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After the shenanigans in the cafeteria, it was made apparent that both Eli and Cali needed to get to the infirmary. Maybe Eli more so, not that he would admit it, but he had started to grow rather pale. Despite the immense pain on his back, the giant sprinters of wood punctured deep into his skin, or the the frightening size of the puddle of blood surrounding him, he had insisted on carrying Cali the entire way. Something he would pay for in both clothes and a bit of skin. By the time they had gotten there his shirt was completely shredded, revealing a muscled torso and all too closely the gruesome injuries on his back. Not only did he lose his shirt, not that it was anything new. He was used to his clothes tur ing to the dust and it didn't seem to bother him much anymore and in this case it would only make the medics job easier. The issue was the layers of skin lost on his stomach and chest, the back of his arms, anywhere he had Cali cradled against him. Maybe it seemed silly, maybe it seemed stupid even, but it was just entirely Eli. "Your leg is hurt, mine work just fine." That was his logic and he had made it fairly clear that he wasn't going to argue the point. He wouldn't let Cali walk, nor would he let anyone else carry the precious girl with the rotting touch. Firstly because he wanted her safe in his arms, but also because he knew the consequences and he wouldn't let anyone else bear them for him. That of course brought the conversation of Cali's semblance up, which was discussed and explained to Nox and Yenna as they made their way the the infirmary.

He had been in pretty rough shape once they finally reached the make-shift medical tents. A sheen of sweat had broken out over his forehead, made odd by the fact that he carried Cali around all the time, like she was no more than a rag doll. The fact that it had been such a struggle for him this time only went to show just how injured he was. Even so, never once did he complain. He even magaes that silly little smirk of his all the way up to the infirmary, accompanied with teasing, as always. His humor as well as that sly little grin followed him through the many nurses and doctors. It seemed nothing get get his spirits down. Not yet at least. Both Eli and Cali were patched up easily enough and sent back to their dorms. It was only then that his mood truly dropped. He had sensed it coming long before it had arrived. A lecture. Loud and angry. As harsh as she might have been while yelling at him about his recklessness and his stubbornness and how it was bound to get him killed one of these days, he could see through the anger. See past to the concern and the despair, the way her voice choked an the words as if such a think were completely unthinkable. In all reality, it was. The two of them were so deeply intertwined that there could not possibly be one with out the other. They needed each other as much as they needed oxygen. So Eli understood her reaction, even if it stung when she stormed off, leaving him with words still hanging on his lips.

Later that night he was still being given the silent treatment as she lay on their bed, seeing as they usually shared, gave towards the wall and back to him. She had stacked layers of blankets and sheets to protect the mattress and the wooden frame beneath. Ahe knew as we as he did that she wouldn't be sleeping. She didn't sleep well when she was upset, or without him beside her. Neither of them did. He gave her her space, some time to think. Watched as blanket after blanket began to wither away. It was late when he finally approached her, an object hidden behind his back and a long bag draped over his arm. "Cali... are you still mad?" Of course she was still mad. That was a stupid question. "Look... I'm really sorry... but I have something that might make you you feel better." The boy truly was sorry. He hated for her to feel such negative emotions, but even worse, he hated being the cause of them. The sincerity showed in his voice, but she would know that wouldn't stop any future acts of martyrdom. It was just who he was. "I also really need to ask you something." He added after a moment, the slightest if smiles tugging at his lips. He waited patiently for her to turn around before offering forth the small object that had been behind his arms. A rose, however a rose crafted out of metal and decorated with his very own webs. It was a bit crude in its structure, but none the less beautiful. He wanted her to feel like any other girl. Showered in flowers a d roses, but he couldn't simply ignore her special touch. If he had given her a bouquet of flowers, they would have crumbled at her touch in their delicacy. Even if she never held them, they would whither away in time. Whike the feature would be sweet initially, he knew it would only hurt her eventually, despite his good intentions. This would hold up against her semblence just a bit longer, as the metal was stronger and even his webs were coated with a bit of his aura. This was the solution he had come up with instead.

"Will you go to the ball with me?" He asked once she had taken it, no longer able to contain the grin tugging at his lips. It was now they he held up the bag draped over his arm. Unzipping it, he showed that inside was the beautiful and delicate fabric of an exquisite dress. He also knew that she couldn't exactly go dress shopping the way a regular girl could and he didn't want the occasion to have any sort of negative connotation to remember. How h ehad gotten the time to go without her was unknown, but somehow he had managed. Not only that but he had picked up a dress perfectly suitable to Cali. Not just one actually, but multiple. She would need them throughout the night. "I know you don't love crowds... but we can dance and you can put on your own personal fashion show. It will be fun." He knew this wouldn't take nearly as much convincing as the beach had. This was something much mire suited to her. Even if it made her a bit nervous, he knew she would enjoy it. Eli was looking forward to it just as much. He may not have been the greatest of dancers, but he was much too excited to see that oh so sweet smile of hers light up her face.

Fast forward two weeks of uneventful classes and the time had finally come. Eli had picked a fairly neutral set of clothing seeing as Cali woukd be wearing multiple dresses throughout the night and he wanted to match with her no matter what one she had on. As sly as he was at times, he was entirely too sweet and at times a bit corny. His attire was formal and elegant looking, but had a bit if an edge to it. It suited him and looked rather nice on his muscled form. He even tried to managed his mess of dark locks. However, it was Cali's appearance that was truly stunning. His mouth had nearly dropped when she came out of the bathroom but he was quick to fix it with a charming smile. "I would tell you that you're as pretty as a princess, but you are vastly more beautiful than any princess I'd ever seen. It would be an insult." Both a touching compliment and a slight bit of teasing messed into one statement was only a thing Eli could pull off so smoothly. They had already decided they would meet Nix and Yenna there, so without a pause in the beat, he took her by the hand and lead her out of the dorm and through the halls. "Are you excited?" He asked, leaning down to murmur softly in her ear.

The closer they got to the ballroom, the louder the babble of chatter grew. Soft conversation, gentle laughter, and sweet melodies meshing together in the sweetest of symphonies. Thet were let through the doors, offered drinks, and kept into an autumn wonderland of orange and gold. It was a gorgeous arrangement and he knew Cali in particular would appreciate it. Looking around, he lead her to stand beneath one of the chandeliers, tilting his chin up to look at the exquisite features. "It really is something... but I still think you're the prettiest thing in the room." He wasn't out of compliments yet. Not even close. He usually had the goal of making her blush, but tonight was the perfect opportunity. Still, the compliments were much sweeter and much gentler than they could sometimes get.