[Center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjQ0LjRlODg1OC5VMkZzWlcwZ1UzQmxiR3h0WVc0LC4wAAA,/flat-earth-scribe.regular.png[/img][/center]
[sub][right]Interacting with: [@Obscene Symphony][@AChronum][/right][/sub]

 Salem walked into his dorm, undoing his top buttons as he opened the door. The lights were off, save for the purple hue that radiated from the bottom of his door. As soon as he closed the door behind him, he played back against it, sliding down to the floor, hands trembling as they reach up towards his face. He felt something wet against his hands, did he forget to turn the misters off? That must be it...he outgrew crying, his father told him so. He wiped away the strange liquids as he sniffled his nose a bit. 

[Center][i][color=92278f] “His mind wouldnt be so easily tainted if he wasnt so weak!”[/color][/i][/center]

 The words echoed in his head as he once again felt the streams trickling down his cheeks. He shook his head as he lazily got up, shuffling his feet into this bedroom after kicking off his shoes at the door. [Color=82ca9d]"Hey Cricket."[/color] his voice was low and horse, with no energy. He flicked on the lights, stripping all the way down as he searched for some Pajama pants to wear. After a moment he found a white pair of pajama pants with little cartoon potted cacti, and potted plants, and a black shirt with a little acorn that said [b]"See'd ya later"[/b]. His feet felt heavy as he made his way towards the bathroom to take down his hair. Long curly brown locks flowed onto his shoulders as he undid his hair tie and looked into the mirror. A brief flash showed the face of his father, disapproval in his face. 

[Center][color=92278f] “Your weakness has burdened us. If only I had a stronger son.”[/color][/center]

 His gaze fell down onto the sink, turning on the water as he let it run between his fingers for a moment. Letting the heat sting his hands until he finally brought it up towards his face and began to splash it on, attempting to clean the weakness with it. No, he wasnt weak, and he wasnt about to become someones pawn. Salem reached and grabbed a hand towel to dry his face off and made his way back towards the front hallway. He knocked Lucans door for a moment, leaning his head against it. [Color=82ca9d]"Hey, Lucan?"[/color] Silence fell throughout the house. Had Lucan heard about the evenings events? Was he ignoring him? Salem knocked again and the door cracked open revealing an empty room. 

 A long sigh escaped him as he began to walk around the dorm looking for something to do. His stomach began to growl. Although he just ate, his potion earlier also accelerated his metabolism, making it feel as if he hadnt eaten all day. Salem walked towards the kitchen, opening the cupboard to grab a bowl, cereal and then some milk. There was a small amount of satisfaction with being the first open a box of cereal, he shook it loose and onto the bowl, then adding the milk and making his way over to the living room to watch some t.v. 

[Center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/363556781537886208/546266127471476736/giphy_14.gif[/img][/center]

 As he sat there on the couch eating his cereal, the only sound resonating in the house was the t.v. and his spoon against the cereal. He couldn't seem to focus on anything around him and the loneliness began to sink in. He pulled out his cell phone and began to flick through his contacts, realizing there wasnt anyone he could contact due to the now pending investigation. Well, almost no one. He decided to go ahead and give Aaron a text.
[hider=Text to Aaron]
>>Hey, you still up?
[color=f0d705]> Yeah, why?[/color]
>>No reason I guess
>>Say, um. I can't seem to sleep, dorms a bit eerie when you're by yourself.
[color=f0d705]> Oh, is Lucan still not back?[/color]

Salem looked towards the empty room that would be Lucans.

>>Haven't seen him since his match. Hope he's ok.
>>Speaking of the match, have you seen Lilie? 
[color=f0d705]> I was talking to her, but I haven't seen anyone. Came straight back.[/color]
>>Oh so she's up to?
>>Well, mind adding her to a group chat or something? I was hoping to ask you two something
>>...if that's ok that is…
[color=f0d705]> Oh, I mean I can, but I think she might be sleeping. 
> I can give you get number at least, though. 
> What did you want to ask?[/color]
>>Well I figured maybe
>>If you guys wanted
>>We could…
>>Hang out?

Now expecting company, Salem placed his bowl onto the coffee table before him, getting up to go prepare a pot of tea. He rushed over to his room, getting out his favorite tea blend and pot, putting on a kettle to heat up the water. After a moment there was a two full displays before him, One looking more oriental in design and layout, and the other more English with silver and porcelain sets and cubes of sugar in a bowl. He checked back onto his phone.

[color=f0d705]> What, tomorrow? I think she wanted to find you anyway, I think she wants to apologize for leaving you. 
> Apparently her night was pretty eventful too, heh.[/color]
[i][Color=82ca9d]More eventful than being chokeholded to a table?[/color][/i]
>>Well, I was hoping for tonight?
>>Figured you could come down to my dorm since I've got all this free space.
[color=f0d705]> Oh[/color]

There was a brief pause, one that felt like eternity. As if he had asked the worst possible question. Ofcourse he wouldnt want to be his company, why would he? After tonight's display? It was clear where to the stood.

[color=f0d705]> That’s nice of you to invite me, but I'm afraid I can't. 
> Master is
> Well
> He’s not very happy with me, heh.[/color]

Ooooor maybe it wasnt so clear. Aaron's use of master disgusted Salem, making his stomach churn at the mere thought of such a thing.

>>Oh. That's ok then...Maybe Lilie still can?
[color=f0d705]> Maybe!
> Here, why don't you ask her?[/color]
(Sends number)
>>Sure, thanks! 💚[/hider]

 As Salem went to text Lilie, uncertainty beginning to brew inside of him. He looked back over at his two displays and then towards his phone. He started texting her, asking if she was up, leaving that blinking cursor on the end of the message having never hit send. Salem made his way back onto the couch and laid down, head buried in the pillows as the t.v. continued to play and the kettle began to scream, drowning out any hint of sobbing...if there was any.