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 Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:52 pm
 For a second, Dakota saw something within Jela that disturbed them. Was it... sadness? Had they hurt the other with their questions and thoughts? For a second their hand hovered, about to touch Jela's in concern before a stammered response left Jela, causing the hand to lower back to Dakota's salad.
"Oh." The soft hum left them as Jela admitted their goal, tail tip twitching against the bottom of the table. It fit Jela, and oddly enough it was a satisfying answer. It was something that Dakota could see Jela enjoying, and living a fulfilled life doing. Relief washed over them, and yet the smallest doubt lurked in the back of their mind. Where would Dakota could? What would their future be? It seemed Jela had the same question, as the words flowed from their lips before Dakota could settle on an answer themselves.
"I'm studying anthropology, so...." They trailed off, head tilting back to view the ceiling in thought. That was true, they were majoring in anthropology, but... they never had considered what to do with themselves after. They simply had taken the major that had interested themselves the most, honestly. They loved their major, but did it promise a career? Did Dakota even know what they wanted? A part of them did, but was it dumb?
"I don't know. I want to... help the orphans adjust to their cultures and learn what they are. Mmm. Or, maybe, I want to help children in troubled situations find new homes. I'm not... sure."
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 3:10 pm
 Jela just waited as Dakota sorted out her answer. She was well aware that even though they were in university that it didn't mean they really knew what they wanted out of life. Her roommate for example had changed their major at the start of every semester and had yet to figure out what they wanted. Considering their interest in drawing and the fact that texts books would always need illustrations, she figured she'd be getting a new one soon, as her current one took their foundations in Medicine and Biology, and finally went to Grendel for art.
As she waited, Jela finally managed to finish half of her little plate of sandwiches and then nodded as Dakota finally answered. "Both are pretty admirable." she said. "Help kids find a better place in life. I could see you doing that." she offered the other a smile and her tail swished softly against the carpet behind her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:27 pm
Nodding absently, tapping their claws against the table. Perhaps they did fit them, but they weren't even sure that was what they wanted. What if, after university, they had no clue what to do after? What if they never figured it out. A faint smile crossed their features, masking the worry that started to leak in. Their eyes trailed to follow a child running past the window, head tilting to the side. Maybe they could be a caretaker? Or....
"I'll figure it out." The mumbled absently as they poked at their salad, hoping that saying it was enough to make it true. A hand raised, rolling hair around their claw. Slowly, they watched the child before glancing back at Jela, sitting up straight.
"What were you like as a child?" They questioned, popping a tomato into their mouth with an inquisitive eyebrow raise. The two had met as adults, and now seeing that tiny child had made them wonder. Jela had once been a small child, icy blue eyes peeking out under dark hair. Would they have been friends back then? Would Jela had attached to Dakota back when the Imp was nothing more then a quiet ball of fluff who was too busy learning to finger knit? The thought caused a pleasant smirk, an ear flicking. Probably. Perhaps they would have been best friends, even as tiny little children.
What if, when they each had their own kids, Dakota and Jela's kids became friends, too? How wonderful would it be that their friendship would pass through the generations?
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 4:28 pm
The child running past caught Jela's attention and she also watched them flounce down the street and from her angle into the arms of a parent? Most likely. Asterion was a far cry from the Academy, and it wouldn't make much sense for Freshling to be here with a caretaker. Generally the only Academy students you saw around the Universities were those taking the tour to get a feel for the place.
She glanced back and smiled. "I know you will. I have faith in you." she smiled.
She looked back outside watching the foot traffic walk by. So many little kids clutching at their parents hands, peeping curiously into windows. One gave a tiny wave before being tugged along. Jela chuckled softly to herself and nearly missed Dakota's question. "Me? Uh..." she frowned a bit. "Quiet I guess, reclusive...I got picked on a bit for being so tall, and when it became apparent I wouldn't fight back, well..." she sighed. Kids could be so heartless to each other sometimes. "That's, kind of how I ended up in the greenhouses. It was quiet there and no one really minded my presence as long as I was helpful and didn't get under foot to much." she smiled a bit. "I bet you were just the same as you are now." she teased. "Quiet and gentle, and knitting up a storm." she sipped at her tea, her blue eyes lit up by amusement.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:24 pm
Dakota offered a frown, tail flicking absently. Picked on? For being tall? But Jela being tall was only right! She looked beautiful tall, and it wasn't even in the mushy sense. Dakota truly believed Jela had the body she was meant to. That and, honestly, Dakota liked making her sweaters. She was plenty easy to knit for!
A tiny smile touched their faces, nodding as Jela assumed who they had been. Quiet and gentle, probably. They never really realized they were the gentle type, but if Jela said it then it must be true. And yet, their younger years had been fairly miserable... Mentally shrugging the memory off, the Imp took another nibble of their salad, head tilting side to side.
"I was always getting into things." They commented wistfully. "Before I took up knitting I was prone to moving a bit. Restless, I suppose. When they gave me needles I settled down." It was obvious they weren't used to talk about themselves, distracted easily by the glimmer of light from the wind chimes in the corner. They stared absently for a bit, mind blanking before it kicked into gear a memory, head lifting to view Jela.
"Once, I wandered into the Headmaster's office and hid under the desk when they came in, thinking I'd get in trouble. I think that was the most adventurous thing I ever did, honestly. I was a boring child."
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:45 pm
"You getting into things?" she chuckled a bit. "I have a hard time imagining that." she smiled and rested her chin in her hand. "What were you doing in the headmaster's office?" she said with a teasing smile.
That suddenly made her realize something. "I...just realized I don't remember you from the nursery or early classes before getting house placement." she said, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to remember what Dakota had looked like when they'd been younger. "Maybe I just missed you...but I'm pretty sure I'd have remembered seeing you before." she frowned then shook her head. "Sorry, I know that's rude of me to realize that I never noticed you before I met you in the library that one afternoon." she sighed and straightened back up. "You...were awoken at the Academy, right?" she said slowly, almost afraid to ask. She hated the thought she was being outrageously rude in admitting that Dakota just...had never registered for her before.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:57 pm
Dakota smirked at the teasing smile from their companion, resting their head on their hand. What had they been up to, actually? It took a second to remember, a shrug of the shoulders following. "I was bored." They admitted, head tossing side to side. "That was before I knit. I think someone told me there was a pretty painting in there and I went to see."
Their realization caught them off guard, eyes flicking for a second to glance outside. Well, Dakota hadn't been in the academy originally. Their tail tip twitched, claws folding over one another. "I wasn't there until I was around ten." They murmured, claws tapping against the table as they watched outside. "My mom sent me when I was older. I originally went to public school."
Their face didn't portray the brief memory of pain that flickered, instead remaining passive as they stared out the window. They seemed, like always, lost in thought for a good two minutes before they turned back and offered a soft smile. "I guess, when I did join, I didn't play much with other kids. I liked to be alone for a bit. The noises were too much."
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:11 pm
"Was there?" she asked curiously. She'd never been in the headmaster's office so the contents of the room were a mystery to her.
She listened quietly as Dakota related part of their history. Had to be part, it just didn't seem...complete to her, but that wasn't her business to pry into right now. "I see." she said nodding a bit. "By that time I was up to my elbows in soil and seeds and didn't spend much time around kids our age unless it was for class."
She tapped two of her claws together. "Kind of sad...would have been nice to have known you for forever." she said wistfully. "But at least we have now...and...for the rest of forever...?" she said hesitantly. She wanted that. So much, her heart hurt when she imagined a life without Dakota in it.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:22 pm
"There was!" Dakota laughed back, examining their salad before popping more into their mouth. Their eyes flicked back up at Jela as she mentioned the wish to have known each other forever, setting their fork down gently. They didn't respond initially, instead staring at the other blankly. Forever? So Jela wasn't going to abandon them when they pursued their career?
What about your future career? What if you had to go away?" For once, a vulnerable tone left the Imp. Clearly, they didn't appreciate that, as suddenly they turned to gaze out the window, avoiding eye-contact.
"You won't.... vanish?" They whispered, shoulders sagging. They wouldn't abandon them like their parents, right? Anyone else was fine, but not Jela. Not their best friend. Not the person who was their rock in this quiet world.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:50 pm
"Then it wasn't a total loss." Jela said with a smile.
She watched Dakota shift a bit and tilted her head slightly as her demeanor changed, just slightly. Most wouldn't have noticed, but Jela did. "I'd always come back, Dakota." she said, her tail tip twitching just slightly. "I'll always come back to you." her brain stopped for a moment. She wasn't sure that was what she'd meant to say, but...well it was said now and best to just keep going. "Never! You're stuck with me, and I with you, because I--" she cut herself off. She was pretty sure she shouldn't say that right now. "Because I care about you and don't want to hurt you." safe. She reached over and gently touched the back of Dakota's hand and got them to twist their hand and place one of her's in theirs. "I..." she trailed off and then had to look up as the server came by to check on them and leave the bill for their convenience.
Jela sighed. Moment didn't seem right now, but at least she was still holding Dakota's hand.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:53 pm
Dakota hadn't expected the touch, vacant eyes snapping into focus as Jela touched their hand and spoke. They blinked back at the Imp, unsure how to take the response. So their feelings were mutual? They both considered each other best friends? They wouldn't ditch other to follow a dream or fantasy? Relief rushed through their face before they smiled, shrugging off when Jela trailed off. It wasn't often Dakota latched onto sentences, and luckily for Jela they seemed to dismiss the lost "I....". They were just content being verbally comforted.
When the bill arrived they made a move to pull their small wallet out, fumbling with the card, as they only had use of one hand. They didn't recoil from Jela, however, not minding the lack of mobility. Oddly, holding Jela's hand felt right. As if their smaller hand fit perfectly within hers.
"How should we split this?" They questioned, nodding towards the bill.
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:59 pm
Jela shook her head. "Later." she said with a reassuring smile.
She glanced down at the folder that contained the bill. "We don't~" she said eyes lighting up. "My treat." she wanted to say more but...later, there would be time later.
"Let's go check out that shop you mentioned before." she said with a firm nod and once sure they were both finished eating, got up, still holding Dakota's hand, went to pay the bill and wander the shopping district with them.
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