After the feast (tag: Michael) on Teppenpaw Commons

Eris Ackart

December 06, 2012 5:58 PM

After the feast (tag: Michael) by Eris Ackart

Eris had heard Jorge call after her as she left the hall, and while she thought about turning to look at him, she hadn’t. She walked with a purpose to the common room, her eyes cast downward, and her heart still pounding in her chest. Part of her wanted him to be right—she wanted Michael to have noticed her leave and to follow her, but she tried not to listen for footsteps behind her. She didn’t know why she’d let Jorge get under her skin, she’d been teased by her brothers for as long as she could remember, but she was a little sensitive when it came to Michael. They weren’t together. So it was frustrating to be told that they were, when she knew that that wasn’t the case, despite what she wanted. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who was frustrated by not quite knowing what was going on between them, though Eris still didn’t see how that was any of Jorge’s business.

She’d come to terms with most of her feelings over the holiday, Abigal had helped her with that. Eris just wasn’t sure she was ready to share them. It wasn’t the part where she would tell Michael that she fancied him that bothered her, she was more afraid of his response. Rejection was never a pleasant thing, particularly when it came to matters of the heart. At least, that’s what she’d gathered from watching her brothers and picked up from life in general.

The thought of heading to her dormitory straight away crossed her mind. That way she wouldn’t have to think about whether or not to tell him how she felt, but it also meant putting off seeing him up close, and she had so much she wanted to tell him. Why did feelings have to be so complicated?

Eris pushed open the door to the common room, glad to find it fairly empty. She crossed the room and took a seat on the couch, where she waited. She would have been worried about looking too obvious in the past, but she didn’t care at that moment. She was anxious to see him, and hopefully he’d be along soon. She’d played the moment over and over in her head for the past few days. He’d walk in, she’d hurry over to him and throw her arms around him and they’d sit on the couch like normal and talk about their Christmases. She’d give him her gift, and he’d smile, and then, well…who knows. That was usually the part where she’d told him how she felt, and sometimes when she thought about it they just started planning what they’d do over the summer—if his parents approved, of course. What if he felt the same way about her? Would that complicate things over the summer? What if they did get together but broke up…Eris would be heartbroken.

She shook her head. She didn’t want to think about that, or build it up any more in her head. Lee had warned her about that and putting too much pressure on him. Maybe it was better not to tell him…she’d only recently come into his life, and there was still the chance that he didn’t look at her that way. Eris sighed and twisted a piece of her long dark hair around her finger, as her gaze settled on the door. Her heart leapt into her throat as it was pushed open.

0 Eris Ackart After the feast (tag: Michael) 0 Eris Ackart 1 5

Michael Grosvenor

December 16, 2012 4:04 PM

Being tagged, part way through the feast really... by Michael Grosvenor

Michael had been keeping an eye on Eris during the feast. It wasn't like he had much else to do, what with Cepheus having gone off in a huff – well, as much as someone could whilst staying seated. Not that Michael wanted to talk anyway, which was the whole issue. He was therefore very surprised when he turned around and found Eris had gone. People didn't tend to go, during the feast. He waited a minute or two to see if she'd reappear. Perhaps she'd just gone to the bathroom or something. But she didn't come back. He double checked that she hadn't just move seat to talk to someone else but he couldn't see her anywhere. Were they allowed to leave during the feast? He'd never been told not to but it seemed like an unspoken rule that people just didn't. But that was presumably because no one could possibly want to. Except he did. He never wanted to be there. And if Eris had gone, possibly because something was wrong, then he doubly did.

He felt very self-conscious as he stood up. Most people were probably so much more interested in their friends that they didn't even turn their eyes to him but he felt like everyone was watching as he strode out of the hall. As he made his way up to the commons, where he assumed Eris would have gone, he even checked over his shoulder a couple of times, half expecting a Professor to have appeared and to insist upon dragging him back and attempting to enforce jollity.

Relief spread through him as he made it back to the commons uninterrupted and found that he had been right in his assumption about where Eris was going. The relief was very short lived before making way for much more powerful happiness at seeing his friend again. He'd told Natalie about taking Eris to the party. Natalie hadn't asked whether they were going out or how Michael felt but the little waggle of her eyebrows and her question of “Oh yeah?” had been enough to clue even Michael in that she was wondering about it. He wondered about it too. Eris was... amazing. But he thought Mellie was amazing. And Brianna. And Laurie, and he definitely didn't fancy Laurie. No way. Maybe he had just been super lucky and made friends with people who were just the best.

“Everything ok?” he asked Eris, trying not to grin his face off even though he was ecstatic at seeing her. He didn't want to be overly bouncy if something had really upset her at the feast.

13 Michael Grosvenor Being tagged, part way through the feast really... 199 Michael Grosvenor 0 5

Eris Ackart

December 17, 2012 2:02 AM

Into the common room by Eris Ackart

Eris’ dark eyes settled on Michael as he entered the common room, and for that moment, she didn’t feel like she could control her body. She had been so anxious to see him but a little nervous at the same time, and then there were the things she was feeling toward Jorge—but all of those were overcome by the same happiness and excitement she’d felt when the feast began. With a massive grin on her face, she sprung up from the couch and practically sprinted over to Michael. Eris threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, forgetting about his hearing aids and how she might interfere with them.

She took a step backwards as she released her grip on him so she could look at him properly, and he could have a clear view of her face as well.

“I’m so glad to see you!” She said finally, trying not to bubble over too much. She couldn’t help it though, particularly when he asked her essentially the same thing that he had when they first met. Only this time, she wasn’t on the brink of tears. She wasn’t sure how to explain why she’d left the feast—not without spilling her heart out, and she didn’t want to get into the habit of lying to him.

“I’m better now, thanks.” Eris smiled, trying not to let Jorge’s words creep back into her head. She wasn’t sure of that would be enough of an explanation, then again, she also wasn’t sure if Michael had been able to pick up on any of the conversation. He seemed happy enough to see her though; she wasn’t going to ruin it by throwing feelings at him. Presents, however, were a different story.

“There is so much I have to tell you, and I have something for you as well…so…get comfortable! I’ll be right back.” She said with a grand sweeping gesture toward the couch before dashing off toward the girl’s dormitory. She hoped that her things had been brought in already, because otherwise this was going to be a little awkward.

Once she reached her room, she was glad to see that everything was in order, and she did a little happy dance before she set about rifling through her trunk for Michael’s Christmas gift. She finally found it, and Eris took a second to gain her composure. A few deep breaths to slow her pulse, and she was headed right back out towards the commons.

“Right, so! How was your holiday?” She asked, still beaming as she re-entered the room. Eris made her way to the couch and kicked off her shoes, settling herself cross-legged on one side. “How’s your family?” She wanted to add ‘did you ask them about this summer?’ but figured she’d give him time to answer before lobbing more questions his way. After all, it had been a while since they’d first talked about it, maybe he’d forgotten.

0 Eris Ackart Into the common room 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Michael Grosvenor

December 17, 2012 4:53 PM

And presents! by Michael Grosvenor

Michael grinned as Eris gave him a feedback-inducing hug. He didn't care. Apart from the fact that it was a painful noise, probably hurting her ears too. But it was worth it and he squeezed her back, pulling her slightly off her feet.

“You too,” he smiled, as normality was restored and she told him she was glad to see him.

He was intrigued by what she meant by being better now – implying that she had not been before – but he had barely time to gather his thoughts before she was chattering away about getting presents. So long as she was ok now, he guessed.... He was sure if something was really wrong, she would tell him, and they seemed to have moved onto happier topics, so he was loathe to dwell on the subject. Although if he had the opportunity to impress upon her that Cepheus was a pillock, then he wouldn't regard that as a bad thing.

“I have something for you too,” he smiled, “So see you back here.” He scrambled up the stairs and retrieved a small, rectangular package from his trunk. It was wrapped in cheery paper with trees on and contained a box of chocolate santas. He rejoined Eris on the sofa, adopting the mirror image of her position and relishing how quiet the common room was.

“Merry Christmas,” he grinned, holding out the box.

“My holidays were good,” he grinned. “Natalie's been away at college so my parents were really happy to have us both back. They insisted on serious family fun times and swore that certain things were traditional that I swear we never even used to do,” he grinned, “But it was good fun. I mostly got things I could eat, wear or read as presents. How about yours?” he asked.

13 Michael Grosvenor And presents! 199 Michael Grosvenor 0 5