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 Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:34 am
Scyeth hadn't been himself, these days of late. After suffering nightmares every day, or every night, for the past week or so, the blond was starting to slip. Oh sure, Scyeth had always been incredibly lazy, but the youth had started to fall into a listless state. He didn't do his push-ups anymore, and he hadn't touched his skateboard since the weekend before. He hardly studied, but that wasn't really much of a change.
What was, though, was the way the Aussie seemed to clam up. Usually a fairly social character, being so quiet was strictly out of character. He didn't care about much, didn't say much, didn't do much. He just wasn't...he just wasn't very 'Scyeth' anymore. Was it the lack of sleep? Scyeth hardly thought so. But he wasn't willing to admit his dream figures were probably wiser than he had originally given them credit for.
The blond turned and gazed at his roommate. "What was I supposed to be studying, again?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:52 am
He stared at the blonde, frowning inwardly. He had no idea what was happening; he had been exhausting himself so much from studying that he hadn't noticed the nightmares, and with Scyeth unwilling to talk, it made things very...complicated. RuiZhi shifted from his position on the floor and moved to sit next to the Aussie, wrapping his arms around the dazed youth. "That depends on how far behind you got," he murmured softly against the other's shoulder, concern etched in his brow. This was not like Scyeth...maybe...maybe he was sick?
"You should just rest for a bit," he suggested, some of the worry leaking into his voice. He couldn't help it. The last time Scyeth wasn't himself, it'd been frightening with how detached he'd been from everything. This wasn't the same thing, but in some ways, it was worse. Just like then, the Chinese student had no idea what had happened, and had no way of knowing with Scyeth so turned into himself. RuiZhi lowered his head so that his cheek was pressed against the blonde's bicep, trying to focus. Even he was having problems the past few days, his concern for Scyeth was so great.
His thoughts were interupted by a knock at the door. Well. That was weird. Glancing to Scyeth with concern, he released the other and stood, moving to answer the door. Opening it, his dark eyes jolted with surprise.
"...Headmaster?"
"RuiZhi Tai," the Headmaster greeted the Chinese youth. He was dressed in his usual charcol suit, monocle pressed over a single dark blue eye. Despite his smile, Norman's expression was one that was tired, worn with something on his mind. "I apologize for intruding, Mr. Tai, but I was hoping to find Scyeth."
The youth's face seemed to pale a bit. He opened the door further, glancing over to Scyeth. This was awkward. It was the first time he'd properly met the Headmaster, and he was asking for the Aussie with that look...
...and they weren't supposed to have room mates. Oops.
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:05 pm
Scyeth blinked. Oh. That would make sense, wouldn't it? He should probably figure out where she should be to figure out where he needed to start. But. Snuggling seemed like a much better option. "...yeah," he agreed, missing the worry. He was about to curl himself up and tuck into RuiZhi when someone knocked on the door. Blue eyes flashed open.
Who the hell would be visiting them? (Or, RuiZhi?)
The blond blinked when RuiZhi spoked to the visitor. What? Headmaster? Why was he here? RuiZhi wasn't a bad student, or a bad kid and- Oh. Scyeth straightened himself and peered at the adult, temporarily forgetting the trouble he might get in for living with RuiZhi? "What about me?" he grumbled, probably the most coherent sentence he'd put together all day? Mentally, Scyeth went through a list of things eh might be in trouble for. Back-sassing the professor? The fire thing? (Still?) Oh, his grades were probably slipping again...
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:51 pm
The older man stepped into the room, thanking the Chinese youth quietly. He looked pointedly at Scyeth, thoughtful for a moment, before taking a meandering glance around the room. It was clean, at least. Norman took a breath through his nose, turning his attention back to the blonde. "Mr. Akazar, there's something I'd like to speak with you about. It's personal in nature..." He trailed off, offering a silent apology in his dark blue gaze, which rested on RuiZhi.
Closing the door, he returned to Scyeth, sitting very close and resting an arm behind the Aussie in an affectionate motion. It was automatic and he didn't think much of it, being as taken aback as he was. He wasn't sure what he was more surprised about: that Norman knew they were sharing a room or that they weren't in trouble for it. His cheeks felt a little warm, but he didn't mind the implication. They were in a relationship and it's not like their grades were terrible (truly, RuiZhi had to be near the top of the class).
He blinked owlishly at the Headmaster as he mentioned a private matter, feeling his heart sink. Not good. Not good at all. He had a bad feeling, what with those words and how Scyeth was acting. Brown eyes slid side-long to look with his feelings obvious within them, biting his lip a bit. "Okay, I'll...I'll go to the library," he said with a hint of nervousness. He didn't want to leave Scyeth, but if it was personal...
Norman smiled faintly, his expression still holding despite his inner feelings. He'd never had to do this with a kid before. Having just received the news, he came to deliver it personally, not wanting one of his special student's personal life to be on display. As much as he trusted his staff, there were some things that each individual had to man-up to, and this, unfortunately, was the one of the worst instances possible.
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:40 pm
Scyeth frowned. Personal? He definitely must be failing something. Or it really could be about that damn professor, but honestly, the blond wasn't sure why that would be called 'personal'. Unless he didn't want RuiZhi seeing the other get punished, or something. Strange thought. The Aussie tipped his head to the side and shook his head.
"He can stay. He's my friend," Scyeth insisted, listless blue eyes finally starting to show signs off life. The teenager was just daring Norman to challenge him. Nothing could shake off the blues like a good fight. "Besides, I can take a little scolding." Damn, it wasn't like he got embarrassed easily. After all, he was the son of a politician. One of the first things he learned was 'no shame'. Do what you must, and don't regret what you decide to do.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:04 am
Norman regarded Scyeth quietly for a moment, conceeding with a nod. "It's ultimately up to you, Mr. Akazar, but please don't mistake this as a social call to chastize about grades. That's not how ShinKami operates," he replied, his words more automatic than explanitory. He was still trying to think of how the best way to approach the issue might be, although he was quickly coming to the conclusion that there was no 'best way' to handle something like this. "There's no easy way to say this, Mr. Akazar, so please do remain seated."
If possible, RuiZhi paled further. He immediately returned to Scyeth's side, hunkering down and sitting close to the Aussie. He had a really bad feeling. The Headmaster wouldn't come to talk about grades, he'd probably summon the student into his office, right? So why...why did he come to their dorm?
"Headmaster," he ventured, his voice quiet, "why did you come here? Why...not ask Scyeth to come to your office?"
Serene eyes regarded the Chinese boy with warmth. "This isn't a school affair I'm afraid, Mr. Tai. Had this been school related, I would have done just that. As it were...I'd prefer Mr. Akazar be in a place he can be at ease." This was building up too much. Taking a quiet breath through his nose, Norman fixed his gaze on the blonde. "Mr. Akazar, I'm here to speak with you about your father."
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:27 am
Scyeth blinked. Not a scolding? Easy way to say it? The blond blinked again, glancing at RuiZhi when he joined him before looking back at the Headmaster. What could possibly be so tragic that he needed to sit down? If it wasn't grades, and not the fire... "Am...am I getting exp-"
Wait. It wasn't a school affair? Scyeth furrowed his brow, look growing more suspicious by the moment. "My father?" he echoed. "What about my father?" The Aussie frowned at the thought. What kind of trouble was his father causing now? Maybe he father was trying to pull him out of school again. That certainly wouldn't go well. Or maybe, was it the wedding? "Did something happen at the wedding?"
It was the only thing that made sense.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:40 am
Exhaling softly, the Headmaster glanced around for a chair. Finding none in the immediate vicinity, Norman gently tugged at his slacks to kneel, regarding the two students with a heavy heart. "I don't know anything about a wedding," he admitted quietly, "this happened before. I was told only a few minutes before I arrived here, so I'm a bit lacking in details. I apologize for that in advance. I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have, or to find more..."
Utterly silent, RuiZhi remained practically huddled against his boyfriend. He had no idea where this was leading, but he couldn't stop the cold pit in his stomach from expanding, threatening to tighten his throat. He glanced over to the other's bright blue eyes, his own dark brown even darker with his own thoughts. Wedding? He didn't...he had no idea. What had been going on in Scyeth's life...?
RuiZhi felt like a terrible boyfriend...and a terrible person. To not know these things, only to find something had happened... The youth shook his head firmly, looking back to the Headmaster as he was speaking. The time to pity himself wasn't now; he was here for Scyeth.
"...ah." He was getting off track again. "Mr. Akazar, I am here as the bearer of sad news. You father has passed away." His kind smile was set in an unusually stern line, his expression one of loss.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:40 pm
Scyeth's frown deepened. What was going on!? What could be so urgent, or so private, that the Headmaster didn't even have details? It was just a wedding. Sure, a big political thing, but it wasn't something that bothered Scyeth too much. (Okay, that was a lie. But it was something he'd keep trying to tell himself.) But, really, he-
"He what!?"
Scyeth just stared. "Are you on crack!?" the youth demanded, suddenly hostile. "My dad wasn't sick. He couldn't just 'pass away'." Scyeth waved his hands, suddenly in complete disbelief. "What happened? Was there an accident? Did he get hurt?" The questions were rapid fire, Scyeth's mind racing. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening.
...it was like the dream. The dream was real.
"...did they...kill him?"
Are they coming for me next?
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:12 pm
Norman sighed quietly. "We believe it was a political move," he replied, sticking with honesty over policy. "We don't think it was personal or even racial. They didn't tell me much more, other than what you've surmised. The reason, the method...I can only conjecture, but I know you're smart enough to do that too, Mr. Akazar."
The youth's hands went numb. He didn't know what to do. Was there anything he could do? RuiZhi had lost his own parents so long ago, he'd forgotten the pain...and at that, they hadn't been murdered! The Chinese student forgot the Headmaster was in front of him, curling the arm behind Scyeth to wrap tightly around his side. He didn't know if the Aussie would need someone to lean on, or if he even wanted to be touched, but RuiZhi was here and it was the only way he knew how to tell the blonde. He didn't trust his voice.
His eyes turned slowly to his boyfriend, his heart heavy in his chest. Scyeth...what happens now?
As if to answer the unspoken question, the Headmaster continued. "This may be too soon, but another reason I came to you was to speak about your future." Norman's expression was a bit brighter, perhaps even hopeful. "Mr. Akazar, I will be taking full responsibility for you from here on out. You will remain in the jurisdiction of the school. This can be seen as a political move, or just a motion of human compassion, but I want to keep you here. This is, however, not a necessity. If you'd prefer to go home, you are free to do so.
I personally would prefer you stay with us, Mr. Akazar. We will continue your education to the best of our capabilities, to grow as a family. This is in your hands, Mr. Akazar." Norman fixed the demonic teen with his dark gaze, his voice devoid of play or jest. This was a very serious matter, and if he had any say in it, he would keep Scyeth under his care. "If you accept, we will fill out the necessary paperwork and become your legal guardians." No one can take you away anymore, he added mentally, hoping he was appealing to the youth in a manner that was acceptable.
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:31 pm
Scyeth was shaking. Shaking violently, like a leaf caught in a gale. He was hardly aware of those around him; his mind was leaping from one question to another before his even had time to give life to the question. His father was dead. More so, his father had been killed. Murdered. Taken away from him.
They didn't like each other. Why did this hurt so badly?
Hot tears prickled in his eyes and started sliding down his cheeks before he had a chance to try and hold them back. The Aussie sniffed and blushed profusely, horrified he was crying in front of the Headmaster...and his boyfriend. He was supposed to be strong. He was supposed to be a great leader someday. Leaders don't cry. Soldiers don't cry. He shouldn't be crying.
"...but what about the family...legacy?" he finally muttered, twisting to rest his head against RuiZhi's. He was suddenly very glad he had asked the other student to stay.
The estate. The company. The small, but nonetheless, fortune. The bodyguards. What about all that? Was that to be lost to the wind?
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:54 am
His heart broke for his boyfriend. The hand around Scyeth's side lifting to cup around his shoulder instead, holding him very gently against himself. RuiZhi nuzzled the blonde very lightly, only partially mindful of Norman being in the same room. It might not be appropriate, but what was important to him was the Aussie's well being; if that involved being a little unconventional, then so be it. His own willingness to bend the rules and not appear as a perfect and upright student surprised him, but it also comforted him, knowing that there was something and someone in his life more important than such trivial things.
Trivial things. Oh, how Scyeth had gotten to him! He hugged the other a little more tightly, exhaling softly.
"His will?" the Headmaster inquired, not in the least bit phased. He was not blind to his students, or his staff, for that matter. Norman paused, thoughtful for a moment, piecing together the puzzle for a bit of a clearer picture. "Wedding," he murmured, before speaking out loud for the two to hear. "That will have to be worked out, but to my understanding, it was all left to you." Another pause. "Again, I'm not sure if this happened before or after the wedding you mentioned, but either way, his last will left everything to his one and only son. I'm sorry Mr. Akazar, but that is the extent of what was said to me."
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:00 am
"Oh."
The blond shuddered again, ducking his head to the side. The will. He hadn't seen the will. He didn't know- Had his father changed it when he got married? Did the wedding even take place, or did he- Scyeth shook his head and shut his eyes. He'd have to contact Adrian later. There were too many things he needed to figure out. Arrange. Damn it all, was he going to have to attend a funeral now? Scyeth hated funerals.
Scyeth scrubbed his face with his hands and shook himself like a wet dog, as though he were trying to fling grief and disbelief all over the walls. "Uh. Thanks for telling me, I guess," he muttered, running his hands through his hair once before turning to RuiZhi. Thanks for sticking around. He sighed, blue eyes dull as they flicked back to the headmaster. Scyeth felt like he had just ridden a roller coaster, or something of that nature, to be horribly cliche.
"...now what?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:52 pm
"Now," Norman stated, pushing on his knees as he stood, "I have a lot of paper work to fill out. If you decide you wish to leave, Mr. Akazar, you have approximately three days to tell me. If you need more time to consider, I can drag my feet." The Headmaster smiled a bit, adjusting his slacks and smoothing his vest. "I'll call around and get as much information as I can." He didn't need to elaborate beyond that. Scyeth's father and himself were powerful men in the world of politics; he would find out everything that happened, and would make sure that the right steps were taken.
Moving to the door, he paused, hand against the knob. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Akazar?" he inquired lightly.
RuiZhi sat stock still, one hand resting in his lap as Scyeth shifted to and fro. He was a bit rigid, his eyes never wavering from the blonde as each play of emotion crossed the Aussie's features. The youth wanted to throw his arms around the other and hug him, just hug him until the pain could be forgotten for a few moments. Until Scyeth was ready to deal with the horrible news. He just wanted to be a source of strength, but he was so at a loss that he wasn't sure there was anything he could do at all.
He waited in silence, his face passive. Only his eyes spoke of the urgency of which he wanted to comfort his boyfriend.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:27 am
Scyeth closed his eyes and shook his head firmly. He had already decided some time ago he wasn't going home. There was nothing for him there, just an empty house in the middle of nowhere. He wasn't old enough to lay claim to anything he inherited, not until he was a legal adult. Besides. Who really wanted to be left all alone? Completely and totally alone?
"No. No, I'm okay." That was a lie. "I'd just like to know as soon as you find anything out about his murder." Not death. Murder. "It's just. I need to know." Are they coming after me, too?
The youth reminded silent until the Headmaster left. He turned and eyed RuiZhi, mouth working silently. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do. So he just sighed, and shook his head. He was empty. Hollow. A brittle shell. He wasn't even sure who he was supposed to be, now. Was he the leader of his family? What family? Could he really be called the leader of anything?
"...I think I'm done studying, for today."
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