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 Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:32 am
It had been almost a full week after they had returned from that dreadful foggy (or not foggy) island, and she had already done a couple of things - such as practice her instrument for music class and picked a suitable date for the pizza party she was holding for Charlie. While things had gone back to normal for the most part, there was still something bugging her - namely, the way Petro had left without saying much.
Besides, that look on his face reminded her of the one she had seen on Jericho - which was not a good thing. She would have talked to the dragon about his problems, but she was pretty sure Riley already got his back, them being close and whatnot... Not that she wasn't fine with it or anything...
Her main point was that Petro probably needed her intervention more than Jericho did... Yup. That's what she was doing outside the monster dorms, although now that she's actually here... How was she supposed to find one boil...? She considered asking a gnome, but unable to spot one (which was odd, considering how they seem to be everywhere at times), Lizzy decided to sit on the steps of the building, staring out at the surrounding forest. A small basket of fresh fruits (horses like fruits, right?) sat beside her.
With any luck, he might end up finding her!
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:57 am
One week. One week spent in the FEAR-rich world of Halloween had been enough to mend the numerous minor injuries in the horse boil's body. His leg had stopped bothering him, not that he let it stop him from taking his usual run around the campus. But the fact was he'd been running more since they arrived from the Island of Fog and Death and Carnage. Not to prove to himself he was physically healed, no that wasn't it.
Petro just had a lot on his mind.
The best way he had found to deal with it was to run. And run. And run. And keep running whenever he had the time between classes. The idea to seek out anyone to talk about it did strike him but he quickly squashed it, not wanting anyone to know how horribly he fared at the island. So he just kept running to clear his thoughts and hoped he would somehow manage to formulate something on his own. He was still unsuccessfull in figuring anything out, but he wasn't discouraged. He'll get it eventually.
Coming up at the Monster Dorms, he was mildly surprised to find a pink-haired demoness waiting on the steps.
"Lizzy? What're y' doing here?" he asked, slowing to a jog, then to a brisk walk towards her. The smile on his face and his stride indicating he wasn't the least bit conscious of the sweat that matted his hair and glistened on his skin.
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:14 am
While the voice that called her name surprised her at first due to her spacing out, she quickly realized that it belonged to the person she had been trying to find - or rather, she had been waiting for. Part of her was rather amazed that her 'wait at the steps' tactic worked, but it was barely noticeable as she grabbed the handle of the basket, standing up quickly with a smile.
"I actually came to find you!" She nodded, holding up the basket towards him for him to take, trying her best to ignore the fact that he was sweaty and she had just taken a shower before leaving her room, "You left in such a hurry and so suddenly the other day, I didn't get a chance to talk to you! Oh, and I wasn't sure if you heard Mac thank you, but apparently you helped him when Charlie and I- uh, you know... Mac doesn't want to admit it, but despite his attitude, I think he doesn't want to be friend-less!"
She paused momentarily, grinning sheepishly before continuing, "And I needed to thank you too... You helped me rescue Arachne and Astra from the fog! I don't think I could have done that on my own..."
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:55 am
Petro reached for the basket, taking it from Lizzy's outstretched arms and thinking she came to ask him to help carry some things for her. What? That was his logic-process at work. The thought made the smile on his face widen, glad to be of help to the ghoul. He held the basket by his side, expecting her to start leading the way to where the rest of the things would be or where she was planning on bringing the basket. So he was slightly confused as to why she stayed in place and began talking about... their return and the things that happened during.
"Uh, didn't hear him say anything," he admitted with a tilt of his head. "But if I see him in class, 'mma let him know." At her thanks, however, his smile suddenly faltered. He didn't think he'd done anything to deserve her gratitude. "N-naw, y' did most of the work'n I lost Astra again. Couldn't keep her with the group. Ain't worthy of thanks," he frowned, brown eyes darting to look at anything, anyone but Lizzy. The feelings of inadequacy had returned in full-force and Petro didn't want to make his sudden lack of confidence known.
It was an alien feeling for the tikbalang so he opted to change the subject with all the subtlely of a bull in a China shop."So 's this for Jericho or Sepheran?" he hastilly asked, gesturing to the basket in his hand. He would have also said Mac but they were at the Monster dorms. Why he failed to mention Mandy or Sheridan or Aksaja or hell, even Petro himself, the horse boil will never know.
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:19 am
"Don't be silly! You took Astra out of the fog and carried her so that she wouldn't be left behind when the group totally forgot about her... It wasn't your fault she somehow got lost again..." Her smile faded and she started to frown, although it was a puzzled sort of frown rather than an upset one, "If I had to go into the fog and lead people out alone... Well, I won't be able to do it. I don't think either one of us did more work... We did it together." She stressed the last word, giving a nod for good measure.
He might had been trying to change the topic, but it didn't exactly work, since the basket of fruits in question was a thank you gift for him. Eyes widening slightly, she shook her head, not quite sure if Petro was joking with her; he took the basket, right? Then again, she hadn't exactly been clear.
"Nah, its for you," She chuckled softly, gesturing at the basket, "I don't think Jericho would take well to fruits, yes?" So yes, she had been thinking about visiting the red dragon sometime. Just not now.
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:58 am
Petro did not look convinced but he wasn't about to argue with a ghoul. Especially not the one whom he had been considering the leader of his (at the moment) miniscule herd. In response to the stressed word of together, he rubbed the back of his sweaty neck with his free hand, "If y' say so."
At Lizzy's clarification over the basket's intended recipient, Petro was surprised. The basket was... for him? Really? Part of him was glad, grateful to receive a gift from anyone, and to have it come from Lizzy? Well, that part of him was bursting with happiness. But another part of him did not approve of this. The very same part of him that was needling him over his failures during the field trip and all those battles.
"Th-thanks," he tried to force a smile, but then it became a genuine one when she mentioned the possibility the red dragon wouldn't like fruits. With a soft chuckle, he added, "Yeah, 'm thinking Jericho'd like meat better. 'S this like a get-well-soon basket?" He was hoping it was. If it was a gift that was meant to show concern for his health and well-being, it would shut that annoying part of him up.
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 11:30 am
While surprised that Petro didn't try to argue with her, she wasn't about to question it; perhaps her words got through? She hoped so... Regardless of what he thought, he did help out on the island and she was grateful!
"Yup, meat! I wonder if he would prefer it raw?" A thoughtful expression crossed her features for a split second before she looked puzzled... Before mentally smacking herself on her forehead. Oh right! She had hit his leg rather hard to get him out of a hallucination, and he probably sustained even more injuries after crashing through the window and stuff... Ugh! She was a bad friend for forgetting! Just because most of her injuries went away after her FEAR particles reformed, doesn't mean everyone was as lucky!
"I suppose you can call it that," She grinned, trying not to show how terrible she felt for forgetting about his injuries. Peering at his leg (put on more clothes please) before looking up at him again, she frowned, "Are you feeling any better? The cuts from the glass and where I whacked you on the back of the leg..." He had been running though, judging from the sweat on him, so he must had recovered already, right?
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:24 pm
Petro didn't like arguing with ghouls, even less with those he considered his leader, which was why he wasn't going to press the subject. And instead focus on something else, "If he didn't like 'em raw, he's got that fire-breathing thing, yeah? Unless he's not that kinduva dragon?" He tilted, trying to distinguish between the red dragon from the lightning and the celestial dragon and wondering how many more of them were there. Maybe he could ask Jericho or Aksaja or Sheridan afterwards. Knowing what they could or couldn't do could prove invaluable should they find themselves needing to fight those Reapers again.
At her question regarding his health (sorry, this is as much clothes as he'll put on unless ordered), Petro lightly jogged in place, "Yup! 'M good as new!" He grinned widely, "If y' don't believe, we could have a race." He sounded half-teasing and half-serious.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:16 am
"Ohh, that's true!" The distraction proved to be an effective one, even if it was temporary, "And yes, he's a fire-breathing dragon! A red dragon, if I remember correctly... His FEAR is based off fire as well. Remember the way his wooden sword burst into flames on the island?" There was no escaping the topic of the island, really... Besides, the events that had transpired there had been on her mind ever since they returned... What the school's real purpose of sending them there anyway?
That would be something to discuss at a later date for sure.
"A r-race?" She echoed, eyes widening before she shook her head, "I'm not the athletic type... I've never been good at them. Sports, I mean..." She admitted with a soft chuckle, looking down at the steps beneath her feet (Oh! So that's why it was easier to maintain eye level with Petro!) before looking back up again.
"My mother likes to say that me not doing sports as I was growing up contributed to the fact that I'm stuck at this height," She patted the top of her own head with a grin; yup, it was clearly a joke - although her mother did say that. Lizzy just wasn't sure if she was teasing her or being serious...
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:46 am
Petro chuckled, "Figured the fire on his sword've something to do with his FEAR. My mace just got meaner looking." There was something sheepish in his voice as he said this. Like he didn't know what exactly that meant and whether or not it was a bad thing. His own FEAR was just to do more damage, what else was he supposed to do with it?
Her apprehension at the race had him throwing his head back in laughter, it was only that he considered her his leader and deserving a level of respect that kept him from adding a hearty slap to her back, "Y' don't gotta worry, y're plenty strong even if y' say y're not athletic! Dunno about sports making y' taller, got a couple'v cousins ain't much taller'n y' but they can outrun'n outswim me easy. Course, ain't never stop me from trying!"
Petro preferred this conversation and generally any topic that didn't involve the actual nitty gritty details of the island. He knows he'll need to face it sooner or later, but for now, he's running.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:45 am
"Meaner looking? Does your FEAR make you meaner looking?" She frowned, tilting her head; Lizzy was of course, referring to looking meaner - as in looking more like a bully - rather than looking mean - as in being buffed up... And she can't imagine Petro looking like a bully, although he could be pretty intimidating, being tall and well-built, "My bat was coated with poison." Well, it wasn't really coated, but she couldn't think of a better word for it!
"You really think so?" Her face lit up; if it came from an athletic boil she hit pretty hard who must be familiar with sports, it must be true, right? Eyes widening as Petro continued to speak (outrun and outswim Petro?!), she then grinned at his words, "I like that! Its important to keep trying even when you think its useless, yes?"
Was she referring back to the events on the island? Maybe she was, sub-consciously... She tried till the very last minute, after all. She didn't want to think that her effort was all for nothing; all a matter of perspective, really! If she had given up in the fog, for example, it might had been worse.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:03 am
Petro looked pensive, his square-root brows knitting together. "Meaner looking, like, uh, y' know? The whole thing got bigger'n the spikes ain't that dull. Got a bit sharper'n there were more've them," he narrated. "Dunno if I get meaner looking. My FEAR's just supposed to make me hit harder."
Simple. Straightforward. Pretty much like Petro himself. Except when it involves feelings of inadequacy and guilt.
"Ain't useless to every try. Y' learn stuff quicker from doing than just thinking," he beamed at her. While Lizzy may have subconsciously been talking about the island, Petro certainly wasn't. "And y' just gotta do what y' gotta do."
Okay, maybe he was, too. Only a minuscule amount though.
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:39 am
"Ohhh...." Something finally clicked in her mind as Petro explained the appearance of the mace and his FEAR, "I guess we'll find out when we enroll in gym! Although I don't think Professor Red's in the mood to run a class right now..." She distinctly remembered the werewolf yelling and being extremely grumpy shortly after their return to school, and she was sure any lessons held by the professor now would be terrible.
Probably ran like a boot camp... She couldn't help shivering at the thought.
"Indeed! Although doing and thinking does wonders when you do them together," She nodded in agreement, grinning as she spoke, before pausing momentarily. The grin slowly faded to give way to a small, sheepish smile, however; she came here to see if he was feeling alright and she wasn't doing it... As casually as she could, she continued, "You know, if there's something bugging you, you can tell me. I mean, its not good to bottle stuff up... There must be a reason why you left so suddenly the other day right?"
... Was that too direct?
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:05 am
"If Professor Red was, I think the infirmary'll be overrun with students," Petro laughed. He wouldn't mind a battle, actually. Running always helped clear his head. But fighting, beating on someone, getting beat on, the ache and pain of muscles, the smell of blood, definitely a great way to blow any pent up steam.
At the mention of thinking, Petro looked sheepish. He was really not one to think things while he was doing them. He might think about it after the fact, and possibly before if instructed. But when in the actual moment, he just lets his body do its thing. It worked for him up until Christmas and the Island.
Maybe he should give the thinking while doing thing a try.
Direct is good. Direct is very good. Petro likes direct. He prefers it when people tell him, up front, just what they want him to do. He is a firm believer that if everyone were just more honest with their feelings there would be a lot less misunderstanding and confusion. He appreciates the sentiment, really he does.
That said, "I left 'cuz y' and Mac looked like y' oughta be alone." He shrugged, it wasn't a lie, the monster horse really did think Mac and Lizzy should have some alone time, recalling how the reaper had been after the spider demoness' fiery death. "And 'm not bottling my feelings up. 'M just not thinking about them too much." Another shrug, but he couldn't quite look at Lizzy for some reason, "Only thing that's bugging me 's my piss-poor battling." Which was actually the tip of the ice berg but Petro had yet to acknowledge any of the deeper issues.
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:30 am
"Indeed!" Lizzy made a face, although it was difficult to tell if she was amused by the idea or frightened by it. She would probably be more amused if she wasn't in that particular class when it is taking place... As Petro begun to talk, she decided to invite herself into the monster dorms, gesturing for him to follow; she had been here before (to grab that Kobold from Jericho) but she hadn't really explored it. Besides, standing at the steps of the dorms must make it inconvenient for anyone needing to enter or exit the building.
In fact, she was pretty surprised nobody asked her to scoot from the steps when she was day-dreaming seating there.
"Mac and me? Alone? What do you mean?" She blinked, tilting her head as she looked at the boil with a quizzical look as she walked into the common room of the monster dorms. She found herself staring at a seat that looked like it was carved out of rock, before flopping down on it... And realized that it was carved out of rock. Wincing, she rubbed her back before carefully pulling her legs up onto the seat so that she was sitting cross-legged, Indian style. She will have to apply something to that later...
When he finally told her what was wrong, she frowned before gesturing at a seat that was directly opposite, made of... What looked like equally sturdy material.
"I think a lot of us feel that way," Her face fell as her frown deepened, "I've felt that way since that day actually... I don't think you were there, but a reaper guy attacked the school some time ago. He drained our FEAR. He used us, and now that I know what that weapon once was... I..." She paused, inhaling sharply before looking up.
"We couldn't change anything when we were on that island. If not for the staff, Charlie and I... We might had remained dead together with the rest of the student body, and not because we didn't try," She sounded more than just upset - she sounded frustrated as well. Fiddling with the edge of her skirt, she sighed, "What was on the other side of that portal...?"
She wasn't aware that more people had died after.
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