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 Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:39 pm
Jett had finished up his schoolwork—taken all his tests, gotten everything in. The only reason he was on campus today was to sell back his books and go over his schedule for next semester. He hadn’t intended for this to be a social visit, though when he was walking through the hallway, books heavy in his messenger bag, he noticed Candice and beelined his way to her. She had been walking in the other direction, but the hallways weren’t as crowded now that most of the students were done for the semester. He moved to walk in step with her and greeted, “Candice. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
…Well, actually, he’d seen her quite recently, but it would compromise his identity as Remarque to just blurt something like that out. She looked more awake now—or maybe that was just a trick of the light—but now seemed as good a time as any to pester her about her late night activities and the danger she was putting herself in by being so unobservant. Studying was one thing, but she’d damn near passed out when he saw her—and that was just asking for trouble, even without having to worry about people trying to steal her energy. “How are you doing, keeping on top of studying?”
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:33 pm
The day had been long. Although a pleasant day when it came to the weather, Candice's brain was dead. She had taken several tests today and was trying to get some internships with the school. She had gotten up at 7AM to get to school, and now... Candice just wanted the day to end. Unlike most people though, where the day ended at midnight, she wasn't really ready to go unless she felt like she had accomplished enough during a 24 hour period.
Candice had registered for classes early and ended up talking to each of the professors and had gotten the list of books she needed. Although the next semester's loans hadn't kicked in yet, she had used whatever was left over from the previous semester to buy new books. As she walked out from the bookstore holding her three gigantic textbooks, she saw Jett whom had called her attention and she smiled.
"Hey Jett! Congratulations on finishing the semester." The weight of the books caused her to shift her weight just a little bit. "Looking forward to taking a few week's break, huh?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:59 pm
Jett was more than looking forward to the break, though he hardly imagined it was going to be as relaxing as he wished. With the way things were going, he figured he’d be spending a vast majority of his time just trying to get ahead. With his internship in mind, work, and parading around as Remarque, he couldn’t see this would be much of a break.
“Ready to be out of school for a while. Though, it looks like you just can’t get enough of it…?” he prompted, a small smile dancing on his face. Everyone he’d seen had looked quite pleased to be selling their books and walking away from the bookstore without their texts—but, go figure, Candice would be the one looking so cheerful carrying books awaywith her.
“Do you want help carrying those?” he asked, gesturing. The books looked particularly heavy—and he wasn’t necessarily in any bit of a rush to get anywhere. Besides, if he had something of hers to hold hostage, he had more time to try and get some sense through that skull of hers.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:13 pm
Candice blushed. "It's not that... I just feel like it's better to get ahead than fall behind if... or when I get lazy during the semester." She thought about it, and for the most part, she was always either ahead or just with the class, never behind, but Candice didn't want to take the risk of ever falling behind. "It's not easy, yah know... I mean, I guess it doesn't matter as much when the people in my class become doctors, but I do still have to get into Medical school! If I don't show myself as better than others... Then might not succeed!"
It was her late-night studying that was getting her ahead, but she also didn't remember much of the time she almost lost her life yet again. It had been the first of many times going home, but hey, you never know what would happen at night, right?
She shook her head as Jett offered to carry her books. "It's okay. I'll live. This will help with working out my skinny arms anyways." Even though she did practice fencing, it didn't seem like it helped much with her arm muscles. It was more so carrying around heavy books that helped with strengthening her arm for fencing. "I'm just headed back to the library anyways. I think the librarian sees me so often that she's ready to give me a key!"
Candice laughed light-heartedly, not knowing what Jett was thinking.
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:57 pm
“You do have skinny little arms,” Jett said with a slight laugh, assuming this to be a fine enough opening. “There are plenty of men that enjoy their women dainty, though I can’t imagine it’s very practical. With as much catastrophre as this city sees, I can’t help but question—aren’t you worried that one day you’re going to be ambushed and have nothing but your books to defend yourself?”
He tilted his head at her, wearing a cocky little smile that said he was trying to be friendly and teasing, though there was a very real sort of concern that he had for Candice. “Not that I’m picking on you, Candice, don’t get that impression. It’s just,” he paused. “The other night, a friend of mine—who I have come to find very dear—met with a rather unpleasant fate. And it’s come to make me a bit worried about all my friends. I hope you’re not staying here until past dark to cram in as much studying as possible. I’d hate to hear about something bad happening to you because you were just trying to be a good student.”
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:13 pm
"Pfft... They might look 'dainty', but I'm pretty sure I can hurt someone..." she looked at Jett and winked. "Well, If I tried anyways."
Candice continued to hug her books. "I think my books could keep me safe..." Although she remembered what she had studied until she was in her sleep walking stage, Candice definitely didn't remember much when she'd be heading home. Her body was quite used to traveling by instinct, and well, from what she did remember, she got home safely. There was spotty memories from when she... was confronted? by two males, but what happened exactly that night, she was unsure of. When Jett mentioned his friend that was attacked, she gasped.
"I'm... So sorry to hear that something happened to your friend!" She looked down at the books that she was carrying, knowing that she could probably meet the same fate if she kept studying late at night. "I know I shouldn't, but... I can't study at home because I get distracted. I'm too afraid of falling behind so I just keep moving forward, even when I don't necessarily have to..."
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:42 pm
Jett supplied Candice with another uncertain look though just shook his head and laughed lightly. “You know, hearsay is that a strong workout is a good way to stimulate the brain. All this studying, non stop, can’t be good for your health. And taking a self defense class could be quite beneficial, you know. It would give you a good break from studying while helping keep you and shape. Plus,” he shrugged and glanced over at her. “…Not that it’s any of my business, but it’d be nice to know that you could take care of yourself. I don’t know, I’ve just been paranoid,” he sighed.
“I guess having someone close to you attacked—down here, on earth…Just annoying. You know? Don’t mind me. You don’t seem like the type of girl who would be interested in that, anyway,” he said thoughtfully. “Which is too bad. I was thinking about trying to get Raven into some self defense classes, but I don’t think she’d be interested in going alone. I thought she might be more inclined if she had a friend going.”
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:59 pm
Candice smiled just a little bit. Besides the lack of sleep, she wasn't really missing much, but it was true that she kind of spent more time studying than doing anything else. She understood his worry though. Her parents has always been proud of her and watching her closer after she came back from the Surrounding, and well, Candice never paid much attention.
She sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll try and do more. Maybe karate? Kick-boxing? I've always just found fencing enough, but then again, I don't really carry around my rapier..." Candice shifted her books a little and nodded her head. "I wouldn't mind doing something. I'd have to make it kind of late in the afternoon, but I think I'd love to join you and Raven, if she'd have me anyways.
Candice laughed again. "I think maybe I should just carry one of those... retractable pointers. Then I can just snap it at people if I want to. I'd just have to be awake..."
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:55 pm
Jett laughed, seeming in good humor that he had not been chastised for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. “Fencing? That’s not something I would have pegged you for.” Though, then again, it didn’t seem implausible. Fencing seemed like an aristocrat’s sort of hobby, and Candice seemed to have to blood of some breed higher than common folk, even if it wasn’t in her lineage. She was composed and an academic, though seemed altruistic in her studies given her desire to assist the needy and unfortunate. Perhaps in a past life, if not now, she had been of some higher class, but it wasn’t’ something that Jett was going to dwell upon.
“I, myself, like boxing. I was thinking of dragging Raven to a match, but I’m quite convinced it would be the end of her. A room full of angry, testosterone laden men? …Yeah, just what she needs,” he huffed, rolling his eyes slightly. He didn’t know if she could handle that must testosterone or if she’d be out locking lips worse than she had on the Surrounding.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:04 pm
"Why not," she asked with a smile. "I've been fencing since I got out of college. I lacked physical exercise, and that seemed like something I could do without smelling like a pig."
Candice stopped quickly after pig and corrected herself. She knew that boxing had its way of producing... Some pretty nasty outcomes. "There's nothing wrong with smelling like one or sweating like one, but hey, I'm not the type of girl that likes real sweaty sports." She had passed by some matches before while she was channel surfing but never really stopped to watch. The news, however, did like to announce the winners... And their faces...
"I think going to a boxing match would be an interesting experience. I'd be afraid of seeing how the boxers look at the end of the rounds," she trailed on a little bit. "But at least they look normal afterwards!" Candice laughed a little. "I think... Raven would go watch with you, just for the sake of being with you. Though I can't say she'd appreciate it much if you got beat to a pulp..."
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:21 pm
A smile tugged on Jett’s face once more; he liked looking good, but he liked the sensation of victory ever more. “Well, Raven can’t always get what she wants. Besides, she needs some culture in her life. I’ll drag her to a match one of these days. I’ll make sure to invite you, too,” he said good naturedly, though wouldn’t have been offended if she declined. Boxing wasn’t for everyone, after all, and it was hard to find a good woman who understood and appreciated the practice.
Yes, there was sweat. And spit, and blood, and—hell, probably more than a few tears. There was a certain amount of pleasure that came from the adrenaline rush that Jett was willing to sport a few scrapes and bruises to reach the high. “It is a messy sport, though, and more than just the fighters get rowdy during the match. But I tend to fight a little harder than the other guys,” he said with a shrug. “They’re lucky if they bust me up too much.”
Of course he was a little cocky—but he had earned the right. He’d had his a** handed to him plenty of times in the past, but pure arrogance and will power had driven him to up his game. “I’m a little rusty now,” he confessed, “But I’m sure if I got back into matches I’d be just fine. I might do it just to piss Raven off.”
The thought was comical, and while he was growing more affection for his girlfriend, he had no intention of allowing her to impede on his likes and hobbies. Besides, she'd been pushing his buttons for a while, now. It was about time he returned the favor.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:37 pm
"I think it would be a fun idea," Candice said with a sturdy nod. "Though I think I'd have to find someone to bring... I wouldn't want to feel like I was intruding on you and Raven." She also knew that Raven probably wouldn't be very happy if Jett had to share his attention between the two, even if they were just friends.
Candice thought for a little while. "I think... It would also be best if I learned more about the sport before actually going to one." Although she had seen some, it didn't mean that she knew much about it. "We should definitely set up some time another day.... So you can at least teach me the basics about the sport in general. Maybe a few ways of hitting?"
Once again, Candice had to shift her books to the other arm. She wanted to continue to talk with Jett about everything, but she did buy the books to use them. She thought back to the beginning of how everything started and just remembered how the conversation came to be. "Oh! I almost forgot. I promise you that.. I'll try and not stay up as late... At least, not until I'm sleep walking."
She gave him a pathetic look, half of knowing she wasn't sure she'd be able to promise that, half knowing that she should. "I'm just... somewhat of a nerd like that..."
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:55 pm
Jett had directed his attention to dodging people in the mostly empty hallways, but everyone he saw seemed to be either ecstatic to be out of school or studying like madmen or just too out of it to even look like they knew what was going on. “Well,” he flashed her a smile, realizing that they were already very close to the library and he didn’t want to intrude on her for any longer—or be at the school for too much more than need be. “You just try to take care of yourself, Candice. You’re a good person, so I only want to hear good things of you. If you’re going to study into the early hours of the morning, at least do it somewhere safe. Or, do come to me. I can teach you the basics of how to throw a punch.”
Though, those books of hers looked heavy enough; if she was awake enough to really know how to use them as a weapon, he imagined she might be able to fend off most thugs. He doubted so much for Negaversers, though. Not that he had any hard feelings towards them, it was just a little odd to think of an ally using a friend for energy. It was an idea that unnerved him a bit, so he just shook his head and dislodged it from his mind.
It wouldn’t be the first time he’d taught a girl to punch, and there certainly wasn’t any way he minded sharing his knowledge on the topic. The sport of boxing needed more good looking women, so he couldn’t help but try and attract a few to the idea of trying it out—in addition to actually being concerned about them and wanting to make sure they could protect themselves in a tight spot.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 11:06 pm
Candice laughed as she snugged her books back to her chest, ready to make the final steps towards the library. "I'll try to," she responded to him with a smile. "Hopefully, the next news you hear about me is me going into medical school!" She knew that there was a lot more she had to do before reaching that point, but of course, if no other news was heard about her, good or bad, it would be a good thing. It would mean she managed to stay out of trouble.
She waved at him with one hand, her arms still holding the books. "You take care as well! And make sure you help keep Raven out of trouble too!" Candice laughed again. It was one thing to wish him well and then there was taking care of Raven. She had seen what had happened in the Surrounding, and she knew, without a doubt, that Jett would take care of her. As she finished waving to Jett, she made her way to the library.
After she found a room to study in, Candice put down her books and looked at her phone. She made sure she set the clock at 7:30PM, a time where she was pretty sure was a little too early for creepers, but she knew she'd be awake enough to defend herself. With that, she started with her books.
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