the front passengers seat and the ride was about an hour... of stiff stuffy classical music.

Once he got out he felt like he'd escaped a torture chamber, and he opened the door for Anya and took her hand again to help her out. "Here we are... home sweet hell... I mean home..."

Anna laughed a little and shook her head before looking at Gunner, "I'll grab Anya's bags you big baby, if you grab mine. It's just one duffel."

Seb's home was basically a mansion... marble with a wrought iron gate and tall green hedges serving as a fence. He led Anya up, still holding her hand and was about to push the door open when it swung wide to reveal his mother who immediately hugged Anya.

"Oh welcome dear! Finally! It's so good to see Sebastian with someone who is good for him."

Seb grimaced, "Mother... she hasn't even been introduced to you yet..."

His mother smiled, "Oh nonsense... She is Anya Badica and I am your mother. What else does she need to know aside from that I already like her."

Seb bit his tongue to keep from saying it was only because her family had money... This was proven when she looked at Gunner and Anna, "Oh... you brought... them I see. Well... we should get them to their quarters."

Anna waited till the heavier set, auburn haired lady turned around and then made unflattering faces at her back before heading up the stairs behind Anya and Seb.

Seb turned to Anya, "Sorry about that... she's... excitable?"

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

Seb gave Gunner a look and then ran a hand through his hair, "Anyway... thank you..."

Anna arched a brow, "So formal... you really are nervous huh?"

Seb huffed, "I swear... between the two of you it won't be spirit that sends me mad, it'll be you."

Anna grinned, "We love you too Seb...."

~*~

Again the week flew by and when the end of classes rolled around on Friday Seb waited nervously for the others to catch up to him out in the courtyard. They'd be staying with his parents till Sunday evening, which meant they'd had to grab a few sets of clothes. He watched his father's driver pull in and grimaced, asking him to pop the trunk so they could toss their bags in when they came out.

Anna was first, she tossed a small duffel into the trunk and then happily bounced into the seat in the back. "Don't look so happy Seb."

Sebastian sighed, "I'm just... nervous."

Vampire Academy

Anna was gone for maybe half the class since it took up two periods anyway and when she came back she was smiling again... She'd spent all of her time out of class with Jace and he'd made her feel a little bit better even if it had only been by taking her mind off things. Plus, for some reason she'd felt comfortable enough to tell him about Gunner... Of course, he'd brought it up first and she hadn't meant to tell him. She'd never even told Sebastian or Anya or even let herself realize it really so she wasn't sure why she'd told him beyond that she just... felt so comfortable.

"So, what has you so down?"

Anna had shrugged, "Boy trouble..." Another slip of the tongue but it was too late to take it back.

"That Novice in the hall with you? Did you break up?"

She had laughed, "Right... Well, you kinda have to be together in the first place to break up... No, I just... I let it slip how I feel and I don't think he'll feel the same... Actually, even if he did he would never let it happen." She felt a sharp pain in her chest and frowned again, "Why am I telling you all this? I don't usually unload on people like that..."

He'd glanced at her and given her a reassuring smile, "Just one of those faces I guess... and don't worry. If he can't see what a catch you are it's his loss..." He'd looked away sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I for one would love a shot at someone like you."

Anna had laughed again, "Like me? You mean someone who eats junk food and has such a winning personality?"

He'd looked at her all seriousness and she'd felt all warm, though again... nothing like when Gunner looked at her. "No... I mean someone so beautiful, confident, and strong. You're a rare find in a lady... You're tough but you're still so kind. It's kind of amazing actually... that balancing act."

Anna hadn't really known what to say, "How do you know I'm anything like that?"

He'd shrugged, "Maybe that boy of yours isn't the only one who has been admiring you... I'm just willing to admit it."

She'd left him feeling giddy and confused... she'd only ever felt giddy around Gunner so she felt guilty after just having kissed him and then feeling like that with someone else... even if it was like... ten times less intense. She didn't look at Gunner, her cheeks suddenly lit on fire and her stomach flip flopped nervously, as she grabbed a stake and began practice...

~*~

Jordan smiled as Niya came at him, all confidence and skill. He saw her hit coming as she caught his arm and took the hit to his shoulder. He shook it out as she reeled away and then came at her again, enjoying the sparring match as they traded punches and kicks until the teacher hollered for them to separate. He smiled at her and gave her a wink, "Thanks... it was a blast." He headed to his practice dummy and began nailing it with the stake he grabbed.

He kept his eye on Niya, watching her practice as well with a grin. "I'm glad I'm not your dummy," Jordan called to her as she practiced.

~*~

Sebastian was setting in class when one of the other students came in late. Seb recognized the blonde hair, blue eyed moroi as Jason Szlesky... Rae's good friend. Seb had never really liked the guy, there was something underhanded about his aura... something dark. Still, it was probably just from hiding what he really was and suffering from it... He was a Spirit user too but unlike Seb he was hiding it. He pretended to be a Fire User and conveniently skipped out on class any time there was something that required him to use skills with the element that were beyond his grasp since he wasn't really declared in it. Clever... if Seb had thought of it maybe he'd have done the same. It would have saved him a lot of grief with his family... Still, the guy was way too comfortable using compulsion on anyone anytime he felt like. He used it on teachers, on other royals, on students, on Guardians, on anyone he needed to to get his way. Usually, Seb wouldn't be so morally uptight about it... he used it too... but not like that... not all the time and not just to get what he wanted. Usually, he was protecting someone else... or using it accidentally.

He watched him take a seat, his aura a glow today... something had pleased him, and turn to Rae. Seb lost interest and went back to doodling on a spare piece of paper.

~*~

Aleks felt anger wash through him for a moment before he took a breath... He couldn't upset her, she was already too shaken up. "Who Trish?"

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

The next two weeks flew by in a blur. For Anna it was all classes and training and the same teasing with Gunner as they'd always done. For Seb well, it was a bit different but in a way he'd never trade. He and Anya had finally gotten comfortable with the change from friends to relationship material. Seb had made it a point to be seen walking the halls holding her hand and kissing her before class, within the first week the girls he usually had flitting around him took the hint and found someone else to flit around... namely Rae who obviously would not mind the extra attention.

Seb was struggling a bit though, he knew that he liked being with Anya and knew she felt the same about being with him. They'd decided to make it work... but her parents weren't going to be happy. Seb had already decided he was taking Anya to meet HIS family, HIS father would be thrilled with the relationship... Anya was from a Royal family and her parents were well off and had good standing in the courts. To his father, it would be the only thing Sebastian had ever done right for his family... but he hadn't done it for them and the idea of his father seeing it that way infuriated him. Which made it difficult because he knew conflict with his family in front of Anya would upset her since she didn't get along with her own family she'd want to get along with his... and he couldn't deny her that. His parents would love her, his younger sister would adore her... she'd fit in his family where he didn't. He wanted to take her to meet them this coming weekend while classes were out... but he wasn't sure how to broach the topic.

So, as usual... he used Anna and Gunner as his excuses and brought it up at lunch. They were all setting together, Anna between Gunner and Seb and Anya on Seb's other side.... all of them joking and laughing as usual. "So... I have a request... of all of you actually."

He gave Anya's hand a squeeze, "My parents want me to visit them this coming weekend, my younger sister's birthday is coming up and so they want to have a party for her at home... Since either Anna or Gunner will end up being my Guardian, more than likely, they should come and... Well... I wanted you," he looked over at Anya, "to meet my old man."

He grimaced a bit, "I don't really get along with him but I know he'll like you and I know my sister will adore you... Maybe it'll prevent a fight this time? Who knows..."

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

Anna laughed and nodded her agreeance at Gunner's comment then laughed again as he pulled her off into the woods. She waved at Anya before being dragged away and Anna paced Gunner easily. As they neared campus they slowed, keeping eyes out for Guardians. Once they reached the dorms Anna gave Gunner a loose hug. "Night pretty boy. Don't get caught going to your room," she teased.

Once back in her own room she took a shower and redressed before collapsing onto the bed. Within moments she was asleep...

~*~

Sebastian chuckled, "As I said, I am attempting to behave myself... have a good night you two."

He watched them go and then glanced down at Anya as she told him they should go, he agreed... it was cold. He grabbed his clothes and tossed them over his shoulder, wrapping up in the towl. If he got caught he could just compel them to forget, he'd done it before. His main concern was getting Anya back and warm. He held her hand as they headed back to the rooms. "How much do you want to bet Anna and Gunner end up together next," he asked her playfully.

He opened the door to the girls dorm when they got there and ushered her in, planning on walking her to her room to make sure she didn't get caught. When they reached her door, he leaned in and kissed her again... his hand running through her wet hair as his other pulled her body closer to his. He deepened the kiss a moment, his fingers toying against the skin of her back before he pulled away again and smiled slightly. "I should let you sleep..." He gave her a flourish of a bow and straightened, "Good eve m'lady... I must adjourn to my own quarters a'fore I risk thine virtue by succumbing to my rakish nature." He gave her a wink, "But really though... Goodnight..." He gave her another light kiss and smiled.

Vampire Academy

Anna was mildly surprised when she actually managed to get Gunner on the defensive and keep him there, usually they were back and forth the whole time but apparently her focus this time had allowed her to break through his guard and keep herself there... Except then, she'd been surprised and she'd lost her focus in light of this achievement and suddenly found herself being knocked off balance. She'd been prepared to roll if she fell, to keep him from pinning her but apparently he'd read that in the shift of her stance because he was suddenly wheeling her around to the wall. Her back hit first, along with her wrist which he'd caught earlier when she'd thrown that punch and she could have gotten out of it... she really could have. It would have been a simple matter of either knocking her head into his nose or dropping to the floor and slamming a palm into his knee to take him down... but she didn't do either of those things. Instead, her heart did something funny and her breath caught and her eyes went wide... she froze up.

For a second there, while her heart was doing funny things in her chest, her eyes were snagged on the smirk on his lips and she MEANT to headbutt him.... she did... really... but instead her lips found his and she was kissing him. The moment her mind caught up with her actions she quickly jerked away as if his mouth had burned her... and maybe it had... it felt like it had. She didn't look at him as she dropped, going limp and heavy before shouldering him backwards from her and spinning out to his left. She didn't look back as she grabbed a towl and headed for the locker room. When the teacher called out after her, not having seen what had happened (it had happened to quickly probably for anyone else to have noticed) she excused herself saying that she needed air.

The teacher looked puzzled but let her go before calling a halt to the sparring warm ups and a start to stake practice. He ran through the correct form, posture, and force to use and then ordered everyone to split off out of their pairs and practice on their own. Anna, in the meantime was pacing in the locker room. It was possible that she'd just ruined everything and she hadn't even MEANT to kiss him, hadn't even realized she was GOING to kiss him. She let her back hit the wall as she groaned, she needed an excuse and she needed one fast because there was no way in hell that Gunner was going to be okay with what had just happened. If she didn't think of something quickly then... well... he'd act completely different around her and she didn't want that... ever.

She took a breath and decided to skip out on class... She headed into the hall and dodged a few Guardians on her way out to the Courtyard. "Angelina Ross, right?"

She jumped at the sound of her name, looking back over her shoulder... she'd passed the blue eyed Moroi boy without even realizing he was there. "Um... yeah... do I know you?"

He smiled sheepishly and shook his blonde head, "No... and you wouldn't. I just... I saw you fighting today and, well... you were amazing."

For some reason she blushed, he was looking at her all aglow and his face full of honest admiration... she didn't know what to do with that. So, instead she brought up something else. "Oh, uh... thanks... You playing hookie too?"

He shrugged and looked a little embarrassed, "You... could say that. I'm just not all that good at controlling my element and apparently that's the focus today so... If you want we could walk together? You look a little... disheveled."

She laughed slightly and mimicked his earlier answer, "You could say that... what's your name?"

He smiled back and for some reason she felt warm when he looked at her that way... it wasn't the same as with Gunner but it was still there... an undeniable pull. "Jason... or Jace... Szlesky. Come on... I'll show you where I go to think."

She hesitated but that smile again... she glanced back at class, no way was she going back there... "Alright... lets go."

Vampire Academy

Anna watched Gunner slip into his usual Guardian Robot persona and smiled a bit, taking comfort in the normalcy. As he came at her she blocked and dodged as usual, actually more focused today than usual because she was afraid what her own hormones might do if he managed to grab her like he had yesterday. Today, however, she didn't let him push her into the defensive. She took initiative and attacked and dodged equally. She ducked a punch and socked him a good one in his solar plexus, a blow that could knock the air out of him if he didn't turn his body a bit, and then brought her other arm up in an uppercut. She knew he'd probably stop the uppercut but she was ready for that... prepping to go for his knees with a kick if he caught her arm. Today she wasn't being her usual joking self, she was trying to take a page from his book and focus only on the training... on making her movements fluid and fast. Her face was, for once, emotionless and focused... determined.

~*~

As Niya took up a defensive position Jordan smiled a bit. He liked to feel his opponent out first so, he started slow... throwing a punch here or there. A kick when she blocked... All the while, he kept himself circling her, taking in her fighting style and reading her movements carefully before he actually went on the offensive. She knew when he finally started taking things seriously, because instead of his earlier attack and retreat method he was actually coming at her pretty hard. He threw a right hook, keeping his left arm up to guard against her attack, and then followed it up with the left hand snapping out to attempt to catch her unaware... but he kept his elbows close, never over extending in case he had to block and effectively keeping the zone in which she could attack smaller.

~*~

Sebastian headed to class and was surprised to see Ms. Matila was still nowhere in sight... However, another teacher was already strolling in to take over. As she faced the class she began describing different ways for each element to push their powers. Air was to attempt putting out a candle by sucking the air away from the flame... this attack could be used to suck air out of an enemy's lungs. Fire was told to attempt controlling a small orb of it tightly, and try to make it burst like a bomb when throne at the fireproof wall they'd set up earlier that day. Earth was told to attempt forming a sharp spike or something with a sharp edge... it wouldn't be as effective or even deadly as a stake but any weapon if a guardian was defenseless could help them protect their ward more effectively. As for water, they were to try the orb as well... only they needed to hold it in place for an extended period in order to emulate drowning... this wouldn't kill a strigoi but it would incapacitate.

Later a Guardian came in and informed the students on how they could use their powers to help their Novices during surprise attacks... "As it is impractical to let you actually use lethal abilities on the Guardians in the school, we will be giving each of you pouches of colored powder... when you hit one of the Guardian's with these bags the powder will stain our clothes and allow us to know which element we were hit by and how to act accordingly. It isn't as practical as we'd like, but other training methods are being considered... until then this will be a fun and safe way to practice."

~*~

Aleks frowned again and gently took her hand, "Come with me..." He had led her out of the school and informed both a moroi teacher and a guardian that they would need fill ins before they'd left the building. Once outside he took her somewhere more private. "Trishia... you can talk to me. I would never tell anyone anything you wanted kept secret but you need to speak... it is obvious this is weighing heavily on you..."

Vampire Academy

Anna eyed him, "I do like elephants..."

She heard the commotion about the same time Niya did and about the same time the bell rang for class. She sighed, the fight in the hall had really eaten away at their lunch time and it looks like today was going to be a full day of surprise attacks. She stood, a small wave of anxiety slipping through her. She pushed it away, she'd only fought with Gunner a thousand times. Nothing was different.

"Well, lets go. I'm gonna win today... I feel it." No, really she didn't but it would be odd if she wasn't her usual cocky self. She headed into training class and looked around, confused as to where Guardian Belikov was... but another Guardian entered and was apparently filling in. As he ordered stretching Anna got to it and avoided looking at Gunner until it was time to spar. Apparently, today they were practicing staking but it would only be after their usual sparring warm ups. She slipped into position in front of Gunner with a grin that she didn't really feel all that behind, butterflies were flapping away in her stomach. "Well, Pretty Boy... bring it on."

~*~

Sebastian chuckled at Serena, "Raspberries... good choice by the way. They're my favorite fruit..." As if to prove it, he reached out and plucked one from her batch. The bell went off and he sighed, "So, I guess I'll see you after your class? Apparently, Ms. Karp is going to be training me in spirit today... That should be interesting..."

He stood and waved at her, deciding to stop by the feeders on the way to class. Once he was done he headed up and took a seat.

~*~

Jordan grimaced as the bell went off, "Guess that concludes our lunch break."

He stood and smiled, "Well... I'll walk you to class... even though you look like you could handle yourself just fine. I could use the company..."

He headed into class and glanced around, "Looks like we get to spar together after all."

He got into position and watched his old partner head over to Serena to practice with her.

~*~

Aleks frowned, "Trish... what's going on? What's wrong?"

Vampire Academy ~ Rememberance

He actually blushed as he realized he HAD in fact forgotten all about his clothes. He grinned, "A-hah-ha... Oops..."

He nodded back in the direction of the lake, "We should grab my clothes and the towls... besides... Anna and Gunner will be wondering where we slipped off too. Getting back with them will help me behave when I take you home."

He took her hand once more and led her back to the lake, "Hey you two... miss us."

Anna grinned, "We were getting ready to leave without you..."

She climbed out of the water and teasingly pushed Gunner back in once he tried to do the same before grabbing a towel and wrapping up in it. "I'm sleepy..." She yawned deeply and rubbed her eyes.

Sebastian shook his head, "Well, we should separate... Moroi with Moroi so that we can get back, MAYBE undetected... you two are so loud when you're joking around."

Anna arched a brow, "Trying to get some alone time with Anya?"

Seb smiled, "I've had my chance and I behaved... Now that I'm clothed I think I can get her home without risking her virtue." He hugged Anya against his side to keep her warm in the chill.