Shia Bean
She was feeling...indifferent about the whole courtyard ordeal. Lots of kids, lots of crying...the monster wasn't entirely sure what was going on, or perhaps what had gone on, but when everyone seemed too besides themselves to see her standing there--to even acknowledge her existence, well, the ghoul got pissy. Oh yes, Natalia was going to have a major B.F., and who better to turn to with all her woes than to Renaissance; the boil who seemed to be the solver of all the lemur's drama.
It began to piece itself together, as the ghoul turned sharply on her heels and left the lot of squabbling students, that almost every one she saw had also boarded one boat or another the very day the trip began...but why would they be crying?...maybe……….
…..
Nope. Nothing came to mind.
Natalia gave not another thought on the matter as her slipper-covered feet landed heavily against dorm room floors, such a long-legged stride whipping blue, tussled hair away from her furrowed brows. It was one thing to be driven to insanity due to boredom, her friends having left her all alone to partake on a trip…of which she should have been participating in but—whatever.
It was another to completely disregard her upon their arrival. As if things had changed. Maybe they did, but nothing was different for the lemur.
The long, bi-colored tail wrapped around Natalia’s left leg like a python, tightening as her knuckles were held inches away from Ren’s door. For a moment the ghoul hesitated, bouncing from one foot to the other almost nervously, before shaking her head and swinging the door open without so much as a knock.
It began to piece itself together, as the ghoul turned sharply on her heels and left the lot of squabbling students, that almost every one she saw had also boarded one boat or another the very day the trip began...but why would they be crying?...maybe……….
…..
Nope. Nothing came to mind.
Natalia gave not another thought on the matter as her slipper-covered feet landed heavily against dorm room floors, such a long-legged stride whipping blue, tussled hair away from her furrowed brows. It was one thing to be driven to insanity due to boredom, her friends having left her all alone to partake on a trip…of which she should have been participating in but—whatever.
It was another to completely disregard her upon their arrival. As if things had changed. Maybe they did, but nothing was different for the lemur.
The long, bi-colored tail wrapped around Natalia’s left leg like a python, tightening as her knuckles were held inches away from Ren’s door. For a moment the ghoul hesitated, bouncing from one foot to the other almost nervously, before shaking her head and swinging the door open without so much as a knock.
Kuro-Mizuki
Several days after the "field trip" that Ren was preferring not to remember, and he was, once again, alone. He had lied to the others - something he didn't like doing, but he had been so desperate to just get away from the rest of the world that he had told them he was going out for a bit. Once they had gone, he had snuck back into his room, and now he was sitting on his bed, absently stroking Rhys' furry head. The lepus was curled up on his stomach, sound asleep, and Ren was not far behind. He was trying not to fall; he did not want to have to face those nightmares again, and every time his head drifted to the side, he would jerk upwards abruptly, forcing himself to stay awake.
There was a sound at the door. Ren's eyes flickered upwards in time to see the door open and a familiar ghoul with tumbling dark hair cascading down her back came sweeping into the room, her lithe body swaying from side to side.
Ren blinked, startled. He had not seen Natalia on the "field trip" (he used that term extremely lightly) at all, so he had assumed that she had not even gone, and had therefore been spared the horrifying realities of the island. And though he was relieved to see that she was, in fact, all right - alive and breathing was good - he was not in the best mood for receiving guests. There were exceptions to this, of course, and he adored the werelemur to no end, but right now was not the time.
"Hey, Nat," he said warily, and pushed Rhys from his chest, setting the now disgruntled lepus beside him as he sat partially up, hugging a pillow to his stomach. "What, ah...are you doing here?"
There was a sound at the door. Ren's eyes flickered upwards in time to see the door open and a familiar ghoul with tumbling dark hair cascading down her back came sweeping into the room, her lithe body swaying from side to side.
Ren blinked, startled. He had not seen Natalia on the "field trip" (he used that term extremely lightly) at all, so he had assumed that she had not even gone, and had therefore been spared the horrifying realities of the island. And though he was relieved to see that she was, in fact, all right - alive and breathing was good - he was not in the best mood for receiving guests. There were exceptions to this, of course, and he adored the werelemur to no end, but right now was not the time.
"Hey, Nat," he said warily, and pushed Rhys from his chest, setting the now disgruntled lepus beside him as he sat partially up, hugging a pillow to his stomach. "What, ah...are you doing here?"
Shia Bean
"No." She muttered abruptly, dropping those pale lids into a sinister slit. Natalia saw the fatigue in his gaze, noted the darkness beneath his eyes and the way his, however usual it may have seemed, sluggish posture dipped far lower than it should. There was even a difference in his voice, as the tone rounded the room and hit her, a slender hand rising to meet her plush bosom--it might as well have been a physical blow the way Natalia's face crumpled, crushed by his uncertainty. From within her she could feel a distant pain strike, and with her free hand she reached to settle it somehow.
When that did nothing, Natalia tried to focus on the days that had passed, and how she had not seen any of her friends around campus, and how those she did see were torn, beaten, battered, and otherwise on their way to depression...if not already there. For some twisted reason Natalia felt left out on some big event, and having no one to fill her in didn’t make things any better.
In one fell swoop the monster was babbling, hands flailing about as her feet brought her nearer and nearer to the gryphon boil. She was upset... "What the hell is your problem? Why haven't I gotten a call, or even a text saying that you are alright?" But selfishly so, and blind to the pain that so obviously leaked from Renaissance’s very frame.
When that did nothing, Natalia tried to focus on the days that had passed, and how she had not seen any of her friends around campus, and how those she did see were torn, beaten, battered, and otherwise on their way to depression...if not already there. For some twisted reason Natalia felt left out on some big event, and having no one to fill her in didn’t make things any better.
In one fell swoop the monster was babbling, hands flailing about as her feet brought her nearer and nearer to the gryphon boil. She was upset... "What the hell is your problem? Why haven't I gotten a call, or even a text saying that you are alright?" But selfishly so, and blind to the pain that so obviously leaked from Renaissance’s very frame.
Kuro-Mizuki
Ren had been through hell and back. He had been attacked by cloaked figures who were too cowardly to show their faces, not once, but twice. He had seen his friends get attacked, seen them fall down elevator shafts, seen them struggle to save their lives, cling desperately to their sanity, to who they were. He had died for Jack's sake. Ren had seen the look of absolute dispair on Alessa's face when she had realized he was dissipating, when she had realized that there was nothing she could do. And he had seen the hellish nightmares that Gabrian had every night, that LW suffered through, the blackish dreams that tortured Alessa daily. The way the bruises on Jove's side had grown larger, darker, making it difficult for his "little brother" to sleep at night.
And the pain. The searing pain that still radiated up from Ren's right hand to his arm and back. Each and every day Ren was reminded of just how much he hated himself, how much he hated that Jackdamned field trip. It had torn his very world apart, his very soul.
And what was Natalia doing? Asking why he hadn't called her. Being angry that he hadn't called her. The very thought made Ren's eyes narrow, his fingers gripping the pillow against his stomach. With his mild-mannered ways of thinking, he did not normally get mad, but his nerves were already frayed to the breaking point.
"What's my problem?" he repeated incredulously. He felt as if something hard and heavy were pressing against his chest, making it difficult to breathe. "What the hell is your problem? I was a little preoccupied these last few weeks, in case you hadn't noticed!"
And the pain. The searing pain that still radiated up from Ren's right hand to his arm and back. Each and every day Ren was reminded of just how much he hated himself, how much he hated that Jackdamned field trip. It had torn his very world apart, his very soul.
And what was Natalia doing? Asking why he hadn't called her. Being angry that he hadn't called her. The very thought made Ren's eyes narrow, his fingers gripping the pillow against his stomach. With his mild-mannered ways of thinking, he did not normally get mad, but his nerves were already frayed to the breaking point.
"What's my problem?" he repeated incredulously. He felt as if something hard and heavy were pressing against his chest, making it difficult to breathe. "What the hell is your problem? I was a little preoccupied these last few weeks, in case you hadn't noticed!"
Shia Bean
What was he yelling about? He had no reason to yell! HE HAD BEEN OUT. HAVING FUN. She had all the reasons...her tail, which was still wrapped around her leg, twitched at the end with the same consistency as that of a rattle snake's rattle.
She stood now only a foot or so away from Ren's bed, the twists in her stomach making her body slouch over in discomfort. There was an air of tension between them now, building fast, and it made Natalia sick...they were pretty close, her friendship with the gryphon valued higher than even that of Whisper's and her own, but this--this couldn't go without being spoken of. Natalia had to get this off her chest...even if the words she had already spoken didn't seem to alleviate any of the weight. Ignoring Renaissance's body language was perhaps her greatest fall, and instead of keeping her eyes on his injured face, she locked them elsewhere; on floor in front of her.
The lemur was having a hard time swallowing the aggravation in his tone, unable to catch the subtle hint that something--something drastic had gone on over the time they had spent apart, and this was oh so very apparent as her brows knit closer together, a pained look crossed the expression before her hands balled up into two fists at her sides. She had been MISERABLE! No one had asked where SHE was all that time. No one came running into HER room begging the questions and demanding answers? Was it so wrong for the ghoul to feel hurt?
Her lips parted almost seconds after Renaissance had finished, stung by his insinuation; of course she noticed, why the hell would she be here otherwise? "Oh yeah, you must've been so busy.." As her mind raced, Natalia was unable to see anything but her side. Despite having heard his words she could not put two and two together, and instead simply spoke out for what she thought they were. "You know what, apparently you were just so preoccupied with having a grand ol' time that you couldn't even pick up the jack damn phone to call me. I totally get it. We aren't as close of friends as you and LW or Gabrian and since they were on the trip, that was all you needed to worry about. Well good for them, and good for you I guess."
She started to shake, sadness now replacing the anger as her eyes grew smaller and smaller until they shut completely.
She stood now only a foot or so away from Ren's bed, the twists in her stomach making her body slouch over in discomfort. There was an air of tension between them now, building fast, and it made Natalia sick...they were pretty close, her friendship with the gryphon valued higher than even that of Whisper's and her own, but this--this couldn't go without being spoken of. Natalia had to get this off her chest...even if the words she had already spoken didn't seem to alleviate any of the weight. Ignoring Renaissance's body language was perhaps her greatest fall, and instead of keeping her eyes on his injured face, she locked them elsewhere; on floor in front of her.
The lemur was having a hard time swallowing the aggravation in his tone, unable to catch the subtle hint that something--something drastic had gone on over the time they had spent apart, and this was oh so very apparent as her brows knit closer together, a pained look crossed the expression before her hands balled up into two fists at her sides. She had been MISERABLE! No one had asked where SHE was all that time. No one came running into HER room begging the questions and demanding answers? Was it so wrong for the ghoul to feel hurt?
Her lips parted almost seconds after Renaissance had finished, stung by his insinuation; of course she noticed, why the hell would she be here otherwise? "Oh yeah, you must've been so busy.." As her mind raced, Natalia was unable to see anything but her side. Despite having heard his words she could not put two and two together, and instead simply spoke out for what she thought they were. "You know what, apparently you were just so preoccupied with having a grand ol' time that you couldn't even pick up the jack damn phone to call me. I totally get it. We aren't as close of friends as you and LW or Gabrian and since they were on the trip, that was all you needed to worry about. Well good for them, and good for you I guess."
She started to shake, sadness now replacing the anger as her eyes grew smaller and smaller until they shut completely.
Kuro-Mizuki
Ren loved Natalia normally. The cocky, confident, beautiful werelemur had been one of his first friends since coming to Amityville High. He enjoyed her company, the way she carried herself, the quick witted ways of her thinking. Most of all he loved her intelligence, the way her eyes sparked when she was excited. She was the kind of person for whom nothing was impossible, nothing was out of reach. The world was at her fingertips, and she was going to grasp whatever she could. Ren envied that part of her; the part that was unafraid to live her life just the way she wanted to. He had never had that sort of confidence before, that sort of freedom that he craved. He loved that about her, loved Natalia.
Except for right now. Right now, Ren was having difficulties comprehending just how the werelemur's lack of self-discipline could make her so incredibly frustrating. He could not believe his ears; she was angry with him? Had she not seen how he was right now? The dark circles under his eyes, the bandage wrapped tightly around his useless right hand, the way he clenched his fingers subconsciously, the way he was drawn into himself, holding his knees against his chest. Did she see nothing?
Something snapped.
"What..." Ren said slowly, his voice trembling with the effort of maintaining his temper. Pushing himself upwards, Ren slid his feet from the bed, and stepping on shaking legs towards the werelemur, he stood in front of her, hands clenched into fists. "The HELL is wrong with you?! How dare you come in here and be angry with me for not calling you! So I didn't call you, who the hell cares? Don't you see what happened, or are you just all up in your own little world again?"
He did not normally yell; it felt awkward, unusual, like he was in someone else's house, in someone else's body. His throat was raw and sore with the effort, but he could not seem to stop the words from tumbling out. "Incensed" did not even begin to cover the anger Ren was feeling right now.
"Get over yourself," he snapped. "The world does not revolve around Natalia the Werelemur."
Except for right now. Right now, Ren was having difficulties comprehending just how the werelemur's lack of self-discipline could make her so incredibly frustrating. He could not believe his ears; she was angry with him? Had she not seen how he was right now? The dark circles under his eyes, the bandage wrapped tightly around his useless right hand, the way he clenched his fingers subconsciously, the way he was drawn into himself, holding his knees against his chest. Did she see nothing?
Something snapped.
"What..." Ren said slowly, his voice trembling with the effort of maintaining his temper. Pushing himself upwards, Ren slid his feet from the bed, and stepping on shaking legs towards the werelemur, he stood in front of her, hands clenched into fists. "The HELL is wrong with you?! How dare you come in here and be angry with me for not calling you! So I didn't call you, who the hell cares? Don't you see what happened, or are you just all up in your own little world again?"
He did not normally yell; it felt awkward, unusual, like he was in someone else's house, in someone else's body. His throat was raw and sore with the effort, but he could not seem to stop the words from tumbling out. "Incensed" did not even begin to cover the anger Ren was feeling right now.
"Get over yourself," he snapped. "The world does not revolve around Natalia the Werelemur."
Shia Bean
Suddenly her eyes were open, analyzing Renaissance's advance critically. He moved at a frighteningly slow pace, his intentions blurred by the shaking of his body, the bags beneath his eyes, and the taught-ness of his forearms at the shaft of two clenched fists. There was definitely a difference in him, and even a difference in herself as they stood face to face, screaming...
Renaissance inspired her, usually. Maybe in more than one way, and perhaps sometimes not in the best of ways, but in any case he was her rock of sorts and the ghoul often thought of what he would do, before she would act...There was so much to love about him, and as she eyeballed his frustrated face and the contort of his lips as he tried to put her in her place, she tried to return her mind and body to a happier day. When the two of them were locked in an embrace that veered away from passion and lusting and was purely platonic...how she loved his voice that night when her drunken escapades led the lemur to a melt-down--but his words were like acid now, no longer sweet and lulling as they had once been and to her frail ears, they stung. Every part of her grew numb. That head filled with anger and sorrow was now unable to tell which held fast to her form so strongly, and which only blinded her from seeing reality. All the ghoul knew in that moment, as he closed the distance and clenched his large, freckled fists tighter and tighter, was that she had no idea what he was talking about...and more importantly, was too 'into herself' to care.
So instead of trying to understand, which a small part of her begged to do, Natalia's nose flared and her frame leaned in toward the boils. Her orange eyes widened; a mixture of shock and realization. Even as the words spilled from her lips like venom, Natalia had yet to make not of Renaissance's limp arm...in her mind, he fell and broke it being a clumsy nit-wit.
"Either she's pregnant, or she dumped your a**." She paused, letting the rush of adrenaline pulse through her and delude the numbness that had befallen the livid ghoul. Tilting her head, hair falling over her shoulders once again, Natalia suddenly grinned wide--the look was full of malice, and as one of her white fingers came up to her cheek, her gaze bore deeply into the golden eyes of her adversary. "Is that it? Did she leave you? I'm not surprised, really. It is oh so very apparent that you are needy boil, and a ghoul like that probably doesn't want to deal with someone who clings like a monkey on its mothers back. Do you want to know what I see? It's pathetic, really."
She too felt as if outside of her own body, watching as lips moved and arms swayed. This wasn't Natalia, this was the hot-head that rarely reared the corner for the ghoul--she didn't want to say any of this. In fact, most of it seemed so out of place! She was just yelling to yell, arguing to argue because it felt good; because she was upset. She loved Renaissance like a brother...
But she couldn't stop now.
Renaissance inspired her, usually. Maybe in more than one way, and perhaps sometimes not in the best of ways, but in any case he was her rock of sorts and the ghoul often thought of what he would do, before she would act...There was so much to love about him, and as she eyeballed his frustrated face and the contort of his lips as he tried to put her in her place, she tried to return her mind and body to a happier day. When the two of them were locked in an embrace that veered away from passion and lusting and was purely platonic...how she loved his voice that night when her drunken escapades led the lemur to a melt-down--but his words were like acid now, no longer sweet and lulling as they had once been and to her frail ears, they stung. Every part of her grew numb. That head filled with anger and sorrow was now unable to tell which held fast to her form so strongly, and which only blinded her from seeing reality. All the ghoul knew in that moment, as he closed the distance and clenched his large, freckled fists tighter and tighter, was that she had no idea what he was talking about...and more importantly, was too 'into herself' to care.
So instead of trying to understand, which a small part of her begged to do, Natalia's nose flared and her frame leaned in toward the boils. Her orange eyes widened; a mixture of shock and realization. Even as the words spilled from her lips like venom, Natalia had yet to make not of Renaissance's limp arm...in her mind, he fell and broke it being a clumsy nit-wit.
"Either she's pregnant, or she dumped your a**." She paused, letting the rush of adrenaline pulse through her and delude the numbness that had befallen the livid ghoul. Tilting her head, hair falling over her shoulders once again, Natalia suddenly grinned wide--the look was full of malice, and as one of her white fingers came up to her cheek, her gaze bore deeply into the golden eyes of her adversary. "Is that it? Did she leave you? I'm not surprised, really. It is oh so very apparent that you are needy boil, and a ghoul like that probably doesn't want to deal with someone who clings like a monkey on its mothers back. Do you want to know what I see? It's pathetic, really."
She too felt as if outside of her own body, watching as lips moved and arms swayed. This wasn't Natalia, this was the hot-head that rarely reared the corner for the ghoul--she didn't want to say any of this. In fact, most of it seemed so out of place! She was just yelling to yell, arguing to argue because it felt good; because she was upset. She loved Renaissance like a brother...
But she couldn't stop now.
Kuro-Mizuki
Ren was having a hard time trying to work with Natalia's mindset. How could someone so similar to himself be so incredbily obtuse in a situation like this? What he was having the most difficulty with comprehending was Natalia not seeing what was right in front of her. How could she not see it? See the bruises, the scars, the hand that would never be what it once had been? It was like a mantra, repeating itself over and over again inside of Ren's mind. How can you not see what's right in front of your face? It was as if Natalia had chosen to simply block any and all evidence contrary to her own selfish beliefs.
And selfish they were, especially after her next words.
"Either she's pregnant, or she dumped your a**."
Ren froze. For a few moments he just stood there, staring at the werelemur in front of him, all mock innocence and victimized. He could not believe that Natalia - his Natalia, the one he trusted, the one he loved, and had cared for, the one he had seen both at her worst and at her best, full of insecurities and questions and self doubts and confidence and love - had just insulted him the way she had. Insulted not only him, but Alessa; Alessa, his beautiful, wonderful ghoulfriend. An anger like Ren had not felt since dealing with his parents rose in his chest, nearly suffocating him.
She had no right.
Slap.
The sound echoed throughout the spacious room. Ren's hand was still raised, his eyes wide with both the realization of what he had just done and the deepset, horrible anger that had posessed him to do it. It was too late to take it back now; too late to undo his actions, too late to ignore what Natalia had just said.
Too late to ignore that what she had said was right. That besides her irrational and unfounded lies about Alessa, the rest of it was right; he was pathetic. So incredibly, incredibly pathetic.
"Don't you," Ren hissed, his voice heavy and low, shaking with the effort of controlling himself. "Ever...talk about Alessa again. Ever. You don't deserve that right. How DARE you come in here, acting all high and mighty?"
Once he started speaking the words couldn't seem to stop - even if he had wanted them to.
"Do you even REALIZE what goes on in this Jackdamned school?!" Ren screamed, his throat raw, his eyes red-rimmed. "Do you see ANYTHING beyond your own Jackdamned face? Think of ANYONE other than your Jackdamned self? The world does not revolve around you, Natalia! There's no prize for being the best! Get your head out of your own self and pay attention to something other than yourself for once! Can't you see - "
His voice broke. Ren faltered mid-sentence, blinking rapidly. No ,he would not go there, he would not let her see him weak, or pathetic, or anything else. Not now.
"There's something seriously wrong with you," he said, trembling with anger, his voice cold; unfeeling. "Sometimes I wonder if there's anything right with you."
And selfish they were, especially after her next words.
"Either she's pregnant, or she dumped your a**."
Ren froze. For a few moments he just stood there, staring at the werelemur in front of him, all mock innocence and victimized. He could not believe that Natalia - his Natalia, the one he trusted, the one he loved, and had cared for, the one he had seen both at her worst and at her best, full of insecurities and questions and self doubts and confidence and love - had just insulted him the way she had. Insulted not only him, but Alessa; Alessa, his beautiful, wonderful ghoulfriend. An anger like Ren had not felt since dealing with his parents rose in his chest, nearly suffocating him.
She had no right.
Slap.
The sound echoed throughout the spacious room. Ren's hand was still raised, his eyes wide with both the realization of what he had just done and the deepset, horrible anger that had posessed him to do it. It was too late to take it back now; too late to undo his actions, too late to ignore what Natalia had just said.
Too late to ignore that what she had said was right. That besides her irrational and unfounded lies about Alessa, the rest of it was right; he was pathetic. So incredibly, incredibly pathetic.
"Don't you," Ren hissed, his voice heavy and low, shaking with the effort of controlling himself. "Ever...talk about Alessa again. Ever. You don't deserve that right. How DARE you come in here, acting all high and mighty?"
Once he started speaking the words couldn't seem to stop - even if he had wanted them to.
"Do you even REALIZE what goes on in this Jackdamned school?!" Ren screamed, his throat raw, his eyes red-rimmed. "Do you see ANYTHING beyond your own Jackdamned face? Think of ANYONE other than your Jackdamned self? The world does not revolve around you, Natalia! There's no prize for being the best! Get your head out of your own self and pay attention to something other than yourself for once! Can't you see - "
His voice broke. Ren faltered mid-sentence, blinking rapidly. No ,he would not go there, he would not let her see him weak, or pathetic, or anything else. Not now.
"There's something seriously wrong with you," he said, trembling with anger, his voice cold; unfeeling. "Sometimes I wonder if there's anything right with you."
Shia Bean
Wha--...
There were no words for this, not yet as the ghoul's body followed the hit and stiffened when his hand pulled away only slightly. Frozen, comprehending nothing of what the boil said, as he said it, in whatever tone he took...Because she was horrified by what had just occurred...she was horrified and humiliated! Her breaths were shallow, a low grunt emitted after a few moments had passed. When her thoughts gathered themselves together and a hand rose to brush against a now sore, crimson cheek, and a body rigid and limp broke out in a cool sweat--Natalia snarled. Her hands clenched and unclenched, the desire to strike back indescribably strong…but she couldn’t bring herself to do so.
Her eyes were dry and without tears, although she felt as if she wanted to fall to the ground and cry, and her face was now a bit swollen and distorted by her crippling expression. There was no going back from that, not for Renaissance and definitely not for Natalia. Citrus colored eyes flicked about and kept themselves away from their target long enough to not see his lips move, searching for something on the floor and walls—perhaps an answer for all of this, or an outlet. But when they did turn to face Renaissance, the slow and dark gaze she offered to her friend, it finally clicked. The raw skin that must've been scrubbed for days to rid of blood stains, the crook of his arm beneath tattered wrappings...and the pain blatantly made apparent, one that she thought stemmed from her words, not able to see that it came from so many other places. The Monster could not understand any of this and he was not saying much in explanation either...she thought she would have found a gryphon waiting eagerly to greet her, welcoming of her usual tantrum-attitude and perhaps a bit miffed to find her hooting and hollering but understanding all the same. What she found on the contrary was this--this THING; A broken boil, writhing with rage at the mere sight of her.
He was so upset…he was yelling…and all she could was laugh.
They didn't seem forced, but they didn't seem natural either--the way her body jerked and heaved in its slouched, injured state. She felt the stinging of his hand still, clawing at the cheek as if to rid of such a sensation. Yes, at first she just laughed. It was all she could think to do then, the only logical thing to do…but then, as her laughter dimmed and positioning became upright, and her smile grew wider and more threatening, she spoke calmly through her white teeth letting her hand fall to her side.
“Do you feel better about yourself now? Does it feel good hitting me? I hope it does.” Biting down on her lip, Natalia leaned closer to the boil and whispered softly. “There’s nothing wrong with me—I’m perfect. But you don’t know me well enough to make that call.”
There were no words for this, not yet as the ghoul's body followed the hit and stiffened when his hand pulled away only slightly. Frozen, comprehending nothing of what the boil said, as he said it, in whatever tone he took...Because she was horrified by what had just occurred...she was horrified and humiliated! Her breaths were shallow, a low grunt emitted after a few moments had passed. When her thoughts gathered themselves together and a hand rose to brush against a now sore, crimson cheek, and a body rigid and limp broke out in a cool sweat--Natalia snarled. Her hands clenched and unclenched, the desire to strike back indescribably strong…but she couldn’t bring herself to do so.
Her eyes were dry and without tears, although she felt as if she wanted to fall to the ground and cry, and her face was now a bit swollen and distorted by her crippling expression. There was no going back from that, not for Renaissance and definitely not for Natalia. Citrus colored eyes flicked about and kept themselves away from their target long enough to not see his lips move, searching for something on the floor and walls—perhaps an answer for all of this, or an outlet. But when they did turn to face Renaissance, the slow and dark gaze she offered to her friend, it finally clicked. The raw skin that must've been scrubbed for days to rid of blood stains, the crook of his arm beneath tattered wrappings...and the pain blatantly made apparent, one that she thought stemmed from her words, not able to see that it came from so many other places. The Monster could not understand any of this and he was not saying much in explanation either...she thought she would have found a gryphon waiting eagerly to greet her, welcoming of her usual tantrum-attitude and perhaps a bit miffed to find her hooting and hollering but understanding all the same. What she found on the contrary was this--this THING; A broken boil, writhing with rage at the mere sight of her.
He was so upset…he was yelling…and all she could was laugh.
They didn't seem forced, but they didn't seem natural either--the way her body jerked and heaved in its slouched, injured state. She felt the stinging of his hand still, clawing at the cheek as if to rid of such a sensation. Yes, at first she just laughed. It was all she could think to do then, the only logical thing to do…but then, as her laughter dimmed and positioning became upright, and her smile grew wider and more threatening, she spoke calmly through her white teeth letting her hand fall to her side.
“Do you feel better about yourself now? Does it feel good hitting me? I hope it does.” Biting down on her lip, Natalia leaned closer to the boil and whispered softly. “There’s nothing wrong with me—I’m perfect. But you don’t know me well enough to make that call.”
Kuro-Mizuki
She was laughing. Laughing as if she hadn't a care in the world, the unnatural sound bubbling from red rouged lips, her hand pressed against her face, nails digging into her skin. Ren stared at her, his heart pounding in his chest. When had Natalia become so drawn into herself? When had she turned into this selfish, self-absorbed, arrogant ghoul who thought of no one but herself and nothing but her own desires?
...or had she always been that way, and he just hadn't seen it? Blinded by her bravado, her easy confidence and quick smiles, the way she hugged him and told him how much she loved him. Yes. That was it. Blinded totally and completely by the false security created by the werelemur when she had told him he was one of her best friends. How could he have been so stupid, so incredibly misled? How could he have missed all of the warning signs, the ones that flashed in front of his face in neon colors screaming "I only think about myself?"
Ren raised a hand, pressing it against Natalia's collarbone, gently, but firmly pushing her away from him. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, defiant and angry, mixed with something that was purely Natalia, something he had thought he understood.
But he didn't. He didn't understand at all.
"You're wrong, Natalia. You're just an imitation of what real perfection is."
He took a step back and turned around, shaking his head as he shaded his eyes, closing them briefly. His fingers had begun to tremble, and he kept his back to the werelemur, unwilling to turn around and face her again.
"Get out."
The words were low, barely audible, but with enough force behind them to show that he wasn't kidding, that he wasn't simply asking. "Get out of my room, Natalia.
"I don't want to see your face again."
...or had she always been that way, and he just hadn't seen it? Blinded by her bravado, her easy confidence and quick smiles, the way she hugged him and told him how much she loved him. Yes. That was it. Blinded totally and completely by the false security created by the werelemur when she had told him he was one of her best friends. How could he have been so stupid, so incredibly misled? How could he have missed all of the warning signs, the ones that flashed in front of his face in neon colors screaming "I only think about myself?"
Ren raised a hand, pressing it against Natalia's collarbone, gently, but firmly pushing her away from him. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, defiant and angry, mixed with something that was purely Natalia, something he had thought he understood.
But he didn't. He didn't understand at all.
"You're wrong, Natalia. You're just an imitation of what real perfection is."
He took a step back and turned around, shaking his head as he shaded his eyes, closing them briefly. His fingers had begun to tremble, and he kept his back to the werelemur, unwilling to turn around and face her again.
"Get out."
The words were low, barely audible, but with enough force behind them to show that he wasn't kidding, that he wasn't simply asking. "Get out of my room, Natalia.
"I don't want to see your face again."
Shia Bean
She wasn't sure what hurt more then, brows lifting as the boil turned away...It was as if she had just woken up to all of this, wondering what she had said wrong or why she was even standing there, eyes beginning to glisten and spill tears, heart pounding with guilt. In that moment, when the words she had subconsciously dreaded all the while spilled from his lips, Natalia began to sob quietly. The ghoul could barely see his head shake through the flood, face now covered in moisture, but knew that Renaissance was done.
The monster, which she most certainly was...couldn't admit to being wrong now, which seemed to kill her that much more as both arms wrapped around her torso, holding the rest together. Something had gone wrong with Renaissance, and yes she thought that his not calling was very important but she should have seen his problem first, and even a part of her visit today was out of concern for her friend...but such a small part it was. She, the ghoul who praised her ability to care for her friends and see through to their deepest troubles was now made a hypocrite, and by her own doing. Lips quivering, tail unravled and lying limp against the floor--Natalia nodded her head several times before taking a step back. Fine.
Fine. If he was done, then she was too. Waving her hands low to solidify their resolve, the lemur turned on her heels and released one final chuckle. But something was different about the way her throat caught, as if the laughter was not meant to be sinister--but to be of disbelief? Unable to grasp the situation in its entirety. 'Sorry' threatened to slip off her tongue, but stubbornness kept swallowing it back. Her hand finally brushed against the doorknob, as her slender frame swayed its signature sway...And no matter how badly she wanted to turn around, she couldn't look back.
So she just left.
The monster, which she most certainly was...couldn't admit to being wrong now, which seemed to kill her that much more as both arms wrapped around her torso, holding the rest together. Something had gone wrong with Renaissance, and yes she thought that his not calling was very important but she should have seen his problem first, and even a part of her visit today was out of concern for her friend...but such a small part it was. She, the ghoul who praised her ability to care for her friends and see through to their deepest troubles was now made a hypocrite, and by her own doing. Lips quivering, tail unravled and lying limp against the floor--Natalia nodded her head several times before taking a step back. Fine.
Fine. If he was done, then she was too. Waving her hands low to solidify their resolve, the lemur turned on her heels and released one final chuckle. But something was different about the way her throat caught, as if the laughter was not meant to be sinister--but to be of disbelief? Unable to grasp the situation in its entirety. 'Sorry' threatened to slip off her tongue, but stubbornness kept swallowing it back. Her hand finally brushed against the doorknob, as her slender frame swayed its signature sway...And no matter how badly she wanted to turn around, she couldn't look back.
So she just left.
Kuro-Mizuki
Ren heard Natalia's footsteps fade as she whirled around, and then the soft click of the door as she closed it.
He almost reached out to her. Almost turned around and held out his hand to her, offering peace, offering a truce. Almost said he was sorry for slapping her, that he took it back, that he didn't want to fight, didn't want to screw up their friendship.
But he didn't. Instead, he kept his back to the door, his eyes shut, as if trying to believe that when he opened them again, Natalia would be there, and their fight would not have happened, that everything would just go back to as it had been before the whole field trip, before Ren had died, before he had lost the full use of his right hand, and before he had seen things he would have rather not seen.
Before he had seen anything.
Except he couldn't go back. That was impossible. And he couldn't take back the words he had said, nor could he take back the slap, still resounding loudly in his ears. It was echoing throughout the room, as loud as if it were happening again.
Ren's legs gave away. On his knees beside his bed, he pressed his face to the warm covers, his good hand gripping the blankets so tightly his knuckles were turning white. His body gave a shudder, and Ren let out an audible gasp, his chest constricting.
Nothing will ever be the same again.
He almost reached out to her. Almost turned around and held out his hand to her, offering peace, offering a truce. Almost said he was sorry for slapping her, that he took it back, that he didn't want to fight, didn't want to screw up their friendship.
But he didn't. Instead, he kept his back to the door, his eyes shut, as if trying to believe that when he opened them again, Natalia would be there, and their fight would not have happened, that everything would just go back to as it had been before the whole field trip, before Ren had died, before he had lost the full use of his right hand, and before he had seen things he would have rather not seen.
Before he had seen anything.
Except he couldn't go back. That was impossible. And he couldn't take back the words he had said, nor could he take back the slap, still resounding loudly in his ears. It was echoing throughout the room, as loud as if it were happening again.
Ren's legs gave away. On his knees beside his bed, he pressed his face to the warm covers, his good hand gripping the blankets so tightly his knuckles were turning white. His body gave a shudder, and Ren let out an audible gasp, his chest constricting.
Nothing will ever be the same again.
