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 Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:21 am
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It was late. Jess knew she should have been in bed by now, but she was far too wired to sleep. So she sat by herself in the 2nd floor study area, gloating over the package she'd recieved from home. She didn't get mail very often, and even then it was usually just a thin, drab little letter. But every once in a while, her mother would send her a care package packed full of goodies from apples to candy to the latest books on Wicca and paganism.
This box didn't disappoint. Her mother had sent some pretty yarns and knitting needles, a couple of apple candies, a spellbook and a cheery, breezy letter accompanied by a picture from her cousin. And shoved down towards the bottom was a tiny laquered paper box made of cream colored paper with tiny painted apple blossoms dotting it. It was too small to act as a jewelry box, but it would look nice on her bedside table.
Hugging herself, she re-read her cousin's letter, smiling at the amount of bubbly attitude oozing from it. That was one of the bigger downsides to the school, she thought. It was rough to not be able to leave during the school year to see her family.
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:37 pm
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Vera hadn't been sleeping well lately, and it was no surprise to her that she was wide awake at far too late at night. She'd shuffled out to the kitchen in her pajamas, intent on grabbing a glass of water in the hopes that that would help her sleep. Glass in hand, she was about to go back to her room when a faint hint of light from the study room caught her attention. Normally, she wouldn't care, but...With a sigh, Vera changed course for the hopefully deserted study room, hoping that the light there did not presage any other weirdness.
It was with relief that she saw the other girl sitting there, reading a letter that had apparently come with the package sitting near her. Turning to leave, Vera misjudged where the doorframe was, and slammed an elbow into the unforgiving wooden surface. Wincing, she hoped the noise hadn't been loud enough to draw attention, but froze in place anyway.
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:41 pm
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:04 pm
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Vera turned slowly, careful not to hit herself again and drop her glass of water. "No," she said, although to what wasn't immediately clear. She held up her glass as if that was all the explanation needed. "Jessalyn, room 44?" Vera asked in turn after closing her eyes as if to consult some mental map of the floor. "Across the hall, I think," she continued, opening her violet eyes to look assessingly at the other girl.
She seemed innocuous enough, and not likely to burst into some kind of frenzied chatter - then again, this late at night, too much conversation would perhaps draw unwanted attention. "I'll be fine," she said after a moment, stretching her arm out several times to make sure she would be.
"What kind?" she asked, taking a few long strides closer to take the wrapped candy, cocking her head slightly to the side in question, causing one of her many long hanks of red hair to fall over her shoulder.
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:12 pm
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:23 pm
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"It's fine," Vera repeated, encompassing a reply to the long string of words that had ended with an offer of ice for her elbow. Really, it would be. She'd had much more serious injuries when she'd taught herself archery. This would bruise prettily, no doubt, but there was no serious injury underneath.
"Apple?" she said, eyes lighting up, and if one looked carefully, one could see her toes curl up in delight. Her favorite! Eagerly unwrapping the candy and popping it into her mouth, Vera closed her eyes again in bliss. This was amazing, like eating a fresh picked apple.
"No allergies," she said, popping her eyes open. That would be a lot of fudge, as the floor was fully occupied, unlike third.
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:30 pm
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:11 pm
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:23 am
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:15 pm
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:10 am
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"You're very welcome," Jess replied, ignoring for the moment, Vera's nervousness. She was too jittery, Jess thought. Almost like a puppy that'd been kicked a lot. So, stretching her arms out over her head, she yawned and smiled.
"You know, if you ever need someone to listen or anything if something's bothering you, you can come find me. I promise I don't bite. I'm also really good at staying quiet and just listening or hanging out. And in spite of what some people around the school say, I don't really sacrifice virgins or babies to my heathen gods."
Now Jess grinned and winked rakishly, hoping to get a smile or a laugh or something out of the girl.
"In point of fact, I think virgin and baby sacrifices annoy them a lot. They do seem to enjoy sacrifices of beer and the cafeteria's mystery meat, however."
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:09 pm
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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:44 am
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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:57 pm
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"Oh," Vera said, wrinkling her nose slightly. It hadn't been a very obvious joke, and she was very good at missing those, so it was no wonder the comment had passed her by entirely. And...sad? Perhaps, but that was not usually the emotion other people registered when looking at her. Determination and occasionally rage, sure.
"I should as well," the girl said as the last of the apple candy melted in her mouth. "Good night," she continued, turning to leave and head back to her room.
"Thanks," was the last thing Vera said before disappearing from the doorway.
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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:10 pm
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