Welcome to Gaia! ::

Thankyou for all your hard work with us here at D-corp. Your child's dragon egg is near hatching, and we'd like to have you file another report on the progress of your child.

Enclosed is a sheet for them to fill out, you may help them. Also please include any and all changes in your child. Even the smallest detail may become of importance later on.

"Well....what about this one?" Paxton asked as he opened up the door to the nice and tidy little room. It was pleasant enough, a bed, a table, some white curtains...a little vase of posies on the side. "It's not big, but you didn't seem to like any of the other rooms I showed you." Marigold stood and whined at Paxton's side as he waited for the others response. Since he had gotten her he had dragged that dragon everywhere with him.

The petite little blonde male looked down at the ground, the wings on his head ruffling slightly. " D-don't worry about it Paxton. I'd be fine with any room you choose for me." A small smile curled around his lips as he tried to satisfy the lovebird with his answer. "It's a lovely roo---" He didn�t' even finish, as the eldest and most violent member of the family walked by. Paxton beamed. "Did I mention that the best part about this room is its right next to Yahto's?" The blue haired man turned and gave Tsukasa an Paxton eyeing glance before he walked into his room slamming the door behind him. Tsukasa, gulped and looked at Paxton with a terrified look on his face, " You know, I really liked that last one you showed me...the one at the other end of the house." Had Paxton been more open and perceptive to emotions and feelings he would have realized that Tsukasa didn't really like the idea of having that man sleeping next to him. He looked terribly worried.


"Gaaah," Paxton eyed Tsukasa wearily, "Why didn't you say that when we were over there then? ...Ah, oh well." He dropped his wings "Well go back there in a second. But first! " He turned and headed a few steps down the hallway to Yahto's room where he promptly turned the knob and headed inside. "Yahto, Yahto! " He bounded in excitedly jumping onto and attacking the man who was now laying shirtless in his bed. "Yahto where were you last night?" the Paxton was ecstatic, "...I did it Yahto! I made someone love me!" About now he was bouncing excitedly up and down on the bed, "It worked, it worked! An I really liked it! I like having people love me, I like loving people!" Forget the fact that Yahto had probably been half asleep when Paxton disturbed him. Still the blue haired demon opened one lovely green eye.

"My apologies... but I was out with someone last night." Heaven only knew why Yahto put up with Paxton. Was it for the man's own perverse and guilty pleasures, or was it simply because he was Naito's 'son'?. Yahto parted his dark rich lips so that his beautiful white teeth could shine at Paxton, "Tell me about it," the man continued, trying to prompt Paxton about his adventures with 'love'. Yahto was Paxton's mentor and teacher now, it was an unspoken agreement between the two, weather for better or worse it was unclear, but the effect on had been positive...so it couldn't have been all that bad.

"Well," Paxton started off seating himself comfortable over Yahto's hips. Tsukasa blushed at this, and looking mortified turned away. "I---I'll be just down the hall." He smiled at Paxton and then quickly made his exit."...Wonder what's gotten into him. Anyway, I made the Kobra kid love me! I dropped a cake on him, silly I know, don't ask. Eh-he-he," Paxton shook his head small yellow braid flopping back and forth as he retold his heroic adventures," So he was like, mad at me, ya know? I was a little nervous at first, but slowly things started to fall into place, and when the worst looked like it was about to hit...I HUGED HIM!" Paxton threw up his arms and ruffled his feathers, yes, yes he had hugged the Cobra boy. He had made Ter love him and he was proud for doing so.

Yahto stared at the talkative freak for a moment before sighing and laying down. "Perhaps I need to teach you again, the principals of my practice." Paxton's wings drooped down at this. "Huh, did I do something wrong Yahto?" He had been so happy, yet Yahto didn't seem so pleased with him. The man pushed himself up, propping his back up against his pillow. "Get comfortable..."

Paxton did as he was told and slunk over to the other end of the bed. With a ruffle he opened his feathers and wrapped them around himself, and after a few more moments of rustling and squishing he found a soft spot in the covers that he could nest in. Yahto upon seeing the lovebird comfortable began the lecture by lighting a cigarette.

" Paxton, do you know what a kiss is? Paxton nodded solemnly. "Yes I know Yahto, it was that thing you did to me when I was crying, when you put your lips against mine. ...It felt good, and I liked it." Yahto paused thoughtfully for a moment, "Do you think that meant I love you Paxton...?"

It dawned on Paxton where this was no headed but he was still unsure. "D-didn't it Yahto?...Yahto don't you love me?" If the demon found this amusing at all he kept it to himself. Not even a glimmer of a smirk flitted across his lips. "Love you Paxton? That is a dangerous question." Those deadly green eyes flickered as if daring the young love bird to plunge further into the abyss he was already sinking into. "Dangerous, how can love be dangerous?" Paxton was confused now, did Yahto love him...or didn't he? Wasn't a kiss supposed to mean I love you? If it didn't, then what had Yahto's kiss meant? The lovebird looked wearily at the blue haired devil. "...Explain, please explain love to me Yahto."

In the glow of the mornings red light filtered across Yatho, it was a fitting look for him, pure evil. "Love Paxton...love is a word used to describe many different emotions in one. It is a silly name people gave a nonexistent feeling. Love for your mother is not the same type of love you share with me when we kiss, nor is is the same type of love you share for Keanu or your other friends," Now Paxton was really confused, love was not love? How could love be so many different things at once, how could he feel the same emotion three different ways? Maybe more, Yahto hadn't sounded like he was completely finished.

"Let me start with the first type of love I described. Love for your mother...love for...Naito," Paxton found it odd that Yahto said Ma's name, but shook his head, yes, love for his Ma', now continue. "The love you feel for Naito is platonic love, or love in which affectionate relationship is established, there is no sexual element involved. A sexual element involves hormones, want, need, the urge which consumes your body an urge which few on this planet can escape, or ignore. The love you have with me could be considered sexual," Yahto inhaled deeply the fumes of his acrid smoke filling the room, "...however I allow it to be nothing more than a kiss. A kiss Paxton can be a sign of my sexual love, as well as platonic love, or it can mean nothing you make a kiss what it is Paxton."

Paxton drank the dark and oozing words from Yahto's lips as if they were the secret to his prayers. He didn't understand all of it, but he knew it was wisdom. Yahto was sharing something important with him and he was going to heed every word of it. "The kind of love you have for your friends can, in the same sense, be either platonic or sexual. The type of love you want to give your peers is sexual....people want to feel loved Paxton, in both senses. A normal person can not have simply one or the other, with out an equal balance they will die inside. Sexual love is what makes people feel best...at least physically, when you open up someone sexually, you make them vulnerable; it is the quickest way to get someone to fall in love with you. People are unreasonable creatures, in order to prevent themselves from getting hurt, or to avoid societies condemnation, they create there own reality. They will force themselves to love you, to create a platonic connection along with the physical one. Society Paxton condones platonic love and yet it shuns what naturally comes to us... "

Again the cigarette, Yahto's lips went to it, but only for a little bit for he quickly snubbed it out. "So you see Paxton, the love you seek...is love the which makes others dependant upon you, you want to make people want you, you need to make them need you to survive. A hug against a toddler...is not love, its a sweet feeling...but nothing says I love you like your tongue down another�s throat."

Had any normal and responsible parent heard the last line they may have choked on their own tongue as they tried not to loose it and rip Yahto from limb to limb. Of coarse, this was Naito's house and Yahto was in the own safety and comfort of his room. Whatever he wished to do, whatever he wished to say could be done or said here. There was to be nothing wrong with it. " Understand Paxton, do you understand what I have taught you today? I have already told you about sex. You should understand this concept of love. "

The lovebird looked at Yahto long and hard. Part of him was still unsure about all of this, yet the other half understood Yahto's orders...or erm, advice as clear as crystal. Paxton knew what he had to do now... " It's not easy Paxton, to always get someone to love you...Sometimes it takes work, effort, patience...but in the end they will crack Paxton. People will give in to your wishes....they will surrender to you because it's so much easier to surrender than to fight. Understood? Yahto reached out and snapped up Paxton's head so that he could look the love bird in the eye.

A head shake. Paxton understood, understood now about love, he understood what had to be done. This...it wasn't going to be easy. The possibility of failure was great, and the risks...high, but Paxton wouldn't have it any other way. He wanted love, and with Yahto's help he would get it.

A Friendly Visit ((Guild/ MSN RP with Paxton and Simon))

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Conveniant fade to black~
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Scouts Honor
[A PD between Paxton and Earako]

Already Paxton could feel himself drifting off to sleep. With a groan the boy looked at the clock on the wall. ...Five...ONLY FIVE MINUTES?! Oh god. With a sigh the love bird slammed his head back into his desk and listened to the teacher droan on about the "glories of the past", a.k.a history.

...Night classes were a bad bet. But that's what happened when your parents signed you up for things at the last minute.

It wasn't as if the teacher was bad, heck, she was practically a fox...if only she weren't so--it just had to be the subject. With a sigh and frown the lovebird turned over and looked over at his neighbor.

Oh--where had his mind been since the beginning of class? He had totally missed the bat girl next to him. Strange... she had been in two of his classes right now. She was rather pretty...even when it looked as if she were about to doze--"Hey--" Paxton reached over and softly nudged her just as Madeline shot a look to the back of the class where they were seated.

"Close call there..."

"Mmm?" Behind her dark glasses, Earako blinked, sitting back up in the chair that she had started to slide out of. Slipping her fingers up under the lenses, she rubbed her eyes, trying to will herself back into awareness. Usually, she was more alert at night. But this was a book class. She hated book classes.

A bit more aware now, she turned to see who had saved her from drifting off, and offered the brightly coloured bird a small smile. She knew him, sort of, even if her foggy mind couldn't quite remember his name. Something with a P.

"Sorry." She murmured, her soft whispering voice hushed further in respect for the fact that they weren't supposed to be talking. Or sleeping. Or doing anything that might actually make the time pass a little faster. "This is a little..."

She trailed off. It wouldn't be very nice to call the teacher boring.


"Mmn, I know. Dull." The skinny near teenage boy replied, with over zealous grin. If the truth was the truth, why try to deny it? What was the good in pretending things were what they weren't? "Paxton," he whispered, before extending out a brightly feathered hands of greeting. It wasn't that Paxton was into formal greetings or anything, the boy was simply doing what felt right to him. Besides, you could hardly call his gesture formal, it was a big sloppy handshake which followed, something to break the ice, not something to introduce each other. Though...it would be rather nice to finally remember her name.

With a glance back up front of the room, he saw once again Ms. Crossette had busied herself trying to fix the projector. Ah, he had to love technology for that one, always---"Forgive me class," piped up the petite teacher, looking quite perplexed as how to remedy the situation. "Pleaze stay here for a moment...I'm going to find someone to fix zis." ---always seemed to provide the most opportune of times.


Now. It wasn't usually like Paxton to suggest what he was about to....it was more Keanu or somebody else’s thing, but...he didn't see how it could hurt. An poor, poor, Earako looked like she could use something to brighten up her night. "Say--" the lovebird mumbled as he twisted in his seat, " You look like a lady who desperately needs a little fun in her life..." with a ruffle of his feathers he swung back around facing the beautiful girl next to him with the most charming smile he could manage. "How would you like to be adventurous?"

An unusual offer, even for Paxton, but, alas, he hated watching others having to suffer.

"I promise no trouble...scouts honor."


Earako giggled at the boy's words, the sort of shocked and amused giggle that came from hearing that could be considered not... entirely... appropriate. It wasn't nice to talk bad about the teachers. Of course, her Da' did it all the time, so maybe it was ok if Paxton did it to. Her own grip in the handshake was a gentle one, just the lightest of pressure from her pale finger tips. "Earako."

She'd been right. His name did start with a P.

The teacher's departure, and the subsequent suggestion from Paxton openly surprised Earako, she bit her lip in a decidedly unladylike way as she considered it. On the one hand, they weren't supposed to leave. On the other, it wasn't very polite to turn down an invitation, and he had called her a lady. Besides, the attention was flattering. Him with all his bright feathers asking to play with plain boring her. All the frilly blue lace and black silk that she wore could not possibly begin to compare to the decoration that nature had given Paxton.

"If you promise." She answered finally, the words coming out in a whispered nervous rush. It was night, after all. She shouldn't be stuck falling asleep in class.

Her Da' was gonna kill, though.


Earako? It was certainly a fitting name for the creature she was. Delicate, simple, yet highly elegant and exquisitely out of the ordinary. Then again, all he had to do was take a look at himself to talk about un-ordinary children. If he hadn't known better, Paxton would have thought someone dropped a few buckets of paint on him when he was a small child. It was the lovebird D.N.A that caused this, right? Mother hadn't....Hmn. Well, he was just going to have to look into that one later.

"You have, my word, m'layd." Paxton chuckled slightly, flashing the ever so pale girl across from him a playful wink. With the sound of his chair scraping against the bottom of the floor, the lovebird stood up and shuffled his coat over his wings, after which, that was done, firmly wrapped his black scarf around his neck. Not so colorful any longer, but warm. Smiling, Paxton lastly pulled his pony tail out from under the black jacket had become trapped under. Wow, he really was something red, green and blue skin...golden hair?

Now, as for escape. No need to rush these things--Ms. Crossette wouldn't be coming back for a good while. He was just...he was sure of it. "Shall we? " He asked, taking Earako's hand as he opened the class room door.


Earako stood in turn, a movement of practiced (sitting down and then standing again for hours, just to get it right) grace. Deliberately not noticing the fact that some of the other students were giving them confused looks she went about carefully collecting her things. She lifted her cape, black velvet and faux fur, off the back of her chair, and put it on over her dress and carefully closed wings. Da' had said no to a full length cloak, so she made do with the shorter version, at least until she could get her hands on enough velvet to make her own.

She'd never taken off her long black gloves or velvet hat, so there was no collecting of the smaller things, only a carefully straightening of her dress to the shush sound of silk against silk before she was ready to brave the world outside the classroom.

"Then I shall feel myself quite safe indeed, Sir Paxton." The albino bat responded, with just the barest hint of a smile betraying the fact that even she found such language a little silly.

Placing her hand lightly in Paxton's own, she allowed herself to be led from the room and out into the hallway. And from there, freedom! Or, at least a brief break from the dull lecture.


The lovebird couldn't help but laugh as she gave the, 'sir'. All right, so he was being a tad overboard with that one. Stopping briefly as they reached the first flight of stairs, the lovebird leaned over to his partner, raising a gloved black finger he pressed it ever so softly to her lips. "No Sir... just Paxton--" kindly he reassured Earako, with his smile, that she hadn't said anything wrong, he was just correcting his silliness. Contemplatively the lovebird paused, watching the frail girls reaction for the slightest of seconds before pulling away to resume their journey.

"Lucky us that their were only two flights of stairs," he added as they reached the stairwell door to the lobby. "Not that we were, or would have been caught--" with a huff, Paxton backed himself up against the door until with a creaking sigh it swung open on its hinges.

"So, Earako. Tell me about yourself?" the boy opportunely asked as they crossed the lobby floor, before escaping out into the dark. "Eh--" Paxton shivered slightly as the chill of winters night hit him. Why were they out here again?


Jittery energy was sizzling under Earako's pale skin. She hadn't ever done anything bad before. It was a strange bubbly feeling to know that there was some hint of danger to this. That they could even be caught. She wanted to laugh, all loud silly crazy, but knew it wasn't exactly a good idea. They were sneaking.

"Paxton, then," Earako agreed. A gracious lady was flexible with things like titles, of course. She remembered talking to Keanu, when he'd called her princess and she'd objected. Now, she was flexible. Both in what she let others call her, and in what she called them. Good manners were important. Especially for a girl that didn't have any other talents.

Shadowing Paxton down the flights of stairs, her heart beating crazy fast, she took the steps quickly, more quickly than a lady should. At the bottom, she couldn't quite avoid sighing with relief, nodding silently at Paxton's words.

"Well... I'm a vampire bat. I have a red dragon named Vimber. And I like to sew." That was pretty much it, wasn't it? "What about you?"

And then outside, and it was wonderful, no harsh hateful sunlight to make her falling down dizzy, just the excitement of their escape; the shivery feelings mixing with the chill of the air, so that all her skin was up in goosebumps. She took off her sunglasses, red eyes bright with excitement, and tilted her head up to look at the stars, transfixed.

If he was talking, she wasn't hearing him. "Oh, isn't it perfect?"


Vampire bat? That wasn't so shocking. After all, it was hard not to recognize her as some kind of bat… It was only that Paxton found it incredibly difficult to resist from making some perhaps in appropriate jokes about blood sucking...or just sucking for that matter. Quietly, the boy took his free hand from his pocket and covered his mouth, restraining the giggles. For some reason, he just had the feeling that his new found friend was rather innocent about all that, still.

True, both Paxton and Earako were pretty old, practically teenagers now...and yet, Paxton still felt rather alone at certain times, kind of distanced. "Well..." the boy smiled slightly as he watched Earako relax at ease in the night sky, "Names Paxton. I'm a love bird, "--Hehe, sometimes he just had to love the double meaning, "and well, I have a dragon at home named Marigold. Doesn't like me much though.” The boy gave a sheepish shrug, "I think it's because I'm so much of a spaz--Woah!"

Paxton froze as he happened to glance over at Earako. "Your eyes..." he trailed off, as he leaned over and tilted her head towards him. Usually this would all be an act...but tonight, he was genuinely interested in the girls unique looks. He had never...never seen eyes that color. Maybe it was the moon or light of the stars which made them reflect, that deep, pooling, red so brightly, but, "...Their so--"

Ha, look, he was so amazed that he was speechless, a rare feat for Paxton.


Innocent? Earako? Earako who's house did without a TV, who's father treated her like she was made of glass? Well, in someways. She could swear in about four different languages (ladies didn't, though), and knew more about guns then she cared to admit. But jokes about sucking and the many meanings of the word love certainly flew right over the top of her huge ears.

She only barely heard him talking, something about birds and flowers. She was studying the spaces between the stars, as the last shimmers of nervous energy began to fade. She lowered her gaze, not wanting to be rude, just as he admitted to being a spaz.

And then--

She began to blush the moment he mentioned her eyes, and the blush only got worse as he moved to study them more closely. Blushing wasn't something that could be hidden, with skin as pale as hers. For a breath she simply stood, allowing herself to be examined, if only because she didn't know how to react. And then she jerked away, the sunglasses quickly coming out and sliding on, blocking her eyes from view.

"It's... I know they're ugly. I'm albino." The words were forced out in a whimpering whisper. How could he. How could he ruin this bright perfect night by pointing out her eyes. And there he was, all bright feathered beautiful, and it wasn't her fault that she was born this way!

"It's not polite to point out a lady's short comings, you know." But there was no force behind the reproach, just that same whispered hurt. The exhilarated wide eyed creature of moments before was gone, Earako stood with her wings brought up to wrap protectively around her, as if they might hide her from view, her eyes fixed firmly on the ground.


"Hu--" Paxton wobbled a bit as his support, Earako, moved away from him. "What?" Oh god. Now he had gone and done it, he had offended her. He knew he was getting to close, moving in to fast and all that. Just knew it! But, but...she hadn't seemed to mind up till now. In fact, she had been blushing. Blushing! Forgive him for being blind, but that was usual a good indication that someone was kind of liking your complementing nature.

"No--wait--I-I mean..." the lovebird nearly tripped over an icy slick trying to make his way back to Earako, who indeed seemed quite hurt. Paxton paused panting as he finally reached her again. What, what horrible thing had he said? Done?

...Ugly?

Is this where her indifference was coming from? Earako thought that he was insulting her? Oh—no. No, no, no. At first, Paxton couldn't believe the words he was hearing were coming from her mouth. How could someone so--think they were some sort of monster? Throwing back his shoulders, Paxton took a deep look at the girl before him...there was something so sad looking at her like that. How could she think she was so ugly?

"Hey...you didn't let me finish." The boy reached over and tapped her on the shoulder, as he moved closer, finally regaining some of his composure. "Their so--lovely." Shyly Paxton tried to smile as he side stepped to be in front of Earako.

"Hey Earako, come here....come on," Paxton coaxed the girl to open up again. "Take off the glasses, they hide your charming eyes--" Slowly he reached out and began to take the dark lenses off. "I don't really know you well. But I have to say...you're being rather silly, seesh someone as pretty as you thinking I was insulting them."

Nervously laughter rang out through the air, he really hoped she wouldn't be upset about this all...he didn't mean too...


Earako allowed him to approach, not able to find the will even to move away. Her pale hair hung in her face, and while she wasn't crying, her breath came in those short little gasps that indicated that she was close to tears. She heard his voice, but only sounds, the rise and fall of noises.

Not even a sorry? She would have noticed that, at least.

She winced at his touch, but didn't pull away, forcing herself to actually hear what he was saying in case he required some sort of response from her. Look at him. All sparkly pretty bright and--

And wait.

What had he just said? Lovely?

The unexpected statement made the poor batling's head spin, and she simply stood there, blinking awkwardly as he slid her glasses off again. Was he making fun of her? Was that what this was? Because if that was the case, she'd never forgive him. Never.

Except, except he didn't look like he was kidding. If anything, he looked nervous, as if he wasn't sure what to expect. As if he meant what he was saying.

She let her wings loosen, and folded them once again beneath her cloak, her breathing becoming more steady.

"I-- I'm not. I'm just boring. Pale and colourless, and I don't even have pretty patterns like Ligeia." She bit her lip, the spill of words threatening to bring back earlier tears. "I don't even have feathers."

"I wish I looked like you."

And that was less than a whisper, only barely audible on the night air.


Boring, pale, colorless? Geeze. What kind of friends had she been hanging out with? Or was it her family that put her down like that? Yeah...that was probably it. So far, Paxton hadn't ran into any mean children at D-corp, it just had to be the bat girls parents. She must have had a parent worse than his own, and trust him, his mother could be a total bitc--

"Like me?!" The lovebird was slightly taken aback... literally, as he nearly stumbled into another icy patch of earth. Damn the gravity, it was working against him today. For a few moments Paxton stood still trying to catch his breath. All right, calm, he was doing just fine. "Eh-hem..." hastily the boy cleared his throat and began fiddling with the scarf around his neck.

The last time he had been this flustered was when Gabby had surprised him with a return kiss...it was highly flattering to hear Earako to say those words, but what do you say in return? Maybe...the best thing in these situations wasn't to say anything at all, but rather show it? After all, Paxton showed his emotions better through actions than anything else.

"Earako...."Slyly, reaching out a hand, Paxton stroked the side of the girls cheek before the tricky some boy leaned in and gave the bat girl a soft kiss on the lips. Brief, but also nothing soft nor subtle, Paxton did it not because had feelings for her rather it was just his way of saying--"Your beautiful, don't let anyone tell you other wise. "

"Now..." Stepping back Paxton began to search the ground for a patch of--Ah, perfect. Grinning like a fool, the boy reached down and picked up a handful of snow that hadn't managed to melt yet. "...Didn't come out here to waste a perfectly good history lesson on serious matters," with a waggle of his eyebrow he chucked the frozen ball in Earako's direction. Don't worry, he was careful to be sure it missed... "Ya' better watch out, next one will get you."


Paxton might be surprised to meet Earako's family, composed, as it was, primarily of doting father figures. The worst she had to deal with was an indifferent aunt, and indifference was about as close as Lithle came to affection. No it wasn't family that had caused Earako's insecurities. A quick glance at the night's outfit would betray the bat's love for complexity. And Earako, to her same, was quite simple. She was not yet at an age where she could appreciate that simplicity.

Her decent into morose self contemplation was distracted by the love bird's near stumble, she reached a hand out to him, then pulled it back when she realized the boy might only be further set off balance by her grabbing at him.

And then, before she even had a chance to make sense of his stumble, there was the brief touch of fingertips against her skin and then... pressure of lips on lips. And look, Earako was all sorts of shades of pretty pink, under the right conditions. Her heart skip jumping all over again, like once again she was on the edge of danger. Maybe she was.

It had felt nice, and yet, and yet-- well, what was the batling to make of it. Not yet a teenager, but no longer a child, and here, this first kiss. A gesture of neither lust nor love, and yet a fore runner of both, a bright brief hint of the future.

The pale princess's skin shiver burned and she stood, just blinking as Paxton gathered up a ball of snow and tossed it in her direction.

The spell broke, and whatever future she'd glimpsed was forgotten, lost to the sound of her own laughter, sweet and still childlike.

Grinning, all pretenses of a lady's manners tossed aside for the chance at play, Earako scooped up her own snow ball, and opened her wings, gaining a few feet's elevation before throwing her own snow ball down at him. Her aim was good. Though a snow ball was not a bow and arrow, her hours of practice bled into other acts of precision. And she saw best after dark.


Oh wasn't he clever? Avoiding any and all misfortune that may have come of the kiss by off setting it with something to laugh and play about. Snow wasn't Paxton's favorite...but who could resist a snowball fight? If only he had known he was dealing with an expert markswoman....

"Waaauh--" the lovebird flailed his arms, as Earako's snowball hit the corner of his shoulder, splashing some snow onto his cheek and neck. Thump! Finally he was down on the ground for good.

Silly Paxton, he hadn't bothered to actually think she could hit him. Yeah...she was a girl, but girls could do a lot of the same things boys did, he should have been better on his guard. The thought to doge didn't even occur to him, all though, now he kind of wished it had.

"C-cold..." the blonde little boy shivered as he sat up, and feebly began trying to gather up another snowball. Usually, he was a pretty good sport about thing, didn't like to b***h, and could take the heat if it were on, but when it came to snow...he was a total pansy.


Oops... maybe she should have had the grace to throw her aim a bit off as well. Earako managed to swallow her giggles, reproaching herself inwardly for hitting the boy with a snowball. And nevermind that he had started it, had started all the games tonight.

Games?

"I'm sorry." Earako settled back on the ground, next to the love bird, ignoring the fact that Paxton was still gathering snow, and she was making herself an incredibly easy target. "I didn't mean--"

Except of course, that she had indeed meant to hit him, so she closed her mouth before the words turned into a lie.

"Would you like my cape?" The lady could be chivalrous too, under the right circumstances. Earako was much more sensitive to heat than she was to cold, so the night felt chilly to her, but not uncomfortably so. She certainly wasn't as miserable as Paxton currently looked.


It was true Paxton had started things, but that's only because Earako had been so...Ah, it didn't matter, anything for the girlies right? Paxton enjoyed his job, enjoyed making other people happy. So, if it meant taking a snowball to himself, so be it. The lovebird wouldn't have it any other way.

Still shivering, Paxton looked up at Earako as the small thing approached him. "Suuuure ya didn't," was the sly smirk on his lips. "Y-you have better aim than I would have imagined." The boy said as he shoved himself from the snow and dusted off the particles of cold still attached to his clothes.

"An naw...I got a better way to keep warm," came a brisk reply, as the child roped a hand around Earako’s waist and snuggled up to her. "Besides, look class is out--" he pointed to the glow of the building where a few small shadowy figures were making their way across the parking lot. "--Don't want our parent’s realizing we skipped."

Giving Earako a squeeze, he began to walk the two of them across the snowy yard. “--Too bad this has to end though..." came a small sigh. “You were having fun, right?"



Unlike the earlier kiss, the snuggling didn't surprise Earako at all. The affection level among her and her cousins and family was pretty high, so having a arm around her was nothing all that unusual. It just felt cozy and warm. "I'm learning to use a bow." She admitted, relaxing against Paxton with lazy trust.

Following his line of sight she frowned at the silhouettes of their classmates, disappointed to have to leave the company of her new friend so quickly. It had been nice, and... different. Full of fluttering heart beats and bits of nervous fear, but not bad. She would have to reflect on it later, when there were not figures growing rapidly clearer as they approached, and no one had their arm around her waist.

"Yes." She replied, scanning for her father's bike in the parking lot, or his familiar tall form. There... still in the distance. "You should come over and visit. You could meet Vimber. There's my Da'." She pointed to the shadow in question, not even moving away from Paxton. Innocent enough to feel guilty only over the class skipped, and not too much, even about that.


A bow? Well that kind of explained it some...why she could throw and all. Hell if he could throw or any of that. The lovebird hadn't even had a single battle or defense lesson yet. Was that bad?

Probably. However, in his defense, Paxton didn't see a point to fighting. The child was a well mannered lover, not a rough and rumble sort. Not like he was ever going put his fighting classes to use...erm, that is if he ever got around to taking them.

"Yeah...I'd like that. To meet your family and all," Paxton began to slow as objects on the horizon began to clear and form into obscure shapes. So it really was time to go?

Alas, it was true, all good things must come to an end. Goofy smile still upon his face, Paxton stopped before pulling Earako in for a goodbye hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'll look you up sometime. Now, get out of here,"

Laughing as he said the last part, Paxton gave Earako a nudge forward and watched as the girl drifted off towards the figure of her father.

Paxton dared not take another step forward in case the man should see him.

The Prognosis Looks Bleak
[AIM RP between Cody, Keanu and Paxton]

Cody sat himself upright in his bed, arms folded over his chest as he starred blankly at the TV screen. Weeks in the bed.. almost two months now. His ears pinned back just thinking about how much practice he was missing out on because of all this. He was fine, he had two legs and a pulse. 'monotoring vitals' his spotted a**. Though he reminded himself over and over again of what Orphious had taught him in his special skills lession. Cody unfolded his arms slowly and held a finger out in front of him, moving it forward and back...use both eyes. Well darn lot of good that lesson did him.

Noisy. Too noisy. An eye opened drowsily as a yawn escaped the ever bored leopard. That was what had led to the catnap. Why was the TV on..? He glanced in the direction of the noise, half noting the other boy sitting up. Fine, fine time to get up it seemed. Or at least pretend to. Talking to the others was about all there was to do in this awful place. Being awake meant tying his hair back... or not. After a few seconds of trying to find the hting where he'd left it he gave up. Someone moved it again. Another reason he didn't like this place. The nurses made it their business to run your lives. Don't get up, take a nap. He wasn't going to do something stupid. So up he shoved himself, wincing at the pain. Still, he hated laying down all day. "Mornin' Cody." Why was the TV on again? None of them really watched it did that? Probably a nurse. It was 'entertainment' or something.

Paxton had been awake for a while now. Some where half in sleep, half in wakefulness he drifted in and out, not really caring to get up and greet the day. It wasn't that Paxton didn't want to speak with either Keanu or Cody, yes he had a few choice words to say to both of them, but there would be a time for that...besides, the day was probably rather pretty. Even if it was freezing outside, at least there would be sun. A sigh. Paxton rolled over and covered his head with a spare pillow. Yeah...just ten more minutes.

Cody turned a bit as Paxton rolled over, raising an eyebrow. "Well looks like we got us some signs o' life..." He smirked a bit, glancing up to Keanu. Good thing he'd still been out when they were playing catch with one of the flowerpots their folks had dropped off to sit by their bedside- that would have been bad. "How're ya holdin' up there, spots?"

One brow raised at Paxton's shifting, but he knew better than to rouse him. There had to be a speech of some sort coming if he said a word. Just save himself for a few more minutes. He wouldn't usually mind the lecture, hell he'd agiven a few to Paxton in the past too. The fact was that being stuck in a bed for more than a month left Keanu a rather cranky kitty. Too much energy for his own good. "Mmm... same as ever." When exactly had that nickname set in anyway? Ah whatever, he didn't mind. He'd been called worse things right? "What about you, Cody?" He really wish they hadn't hidden his hairtie again. Even without a brush it would have been nice to pull it back. Even if it wouldn't do much good. It wasn't like they'd let him go out and run around. His leg was still to much of a mess wasn't it?

"That's not funny--" The lovebird snapped, immedatly sitting up to retort upon Coyd's comment. Signs of life? Yeah, that was really classy to say to someone who had been out of it for a long time. Paxton wasn't sure how or why, but some how Cody had managed to ruffel his feathers. "Ung--" half heartedly the boy tossed the pillow he had been holding across the room. Where it missed it's target by several feet and landed onto the floor with a soft squishy plop. Damn it. He didn't even have the drive enough to throw properly. But then again, he never could...Paxton just pretended he could do all the activities guys did. " I mean..." Brown eyes blinked at the pair of boys sitting next to him, "...Good morning?"

"Aye now, that's no way tah be treain' someone stuck in bed." Cody scratched at his messy hair a bit. His bandages would be replaced by a patch soon enough, till then he'd have to deal with them. "Wasn't meanin' nothin' by it." He put a hand up, "Aye, Keanu an' me have been worried enough by ya. We don't seem much like it but das th' truth. We even let th' nurses in long 'nuff tah look at'cha. Let 'em get close n'uff tah put more gas on."

He glanced at Paxton as he sat up long enough to chuck a pillow then mention morning. Right, yes morning. "Mm, yea we were." Not completely awake perhaps. Then again, it might have just been a disinterest in being awake in this place. Hard to tell really. He eyed the pillow as if contemplating using it as an excuse to get up. The last time he'd tried tonurses showed up. More sleepy gas. Best to just let it be. "You slept a lot longer than we did Paxton." He mentioned, rubbing a hand through his own mess of hair. "I was worried you really wouldn't wake up." Oh, maybe it was guilt rather than disinterest. It was his fault this all happened. "I shouldn't have gotten you involved in this. Neither of you." He'd appologized before, but it really didn't change the fact. It was his fault.

"Oh...thanks..." Paxton didn't mean to sound sarcastic, but it just came out that way. Tilting his head downward, Paxton took a deep sigh before massaging his temples and from there fingers worked to up to scalp and through Paxton's hair. The love bird enjoyed being touched about his neck and head, it was rather calming and right now the last thing he wanted to be was upset. He was going to make this day work for the best. And if that meant putting on a brave face and faulty smile for Keanu and Cody...so be it. Acting couldn't be that impossibly difficult. "I know you were..." Paxton tilted himself back until he was once again resting comfortably upon what bedware he had. "And...ah--gods sake Keanu, don't start ont he fault issue. You can't help the fact that you're a ---" he cut off there and simply shut his mouth. No, he wasn't going to be negitive here. Even if Keanu was a complete dumbass.

"Don't be blaimin' yerself. I woulda run 'em down if ya hadn't gone in first, ya know I'm always spoilin' fer a good fight. An' 'cides- that creep's th' guy that took out Allen. Not good havin' them just walkin' round like that. Ya wanted tah put a stop to it a'fore 'e could get to th' ladies...or anyone else." Cody smirked a bit and leaned back against his pillow, still kind of moving his finger back and forth between his eye and bandages, trying to understand the distance change for him... everything was so flat. "Best we start payin' some attention in class I reckon."

He managed to subdue the glare he wanted to toss in Paxton's direction for the comment. Not so much about what he was going to say, though he had an idea of what Paxton might have finished it, but for telling him to shut it. He knew that Paxton wouldn't have been there that day if not for the fact he'd been trying to keep an eye on him. As for Cody... he'd come over after seeing them. He'd been there hoping for a lead really, eager to just at a chance to do good. He'd been a bit stupid about it. Hell, he was going to agree with Paxton's unsaid words for the time being. It had been stupid. Which meant Cody was right. "Yea, we should." And practice more on his own. He obviously wasn't ready yet, which meant more work. More practice. "So we can make sure if those people do come back we're ready. Because they could come back." He wasn't above of spot of revenge against someone who was evil to begin with. One of these days he'd settle the score with those two. They wouldn't get away with hurting his friends.

Dumbass....that was another word which could be used to describe Cody. Allright, so he had Cody and Keanu described down to a "T". There was just one problem left...how on Earth had Paxton got himself stuck with these two? 'If anyone's the idiot here, it's yourself,' mused that d**k of a voice in his head. In all essence, that voice had some truth in it. If Paxton had been thinking he wouldn't have rushed into things the way he had. Not that he rushed into things...he had just been stumbling to get to Cody and Keanu's bleeding bodies only to be stopped by a--snake? The memory was kind of faint, and also a bit odd...Paxton hadn't mentioned it to anyone yet, and he didn't want to either. What if people thought the attack had wrecked his memory or something? Besides, there were only to guys there...right? "Yeah...I guess we all need some work." A faint smile crossed Paxton's lips. "Especially me, if I'm going to be keeping up with you two."

"Should be easier now, eh?" Cody smirked over towards the lovebird, "I mean Keanu'll be stuck gimpin' it around with a pair o' crutches and ten bucks says I'll be smackin' intah just about everythin for a month or so, fallin' over m'self more than I already do." A horrible attempt at bad humor, but an attempt none the less. If they couldn't learn to laugh at themselves they had no right picking on eachother. Dumbasses, perhaps, but at least they had a backbone. "We'll get better,jus' think how much th' ladies will eat this up. Three brave boys all messed up in the name o'...uh...somethin'." He scratched his head a bit.

He shrugged at the lovebird's comment. He really couldn't be dragging Paxton into this anymore? Part of getting better had meant learning to keep his friends out of it. He didn't want them getting hurt again. He wasn't afraid of death, but the idea of having anyone die because of him. Someone who wasn't evil... The thought left a cold pit in his stomach. No, he'd try to keep them out of the real stuff. He'd explain it to them later. They... shouldn't be involved. Wasn't this enough of a hint? He snapped his head up at the mention o fcrutches, frowning. "I am NOT going to be stuck using those things very long!" He grimaced at the very thought of it. "I'll get better so I don't need them." He nodded. "And come on, think about it. You'll figure out how to walk." Alright, his sense of humor was a bit low at the moment. It'd come back eventually. "And why are you bringing up girls at a time like this?" Didn't those two ever stop?

A smirk flitted across Paxton's lips. It was rather nice to see that Cody was helping him out here on the positive side of things. Lord knew that it would take the two of them to perhaps help Keanu from his slump. For Paxton knew Keanu was in a slump. It was just so obvious the working of his minds. Cody probably knew as well...Keanu was blaming himself for this...and that...that just wasn't right. Nobody was to blame here."Tish. I don't need an accident to get the ladies," Coyly the lovebird closed his eyes and settled his arms behind his head. "Allready practically have to beat them off with a stick.." Oh Paxton, such the lair. "The crutches to don't bring much of a sexy factor...but you will get some pity Keanu." A lazy brown eye opened just in time for Paxton to flash a toothsome grin. "Not you have need for such a thing."

Keanu glared frostily at Paxton. Hadn't he learned ANYTHING!? "Paaaaxton..." the tone was slightly threatening. Which was a joke coming from someone who couldn't even stand yet. "What have we discussed?" It was probably pointless. The lovebird just wouldn't change. Though the fact he'd drug him into this. "And I don't want anyones pity. Nor should it matter if they like me in that way or not. Thinking someone looks nice has nothing to do with love." He was probably taking it all too seriously, but since when did he take treating ladies well as a joke? "And do I need to remind you that you can't see them like that. It's wrong!" Oh, but it was pointless. And obviously there was a better thing to spend time on. He glanced at Cody at the mention of escape. Butt gowns... what a smashing term. "You pull them out. Simple as that." Yep, that was still his way of dealing with things. Even if he was using his head.

A roll of the eyes. Oh dear, Keanu was going on about the true love speech again? ...At least that's what Paxton had named it. An impatient sigh followed along with some meaningless chatter. "Yeah, yeah, sounds good---wait! What?!" Suddenly, Paxton's blood pressure rose a couple of notches. No, no. There was no possible way he had heard that correctly. Knocking his head to the side, the lovebird began to wonder if he had a particularly nasty chunk of ear wax imparing his hearing. Escape? Oh for heavans sake...he hadn't heard wrong, plane as day Cody was working on getting up out of bed. Hadn't...hadn't the fools learned anything? "Where are you going?" The lovebird nearly managed to roll himself out of bed as he scrambled over to the side. "Ow--god damn--Get back here!"

As if on cue, a knock echoed through the room, the door slowly slippin gopen before a responce could come. The usual 'hey i'm coming in' knock, they'd probably be used to it by now. Following it, a familiar purple haired teacher's face poked around the corner, giving a raised brow to the current situation that greeted her. "And where might you be going?" she offered with a smile as her body followed, a large backpack draped over one shoulder, and a more suspicious glance to Cody, the boy she'd known to excape her classroom several times. She'd had to upgrade all her locks thanks to him. So with a more serious look she continued "You'll want to stay in bed, alright? I know it's hard, but trust me, you don't want to lose anything else."

"I've had 'bout enough o' sittin' on my a**!" He snorted, reaching for the IV, "An' th' food 'round 'ere stinks, I've memorized all th' infomercials on th' station." "See? I can get up all myself, they can too-they're jus..." he looked over towards the others, "Uh...they jus' got up's all." He looked back to the nurse, "Ya best be lettin' us outta 'ere."

The leopard was starting to swing his legs to the side of the bed, careful with the still injured one. Wasn't being shot in the lung enough. Insult to injury as the saying went. He'd only managed that much when Kat knocked and peeked in. Both ears feel. Once again thwarted. Lose more? He sighed, letting his head tilt slightly to one side. "I can walk with crutches. There really isn't anything to do in here, Miss Kat." He was at least a bit more calm they Cody. Or at least must have sounded that way. "This place is worse than being shot ever was." The truth. Being shot was a quick pain, this place sort of just... sucked your life away. It was that boring. "I'd like to go out and see the snow, it's snowing right?" He recalled seeing something about the weather on theTV. "I hated the summer, and it stands to reason the snow must be nice if it's nothing like summer." He sighed. Maybe she'd listen because he sounded reasonable?

Was the situation going from worse to better, or better to worse? Frankly the love bird couldn't tell. Mentally and physically exausted the boy leaned himself over the cold metal frame of his hospital bed post. At least it was Mis. Kat? ...From his younger years Paxton could barely remember the teacher, but what little he did she was nice...very clam. Perhaps she would help? .Or not? 'Thwack' Went Paxton's head against the post. 'Thwack, smack, thwack' "Shoot me...shoot me now..." he most quitely mujmbled under his breath. The last thing he wanted was for Cody or Keanu to hear that ...it was a tasteless comment. "Hi mam..." Paxton offered a meek and mumbled welcome to the teacher, as he tried to join sides by Cody and Keanu. "Yeah the snow...we wanted to see it?" He lied cautiously swinging a foot over the side of his bed. Oh god, when was the last time he had walked? Ah well, it didn't matter...Cody and Keanu were un-happy. His friends were suffering...he could give a little, if only for their happiness.

"Would you like to be completely blind then?" She snapped back to the bull, a suprising turn of attitude in comparison to the constant cheer that seemed to dwell around the woman. But with a shake of her head, and a smile to replace the frown that had jumped to her expression, she shut the door behind her. "You can't get out anyways, they decided to lock it... And that's why I'm here, I figured you'd all be bored. I brought some things to do..." Her smile widened some passing a glance to paxton first, then keanu, she gave a nod. "Well we could open the blinds... you might see some snow fall! And in alittle while you'll all probably be well enough to head out to see it." she added reassuringly. "But for now you have to stay here, we barely kept you alive as it is you know..." her smile remained, but her voice ebbed with a bit of saddness. "But lets see what we've got! I brought board games, some books, movies, I rented alot of this stuff because I know you guys are a bit too old for my normal." She shifted, dropping the backpack down to the floor to begin pulling out various entertainment things their age, and more suited for their intrests. Though that had been a bit difficult... Really, finding something that entertained a super hero, a cowboy, and a romantic?

Cody fell back onto his rump with a loud snort around the nosering, meant to sound just as angry and incompliant as ever. "They're called BORED games for a reason, books are about as 'citin' as countin 'how many bits o' fuzz are hangin' offa our bums, an' I betcha I've seen every last one o' them movies buncha times over...an' Paxton's got a headache anyway, thinkin' too much or too much sounds is gonna make it worse. Cody lifted his chin though...yeah he would like to sit and watch some good old shooting and roping- but for the sake of being stubborn he'd act otherwise. That and really he'd rather not watch cowboys being all manly and cool with his a** hanging out of a paper robe.

Keanu frowned at the comment. No getting out then. He sighed slightly, glancing at the window. He hated to be indoors... flopping on the ground outside would have been splendid. Instead he was stuck in here like always. The same old 'oh you'll be well soon' thing. Like that did him any good right now. "Why'd they lock it?" He asked, idly rocking ont he bed to get rid of some of the pent up energy. He was partially contemplating just trying to stand up and open the curtains himself. But that might not end well. He frowned further at the comment of alive. That once more brought up the guilt of almost getting his friends killed. Never again... he'd protect them. He didn't bother to look back as she began to list off what she had. He never did any of that stuff. What he did was things outside, which he obviously wasn't allowed near at the moment. All he got was to stare out the window and brood. Which truly didn't suite him, but there wasn't much else to do. Still, best to be polite. She was trying to do them a favor. "It was nice of you to go out of your way and think of us." But he'd rather be outside.

The love bird blinked once, twice...and then withdrew his foot back into bed. Well...at least he would be saving himself the embarasment of trying to move. Ah, so foiled again? How did it always seem to work out that way. No matter what the three did they were always stopped. No...not three, two. Paxton was just along for the ride. Hmn, so now what? What was that phrase snot nosed brats usually said just to be well...a bother? "Whatever." A ruffle of bright feathers and Paxton was off staring into space. Yeah...'whatever,' he was fine with that. Paxton was fine with just about anything now. Maybe another nap was in order...or maybe he needed to find that pillow he had thrown earlier and just smother himself allready. ...Naw, that would be far to simple.

"They're called board games because they're flat like boards." She corrected, with a 'isn't that interesting?' tone. Ofcourse she'd suspected they'd fight it tooth and nail, no one liked being couped up like this, she knew that from personal experience. "And I also have some video games, not many though... They're a bit too expensive." She nodded, sorting through the videos. Best to sooth Cody first, she reasoned the squeaky wheel got the oil as they say, if she could calm him down she could work on the rest. Not that it would happen any time soon, but it was a start. "Ah here, this ones newer, so maybe I'll get lucky!" She lifted the video up, moving over to the VCR to pop it in and let the credits start up. ofcourse she'd checked all the movies before hand as any good teacher would. Nothing too violent after what they'd been through, just good simple watching. "Because you all have a history of getting into trouble, and no one wants you hurt." She responded, moving away from the VCR now that it was doing it's job, and to the window, drawing back one side of the curtains to show the slightly icy window, gazing out into the parking lot. The windows were locked too ofcourse, and it was too high to get out of anyways. "And lets see..." she moved back to the bag, heading to Paxton last, the least of her worrys from what she'd read in the new reports, she took a seat on his bedside, placing the pack to her side. "I'll let you keep the bag." She informed him, lifting a hand to give an affectionate stroke of his hair like a mother might. Habit from being around toddler's all day perhaps.

Journal Entry
(sometime late summer)

While he hadn't written in it for several months now, that big thick leather bound monster still sat on his desk, taking up more than its fare share of shelving. For part of an assignment in health class, one of Paxton's teachers had asked them to journal. It was about silly little things, diet, exorcise (secretly Paxton believed his professor was passing these off to the techs a night) but even so it had prompted the lovebird to take back up one of his more obscure hobbies. Obscure meaning here that he didn't talk about it to anyone, or read it, or even know about it. With a sigh he stretched his arm across his bed and snagged a corner of the hard bound copy, only to end up with dust all over his fingers. He flicked over a few pages, wincing as he managed to make out some of his old childish handwriting. Heh, man, he was such an unhappy child back then. But without much further pause, a ruffle of his feathers, Paxton grabbed the pen which had been sitting behind his ear and flipped over to an empty page.