[h2][center][b][color=gray]Aftermath[/color][/b][/center][/h2][right][sub]Interacting with: [@Trainerblue192] [@Obscene Symphony][/sub][/right]
The two mages got into the car quietly, silence stretching between them as the car rumbled down the drive and into the darkness. Aaron wasn’t sure what to do with himself, struggling not to put his clothes and hair in order and settling for staring at the window, glaring at his own, foreign reflection. His leg jumped a feverish rhythm, but otherwise, he was still. 

 Salem sat in silence, staring out the opposite window of Aaron. Every once in a while he would steal some glances of him out of the corner of his eye, a knot began to build in his stomach. Is this how all the students would be? Lilie? Lucan? The silence of the ride was broken by Salem as a long sigh made it's way through his lips. He adjusted his posture to now face Aaron and gently tapped above his knee. [Color=82ca9d]"Look, can we talk?”[/color] his voice was calm, almost sad, and quiet.

Aaron glanced toward Salem when he spoke, quirking an eyebrow. He hadn't really been expecting much more out of him. [color=f0d705]“Sure,”[/color] he replied, sounding more exhausted than anything. 

 [Color=82ca9d][i]Ok. Here it goes[/i][/color]. Salem straightened a bit before speaking. [Color=82ca9d]"I know tonight was...less than ideal, and I hope that it doesn't affect us moving forward. I [i]would[/i] like to be able to stay friendly with you and Lilie, and maybe…”[/color] his voice trailed off as he looked out Aaron's window and back at him, shaking his head softly. 

Aaron listened, and was quiet, looking down at his knees. Quite a first impression he must have left, to be making amends with his first friend mere hours after meeting him. 

After a moment, he nodded. [color=f0d705]“I’d like that,”[/color] he concurred, looking over to Salem more properly. He smirked a little despite himself. [color=f0d705]“This is all rather new to me,”[/color] he chuckled. 

[Color=82ca9d]"I can see that”[/color] he mused back [Color=82ca9d]"But I must admit...being a [i]guest[/i] at any party tends to bring out the worst in me. Why do you think I purposely missed the opening ceremonies?”[/color] 

Aaron tipped his head in agreement, shaking his head. [color=f0d705]“Yeah,”[/color] he agreed, still smirking, [color=f0d705]“I’m a little more used to carrying trays and fading into the background myself.”[/color]

An awkward silence fell onto the car once more as Salem searched for the words to say. [Color=82ca9d]"Dont, take this, the wrong way, but, I hope maybe sometime...you could see me half of the story.”[/color] Salem looked down, unsure if what he said was ok or not, but he hoped he wouldn't be pushing a possible prospect away.

Aaron drummed his fingers on the car door for a moment, staring ahead. [color=f0d705]“Salem, I’m wearing eye… pencil, or something, and all-"[/color] he gestured to himself, [color=f0d705]"-this. I suppose I could be open to one more bizarre thing.”[/color] He laughed a little to himself, but grew somewhat more serious when he looked back to Salem. [color=f0d705]“But all the same, maybe at some point you’ll understand my point of view.”[/color] He shrugged tiredly, letting his head fall back onto the headrest. [color=f0d705]“I guess we’ll see.”[/color]

Salem chuckled at as he Aaron struggling for the word ‘eye liner’, his amusement went someone silent as Aaron changed the tables on him. Seeing his side? What is there to see? Fair is fair however… an exhausted sigh and groan left him as he allowed his body to collapse and schlump onto Aaron, resting his head on his shoulder and closing his eyes. [Color=82ca9d]"We will see sunspot. We will see. For now, I need a damn nap. Too much excitement for one day”[/color]

Aaron couldn't help but laugh, shoulders shaking as he dropped his head. [color=f0d705]“I see Lucan has his work cut out for him,”[/color] he managed to chuckle out, heaving a big sigh and closing his own eyes as he collapsed back onto the headrest. [color=f0d705]“Good lord…”[/color]

The ride stretched on in a somewhat more comfortable silence for a few more minutes before the car pulled up in front of the regular dorms, pulling to a stop at Salem’s door. The driver stepped out, opening Salem’s door and beckoning him to exit. 

Salem opened his eyes groggily as he wiped away the sleep from his eyes. He waved at Aaron goodbye as he left and headed towards his dormitory. He stopped for a moment, turned around and went back to the car pulling out his phone [color=82ca9d]”Hey, can I have your number? For real this time?”[/color] 

[color=f0d705]“Oh,”[/color] Aaron patted his pockets, only to remember that his phone was sunk somewhere in the pillows on his bed at his dorm. [color=f0d705]“Yeah, sure,”[/color] he replied, taking Salem's phone and adding his number to the bottom of their former conversation. He paused for a second, frowning at the messages, before handing the phone back to Salem. 

[color=f0d705]“Hey, tell Lucan to check his phone, would you?”[/color] He asked as Salem left, only half-joking. 

[Color=82ca9d]"Sure thing, if I ever see him. Mans more aloof than Carmen Sandiego.”[/color] Salem proceeded to walk into his new room, taking comfort to see his good friend cricket waiting for him.

Aaron waved lazily as Salem left, watching him as he made his way into his dorm. Only once Salem had closed his door behind him did the driver pull away, turning in the direction of the noble dorms.