Nephriel

The Ties that Bind

Sebastian sighed, Serena could calm him down even in his worst moods and he really did want to at least make Gunner have nightmares for a few nights but that was assuming the Guardian got any sleep lately and Seb doubted it. He ran a hand through her hair, "Alright... I won't kill him." He kissed her lightly, healing her lip as he did so. "Only because you asked me not to," even though she technically hadn't but who was keeping track? He glanced back at the classroom and grinned, "Soooo, orientation is out of the way. You want to grab some lunch... off campus? I haven't gotten to take you anywhere nice in a while." ~*~ Anna glared at him but she did stop talking, shoving her hands into her pockets as he spoke. She scoffed, "I don't know whether that's a compliment to my Guardian training or an insult to my feminism..." She rolled her eyes but an actual laugh escaped her at his words. "Fine, it can't be that bad right? At least you aren't a strigoi..." She needed, wanted, to feel better and talking to someone other than Seb and Serena might just be good for her. So, instead of doing what she'd usually do and turn down a pity date... or whatever this was, she caved. "This is the last day before classes start... Unless you want help learning self defense there isn't much to do on campus, should we go elsewhere?" Besides, there was less of a chance of running into Gunner with Rae around if they were off campus. She didn't really feel like hurting him more and she knew Gunner wouldn't like her hanging with Rae... He'd never really liked the Moroi either though she'd never asked Gunner why. She'd always just assumed it was over his teasing. She eyed him, he was showing some classic Moroi signs that he hadn't fed yet today. "Maybe we should stop by the feeders first though..."

The Ties that Bind

Anna, who was usually more observant because... well... she was trained to fight strigoi and they usually attacked from stealth, nearly jumped out of her skin. "Shit!" She took a breath, her eyes landing on Rae and groaned, "Really... you?" She sighed, "I knew letting Jace talk me into this was a bad idea." She rubbed the back of her neck, god she was out of practice. She'd have to train with some of the other guardians. The quiet life of Guarding a ward that stayed at home the majority of the time had dulled her skill despite all the time she'd spent training on her own to try and stay sharp. She straightened, wishing she weren't wearing just a tank and some tight fitting work out pants and a jacket. Still, getting dressed into anything else this morning with a broken wrist would have been near to impossible. "So, is this some kind of joke? You two decided to screw with me now that Gunner and I...?" She ran a hand through her hair, realizing she was being overly hostile. She took a breath, "Sorry..." She stood there awkwardly for a moment, "I'm not trying to be a bitch... it just seems to be my go to lately." She rubbed the back of her neck, "How did Jace rope you into this anyway? Compulsion? It seems to be his thing," she muttered. She sighed, "I think he's crazy... if you want honesty." She eyed him, aside from Gunner he was one of few able to get under her skin. The Moroi had been teasing her since gradeschool... Pulling hair, making jokes, pointing out her coming from the commune, anything he could do to irritate her. She'd usually had an okay grip on her temper but Rae could bring it to the surface in a heartbeat when he wanted. They'd been butting heads since forever, it was like a hobby for them.... Then, around freshman year he'd started chasing skirts and had mostly left her alone aside from a few pranks in class... and Anna and Gunner had started growing closer too... She wanted to ramble but for once managed to keep her tongue in check, she wasn't exactly sure what Rae and Jace were up to but Jace did have one thing right... Worrying about the two of them might keep her mind off of other things... ~*~ Seb exited the class and smiled brightly... till he saw Serena's face. A soft hiss escaped him and he cupped her chin, turning her face to the side so he could get a better look at the bruise. "I'm going to kill Gunner..."

The Ties that Bind

Jace grinned as Rae answered the phone, "I've got a girl, she's having a hard time... I need you to meet up with her for a blind date. Don't worry, you'll like her. Oh, and you're going to be late for your class orientation if you don't get out of bed.... ten minutes ago. Anyway, meet her in the woods near the lake after you get done with orientation. It's kinda her spot... I'll take care of getting her there." After he got off the phone with Jace he called Anna, her tone suggested she wasn't happy to see him and after she figured out what he planned to do she probably would want to murder him... but only for a while. He grinned, "Angelina Ross, it's good to hear from you too. Look, I feel bad about lunch. I meant the best, I swear. I was trying to prove that Marks still has it for you... It didn't really go as planned. Will you let me make it up to you?" She groaned and he had to keep from laughing, "What do you want Jace? What game are you playing? I don't trust you." He shrugged, "All I want is to fix what I screwed up. We can't be friends, I get that... but I'm trying to help. Let me help?" She sighed, "How do you plan to do that?" "Meet me as soon as your shift ends... In your spot." She frowned, "How do you know where I have a spot?" He laughed, "I know a lot of things Ross... Just do this for me, you won't regret it... in the long run." She felt some suspicion when he said that and hesitated but hell, what did she really have to lose at this point? No way would he ever be able to compel her to let him bite her again... So what was in it for him? "Fine... I'll see you then." ~*~ Seb kissed Serena goodbye discreetly outside of his class, "Anna is Guarding at the girl's dorm and Gunner should be starting orientation at the Gym... I'd go see him first. His aura has been off, I'm worried." He smiled somewhat, "Wish me luck..." Then, he entered the class and introduced himself. ~*~ Anna's shift flew by, probably because she was half anxious and half curious as to what Jace was up to... She headed towards the woods near the lake and blinked when she spotted Jace already there. Okay, so he really had known where she spent her spare time... She wasn't sure how to feel about that. She made her way over and tugged her hair down from the pony tail, "What do you want?" He laughed, "You're always so happy to see me... I told you, I just want to fix things. Anna, I know I was an ass... I was having some trouble at home and had it out for most women... You got caught in the crossfire. It doesn't excuse it... but... let me help you." Anna listened to the first half and as he spoke she found it increasingly harder not to listen to what he had to say... why not let him help? If all he wanted to do was fix things? Was that so bad? Somewhere deep down she knew he was compelling her but maybe it was that she was still sleepy from the night before or the fact that she was emotionally weakened... but she couldn't really fight it off... Plus, she wanted to know WHY... No way would he try to bite her again. "All I want to do is help, will you let me?" She sighed, "Sure fine..." "All I want you to do is meet this guy," he said and she supposed he saw her grimace because he pushed it into high gear. "Come on, what will it hurt?" "Gunner... it would hurt Gunner." Jace rolled his eyes, "Obviously he doesn't care if he hurts you... Just... meet this guy. Spend a few hours with him till curfew and if you don't feel better afterwards you can kick my ass." He wasn't pushing the compulsion too hard, just a little... just enough to make it seem like a good idea. She rubbed her molinja marks, "Fine... but just for a few hours and only for today. This isn't going anywhere... I don't feel like screwing up my life with another problem... of the male verity...." He laughed, "Just wait here... I'm not asking you to do anything more than hang out. Think you can handle that, Ross?" She rolled her eyes at him, "Sure, whatever..." Jace walked off and left Anna to re-do her pony-tail since it had been subpar this morning. She shoved her hands into her jacket pocket and leaned against the tree behind her... eyes closed. Who in the hell would Jace be trying to set her up with? She didn't even TALK to most of the males in the Academy.

The Ties that Bind

Sebastian laughed and followed close behind her before digging through his clothes to find something... teachery. It wasn't easy since dress clothes weren't really his style. He'd always worn them so messily because it was simply more comfortable than worrying with the tie and all the buttons on the damn dress shirt. However, with Serena's help he managed to come out looking professional... and feeling awkward for it. He'd always been the rebellious type so being an authority figure felt... odd. "I think I suddenly feel old," he muttered and raked a hand through the hair Serena had just fought to tidy... messing it up again and smiling happily. "There, that's better..." He watched her get dressed and smiled, "I suppose while I teach you could keep an eye on our two hard headed friends... Help guard the school. It would give you something to do so you're not just having to stand around the classroom..." He straightened up his tie and sighed, "I suppose that I should do the whole orientation thing now... I've put it off most of the day but it's not really required..." Ok, so he'd partly been trying to squirm out of his duties for the day but he knew Serena would be upset with him if he didn't at least try to make this job work. He moved up behind her, slipping his arms around her, "I love you..." ~*~ Jace watched the Guardian walk off with a slight smirk, "Well, that was... interesting." Judging from the Guardian's reaction he still held some feeling for Anna even if it was more over protective brother than romantic. He could read auras better now than he could before and from what he'd seen Gunner was pretty messed up... Maybe more messed up than Anna. His idea that things could be fixed between the two now was a little iffy. He sighed, he owed Anna for what he'd done to her. If he could find some way to at least get her mind off the other Guardian then maybe he'd feel less like an ass for the scar on her neck. He suddenly grinned, another idea beginning to form. Sometimes the best of friends are the best of enemies... He knew just the person to drag Anna from her pity party and possibly bring back some of her fire... Without further ado he lifted the phone from his pocket and dialed the teacher of the fire moroi. "Hey Rae... You know that favor you owe me..." ~*~ Anna leaned against the outside of the Girl's dorm in the stiff Guardian pose, face blank and looking attentive when really her mind was wandering like crazy. She couldn't focus, too much regret running around in her head. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to keep this job with Gunner here, she'd never be able to concentrate on work. There would always be times she'd run into him and she'd be right back here... upset and trying to cope. Plus, she didn't really think seeing her was doing HIM any favors. They were just going to continuously hurt each other... So, what was the point? Anna's phone rang and she touched the button of the blue-tooth in her ear... It was a way to keep her hands free in case of a problem and a way to communicate with other Guardians if she needed to. As it was, the voice on the line wasn't a Guardian. "Jace... how in the hell did you get my number?"

The Ties that Bind

Jace cocked an eyebrow upwards as he was slammed into the lockers, "Abusing a Moroi prince... Why, Mr. Marks... how scandalous." He dropped the act and his eyes turned hard, "Aside from generally disliking me, why do you care? Aren't you and Ross over? When I healed her broken wrist this morning she seemed to say as much..." He sneered, "You know, with her as broken up over you as she is... I think I could get her right where I want her." He flashed a grin, "Oh look, here comes the other Guardians... Guess breakfast is over. Quick Marks, choose. Your reputation or your girl... Oh wait, I forgot... You already chose." "Is something going on here," one of the other Guardian's asked, watching the two of them warily. Jace glanced over at the man, "Nah, we're just going over some training... Right Guardian Marks? He's such a good teacher..." The sarcasm was thick. ~*~ Anna had left the minute she'd noticed Gunner heading over, arguing with Jace wasn't worth it. She shoved her hair behind her ear and trotted down the hall. She had the Girls Dorm to Guard till lunch, she didn't feel like being late. ~*~ Seb and Serena had made a mess of the small kitchen area... the both of them had retired afterwards to the shower and afterwards Seb got out and handed Serena a towl. "You know... you're beautiful. I could look at you forever," he teased before lifting her bodily out of the shower, setting her down, and playfully snapping her with the towl he'd just used to dry his hair. "I suppose we should probably check on Anna and Gunner," he noted with a sigh. "I wonder how much damage the two have done to each other..."

The Ties that Bind

Jace had finally talked Anna into going to get something to eat, his exact words were that she looked like shit... she should eat something. She'd refused to let him go with her though, he hadn't seemed to mind. Actually, the minute he'd seen firey red hair in the distance he'd taken off. Greeting the girl with a playfulness that reminded her of she and Gunner. The girl seemed annoyed, punched him in the arm, and stormed off leaving him to follow laughing. She shook her head, wondering if they were together and kinda pitying the girl to be honest. She headed towards the cafeteria and heard people murmuring about Guardian Marks and her stomach went into knots but she refused to run away every time she ran into him. So, she headed towards the line and grabbed some breakfast her shift didn't start for a bit anyway. However, she spotted Gunner making the rounds and the way his was walking showed that he was proud of himself. She felt an odd mix of happiness and pride, and bitter anger and sorrow. She shoved it away and piled her tray full... Taking a seat at the table of Guardians who were also grabbing a bite to eat. She sat somewhat at a distance from the rest, her eyes riveted to her plate... refusing to look up in case she found Gunner with her eyes again. "Really Ross, you're going to mope the whole time you eat just because he's here?" She nearly jumped out of her skin, "Jace, where the hell did you-" The other Guardians glanced her way and she schooled her features and her tone. "Mr. Szleskie... can I help you?" He laughed, "That's priceless... No, but I can help you." Ignoring the fact that the table was full of Guardians, Jace sat down next to her anyway. She went rigid as Guardian eyes glanced her way over the impropriety, "Mr. Szleskie, could we please talk elsewhere... This isn't the best time..." Jace shrugged, "I'm not worried about it, I've a point to prove. You don't think Marks cares?" He slid his arm around her shoulders and Anna immediately slipped out from under his grasp and walked away to dump her tray. "Stop it," she hissed as he waited for her by the cafeteria door when she tried to leave. "Let the old badgers talk," he stated with amusement. "You're ruining what little reputation I've built for myself. I have a hard enough time proving myself as it is without you making me look incompitant or unprofessional."

The Ties that Bind

True to their word, Seb and Serena did more than just eat and curled up with her pulled into his chest and his arms tightly around her they fell asleep... oblivious to the world. Only with Serena did Seb not have to worry about constant nightmares, if they even began to start she'd wake him... Especially since she tended to suffer through them too. As morning dawned he groaned, this would be the last day before classes started that he'd be able to spend tying Serena up in the bedroom... and he planned to do just that... all day. He woke her with kisses along her spine, "Morning sunshine...pronto ad andare di nuovo?" He ran his hands through her hair... It was good to have her all to himself. At his parent's home there was always the risk of his sister barging in or his mother entering without knocking. Thankfully, they'd never been caught but intimacy had been a rare luxury for them. He was enjoying having her at his mercy for once and as he ran his lips along her collar bone, he decided he was going to show her just how much... "We're not leaving this room till at least lunch time..." He kissed her softly. ~*~ Anna woke, her wrist pounding and as she carefully unwrapped it she grimaced. It was purple and green, and swollen. She'd definitely broken something. She wrapped it again, putting the brace on over it, and shrugged into her black jacket over the white tank she'd worn yesterday and left herself in the grey workout pants she'd fought into the night before. She used one hand to yank her hair up into a messy and loose pony tail before she glanced in the mirror. She looked like hell, but she didn't really care. After making sure she at least appeared presentable, she shoved her feet into her sneakers and went out to the training grounds. Breakfast would be ready but she knew how early Gunner got up and she didn't want to run into him grabbing food. Instead, she wanted to run off yesterday's frustration. Ignoring the jolt in her wrist every time her foot hit the ground she made laps around the track, she'd tuned everything but the sound of her own breathing out until she heard a voice calling her. She slowed and glanced up to see the one other person here she'd wanted to avoid aside from Gunner... Jace. She stopped and eyed him, "Why are you here and what do you want?" He shrugged, "I brought my kid brother to school and I was getting some air, grabbing a smoke, when I saw you." She scoffed, "And what possessed you to think I'd want to talk to you." He held up his hands, "I come in peace... I just noticed your arm is all." She grimaced, "I'm good." "It's broken, I can feel it... It hurts. Empathy sucks, so let me fix it." She huffed, "If I do will you go away?" "Maybe..." She held out her hand and he took off the brace and the wrapping, cradling it in his hands. There was warmth that tingled up her arm, made her a little dizzy, and then the pain was gone and he looked dazed. "Hey," she said sounding slightly annoyed. "Snap out of it... you said you'd leave." He blinked, rubbing his eyes. "I lied... What's up with you... Why's your aura so crazy?" She huffed, aggitation rising. "Why do you care?" She took a calming breath and sighed, feeling tired. "Why did you heal me Jace?" "I owe you," he shrugged... His eyes on her scar. She rubbed her neck and he sighed, "I never really apologized. What I did was pretty fucked up... I was fucked up. My Guardian is helping me out some... She's a wildcat, doesn't put up with my shit." She smiled some, "Good..." "Where's Marks? I thought you two were inseperable..." She winced and started to walk away but he caught her arm, "Hey look, I'm sorry... I didn't know. I guess that explains the aura... You okay?" She laughed, "You need to ask?"

The Ties that Bind

At first she felt hurt by Gunner's words but then anger flared, she wasn't sure if it was at him or at herself for thinking she could make any of this right. If he'd been angry then maybe she could have accepted it gracefully but his complete and utter lack of shits given... maybe she'd been right all along and he had gotten tired of her. Either way the anger fueled her words. "I knew this was stupid, I shouldn't have let Sebastian talk me into coming here to see you. Staying away was the better plan... obviously." Tears stung her eyes as her anger deflated, leaving her feeling defeated... again. She'd hurt him... she'd known she would that's why she'd avoided him for so long. "You weren't the only one hurt, Gunner. You know what, if you want to drink yourself into oblivion be my guest. In the meantime I'm going to try and get our schedules sorted so we see as little of each other as possible... For Seb's sake... if you even care." She brushed a stray tear away angrily and left, slamming the door behind her. Her hands shook, she needed air. For the first time in three years she headed to her old hiding place. Once there, she stripped off her sweatshirt and down to her tank, tied up her hair,took the wraps from her back pocket and bound her knuckles, and went to town on the nearest tree. She ignored the pain in her hands, knees, ankles as she pummled the thing till her knuckles bled. She ground her teeth as she went, refusing to cry until she threw a bad punch and felt the shock run up her fingers and into her wrist. With a loud curse she stepped back and leaned against the tree behind her and cradled her wrist. She was pretty sure she'd heard something crack but no way in hell was she going to go to Sebastian like this, he had enough darkness and right now she was sure that she'd bleed too much onto him. She painfully unwrapped her knuckles and used the binding to tightly wrap her wrist, she'd get a brace later. For now, she slid into a setting position and let the tears flow. ~*~ Seb laughed and pulled her closer to him, "Well, if my parents have their way it'll feel like the world IS against us soon. Coming here bought us some time but..." He sighed, "My father is a... determined man." He almost bristled when he remembered the many times his father had eyed Serena, watching her a bit too closely for his liking. Seb had made it a goal to not leave Serena alone in the house when his father was there but that didn't mean his mother wasn't just as bad in other ways. She was always bringing up Serena's scars.. putting down her clothing, pointing out that she wasn't moroi... Just little things that would wear on her bit by bit. Seb had almost lost it... it's why he'd agreed to take this job. Much longer living with his parents might have resulted in murder... He heard the door and groaned dramatically, "I suppose I should go fetch the pizza." He kissed her lightly and slid off the bed before nabbing the pizza and coming back. Luckily, Seb remembered a Dhampir's appetite and so he'd ordered two pizza's... One that he'd eat over the next two days and one for Serena that she'd probably finish off tonight... It wasn't that Dhampirs were fattys... they needed the food to keep them going. "For you m'lady," he teased and passed her the pizza before playfully messing up her hair and taking a seat by her.

The Ties that Bind

Sebastian grinned, nibbling at her bottom lip a bit. "Promises, promises," he joked. He sighed and ran a hand through her hair, he loved her hair. "Alright, if you're sure you're fine..." He rang for a feeder and gave Serena a soft smile before guiding the older woman to the bathroom. A few minutes later she came out with a glazed look and exited the room. Seb came out just after, he'd made sure to clean up as always and then he rang for pizza and hopped onto the bed next to Serena. He looked better, color in his cheeks and the circles gone but worry lingered just under the surface of his smile. He reached out and tickled her sides playfully, "Hope you're hungry. I ordered your favorite." He was secretly easing her addiction at night but he'd had to do it less and less often lately. She was rehabilitating slowly and it made him proud of her... more than he could say. He brushed her hair from her scars and kissed them lightly, pushing a bit of healing magic into it but not enough to come back at him later... She'd get mad at him for that. ~*~ Anna tucked her hair behind her ear and took a breath as the door swung open... and her heart stopped. He was gorgeous... She'd almost forgotten how good he looked in a suit, how good he looked in general, and it had been so long since she'd seen him. She wanted to kiss him, apologize, tell him how stupid she'd been but she couldn't bring herself to risk having her heart broken when he told her it was too late... and it was too late wasn't it? The cold look in his blue eyes reminded her why she was there though and she cleared her throat. As he spoke she smelled the vodka on his breath and nerves jittered through her. Gunner had never been one to drink... She'd had to fight him to loosen up enough to sneak out of the dorm on occasion. "Yeah... it has..." As he walked back into the room she hesitated, maybe this wasn't the best time? She almost laughed at herself, when did she think there would be a good time? She followed him in, and glanced around nervously before dragging up the nerve to speak. "I know this is awkward... after everything." She took a breath, "I guess I owe you an explanation... I got the invites I just... I thought it would make things harder on both of us." She bit at her lip, rubbed at her wrist... God, where had all her confidence gone? She used to be so outgoing... "You have... every right to be angry..."

The Ties that Bind

Anna struggled with herself, her mind racing. She had options here... She could run away again but that would mean abandoning her duty and Anna did still have her honor left. She wouldn't run away from what she was, what she'd trained to be. She was frustrated, her hand tangling in her hair again and her feet led her along on autopilot. When she looked up, actually registered where she was, she felt bittersweet nostalgia overwhelm her. She smiled somewhat... She was in front of Gunner's old room. She supposed her feet took her there out of habit. If she was upset Gunner was always the first one she'd go to after Anya... She didn't know what to do... Gunner hadn't even looked like he cared she was there. She leaned against the wall, she needed to talk to him. She'd never bothered to explain why she'd left. Hell, she wasn't even sure she could without sounding selfish. They were Guardians, it was the right thing that he was pushing so hard... training so hard. It wasn't his fault he was leaving her behind... They were supposed to be the best they could be, to protect their Moroi. Gunner was always striving for that goal, Anna had enjoyed being the one to push him... but they'd had less and less time to train together. It was almost impossible to get him to herself, the vets were always pushing him too... Egging him on and training with him themselves. They were proud of him... she was too... but she'd missed him. She shook herself out of thoughts of the past and knew Seb was right, she'd have to face Gunner sooner or later. If she made it sooner maybe they could... try to work something out... make this as painless as possible. It hadn't taken long to figure out what room he was in, but when she made it there she stood outside awkwardly. What would she say? Would he yell at her? Tell her to leave... She took a breath and knocked, "Gunner..." ~*~ Seb sighed and kissed Serena, "I know... but they're both so damn stubborn. I can see how much you love me, maybe that helps... but for them... they're blind and they won't listen to the only one who can see..." He smiled as she brushed his hair from his face, "Sometimes I wonder how I got lucky enough to find you." Wanting to lighten things up he picked her up from the couch and tossed her gracelessly onto the bed before tossing a pillow at her playfully. "I'm hungry Guardian! Should we get pizza?"