[indent][hr][center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjAwYjdlMC5UR2xzYVdVZ1JHbHZibTVsLjAA/velocity-demo.regular.png[/img][/center]
[hr][indent]

Staring off into the distance, Lilie absentmindedly tugged the hem of her blue skirt, completely absorbed in her own thoughts. A small chime managed to snap her out of it, her phone telling her she had a new text. Was Aaron up? As she squinted at the unfamiliar number, her eyes widened as she saw it was Salem. How did he get her number? Oh, who cares, he was texting her! That meant he wasn't upset with her! The relief that washed over her seemed to brighten up her mood immensely, and after shifting herself so her socks wouldn't get caught on anything, she focused on the text as she wrote up her own response.

[hider=Texting Salem]
[i][Color=00BFFF]> Hi!! I’m so happy to hear from you!!!
> Yeah, I’m up, definitely not used to this ‘being awake all night’ thing yet[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> Didn't your family have vampires as well? Or were you the first mage of your family?[/color][/i]

Lilie groaned as she read that response. Yeah, she was definitely the outsider, it seemed.

[i][Color=00BFFF]> First mage...lucky me[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> I'm sure you'll get used to it. I'm usually asleep by now but it doesn't want to stick today it seems.
>> An empty house will do that to you.[/color]
[Color=00BFFF]> idk, the vampire I got is
> really, really, really weird
> all the vampires I get are weird[/color][/i]

Stupid Eve house.

[i][Color=82ca9d]>> All? At least you have one, or...some? I haven't seen mine since the arena.[/color][/i]

His vampire was Lucan, wasn't it? So maybe Salem didn't know about what had occurred last night, either. Weird.

[i][Color=00BFFF]> something’s going on with this place because i had 3 vampires all come in
> first one left because of...something, then I was ditched by the second
> idk what’s happening but I don’t know how to handle this woman (・_・)?[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> That's...not normal. Who's your new partner?
>> Sorry that this is happening to you by the way 😢[/color][/i]

Finally, some sympathy! Take notes, Aaron!

[i][Color=00BFFF]> no need to apologize ^_^
> her name is Mariette Eve, i dunno too much about her but we got off to a...awkward start
> I think the whole Eve house is crazy because Arianna and Ikelos were also...quirky[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> Wow, three nobles. I bet that's a load of fun, then again I suppose I have a noble by proxy.[/color][/i]

If by fun he meant stressful beyond all possibility, then yeah, she was having [i]oodles[/i] of fun.

[i][Color=00BFFF]> Does that mean you’re in the cul-de-sac too?![/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> Oh no. I'm with the other dorms. Kinda wish I was though, wouldnt mind having a friend here right now…
>> had a...bad night[/color]
[Color=00BFFF]> bad night?
> but you were with Aaron, right? Meeting with the Queen?[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> That would be the bad night. Yeah 😓[/color][/i]

Aaron didn't mention anything that had happened, now that she thought about it. Then again, he had stopped messaging her for a while and she ended up falling asleep waiting for a response.

[i][Color=00BFFF]> what happened?[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> Well I single handedly put my family under investigation, as well as my clinic, I cant contact anyone I know and I am not considered to be potentially associated with the Red Hand, whomever that is.[/color][/i]

The Red Hand? What's that? It sounded familiar, but Lilie couldn't quite recall at the moment. Instead, she decided to focus on Salem.

[i][Color=00BFFF]> i’m so sorry to hear that
> but
> can they really do that?[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> Its the queen. Besides, I placed a very harsh accusation on a council member, I'm lucky I wasn't executed on the spot. Luckily the search should prove fruitless as my family has nothing to hide.[/color]
[Color=00BFFF]> that sounds really scary[/color][/i]

Horrifying, really. 

[i][Color=00BFFF]> but you’re not alone, you have me and Aaron at least![/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> I hope so...its his partners family I accused. Aaron didn't seem to pleased with me, but I think we're ok at the moment.[/color]
[Color=00BFFF]> I know so! We’re both here for you, I promise!!! (っˆーˆ)っ
> I wasn’t able to get to you yesterday, but I’m going to make sure to stick close to you going forward okay?[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> Sounds like a deal
>> Speaking of...I've been alone all night and I was wondering if you wanted to come over for a bit and just hang out before classes start?[/color][/i]

Now [i]that[/i] sounded like what she needed!

[i][Color=00BFFF]> yeah! 
> oh
> is that allowed
> am i gonna run into your vampire  (☉_☉)[/color]
[Color=82ca9d]>> If you do, let me know 😆 I havent seen a trace of Lucan since the arena.
>> But you should be fine to come over if you wanted to.[/color]
[Color=00BFFF]> alrighty then! Let me know where you are, I’ll find my way over there![/color][/i][/hider]

The sound of metal caught Lilie's attention, bringing her out of her thoughts as she looked around for the source. Looking behind her, she figured someone else was finally up. Seeing as how she was about to head out anyway, she would carefully get to her feet, although just as she was about to hop off she noticed a familiar blond man not too far away. It took her a few seconds to realize it was Aaron, her head putting together that the mailbox he was in front of was where he lived. Right, they were neighbors, she had nearly forgotten about that. Well, now was as good a time as ever for a neighborly greeting!

Once Lilie made sure she had her balance, she cautiously walked along the wall, gaining a little speed once she reached the front of the house. Jumping off the wall, she managed to land on both feet, though her victory was short lived as she stumbled in her next few steps. So much for a graceful entrance. Clasping her hands behind her back, Lilie gave Aaron a cheerful smile. 

[Color=00BFFF]“Good morning, neighbor!”[/color] She greeted him happily.

Aaron followed her with his eyes as she jumped off the wall, reflexively reaching out to catch her when she stumbled, though she recovered just fine on her own. He couldn’t help but chuckle at her odd greeting, though there was no malice in it. [color=f0d705]“Good evening!”[/color] he replied, mirroring her posture and grasping his mail behind his back. [color=f0d705]“You’re up early!”[/color] 

Right, evening, how could she forget. Her lips formed a small ‘o’ before she would laugh at herself, shaking her head. [Color=00BFFF]“Getting used the time change will be the first of many challenges here,”[/color] Lilie couldn't help but joke. [Color=00BFFF]“I've actually been up since...I think two? I've never slept in so late, it was weird!”[/color]

Lilie's eyes couldn't help but roam over Aaron's clothes as she gave them a quick glance. She noticed it yesterday, but today seemed to solidify that his style was very preppy, reminding her of the rich private school students she would see whenever she traveled to the city. She wondered briefly if he dressed that way all the time, though his outfit seemed to be missing something. Oh well, it wasn't any of her business. Instead, she hopped in place once, feeling a little more energized as she remembered their texting. [Color=00BFFF]“Um, thank you for last night. I really needed that,”[/color] She told him sincerely. 

[color=f0d705]“Oh, that’s right, this is pretty much all new to you isn’t it?”[/color] Aaron asked. [color=f0d705]"I’m sure you’ll get used to it soon, I think you’ll find the nighttime plenty stimulating.” [/color] At her next comment, though, he softened considerably, remembering how insecure she seemed about the whole situation. [color=f0d705]“Oh, that’s not necessary,”[/color] he waved off her thanks with a shrug and a smile. [color=f0d705]“We all do what we can, right? I’m happy to help.”[/color]

He was just so sweet! She genuinely didn't know what she would have done without his kindness. Lilie averted her gaze for a moment, her hand combing through her bangs as she thought of a response. [Color=00BFFF]“If everyone is as nice as you are, then I won't have to be so nervous about all this,”[/color] She said before returning her eyes to his, giving him a somewhat bashful smile. [Color=00BFFF]“Still, don't sell yourself short. A little kindness goes a long way.”[/color] And would probably save her from a lot of heartache.

Aaron glanced down, a bashful smile of his own creeping over his face as he tugged on his ear with his free hand. He was a giant compared to her, but that smile was so cute! [color=f0d705]“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,”[/color] he admitted, glancing to his dorm and back. [color=f0d705]“But I mean it, I imagine this is all a lot to take in if you’re not used to it.”[/color] He gestured with his mail to the Eve dorm. [color=f0d705]“Especially serving nobles. I grew up around them, but I imagine some of the rules can be confusing. That’s not to say that you can’t handle it yourself, I mean…”[/color] he trailed off for a second, tugging ever more insistently on his ear. [color=f0d705]“I just mean I can probably help if you think you need it.”[/color]

The girl was momentarily stunned by Aaron's words, minor confusion on her face before she managed to catch herself. [Color=00BFFF]“You grew up around nobles?”[/color] She repeated his words, absentmindedly brushing a stray hair behind her ear. Whoa. Was Aaron some sort of prince and she didn't know? Wait, no, he said 'serving'. [Color=00BFFF]“That's...well, then you know way more than I do, I bet.”[/color] Shifting her weight from one foot to another, Lilie crossed her arms before hanging her head, letting out a defeated sounding sigh. Her initial assumption that Aaron was just like her was about as off as assuming rabbits and hares were alike. [Color=00BFFF]“I'm going to need all the help I can get.”[/color]

Aaron smiled gently, taking some pity on the girl. [color=f0d705]“I’m sure you’ll do fine,”[/color] he reassured her. For some reason, he checked his phone, looking at the time. He looked between his dorm and Lilie. [color=f0d705]“I’m sorry, I need to get back. I’ll see you in class though, right?”[/color]

Perking up, Lilie nodded as she hopped in place. Right, she needed to get going as well. [Color=00BFFF]“Yes! And we'll get to learn real magic today, too!”[/color] She replied excitedly. [Color=00BFFF]“I told you, it's going to be a good day! So we just need to hang in there!”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“Yep! See you later, then,”[/color] Aaron said, offering a wave and turning back up the walk.

Lilie watched him for a moment before mirroring his movement, although she decided to stop at the dorm to grab her backpack just in case she lost track of time. She didn't mention Salem, but since Aaron needed to go, she figured he might not have had the time. Speaking of which, she was pretty sure she had plenty of time before Mariette would even be up, but it was better to be safe than sorry. She wasn't entirely sure if the vampire would even want to see her after last night's...interaction. Pushing those thoughts aside, Lilie left her dorm and made her way to the common ones, hoping she wouldn't get too lost.

[/indent][hr][/indent]
[right][sub]interacting with: [@Obscene Symphony][@Trainerblue192] mentioned: [@MsMorningstar][/sub][/right]