Grail Markner
October 07, 2006 8:26 PM
Oh the voices in my head by Grail Markner
No one ever came in the Library. At least Grail hoped no one ever did. In her old school, the library was the place she was able to escape her sisters and their clones. It was always empty, and she was always queit, so their ancient Librarian never frightened her away like she did with the others.And despite the fact that the Library here was the way to Aladren's common rooms, Grail had made sure she was in the most secluded place she could find. Why? Because of the same reason sh always trusted the Library. To get her away from her sisters. So no one would see how much Libby's sporty popularity and Chali's girlyness popularity and Alice's following popularity and how all three used it to tear her apart actually got to her. So she wouldn't be found crying.
Her room was never safe. She was forced to share it with Alice, who as a roomate was okay. Never really spoke to her. But if she was crying in her room, Grail knew Alice would let the twins know and she'd never hear the end of it.
But her sisters weren't really here. They were just figments of her head. Talking exactly like the real three. Making Grail feel insane, especially when nervous. Making her have her very own breakdowns and panic attacks. Grail found she shook here even more than she did after Aurthor's death. That she broke down from her head-sisters teasing her much more than when at home. Strange.
But just like at home, her room wasn't safe to cry. She had roomates again, roomates she didn't want thinking she was insane for crying so much. A truth: Grail cryed more often than anyone though. Another truth: Grail was crying now. And a last truth: Her head was hurting from her sister's laughter at her crying.
She hated it, crying, but she couldn't help it. She hated feeling crazy. She hated how her sisters acted that way. Whenever she met someone even remotely like any of her sisters, she disliked them immediately. She did not want anymore of them. A pair of each was enough.
"Grailie's such a baby, you'd think she'd know how to hold it in!" Libby commented to Chali. Laughter. Sobs.
"Seriously Grail, what are you? Three?" Chali commented to Grail herself. More shaking.
She wanted to stop crying now. Wanted them to stop. At least at home, she never gave her real sisters this kind of satisfaction. She would hold it in until she'd burst. But she couldn't here. That was why she felt much worse here. Pulling up her right arm she took a long look at the black prayer beads on her arm. Her family wasn't Christian, they were Cathar, but these beads weren't for anything spiritual. She stared at them for a long time, trying to see Aurthor.
And ultimately, more trying to drown out her sisters more than anything. Really.\n\n
0
Grail Markner
Oh the voices in my head
0
Grail Markner
1
5
The Idoyas
October 08, 2006 5:59 PM
A little sibling bonding time... interrupted. by The Idoyas
Since coming to Sonora, Gil and Leo really hadn't had that much time to spend together; being in different houses and almost always ending up separated in class, there was just no opportunity. So, over break, they'd decided to set aside some time every few days just to be together. Now both were glad they'd done so; Leo had truly missed his brother's company, especially since he wasn't doing the best job at making (and keeping) friends, and even with Gil's relative popularity, the younger twin found something missing. It was that whole twin thing they had going, or so their sister had surmised.So now the Idoya brothers sat side by side at a table in the library; Gil was lazily perusing a book of interesting Quidditch facts, and occasionally offered a tidbit to his brother. Leo, who was bent over a letter to his favorite cousin, Joaquin--the twenty-three year old was currently in Peru, studying dragons there, which fascinated the elder twin--would look up, offer some comment (usually derisive, though in a strangely affectionate way), and turn back to his letter. Gil would grin, roll his eyes, and open the book back up.
Gil was in the middle of a semi-tirade about the unfairness of banning the San Francisco Goshawks' Seeker when Leo thought he heard something else. "Shh," he hushed his brother, frowning. Someone was... crying? What?
Gil heard it too, then, and looked perplexedly at his brother before putting down his book, pushing back his chair, and sneaking quietly around the bookshelf. There, to his surprise, he spotted the back of a blond head--that one Aladren friend of Leo's. Not Nikki--Gray, right? He headed back, and whispered in his brother's ear. "It's your friend Gray. She's crying."
Leo gave her a quelling look that clearly said, Well, obviously she's crying. Then his mismatched eyes became a little pensive. "Aren't you going to go... do whatever it is you do?" he asked his brother, still in a whisper.
Gil raised one eyebrow. "I like her well enough, Leo, but she's your friend."
A look of overwhelmed anxiety crossed the usually composed face of the Idoya heir, then. "What, me? Comfort someone? Are you crazy?" he hissed.
Gil rolled his eyes. "Oh, grow up, Leo."
"But--I don't--"
"You know you're the only person who can cheer Mercedes up when she's upset; what makes you think you can't do that for your friend?" Gil asked, motioning with his thumb towards the other side of the bookcase. Leo opened his mouth to protest, but apparently couldn't find a good enough answer.
"Fine." He dropped his quill, splattering ink across the bottom edge of the letter, and made his way to the end of the row. Before he turned towards where Gray sat, though, he smoothed his robes with his palms and took a deep breath. He'd totally screwed things up with Nikki before break; even now, though they were cordial, they weren't as friendly as before. He wouldn't do that with Gray. Besides, Gil's comment had only reminded Leo of how much the Aladren reminded him of his sister, and he'd never have been able to just let Mercedes cry without trying to help.
He approached her quietly from behind, and touched her shoulder softly. "Are... are you okay, M--Gray?"\n\n
0
The Idoyas
A little sibling bonding time... interrupted.
0
The Idoyas
0
5
Gray
October 09, 2006 8:23 AM
That'd be okay for me by Gray
Gray wasn't expecting anyone in the Library. At all. She still had her mind set on her old school, where no one went to the Library unlessed forced or were Gray. Of course she was surprised when out of her shaking and her sisters laughter, another voice came into her head. Male voice. Her first thoughts? Was Aurther now joining in her insane head? That would be so much better, to have her brother help. But no, someone had her shoulder, and besides, it was Aurther who called her Grailie.She snapped up in surprise and turned. Of course, it was Leo. One of the last people here she'd want to see her cry. It was awful, with a shaking hand she wiped away the moisture on her face and looked down. She was turning red now. As if she wasn't red already for crying. She knew her contacts were itchy, meaning her eyes were probably bloodshot as well. And her blonde hair was plastered to her face.
A little bit of happiness showed when she realized he'd called her Gray. Libby in the background scoffed and wondered aloud why Gray would rather be her own sobbing self rather than a Markner, who was popular and could acutally play sports. Grail tried to ignore her. She didn't want to start sobbing again.
She few more tears tried to run down her face, but Grail's shaking hands pushed them away. What was that other thing Leo had asked? Was she okay?
"Well obviously not," Libby laughed this time. "All your friends can't be this clueless. Wait! They're yours so...."
That was stupid. Gray wanted to hit Libby so hard right now, how her sister was making her life hell. But she knew she couldn't the moment, so she just looked up at Leo. What should she say to that question? She didn't like people to worry.
She nodded dumbly. Yes, she was okay. Please, it was obvious she wasn't, who was she kidding? Her eyes darted back down to the ground. "I mean... no... not really." Once again, not really. She felt far worse than not really, especially since she was caught while crying her eyes out.
It'll have to do then, she thought angrily. Not even sure what she should say after that.\n\n
16
Gray
That'd be okay for me
113
Gray
0
5
Leo
October 09, 2006 9:51 AM
I'm not very good at this comforting business, am I? by Leo
Wow. She looked a mess. Not that he'd have said anything. What most people didn't realize about Leonardo III was that, unlike his grandfather and father, he was very well aware of how callous and cold he seemed most of the time; it wasn't part of his nature, really... he'd been trained to act that way. So if he tried very hard, he could, in fact, turn that part of him off, in a manner of speaking. It never worked completely, and the older he got the harder it became, but Leo was nothing if not a gentleman, and crying girls (while they made him distinctly uncomfortable) fell under the heading Must-Do-Something.Leo glanced up at a spot where a few books on both sides of the shelf were missing, and saw his brother's face there. Gil was mouthing something at him, and pointing at Gray, and... miming? Oh. Hug her. Okay. Leo could do that much, right?
As Gray began nodding--more fool she--Leo lowered himself to his knees beside her. The nod hesitated, her eyes dropped: "I mean... no, not really." It was Leo's turn to nod, now; that much was self-evident.
"Do--" he stopped himself, tried again. "Can I--" No, not right. "Is there--" He cursed himself inwardly, shaking his head so that his shaggy, dark brown hair fell into his mismatched eyes. He took a deep breath, then, and looked back up at Gray. "Would you like a... a hug?"\n\n
0
Leo
I'm not very good at this comforting business, am I?
0
Leo
0
5
Gray
October 09, 2006 6:14 PM
No, but I love you anyway by Gray
She felt herself still shaking a bit. It was only her hands, which she decided to keep hidden for now, since she didn't want Leo to worry too much. The crying part was already too much, but shaking? No way."What, you don't want him to think you're a crybaby and insane?" Chali asked in mock-sympathy. Chali was another she wanted to hit very hard at the moment.
She kept her eyes down, afraid he was going to ask what was wrong, or something like that, like people always did. All she really heard though, was a bit of stutters, and then a surprising piece.
"Would you like a... a hug?"
If ever seen slightly upset, ever, Grail was always asked the prying questions, like what happened to you? Or oh, what's wrong? Or other stupid things that she obviously didn't want to answer. Not one didn't pry her for information on what was wrong, and not one asked if she needed a hug.
Because of that, at first Gray didn't know what to say to that. After a second of so of letting the shock fade, Gray realized she would like a hug. Gulping slightly, and brushing another tear from her face, she nodded. Then moved a bit to wrap her arms around Leo's neck. She felt she should say something now, since her sisters were starting to shut up a bit back there.
Thanks? Thank you was good, right? "Thank you," she muttered. Well, it would have to do.\n\n
16
Gray
No, but I love you anyway
113
Gray
0
5
Leo
October 09, 2006 9:21 PM
I... you... <i>what?</i> by Leo
Sure, Leo had asked her if she'd wanted a hug--but he'd been fully prepared for her to laugh in his face (unlikely, from what he knew of her) or at least to politely decline and get as far away from him as possible, as quickly as possible. So it took him a little by surprise when she pulled him into the proffered hug. Even most of his cousins wouldn't do something like this! He hesitated a moment, then put his arms around her, too, resting his dark head against her blond.He glanced upward again; Gil grinned at him from the space between books, gave him a double thumbs up, and then disappeared, probably taking refuge back in his Quidditch book. Leo shifted his arms so he could hold the smaller girl a little more comfortably, and absentmindedly began to hum an old lullaby. When Mercedes was little and upset, it was the only thing that could calm her; to this day, just the sound of it took all the fire out of her anger, all the bitterness out of her depression.
After a few moments, he spoke, without loosening his hold on Gray. "I'm... I'm not very good at giving advice," he said slowly. "But I have two good, functioning ears. If you ever need them. And... and two good, functioning arms, too."\n\n
0
Leo
I... you... <i>what?</i>
0
Leo
0
5
Gray
October 10, 2006 9:42 PM
Don't dig too deep into it by Gray
Well, this was surprisingly nice. The last time Gray was given a comforting hug was probably the last time her brother was alive. She was extremely glad she had Leo for a friend now, he reminded her so much of Aurther. Her sisters had even stopped talking in her head as much, and she didn't feel like crying anymore. She wasn't going to get up and shout My lord, it's a miracle but honestly, it was. Gray never just... stopped crying when she was hugged.Then Leo began to hum something. It seemed like a sort of song, or lulluby. Whatever it was, it was very sweet. Gray allowed her head to bury deeper in Leo's neck, a sort of habit when she was with Aurther. She felt like she could fall asleep right there.
Grail was, however, jolted out of that when Leo spoke again. The small giggle at the back of her throat was stifled a bit, but she pulled her head away just a little so he could hear her. "Thank you," she muttered, and rested her head back on his shoulder. "Glad I have you," she said, thinking thanks wasn't good enough. She moved her hand a bit to wipe the drying tears and gave a short giggle before she slowly pulled away from Leo.\n\n
16
Gray
Don't dig too deep into it
113
Gray
0
5
Leo
October 10, 2006 10:22 PM
Whew. Had me scared there for a minute. by Leo
She wasn't crying anymore--that had to be an improvement, right? And when he hummed the lullaby, she sort of snuggled closer, rather like Mercedes always did. He felt the corners of his mouth twitching upward, and was surprised at how unforced the expression felt. After he spoke, though, she pulled away a little, and for a moment, Leo was afraid he'd said something wrong. Mierda, and Gil's not there anymore to warn me-- he thought, glancing up at the spaces between the books.But then Gray just thanked him again, and said she was glad she had him. That took the usually composed Crotalus enough by surprise that he couldn't keep the emotion from registering on his face. He smiled then truly, and released her as she pulled away, wiping at her face; the expression brightened his mismatched eyes. "Me too. I mean--that I have you. You know," he said, exhaling an almost nervous little laugh. Not that he was nervous--no, he was relieved. This meant he and Gray were friends, right?
And then he realized that whether or not they were friends, he'd managed the entire conversation without once reflecting on her Muggle background. And now that he thought about it, it really didn't faze him. This meant he'd have to introduce her to the plethora of magical sweets, didn't it? It also meant, on a deeper level that Leo couldn't consciously recognize, that he was well on his way to overcoming the prejudiced ideals his grandfather and father had planted in his head. He only recognized a vague feeling of triumph, that heightened his good mood.
"You know," he said soberly, then, looking at her tear-reddened eyes and streaked cheeks, and the fine blond hair that was somewhat mussed from the hug, "you look awful." He tempered that statement with a shy, teasing grin he usually reserved only for Mercedes. Most people, if they'd happened upon the two first years, probably would have mistaken him for his twin, even though they were usually very easily distinguishable.\n\n
0
Leo
Whew. Had me scared there for a minute.
0
Leo
0
5
Gray
October 11, 2006 5:49 PM
Did I now =D by Gray
"Me too. I mean--that I have you. You know..."Gray was a bit confused at that part. What would anyone really need her for except to just fill up space. It was that way at her old school too. She was just there to fill the space and limit the air and be an outlet for her little sisters' teasings. What Leo just said, it brightened her up even more. She was a little more glad she was here. Despite her craziness and sisters in her head.
"Why?" she asked, still confused. Really, even if it did make her feel better, all she'd done was make a fool of herself. Crying and blushing and shaking all the time. Making Leo worry too, she remembered back in Astronomy when he'd let her borrow his robe when she' said she was cold. She felt like she should be more of a bother than someone to be happy to have.
"Poor Grailie feels like she's an annoyance. Finally something she's gotten right!" Chali began, allowing the other two to laugh. Grail just rested her head on Leo's shoulder again to block them out. At his next statement (followed, thankfully, with a teasing smile) Gray turned to him and gave a short laugh, softly hitting his knee.
"Yeah," she smiled, moving back from his shoulder again. "I know that." She noticed the smile looked nice on him. She'd never really seen him smile that much, and she thought he should do it more often. "The polite thing to do," she added, "is not to say so." She grinned at him as well and returned to his shoulder, where it felt more comfortable.\n\n
16
Gray
Did I now =D
113
Gray
0
5
Leo
October 11, 2006 6:37 PM
Don't tell. It's bad for my reputation. by Leo
"Why?"Leo just looked down at her for a minute with no idea of how to respond; a moment later she was tucked back against his shoulder, and he hugged one arm around her gladly, resting his cheek against her head. How the heck was he supposed to answer that? It wasn't like he could just come out and say, because I was starting to get really, really lonely. How stupid would that make him look? Because no one here likes me except my brother and maybe Nikki. Because half the time I wish I hadn't come. Because sometimes I really hate myself.
But he didn't hate himself with Gray. Maybe that was why she reminded him so much of Mercedes, he realized, surprised at this epiphany. Mercedes always brought the best out of her oldest brother; around her, he was kind, and patient, and affectionate, and smile quite a bit. When she wasn't around, he was like a miniature of his grandfather--usually stern, always cold, oftentimes saying cruel or cutting things without really meaning them. He hugged the Aladren closer for a moment.
"Because," he started, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I like you." And it was true. Gil had tons of friends--Gil cared about everyone. Leo was hardpressed, sometimes, to name someone outside of the usual list (Mami, Gil, Mercedes, Joaquin) who he really cared about. Gray was getting very, very close to making that list. He smiled a little at the thought.
His shy grin widened as she lightly smacked his knee, and moved away to smile back and retort. He bit his lip, stifling a laugh at her scolding. "Pray forgive me, fair Grail!" he retorted, one hand on his puffed-out chest as he tried to impersonate one of the Muggle actors from the old black-and-white films his mother loved to watch. She returned to his shoulder, then, though, which was even better than the companionable teasing. He hugged her again, resting his head against hers, and closed his eyes happily. He hadn't felt this safe and needed since he'd left home. He hadn't trusted someone this much since he truly came to appreciate Joaquin.
"You know," he mused aloud a moment later, eyes still shut and feeling like he could happily fall asleep there. "I think I like having friends."\n\n
0
Leo
Don't tell. It's bad for my reputation.
0
Leo
0
5
Gray
October 11, 2006 9:47 PM
Your secret is safe with me! by Gray
I like you was the simplest answer ever. Simple and short, but coming from someone who meant it, it's the best thing Gray ever heard. It was actually the only time it was said to her (the only thing similar was the "I love you"s given to her by Aurther, her mother, and father). Leo's simple statement of "I like you," as well as actually comforting her while she was crying, made Gray's day. That was good, at first she'd thought it was going to be such an awful day.That was strange. This was strange. Having people close to her, when it hadn't been since her brother died. She liked it though. Having someone care about you, be there for you. It made her feel special. It made her... heaven forbid, it made her forget her insanity. The sisters in her head. Hell, even the sisters out of her head. She was extremely glad for this. She was also glad for the physical aspects of this. The shoulder she was leanin on for instance, and the arm around her tiny frame.
She gave another giggle as they teased a bit more. "That's Holy Grail to you, dear," she smiled through his shoulder, laughing slightly. Then she wondered, had he ever read King Aurther? He was full wizard, and she wasn't sure if she was making sense, bringing up a Muggle story book (even if wizards used the name of Merlin, the wizard in King Aurther, as a substitute for "God"). She didn't have the time to ask because Leo switched the subject onto another strange one.
But strangely, it also made sense to her, because she felt the same way. "You know," she laughed again. "I think I do too. Let me say, I was not at all
16
Gray
Your secret is safe with me!
113
Gray
0
5
Gray
October 11, 2006 9:48 PM
Your secret is safe with me! (revised) by Gray
I like you was the simplest answer ever. Simple and short, but coming from someone who meant it, it's the best thing Gray ever heard. It was actually the only time it was said to her (the only thing similar was the "I love you"s given to her by Aurther, her mother, and father). Leo's simple statement of "I like you," as well as actually comforting her while she was crying, made Gray's day. That was good, at first she'd thought it was going to be such an awful day.That was strange. This was strange. Having people close to her, when it hadn't been since her brother died. She liked it though. Having someone care about you, be there for you. It made her feel special. It made her... heaven forbid, it made her forget her insanity. The sisters in her head. Hell, even the sisters out of her head. She was extremely glad for this. She was also glad for the physical aspects of this. The shoulder she was leanin on for instance, and the arm around her tiny frame.
She gave another giggle as they teased a bit more. "That's Holy Grail to you, dear," she smiled through his shoulder, laughing slightly. Then she wondered, had he ever read King Aurther? He was full wizard, and she wasn't sure if she was making sense, bringing up a Muggle story book (even if wizards used the name of Merlin, the wizard in King Aurther, as a substitute for "God"). She didn't have the time to ask because Leo switched the subject onto another strange one.
But strangely, it also made sense to her, because she felt the same way. "You know," she laughed again. "I think I do too. Let me say, I was not at all popular in my old school, my sisters and..." she trailed off, not wanting to bring a bad feeling back when she was already happy enough.\n\n
16
Gray
Your secret is safe with me! (revised)
113
Gray
0
5
Nikki Ramirez
October 13, 2006 6:43 PM
What's all this then? by Nikki Ramirez
Nikki exited the Aladren common room with the broom she had gotten for Christmas in one hand, a letter from Abuela in the other, and her cat Alejo trailing at her heals. He was barely more than a kitten.Nikki had some things she needed to talk to her friends about. She saw Grail sitting in the library facing her, hugging Gil. But wait, as she neared she saw the figure's eyes. It wasn't Gil at all.
"Leo!" Nikki almost shouted in surprise. She laughed as she sat down and layed the broom on the table. "Well I guess I don't need to worry about this." Nikki said and set tthe letter down with the broom. Alejo jumped up into her lap and she stroked the small gray and brown cat's head.
"So is there somthing you'd like to tell me?" Nikki asked, smirking. "Where's Gil? I'm sure he'd like to hear this as well."\n\n
0
Nikki Ramirez
What's all this then?
0
Nikki Ramirez
0
5
Leo (and Gil)
October 13, 2006 10:14 PM
<i>This</i> is none of your business. by Leo (and Gil)
Leo was happily enjoying the warmth of Grail's arms around his neck when she began to elaborate on the theme he'd introduced; he squeezed her a little tighter, once, reassuringly, when she mentioned her sisters. He wasn't sure what was wrong with their relationship, or even how many sisters she had or what their names were, but everytime she'd mentioned them so far -- which admittedly wasn't often -- it had been a cause of some sort of distress."A lot of my cousins were like that," he said, hoping he was right in thinking that her sisters just weren't very friendly with her. "At home, I really only have a few people -- Gil, of course, and Mercedes, and my oldest cousin, Joaquin. My father and my grandfather... well. They're always too busy training me to take over as patriarch to really care about me, and a lot of my cousins... they're a lot like Gil, really. I just don't fit in there." That was certainly more than he'd intended to say, and now that he was finished, he pulled away a little and looked at Gray with a little worry in his eyes. What would she think of him, now that he'd admitted such personal weaknesses?
He didn't have long to worry, though--a moment later, he heard his name shouted from nearby. He whipped his head around to see Nikki Ramirez approaching them, a broom and a letter in her hands and a cat at her heels. His eyes narrowed a little; he was still a little mad at her for overstepping her bounds in the hospital wing. It hadn't been her place to act as his spokesperson, or advise the medic on how to treat him for something like a concussion. Leo had had to deal with far worse without any treatment at all, during some of his dueling training sessions with Father.
"No, I can't think of anything I'd like to tell you," he said coolly but not rudely, shifting so that he could face Nikki while still keeping one arm around Gray's back. His fingers fidgeted a little with the cloth of her top in an unconscious nervous gesture before he realized what he was doing and stopped. "And Gil's behind that shelf over there, probably spying."
"Not spying!" came a slightly muffled voice. "I mean... not intentionally." As the other hispanic boy joined them, Gil flashed his brother one of his brightest smiles, eyes flicking towards Gray. "Good to see you again, Gray. And hey, Nikki. What's this you're sure I'd like to hear?"\n\n
0
Leo (and Gil)
<i>This</i> is none of your business.
0
Leo (and Gil)
0
5
Gray
October 14, 2006 10:18 AM
Mm... staying out of this one by Gray
Gray was glad he didn't milk her farther on the subject of her sisters. Also glad for the reassuring squeeze he gave her and talked about his own family. She smiled back when he looked at her, and began thinking. It was eerie how much alike they were, and she suddenly wanted to spill everything. About her mother's love for King Aurther, the divorce. Her brother dying and why she wore the prayer beads while she was Cathar (of course, she wouldn't explain what Cathar was, it might confuse him). About Alice's note. About Chali and Libby. About her insanity. She was very close to spilling it all out and crying again, when Nikki came in with a shout of Leo's name. Gray was almost glad for this interruption, she felt stupid wanting to say all those things.Of course, now here she was, in Leo's arms, her face still probably looked a mess (her hair at least came unplastered) wanting to tell someone everything bad taht happened to her, ready to cry again, and someone comes upon them. Nikki does. She couldn't say she wasn't embarrassed. Her face already gave that away with the blushing the was coming to her. She wanted to go back to Leo's shoulder, but somehow with Nikki here, it felt awkward.
She looked up at Leo while he was talking, stranely she felt his hands at her back, but that didn't matter. The cool voice sounded strange to her now, after hearing him talk so caringly to her. Why was he mad at Nikki? She did remember when the were at the Hospital Wing, the glare he gave her, but that didn't explain anything really. Honestly, these two seemed to be a ticking time bomb. One second they were perfectly fine, then they get distant. It was strange, and Grail decided to stay out of it, that was the safer side for this, she decided.
Then of course, Gil comes out and Gray's eyes widen a bit. How long had he been there? She smiled and waved a little at Gil, then turned her shocked expression to Leo. How long had he been there? Now, she looked around. There were three people here other than herself now. She had a feeling her sisters were going to come out of hiding soon, and she needed to keep quiet or they'd make her cry again. It didn't matter that much anymore in frount of Leo, but Nikki and Gil made her a little nervous. She found her hands shaking and realized they were still around Leo's neck, she laced them together and squeezed to stop them. Silently begging her sisters to stop getting ready for her humiliation.
Even if she knew they wouldn't listen. Not to her anyway.\n\n
16
Gray
Mm... staying out of this one
113
Gray
0
5
Nikki
October 14, 2006 10:10 PM
Oh good, now that everyone's here, we can have a nice talk by Nikki
"Oh there you are Gil. Well I just thought you and I should know why these two," Nikki said motioning to Leo and Gray, "are wrapped up in each other's arms. And look Gray's blushing. But if you were spying then I suppose you already know. So I'm the only one left in the dark.""But first, this stuff." She pointed to the broom. "Gray, I'm going to let you use this racing broom Abuelo sent me to play Quidditch; I don't have any use for it right now."
"And this letter," Nikki said, picking it up, "Is from Abuela. She says not to get involved with 'those Idoya boys.' Do you know why? Because Sr. Idoya hasn't been to our ranch in twenty years. And do you know why that is? Oh Gray, you're going to love this one. Because my father married a Muggle."
Nikki leaned back in her chair and pet Alejo again, wondering what reactions her friends would have to all of this.\n\n
0
Nikki
Oh good, now that everyone's here, we can have a nice talk
0
Nikki
0
5
The Twins
October 15, 2006 9:51 AM
Rule Number Two: Don't Tick Off the Idoya Boys by The Twins
Gil stared, gape-mouthed, at Nikki as she spoke. Did she realize how incredibly offensive some of that was? Sure, she couldn't know that the reason Leo was hugging Grail was because they'd both finally found someone they could relate to and fully trust, because Leo had found something precious to protect in Gray, and Gray had (ostensibly) found something to care about in Leo. Gil knew his brother well; he'd given his loyalty wholly to his new friend already, and it was a friendship that would probably outlast the Idoya name. There was really no need for Nikki to go casting tawdry insinuations across it all. What did she think, they were kissing or something? Jeez, they were eleven!"And you'll be left in the dark," Gil growled quietly, knowing that Leo wanted to say something similar--but probably much more offensive. He glanced sideways at his brother, who relaxed a little when Nikki started in on the broom, and heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe Nikki'd come to her senses and not--
"Oh Gray, you're going to love this one. Because my father married a Muggle."
--say anything stupid. Oh no.
Leo leapt to a standing position, his feet spread and his hands clenched into fists at his side. Gil quickly moved over to his brother's side, ready to restrain him; Leo didn't give into his emotions often, but his mask was already cracked (for the better) after his conversation with Gray.
"You have no right," Leo said, his voice shaking as he attempted to control himself, "no right, Ramirez, to bring that into the picture. That--that has nothing to do with anything! NOTHING, all right? I am not my grandfather!"
He stood there in silence for a moment, before looking down at the top of Grail's blond head; he dropped to his knees then, again, and pulled her into another hug. "I'm not my grandfather," he mumbled again, this time taking refuge in her shoulder, his own hands trembling as much as hers had been a few moments before.
Gil stepped protectively in front of his brother, arms folded over his chest. He knew, intellectually, that Nikki hadn't meant to insinuate anything about Leo's feelings about Muggles, and probably didn't even know the struggle he'd had with defeating their grandfather's brainwashing... but she had to know that dredging up the past was a bad idea, especially with the dynamic between the two families being what it was.
"Nikki, can I have a word with you? In private?" Gil suggested quietly, nodding towards the other side of the library.\n\n
0
The Twins
Rule Number Two: Don't Tick Off the Idoya Boys
0
The Twins
0
5
Gray
October 15, 2006 10:53 AM
Still neutral... by Gray
Gray honestly couldn't help the redness her face was turning. And when Nikki acknowleged it, oh she turned even more red. She noticed Gil was getting slightly (she hoped only slightly) angry at Nikki for this. Gray was just a little confused on how Nikki found them, and actually how Leo and Gil had too. She'd picked a secluded spot far away from the Aladren common room, she was sure no one would find her unless they were deliberately looking for her. And even if they were looking for her, why would they look in a Library? The confusion went on until Nikki directly addressed her about Quidditch. Oh good, a neutral subject, one that couldn't cause anymore tension.She gave Nikki a little smile and looked down. "Thanks Nikki," she muttered. She remembered she was the Keeper on the Aladren Quidditch team. And one of two first years. The other boy, Paul Tarwater, seemed like a bit of a jerk.
"Maybe your a bit of a..."
Oh no, not again. Libby had decided to come out of hiding, and she was sure this meant Alice and Chali would come out as well. It was the fact of being surrounded by people again. Especially found crying and then found being comforted. She needed this to go away now, she mentally begged her sisters to go as Nikki went back to addressing the Idoya twins. You can come back later! Please not now! she was saying. Chali decided to answer with a "Please, its more fun when you're surrounded by 'friends'." She was getting scared of Chali, so scared that when Leo jumped up in his anger at Nikki, Gray herself jumped.
Leo seemed angry. What did she miss? She had to stop talking to herself and listen to other people. She remembered some bits. Something about a letter, and to stay away from Leo and Gil. And also something to her about Muggles. Gah, so confusing.
Still Gray felt her arms wrap around Leo when he went down to her for comfort. He was the one trembling now, and she was the one to comfort him.
"I'm not my grandfather."
"No one's saying you are," she murmured back to him, she head on his, while Gil asked to talk to Nikki. \n\n
16
Gray
Still neutral...
113
Gray
0
5
Nikki
October 15, 2006 1:59 PM
Rule Number One: Don't Try to Make Friends with the Idoyas by Nikki
Nikki lept to her feet. Alejo hissed as he landed ungracefully on the floor. Nikki could feel tears welling up in her eyes when Leo called her by her surname. She reached around Gil and Gray and slapped Leo hard across the face."I know you're not your grandfather Idoya!" Nikki shouted. "I pointed that out to you months ago and you got mad at me. If you were your grandfather, then one you wouldn't be hugging Gray, who's a Muggle-born, and two I'd actually know why you don't like me."
Tears were streaming down her face now. "No eres tu abuelo pero me detesto tú." she screamed.
With that, Nikki turned and stormed off to another part of the library. She sank to the floor at the end of a row of shelves and let the tears flow freely. She didn't have the energy for anything else.
((OOC: translation "No eres tu abuelo pero me detesto tú." = "You're not your grandfather but I hate you."\n\n
0
Nikki
Rule Number One: Don't Try to Make Friends with the Idoyas
0
Nikki
0
5
Gil
October 16, 2006 3:53 PM
Why do I always get stuck with the damage control? by Gil
Gil had always been really good at putting himself in other people's shoes; that was what made him wince a little inwardly when Leo went off on Nikki. He sympathized with her a little; he'd been on the receiving end of Leo's moods often enough to know how it felt. Slapping him, though--that was going just a little far, in his opinion. No matter that he'd had the urge to do so before; they were brother. It was different.As Nikki stormed off without even responding to his question, Gil cast Gray a look full of commiseration over Leo and Nikki's antics, before following the distraught girl to another part of the library.
He sat down across from her, his back leaning gingerly against the bookshelf--they were probably anchored magically to the floor, but there was no point in tempting fate and putting too much pressure against them, especially since Gil didn't really fancy a dictionary-sized bruise on his head--and hugged his knees to his chest. He waited for her sobs to die down a little before speaking up.
"Nikki..." he stopped, closed his mouth, unsure of what to say. It was awfully difficult to stay impartial when this involved his brother so much. "Look. I know you and Leo--well, you've both got strong personalities, I guess. And strong personalities usually clash a little, right? But saying you hate him... look, he gets that enough at home, from our cousins, all right?
"And I know you didn't mean to say he was like Abuelo--I bet he does too, somewhere deep down--but he's been under a lot of pressure lately. Papi and Abuelo have him working on this mysterious project, and whatever it is, it's eating Leo's time--and probably sanity, too. He hasn't really been sleeping much lately, and he got a Howler the other day because he wasn't progressing as quickly as he was supposed to." Gil frowned and rubbed his nose. "He won't let anyone help, either.
"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is--it wasn't cool of you to bring that up, especially when Leo's been trying so hard to overcome his prejudices. Because he is prejudiced, you know that, right? I was lucky, I escaped it--but Leo, he was raised mostly by our father and grandfather, and they're both kind of... well... bigots." Wow, that hurt to say. But it was the truth, wasn't it? "And slapping him was probably a little unnecessary. But I know--and I know he knows too, though he won't admit it--that you didn't mean any harm. He totally overreacted. And I'm going to make him apologize." His friendly face took on a determined cast it didn't often take. "So... it's really no one's fault. Try not to be too mad at him, okay? He's not used to having people inclined to like him; he's always pushed people away as much as they've pushed him away."\n\n
0
Gil
Why do I always get stuck with the damage control?
0
Gil
0
5
Gray
October 16, 2006 5:41 PM
Because that's just you by Gray
Gray couldn't say she wasn't shocked when Nikki smacked the trembling Leo in her arms. She was more than shocked. She had no idea what was happening now. No clue. She knew Nikki had made Leo mad somehow, and Leo had yelled making Nikki hit him. Nikki had yelled something in Spanish, making Gray even more confused. Now Nikki was somewhere around the corner crying herself, and Gil went to her. But not without giving Grail what she thought was a sympathetic look. She gave him a weak smile, and rested her head back on Leo.If Gil was going to help Nikki, she figured talking to Leo, maybe calming him down, would make things a lot easier when the two came back. Lightly she placed her hand where Nikki smacked and smiled. "You okay?" she asked softly. "You know, the two of you are very defensive it seems. Leading to offense as well. That doesn't always mix together when personal matters are thrown into it." At least that was what she believed it was over.
Okay, so she'd gotten that far. Now, how do you comfort someone? She was already hugging him, but she knew she needed to say something other than that. "I didn't really hear what Nikki said about your grandpa," she muttered truthfully. "So I don't know what to say about this, really. But I don't want you and Nikki to fight like this. You're supposed to be friends, right?" Okay, so she was getting closer. Sure her own speech was a little... cliche at most, it was the best she could come up with.
"What I mean is... maybe you should try and work something out," she gave a small laugh. "I'm sorry, I'm not very good at this. I just know it's almost scary when you two fight. And I don't like it when you hurt each other." She made a glance to where Gil and Nikki headed off. "And I'm pretty sure your brother is trying to cool things over with Nikki too. He's probably doing a better job than I am." Another nervous laugh.
She didn't know what else to say at this point, so she just pulled Leo closer, hoping she wasn't making things worse.\n\n
16
Gray
Because that's just you
113
Gray
0
5
Nikki
October 16, 2006 8:21 PM
What I haven't told you by Nikki
Nikki listened to what Gil had to say as patienttly as she could. But when his words ended, her tears began again. They weren't sobs this time, just quiet tears of sadness."At least he was raised by a parent." Nikki finally said. "Mami was always playing with Benito because he can't do magic, and Papi and Abuelo did the same thing to Julio that your father and grandfather did to Leo, you know, trained him to take over the family. They had everything figured out."
"By the time I came along, Julio was five and Benito was six. Abuela ended up spending the most time with me. She taught me to speak Spanish. And she taught me about the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors. She taught me how to cook. And Julio was the perfect big brother, he would protect me from anything and he would teach me spells and he taught me how to fly."
"Of course Mami and Papi paid me some attention. Mami taught me to speak English and Papi taught me about ranching, and animals, Muggle and magic animals."
"When I turned eleven last May, I was so excited. Because I could finally go to Youmens with Julio, and I'd see my big brother more than a total of four months a year. But then I get shipped off here, because it's supposedly a better school. And I meet some friends. So I write to Abuela and Julio all about my friends. And now look. I've got three friends in this whole country, and one is mad at me."
Nikki looked up at Gil. There was something else she wanted to say, but could she say it to Gil? She decided she could.
"Gil" Nikki said in barely more then a whisper, lowering her head, "I like Leo. I mean as...as more than just friends." She could feel the blush rising from her neck up to her hairline. She didn't dare look Gil in the eye. She didn't know if she could ever look either of the Idoyas in the eye again.\n\n
0
Nikki
What I haven't told you
0
Nikki
0
5
Gil
October 16, 2006 10:34 PM
That does complicate things... by Gil
Gil listened in sympathetic silence as Nikki finished her story about being raised by her grandmother. He could empathize a little, though he hadn't had it nearly as bad as she had, from the sounds of it. But Papi had always been busy with Leo, and Mami more often than not occupied by Mercedes; but his cousin Alejandro (the second oldest of the Idoya cousins, after Joaquin) had sort of adopted the decade-younger Idoya twin as a surrogate big brother. He'd never felt left out, and his mother, at least, had always tried to make plenty of time for all three of her children."He's not really mad," Gil repeated patiently, in a soft voice. "Angry--but not at you. At himself, I guess, and Abuelo and the fact that he's got to do what he's told to do... y'know, the whole leading-the-family thing, like your brother--Julio, right? Anyway, he'll come around, I promise. I know my brother." Well, at least he'd managed to sound confident about that. Leo could be pretty stubborn when he wanted to be.
Then Nikki came out with something that simultaneously shocked Gil and made him nod in satisfaction--the latter because, well, it had been kind of obvious, and the former because he'd never expected Nikki to say anything about it.
"Tell me something I don't know," he whispered conspiratorially, and offered her a sympathetic smile. "Wish I could tell you that he--but we're--I mean, just kids--and girls... meh. No offense or anything. But--well, Melisenda always told me this sort of thing--the crushes, y'know--happens to girls first, usually.
"In any case, if you want to stay on Leo's good side... well, try not to remind him of what he's got to do. He won't admit it, but he hates the idea of being a patriarch. He wants to be--" here Gil had to stifle a chuckle. "He wants to be a concert pianist." He snorted softly again, then became more serious. "Don't worry, Nikki, he'll come around. And if he doesn't, I'll just have to bring him around, won't I?"\n\n
0
Gil
That does complicate things...
0
Gil
0
5
Leo
October 16, 2006 10:40 PM
I hate losing control. by Leo
Leo pressed his still stinging cheek against Gray's shoulder as he listened to what she said. When she'd finished, she hugged him closer for a moment; he enjoyed the contact, but pulled back after a few minutes, rubbing absently at his cheek. It really hadn't hurt nearly as much as what Nikki had shouted at him afterward."Thanks, Gray," he mumbled, offering her a sheepish smile that ended up as more of a grimace. "Sorry for... losing control like that." He took a deep, calming breath, then shook his head so that his usually well-combed hair fell into his eyes. "What Nikki said--she... well. My family's pretty liberal as purebloods go, but my grandfather especially--and most if not all his kids--are actually pretty prejudiced. And I a--I was, too. I mean, I spent all my time with them, right? So I grew up thinking Muggles were... were less than us. Sort of like animals." He winced even as he said that.
"Nikki said that the reason our grandfathers fought was that her father married a Muggle. I got upset... well, I guess because I'm only just breaking the habit of thinking like that, and partly because I thought it might--that you might think I..." he trailed off and shook his head again. "But it doesn't matter, Gray, I promise it doesn't." His voice would have been panicked and kind of desperate, but he controlled it tightly; the words came out taut, but calm. He looked at her for some sign of comprehension.\n\n
0
Leo
I hate losing control.
0
Leo
0
5
Gray
October 17, 2006 5:12 PM
But you're fine now by Gray
After a few seconds of holding Leo closer to her, Grail felt him pull away. Oh no, did she say something wrong? Did she make things worse? If Leo acted colder to her now because her stupid mistake of talking, Gray knew she would probably start crying again. There was no way she wanted to do that now. Or any time soon really, it really ruined her mood.But then Leo began talkng to her. He apologized for losing control and began to explain exactly why he lost control. This was good. It meant she hadn't said something wrong or stupid. Or she had and he didn't care. She hoped for the first one, even if she wasn't told, she still didn't like making a fool of herself. Even when he mentioned that he had grown up thinking someone like her was "less than an animal," she kept her relieved smile. Even if it was something she didn't nessassarily like, he was still opening up to her. This was good.
And that he'd lost control partly because he was worried about what Gray would think of it? Well, she was ashamed to admit that made her feel a little more special. She smiled and nodded, resting her head back on his shoulder. "I know you wouldn't be like that," she stated. "If you were, I'm pretty sure I'd still be sobbing in that chair at this moment over my sis..." a pause. Nope, can't say that. She wouldn't admit she was insane. "I mean yeah."\n\n
16
Gray
But you're fine now
113
Gray
0
5
Nikki
October 17, 2006 8:57 PM
Why? by Nikki
Nikki lifted her head a little when Gil started telling her how he could relate. Then he said that Leo would rather be concert pianist than, as Leo himself put it, 'the heir to the patriarch of la familia Idoya.' Nikki ventured a giggle."But why will he talk to Gray and not me?" Nikki asked the younger Idoya. "Why won't he open up to me? Why does he expect me to understand when he won't tell me what's going on? And why does he feel the need to argue with me when we agree on something?"
Nikki heard a soft meow and looked over to see Alejo rubbing his head affectionately against Gil's leg. "That's Alejo." She said reaching over to pet the cat. She could feel the tears starting to come back, but they didn't flow. "Julio gave him to me, not this past Christmas but the one before." She paused for just a moment. "Besides you and Gray and Julio, Alejo's the only one I really know is my friend." \n\n
0
Nikki
Why?
0
Nikki
0
5
Gil
October 17, 2006 9:51 PM
Have you been paying attention <i>at all</i>? by Gil
Gil winced audibly when asked why Leo preferred Gray's company over Nikki's. "Well... I think it's really that Gray... well, she's a lot like our little sister, and Leo's always been really close to Mercedes. And I think he's just--you confuse him. At least that's what my super twin-sense is telling me," he said, offering her a wry little smile. "Dunno why or how, but he definitely finds you confusing. That's probably why he always picks fights, too." And Leo hated confusion; he liked everything to be perfectly written out to the letter, he needed to know and understand everything. Not that he'd be able to explain that to Nikki--Gil never had been very good with words.Gil jumped when something brushed unexpectedly against his leg. He looked down to see a cat. "Um... hi," he said to the small animal. Tentatively, he stretched one hand out to scratch its head. "Hola, Alejo," he corrected himself when Nikki told him the cat's name. He didn't respond to what she said next--what was there to say? \n\n
0
Gil
Have you been paying attention <i>at all</i>?
0
Gil
0
5
Leo
October 18, 2006 3:16 PM
Yeah... thanks. by Leo
Well, she didn't hate him. At least he was relatively sure that was what she meant by smiling at him like that. Then she laid her head back on his shoulder, and he almost smiled too; well, good. Even if it bothered her--and he was sure it must, on some level--Gray wasn't going to let it get in the way of their friendship. Because that's what this was, wasn't it? A friendship? The last 'friendship' he'd had with someone he wasn't related to was... well, there was really only one. That thought brightened his mood, a little, as well, since in a few months he'd get to see Winnie again, and then next year she'd be coming to Sonora. The year after that, Mercedes would join them all. He smiled again.What Gray said though--that cast a little dark spot into his good mood. He desperately wanted to know, by now, why her sisters affected her so--and how he could either (a) put them back in their places, or (b) help Gray get over it.
"Gracias," he said simply, then realized she didn't speak Spanish. "I mean, thank you. You know," he added then, pulling away so he could look Gray in the face, "I could teach you a little Spanish, if you want. I mean, it's fine if you don't want to... but I just thought... well, Gil and I sometimes use it to speak to each other, and even if you couldn't understand all of it, if you knew a little you might be able to catch the gist until one of us stops and translates..."\n\n
0
Leo
Yeah... thanks.
0
Leo
0
5
Grail
October 18, 2006 8:29 PM
Glad to be of service by Grail
Staying on Leo's shoulder, Gray shifted a bit. Why would Leo think something like that, especially stated after he'd taken care of her, ruin how she felt about him? Things like that didn't matter, as long as Leo wasn't like that. If he actually was, then that'd be different. But it wasn't. So all was fine. She was fine with him.She did feel him stiffen a bit when she let out the part of her sisters. Mentally, she begged him not to ask anything about it. She could feel Chali and Libby at the back of her mind, ready for one comment about them to be made, ready with comments of their own. And Alice in the background, ready to start laughing her hardest at whatever the twins said. No matter how... stupid. And she didn't need that now.
She was glad when Leo thanked her (in Spanish of course), then got on that subject instead. About teaching her a little Spanish, so she could have a nice hold on what he said from time to time. Gray smiled and rubbed her eyes. Her contacts were drying. She wasn't sure if anyone here ever say the real color of her eyes? She nodded and prepared to take the burning thing out. "That sounds good!" she grinned, wanting to lean back on him again. "I am a little tired of feeling left out when you guys start talking." That was true. She pulled the contacts out and flung them on the ground. They were dead anyway.\n\n
0
Grail
Glad to be of service
0
Grail
0
5
Nikki
October 19, 2006 10:08 PM
What's that supposed to mean? by Nikki
"How exactly do I confuse him? I mean, is my English really that bad?" Nikki joked, starting to brighten. She knew her English was fine, she had learned it and Spanish when she wasfirst learning to talk, and although at home she usually spoke Spanish, she was fluent in both languages. And here she only broke into Spanish when she felt a strong emotion."Thanks Gil," she said, thinking she had better go back to a safe topic. "So I never got to hear what you thinnk of my broom. It's a Firebolt Vive. One of the best money can buy. Mexico's national team along with some of the South American teams are using them. And there's a rumor that the French and Bulgarian teams have placed orders for them too. Gray's gootsome natural talent, with that broom, Pecari isn't going to score a single goal." Nikki was exagerating of course, she knew that a shut-out Quidditch match was rare, but this was not a time for reality, it was a time to improve her spirits.\n\n
0
Nikki
What's that supposed to mean?
0
Nikki
0
5
Leo
October 24, 2006 7:33 PM
Sorry! I'm back. Where were we? by Leo
Grail smiled at him when he suggested he teach her a little Spanish, which was yet another in a long list of good signs. He smiled back at her as she spoke, though it faltered a little when she mentioned how left out she'd been sounding; he squeezed her gently in a one-armed hug in an attempt to assuage the pang of guilt, then blinked when he realized what he'd just internally admitted. Dios mio, she gets under the skin fast. Just one more thing Gray had in common with Mercedes, really."You should pick it up quickly," he said, knowing that she was in Aladren for a reason. Sure, Nikki tended to steal the spotlight, but Nikki was--no. He stopped the uncharitable train of thought determinedly. Gray just hadn't had a chance to truly shine yet, even though he'd already seen she was quite bright.
"We could start whenever you want..." he said, looking at her, but trailed off, grimacing involuntarily as she tugged something out from underneath her eyeballs. He understood that Muggles needed such barbaric things to correct vision, and that Gray really hadn't known about the magical community long enough to take advantage of any visual acuity charms or draughts, but still... seeing someone stick their fingers in their eyes just wasn't something he was used to seeing. "Um..." he looked at her with badly hidden curiosity.\n\n
0
Leo
Sorry! I'm back. Where were we?
0
Leo
0
5
Grail
October 24, 2006 8:11 PM
The part where you tell me how lucky you are to have me! by Grail
Grail was glad she had met Leo now. He seemed to be the only one in this school who actually noticed and cared. The gentle one-armed hug when he noticed she'd been feeling left out. Asking if she wanted to pick up a bit of Spanish. Helping her when she was crying. She never felt this much trust for someone in this short amount of time. Of course... she was only betting her trust in her mother, father, and Aurther took a while. She didn't really trust anyone else.Gray felt her smile and happiness rise when Leo said she'd pick up on it fast. She was glad he didn't think her stupid from how quiet she was, or how much she didn't get things at first. She knew she could get it, Gray was smart, she just didn't act on it. She prefered to stay in the background, where no one could say she was a show-off. But with a few private lessons with Leo, she wouldn't be very quiet she knew. "Well, there are no classes on..." she was cut off after flicking the contact away, with Leo's confused "um." She looked up at him, realizing now she had one of her eyes normal color (dark brown) and the other contact colored (the navy blue) quickly she turned away, trying not to laugh, as she pulled the other one out and showed it to him. The little plastic bowl stood on her thumb.
"That's right, you probably wouldn't know about contacts," she said, not able to control the laugh that came out of her throat. "They help me see... and change my eye color..." she blushed a little here, lightly pushing the piece of plastic to her palm and closing her hand around it. "They dry out whenever I cry, salt's the problem." She remembered telling her mom she needed disposables, with colors. She had gotten a years worth every year for her birthday. "I... didn't mean to freak you out with it," she said in an apologetic tone. To her, flipping a contact out was normal. She had to take into consideration the fact that wizards probably didn't know about contacts, and would be confused when she took them out.
Mental note to self... take contacts out in private onlly.\n\n
0
Grail
The part where you tell me how lucky you are to have me!
0
Grail
0
5
Nikki
October 25, 2006 5:50 PM
I guess I should appologize by Nikki
When Gil didn't respond to her commenting on her broom, Nikki stood up. "I guess I should go appologize to your broher shouldn't I?" she asked rhetorically. Without waiting for answer,she got up and walked back to Gray and Leo.As she approached she saw Gray's eyes. She had taken one of her contacts out and Nikki saw that now, with one colored contact in and one out, her eyes looked like Leo's. But her mismatched eyes radiated a sadness and a desire for something Nikki couldn't quite place. Leo's eyes almost always reflected his need to both please his father and grandfather and to be his own man.
"I'm sorry Leo." Nikki said looking down, "I didn't mean what I said. I was just upset and maybe a little jealous. I mean, you guys just have this bond and you...you seem to be able to open up to Gray. And ever since that fight we had, it's like you've put a wall up to keep me out." she sighed, "I'm just too book smart for my own good, I don't have any common sense."
She looked up slowly, "Does your cheek hurt too terribly bad?"\n\n
0
Nikki
I guess I should appologize
0
Nikki
0
5
Leo
October 27, 2006 9:28 AM
S'pose I should too, then. by Leo
Leo blinked as Gray launched into an explanation of her contacts and why they needed to be removed, half-listening and half thinking that it was certainly bizarre to be looking at someone with two different colored eyes. Was this curiosity what all people felt when they looked at him, with his grandmother's eyes? One gray-green, one pale blue--he certainly didn't fit into the Idoya clan that way. His grandfather hated his eyes; they weren't his paternal grandmother's, after all, but his maternal grandmother's, and Abuelo hated Leo's mother's family. They hailed from Spain, unlike the rest of the Idoya in-laws, and were far too "liberal." In short, they were Muggle-lovers. His mother, Miranda, always whispered to him that his eyes were a reminder that half his heart was Idoya, yes, but half was Balendin."Oh--oh, no, it's fine. I mean, I'd never seen contacts before... but I know about them. I read about them in a Muggle magazine once," he explained hurriedly as she apologized for freaking him out. "I just didn't know you had brown eyes." He smiled at her a little. He was going to say something about how much they resembled the Idoya eyes--but before he could, Nikki had appeared again, looking penitent.
He raised both eyebrows when Nikki, not looking at him, admitted to being jealous. Jealous of him? He shot a quick, confused glance at Gray, as though asking her to explain it, and then at Gil, who had followed Nikki over and was looking fit to burst out in laughter at any moment. '
"What happened?" he mouthed at his twin.
"I'll tell you later," Gil responded in the same way, hugging one arm across his chest and putting the other hand over his mouth to hide a grin.
"N-no," Leo said aloud then. "I mean, no my cheek doesn't hurt. And I'm... I'm sorry too," he said, climbing to his feet. After a moment he extended his hand. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."
"Or overreacted," Gil prompted.
Leo shot him a half-hearted glare. "Or overreacted," he agreed, only a little grudgingly. Then, after a moment, he added, "I hope this doesn't mean you'll be taking your grandmother's advice after all."\n\n
0
Leo
S'pose I should too, then.
0
Leo
0
5
Grail
October 30, 2006 5:44 PM
This is good :) by Grail
Gray laughed when Leo mentioned he'd never seen an actual contact lense before. This she found a bit strange, seeing as she had contacts since she was nine, after growing tired of her glasses, which she owned since seven. But then again, she guessed Wizards had "better" ways to improve poor eyesight. And many probably found sticking something in your eye a hassle, since they'd grown up with easier things. But... Grail had seen people here with glasses, which to her were even more of a hassle than contacts. At least, since Gray's were disposable, if she lost them she'd just grab a new pair."Ah," she smiled. "Well, not many people do know. You're probably the only one here so far who actually knows the real color of my eyes." Well, this was true, until Nikki and Gil came back from their little corner, and Nikki apologized to Leo. And she was jealous of Gray and Leo? Grail knew (it was actually obvious) that Nikki liked Leo a little more than he seemed to like her. But jealous of how close Gray and Leo were? That didn't make a whole lot of sense to Grail.
She noticed (being so close to Leo) the twins mouthing something small out to each other. But Gray couldn't really read lips that well, so she wasn't sure on what they were saying. And once she started to see it, Leo spoke aloud again, apologizing back to Nikki. Good. They were friends again, at least this was hoped. Things were better and Grail had a new trusted friend herself. She gave a little smile at the three of them, happy the tears were over. Good. This was good.\n\n
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Grail
This is good :)
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Grail
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