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Lexi's awkward rambling was once more cut off by Callie's kind-hearted logic, as the woman settled herself on the bed beside her. Granted, she wasn't wrong. The dance had been a blood bath, and she had got hurt, real bad, and the wound clearly wasn't healing as fast as it should be. But if she had just listened to the Alpha and ran away, instead of throwing herself in the creature's path, then she wouldn't need anyone to take care of her. “Yeah, but I messed up, I should have listened to you.” Honestly though, Lexi knew she was in way over her head, even before those things had shown up to ruin the evening. Escorting the breathtakingly beautiful Callie to some big fancy witch party turned out to be kind of overwhelming. It only served as a reminder of where she came from and had thoroughly eaten away at her confidence as the evening wore on. After all, a scruffy street kid like her didn't really belong in a high-class place like this, Frank just happened to pull some strings.

Though, despite how unworthy she may have felt, Callie was still here. Even from the start Lexi knew the alpha could, and would have up and left at any time if she really wanted. But hearing the woman saying in her own words, that she wanted to stay and that she cared, only made it harder for her to argue in favour of her guilty conscience. Especially when the sensation of warm fingers suddenly linking into her own sent a satisfying tingle up her arm and through the rest of her body. She could already feel the flush rising in her cheeks again as she ran a thumb over the soft perfect skin. Somehow Callie managed to make her feel like it was okay to want more than she deserved, like she could strive for something greater than herself. And who knows, maybe she if could stop fighting her feelings and second-guessing herself for just a moment, something as simple as holding hands with the person she cared about could become a normal thing for her.

First things first though, Lexi needed to pull herself together. At least it seemed they were now both on the same page when it came to their feelings, which made pushing down any lingering doubts that much easier. Though the last thing she had expected was for Callie to help seal them away with a sweet kiss. But that was exactly what happened. The gentle hand that reached for Lexi's cheek had done its job of drawing her attention back to the woman beside her. When soft lips brushed against her own, she could feel her face turning a bright shade of red, and her heart flutter, as she leaned into the lip lock. Even as Callie pulled back Lexi inched forward little by little, only stopping herself when the movement sent another wave of pain shooting down her arm, though it meant that the request to take it easy hadn't been completely lost on her. “Sure, I can do that. Honestly, a little R&R sounds real good right now.” She agreed with a soft chuckle as a half wince, and half crooked grin pulled at the corner of her mouth. Though she did hope this whole relaxing thing didn't mean another few days just shut away in her dorm.

“But... I care about you too, and I don't want you getting all stressed out because of me. Just try not to push yourself okay? If I'm being a pain in the a** just tell me.” She knew it was a long shot, Callie was the alpha, and in the end she would do whatever the hell she wanted, but with the whole sharing feelings thing they had been doing she at least hoped the woman would consider the request. After all, it wouldn't have been the first time she had watched a good person try to help those around her, only to crumble under the weight of everybody else's problems. For the five years she had known her, Vi had been like a loving mother to Lexi and the rest of the Lillies, but in the end she had paid the ultimate price. The last thing she wanted was to see the same thing happen to Callie or any of her new friends for that matter.

Kurt was glad the men didn't judge him for his sudden out pouring of emotions. He doubted Rowan would have, after all the witch had already seen the Duke cry once today. Though Michelet too supported him with his kind words. He almost wished he could make up with Trinity as easily, but no. Miss Blake had made it clear that she hated her shackle of a fiancé all along. He didn't blame her and he wanted to tell her so, but should he? There was a wonder on what Rowan and Michelet would suggest. Maybe he could ask them? After all, they had offered their support and guidance. It would be rude to ignore that now after the moment of open connection the three men just shared.

That deeper discussion could come later though, it was a matter of deciding where the two men wished to go next. Thankfully both men leaned towards fixing Rowan's curse. Even if Rowan claimed it wasn't too bad, there was no sense on risking further exposure. Again, Kurt didn't know how curses worked, and that unknowing made him more nervous. “Good. Very good.” He nodded, trying not to seem too pleased at the decision. As much as he would have returned to breakfast for them, Houlihan's office was still the preferred option.

On asking how long it would take, Kurt had no clue. He supposed Professor Houlihan was a powerful witch, he hadn't given it much thought. Either way, he would be glad to join them if they allowed, and from Michelet's invite it appeared they did. “Yes, of course. I'd be thankful to know Rowan here is free of it.” The blond cocked a shy smile as he ruffled his own fringe back into place. “You said the Professor managed to clear you of yours easy enough, right?” There was a bit of nervous realisation to his question. As Rowan said, Houlihan may be powerful, but even Kurt had heard about curses backfiring when tampered with. He worried about how it could harm the man who had been so kind to him.

They weren't too far from Houlihan's office, only having to cross over the front of the main building they were in, so Kurt turned the corner and headed in that direction. As he walked, his head was on an anxious swivel, jittering at the thought of running into his ex-fiancé again. She had left, but he wasn't sure where to. It was difficult to tell though whether the fear came from protecting his own heart or hers.

︵‿︵‿୨°l||l°୧‿︵‿︵

Location: Hallway outside cafeteria
Company: Rowan & Michelet
Mood/Thoughts: 'Hopefully he can be cleared swiftly.'

“I will acknowledge that you are strong. Because… you are someone that knows the same pain of loneliness that I do. And… that pain makes a person stronger.”

Luna flinched at the sudden exclamation. Her shoulders curled inward slightly, having been more used to those loud voices directed at her, and along with those same voices came…

But Izzy was not them, and they were not near. She forced the slight trembling of her hand to cease, clenching it tightly until tiny crescent moons marred her palm. Luna let out a breath, hoping that her reaction had gone unnoticed as embarrassment, guilt, and more prominently shame swirled in vicious swoops in her mind. Shame, that despite her best efforts she could only be nothing more than a burden to others.

Luna watched as Izzy scanned the room, for what exactly? She was unsure of. She let Izzy’s annoyed growl settle in her, “It is a little more crowded isn’t it. If you just give me a minute I ca-”. Before her sentence was finished she felt Izzy move beside her. They shifted back towards the wall and Izzy steadied her against it. “What are y-.” When Izzy walked away, Luna’s hand unconsciously reached out, but was thwarted by a passing student. They turned around and gave her an annoyed look that made Luna shrivel into herself. She pushed herself against the heated interior as if in some way trying to become one with the surface.

When Luna looked back up for Izzy, she realised that she had lost her to the crowd. She lifted her injured leg and began jumping on one foot. Despite her very best efforts, so many of Rathmore’s students were just tall enough for it to fall short. Izzy had left without saying anything, Luna wondered if the girl had had enough of her and simply deposited her in the nearest convenient location and simply walked away. It made sense though, who would want to take care of an injured girl when the first day out of lock-down presented itself in front of them.

Luna resolved herself to a long wait alone. It was fine… everything was fine… just… fine. She sighed. She spotted a trio of girls get up and walk out the door opening up space in a small corner covered in shadows. Using the wall as a crutch she hobbled over to the empty space melting into the background, waiting for a free volunteer. As she waited, Luna wondered if she should simply use her ruined dress as a makeshift bandage when a spot of blue caught her eye.

It was Izzy. The crowd had parted for the briefest of moments, just enough for Luna to catch the girl looking back at her with a shrug. A sense of warmth bloomed through her, unconsciously her face broke out in a smile. When she did notice, Luna ducked her head, letting her chin rest against her collarbone and long strands of silvery silken hair curtained her view. She stayed, [ and Luna was absolutely over the moon. She couldn’t help it when the smile only grew more. The giddy giggle caused a few heads to turn, when they realised that there was in fact someone there. She covered her face in her hands.

She stayed.

Before Izzy could see her like this Luna schooled her face in calm neutrality, even smiling just a little when the girl stopped in front of her. “What did you find?” Luna inquired. Though she had seen the girl by a supplies station, her view had been covered only moments later, obscuring what Izzy had eventually decided as necessary.

After checking the contents of her bag, Izzy moved to slide her arm around her waist. This way she didn’t need to fully lean on the girl to make up for the height difference as she had had to earlier. Luna didn’t take her eyes off of Izzy while she adjusted her grip to something more comfortable; not when they exited the pop-up station; and not even when Izzy asked her if she wanted to go somewhere less crowded. Luna could only nod. Words had escaped her the moment she noticed Izzy tuft of blue hair back at the station. She was simply awed.

Luna limped on one foot, making sure to keep most of her weight off of Izzy as they made their way to the main building. The more that she did though, the more blood from her ankle seeped into the bandages. The smell of blood wafted through the air. She knew that the other supernaturals were surely able to smell it. Luna unwrapped Izzy’s arm from around her. The position made their trek just a little slower than it should be. She was a vampire after all, she shouldn’t be the weak frail thing that was brought down by a simple were bite. Luna moved Izzy’s hand in her own and gave it a little squeeze before tossing back a smile. “Let’s go.” She hobbled much faster than before, tugging Izzy along. Luna hoped that this was not too forward, or brash for someone who was a stranger not 10 minutes ago.

Inside the building, on the way to the cafeteria, Luna peered through the little windows of every passing door. Eventually she came across one in which she could see no one. “Give me one second,” she said to Izzy quietly while pushing the door open. Luna popped her head in scanning the room for anyone. When she deemed that the room was well and truly empty, Luna held the door open for Izzy. Once through, Luna let the door close with a soft click.

The room that they were in was a large lecture hall. Seats lined up along long tables that steadily raised in an inclination fashion that faced the screen at the front. Like a movie theatre… but for students. The motion sensor lights seemed to have been turned off as the room remained in darkness. “Sorry,” Luna whispered. She felt weird speaking normally in a dark room, as if the sound might call out to unknown creatures. “I just…” She stumbled on her words. “Last week… it’s just… the blood” Luna looked down at her leg. Red had begun spotting the floor. “With everything that happened to you guys,” Luna took a shuddering breath. “There are supernaturals everywhere… and the smell of blood… after something like that. I just, I just didn’t want to make anyone panic. So…” Luna looked around the empty space. “I thought it would be better this way.” Her eyes landed back on pinned pupils.

It was a relief to hear that Kurt would come with them as that meant Michelet could continue to keep an eye on him and Rowan both. He would have made the choice if he had to, but he was happier not to have to make that decision. Damn, at this rate he was going to have trouble keeping tabs on all of the people he actually cared about, at least a little. But he supposed that was normal. Rowan had nineteen brothers and sisters; how could anyone keep up with that many people once they left the nest? But for someone who had spent most of his life caring about only one person and always knowing where she was, more or less, it was a bit mind boggling to think the day might come when he would need a second hand to count all of his friends. He’d have to start counting on his toes if he included the people he didn’t mind so much.

Michelet nodded when asked about the removal of his curse. ”Da professah mek it look easy. Mebbe someday I ask how she do; iz no so simple in vodun.” The bokor was still stunned by it, but hadn’t questioned it. The professor was older and more experienced than he was, so it was not unthinkable that she had some tricks up her sleeve that he just wouldn’t. It just made him even more eager to learn everything he could from this place and the people in it. But Kurt seemed nervous. Should he be more worried? Was he asking too much of the woman after all? Michelet mentally shook the thought loose; he had already decided that he trusted her and he wasn’t going to renege on that trust now.

As they walked the duke kept looking from side to side as though a ghost might leap out in front of him at any moment. Of course it was no ghost he looked out for, but rather a dark haired witch with his heart still in her hand. Michelet tried to concentrate on where Trinity might be, but he could not get a good fix on her. His attention was too split; he was hyper aware of Kurt, Rowan, and the professor’s office. Still, he had a sense that he could not easily walk to Trinity, so that was as good as it was going to get.

Rowan’s high spirits were a bit infectious, at least for Michelet, and he idly wondered if the effect was intended or just the witch’s natural effervescence. Either was entirely believable. He had a bounce in his step as he expressed his appreciation for them joining him and worrying about him. Michelet didn’t see how he could have done any less, really. They didn’t know what Rowan’s curse was doing to him, but it couldn’t be good and he wanted to know it was cleared up as soon as possible. ”Still kickin’ mahself Ah no notice before now. But now we know, we get you taken care of. So there nowhere I rather be.”

As they approached the office, they could see Professor Houlihan approaching it as well. Good, it really was perfect timing just as Rowan said. Michelet remained quiet for the moment as his chipper roommate called out to the professor and explained their reason for being there. He lowered his voice when speaking of a curse making Michelet blink and look around them. Was he worried that someone would overhear? Bringing his gaze back to Professor Houlihan, he added, ”Ah hope iz awrite me an’ Kurt join in. Won’ get in you way.” It wasn’t his place to explain the duke’s mental state or why he was with them, though he suspected such an observant woman had already determined there was something more to it than just choosing one another’s company. At some point, he would properly apologize for putting so much on her plate when it was already so full but now just was not the time.

“I will acknowledge that you are strong. Because… you are someone that knows the same pain of loneliness that I do. And… that pain makes a person stronger.”

A light pink dusted her cheeks when the cadence in Izzy’s voice dropped to a huskier level. Her voice elicited a feeling within her that she couldn’t quite put a word to. The way Izzy’s calloused thumb brushed over her hand and her gaze gently resting on her didn’t help organising the feelings that swirled up. Luna gave her a slight smile as she dropped her head to hide behind her shield of hair. “Okay,” she whispered back. Her own voice, light and hesitant.

Though the moment was broken in a fleeting breeze when Izzy’s gaze reached the blood pooling around her ankle. She startled slightly, Izzy’s voice filling up the empty space around her. Though it didn’t hurt, she had grown numb to the pain over the weekend, her ankle looked pretty bad covered in cloth and blood. Luna wondered about the charged air that had surrounded the two just seconds ago. What had caused it? And why did her heart and mind react the way that it did? And wasn’t it just last week that Lexi caused these same bodily reactions within her? Luna felt guilt wash over her. She couldn’t make sense of these emotions, not when she was more used to moving through life alone. Someone really needed to make a “emotions for dummies” book, knowing that some other poor soul would need it just as much as her.

Absently, Luna moved towards that chair where Izzy had pointed towards. It’s rough surface doing wonders in making her uncomfortable. Why didn’t universities invest more in ergonomic appliances, she muttered more to herself than anyone else. She examined the unravelling bandages that hung heavily from her leg. The blood soaking more than half of the wrap. She cradled her thigh against her chest to better access the wrap. Her skirt slid up slightly, revealing more of her leg than anyone really needed to see. She slowly unwrapped the long cloth, thankful that nothing snagged on the open skin underneath. Not that it was likely with all the blood wetting the cloth.

Beneath, her ankle looked like shreds of skin. When it happened and even over the weekend, Luna refused to look at her marred skin. Opting for the nurses to bandage up and forget about its existence for the while. But now here in the darkness she saw pools of dark liquid dripping through the snapped stitches. She kept her leg tucked close as she looked at the slow drag of dark red, nearly black, in blank memorization, while Izzy went to find the light switch.

When the light flipped on, Luna’s eyes adjusted in startling clarity. “Oh,” she let out in a hushed whisper. She had not realised just how… horrid it looked in actuality. Flesh hung loose where the stitches failed to hold it together. She poked one chunk with a slender finger and pushed it back into its ‘proper’ place. “I wasn’t expecting it to look like this to be honest. It didn’t hurt that badly so I just thought it was… small.”

Luna glanced back over to Izzy, “looks like we won’t need that bonesaw after all,” she laughed. Hoping to preemptively lighten the mood. “It’s okay though, I can wrap this up quickly.” She rested her head on top of her knee, shifting slightly to cover up her exposed thigh, needing to keep at least a little bit of modesty.