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The rest of the day had been rather dull. Carthusia, Pride demoness extraordinaire, was busy brushing up on her spellcraft and botany books for class the next day. She was hunkered in the back of the library, pouring over tome after tome of endless knowledge in an effort to pass the class with flying colors. Tapping her serpent pen against a page titled "Killing Me Softly - A Guide to Death by Cotton", Carthusia idly took more notes. It wasn't that school was particularly difficult, it was just time-consuming. But how could she prove herself without the proper education and merits? Sighing, she dove back into the book with a second wind. The clocks in the library ticked away the hours until it was early evening. Carry had practically written a thesis on all things nightshade at that point, and her eyes began to droop.

Leaning back in her chair, she decided to take a break and wander around the library to stretch her legs. Can't overload the mind too quickly! Though Riley might disagree with that one... Carthusia's boots clicked against the wooden floor only when she wanted them too. Her dress' train hung out behind her and she tucked her wings in, tracing a finger through the arcane arts section. The library was relatively abandoned - most other students had gone to parties or had some other form of a social life to attend to.

Far in the back, several tables sat empty, but the lighting was much better. The demon decided to go back, pack up her things and move house to set up back here instead.

Her books piled under each arm, a particularly precarious position to be in, Carry tiptoed her way over to the back tables to set down her things. There was a someone back here too, so the demon decided to be extra quiet. She couldn't disturb someone in the midst of... whatever he was doing! Setting down her books and papers, Carthusia set them up again for maximum studying efficiency and was about to sit down when she heard the distinct squeaking of a marker on glossy paper. Staring at her notes, she fidgeted. She was supposed to be studying, but that squeaking was so distracting! Chewing her lip, she decided to play the part of a demon and actually go over there to say something about it, as if she had any confidence at all. So, there she went - standing up straight and attempting to saunter over to the boy.

I hope I look like I know what I'm doing... she thought.

Just as she was about to tap his shoulder and get his attention, she noticed he was scribbling in... a yearbook? Was that even allowed? Blinking, she quickly read over the one phrase that jumped out and bitchslapped her - "take me now!". Oh dear, what was this all about? And hearts and whatnot around a were-unicorn? ...Alabaster was the name, but she didn't recognize the person. Staring at the boy, she blinked.

"Spending some quality time with the photos of your lover?" she blurted.

WHOA not the reaction she thought she would get, but considering how rudely she blurted out that phrase, it wasn't necessarily unexpected. Hand on her hip, she tried to look smooth and cool and whatnot, like she knew what he was doing and she knew what she was doing and this whole meeting wasn't entirely by accident. The way he clutched the book against his chest and the way his eyes widened... why would an art project be so secretive? And when did art class become available? She wanted to get in on art class!

"Who's the art teacher? I didn't see art being available as a class. I would have signed up." Carry pouted and pulled up a chair near the boy. She didn't know his name, but she almost liked him already. Besides, he had adorable little ears on his head! How cute was that? "Mind if I help? I can put some hearts and googly eyes on some people..." She even reached for a marker when something snapped in her head.

The demoness rested her chin on her palm. If this was an art project, why was it so secret? Remember, act cool. Demons are devious. Be devious! EMBODY DEVIOUS. "Who's this for? Oh! I know! You could write, "My bosom heaves for you." or something like that. My mom reads that sort of thing. I've only read a few myself."

Mmm... small talk.

The boil's moving the yearbooks out of reach didn't go unnoticed. Well! Someone's got an attitude (and possibly a stick up their rear end, but who was she to judge? It should have been her with that attitude. It was her job, for Jack's sake!) Leaning back in her chair, Carthusia folded her hands and regarded the boil oddly. He certainly took his art project very seriously. "You sound like you know quite a bit about romance, kid." She blinked then. "We're near enough the same age that I can't call you mister... I'm Carthusia, by the way, but you can call me Carry if you like. Your name is...?"

Maybe they could get off to a better start now that she'd divulged some personal information about herself? She tilted her head, glad that she had at least figured out one of his appreciations (or possibly an interest!). "Mom loves romance. She had me read a few in hopes I'd find a hot boil or something. Still haven't yet. How about you?" Small talk wouldn't get them anywhere, and Carry was about done with her studying anyway. Besides, this cute kid had adorable, fuzzy ears and was probably hiding something!

Secret art professors... hmm...

"You seem knowledgeable. Maybe you can give me a few pointers? How would you go about winning the boil or ghoul of your dreams?"

Carthusia listened intently to the boy named Calder's explanations. He seemed to really know his stuff! Probably went to Romance Junior High or something, if such a place existed. He certainly didn't look demonic, but demons came in a wide variety of forms, herself included. She kept her hands in her lap as Calder went through the motions of all things love and wooing. Apparently, he'd already found someone! Impressive! The two of them weren't even all that old to boot, so it sounded to her like Calder had everything planned out for the rest of his life (at least, in the romance department). Maybe this boy could help her get a boil on her arm? Possibly. Besides, having a boilfriend or a ghoulfriend was a status symbol - something Carry always craved. Status.

Leaning back, she started to take mental notes and use this resource as much as possible. "So, what you want to do is impress them, somehow? What I'm trying to do is be impressed, not do the impressing. But hey, you've already got someone, so you have to know what you're doing." It was painful for her to admit it, but Carthusia knew she had a lot of ladder-climbing to do in order to get into the good graces of the rest of the student and teacher population. But, even as Calder was an expert, he and his squeeze were having issues that only time could fix. How odd.

Carthusia leaned forward in interest. "So... your squeeze is older than you? Or younger than you? How's that a problem? I thought it didn't matter in romance - only that you loved one another, right?" It was a wild guess. Carry figured it was either that or they were in different schools and they needed to wait to graduate to see one another.

Carry tapped her chin as she listened intently. One was supposed to impress someone by appearing to not care, yet be alluring? How was that supposed to work? "So, if I understand this properly..." she started, watching in interest as Calder performed The Look, the look which probably brought his darling to him. She was supposed to woo someone by appearing alluring and aloof and disinterested, but that was somehow supposed to rile up the other person, the object of her affection, into pursuing her? It seemed awfully backwards. "Is that how you did it, Calder? You gave your sweetheart The Look(tm) and that was it? Or did you do the whole 'I'm alluring and oh so attractive' and just hooked them like that?"

She was honestly curious how he went about doing this. This was imperative to know, especially for the future. Calder could be a very valuable ally and resource. Perhaps she could do something for him in exchange for all this information? "Calder, you and your love seem to be going through a tough time. Since you were kind enough to assist me in my time of need, what all could I do for you to... you know... repay the favor?" If anything, she could at least pass a note or something like that in the hallway if it came to that.

At the question of whether or not she was dreaming of someone in particular, she smiled. "Oh yes, and he's very handsome. Stylish too! You might have seen him - he's a breathtaking shade of green."

Ah, so Calder's lover is playing hard-to-get! It all made sense now. The fact that Calder knew so much about how to lure someone was because he was watching the love of his life do the same to him! Blinking in understanding, Carthusia nodded her head as the Kelpie explained, leaning back in her chair to grab her notebook and pen. Now was the best time to take some notes! She made a quick list with being alluring, make someone work for what they want (you), having that one specific look to drive them wild... it was so much to consider, but if Calder could do it, who was to say that it couldn't be replicated? "So you're really in love with this guy? That's wonderful news for you. I'm happy for the two of you."

Smiling, she took down further notes, watching the way the boy's eyes lit up while talking about the risks he'd take to be with his one true love. Who was this boy? Pride was incredibly curious as to the identity of the one who captured Calder's heart so, but at least he narrowed down the search to just males. She tilted her head and scribbled things about the belly of a whale and the flames of a monstrous, fiery beast. She tapped the pencil against her chin as she wrote. "Well, offer's there if you care to take me up on it at some point."

Calder obviously knew someone she didn't! Carthusia feigned embarrassment, thinking it would be best to let the boy run with it - he seemed a gossip monger of the highest order and perhaps this could garner her some popularity? "Do you think he'd mind?" She really meant Livius, the dashing young Envy demon, but this would work out fine either way. Perhaps she could fawn all over two boils!

Oh boy, now she was in for it. Calder, Romance Guru Extraordinaire, was chirping happily about how Carry was supposedly in love with someone named G. She mentally shrugged. If anything, Calder being as excited as he was would work to her advantage - he could spread wonderful rumors and get Pride noticed in the school if nothing else. She smiled and leaned forward in her chair, as if it was some big secret she was about to tell the kelpie. "Of course you can tell him but... I'm just not sure how to go about this whole dating thing... Never done it before to be truthful. Do you think he'd mind someone on his arm?"

Not all boils were into the whole dating scene, she knew that to be true. However, if Calder was on the job, it would no doubt lead to something interesting. In her mind, Carry thought of herself as climbing the social ladder, one step at a time. With Calder's help, she could possibly skip a few rungs and go from new kid to social interest in just over a week.