Statuesque

The lore-lei serum had two-- three-- several drawbacks to it, the two main ones being a serious aversion to water and heights. Such phobias were common and oftentimes understandable, but it was when one had to sing his feet up a single flight of stairs or ask a small pool of water to flood over him to wash himself-- his voice shaking and fearful all the while-- that the phobia became rather debilitating. As in, he couldn't walk past the main entrance without having a heart attack of Oh, God, what if the water tank breaks and then the water comes out and--!, and thus needed to find intricate back-entrances in order to enter and leave the castle. The best option was usually to slip out the nearby public bathroom's window.

Anyways. His fears.

Denskith often went into phases of attempting to conquer these fears; after all, the original lore-leis had beautiful, angelic wings to soar high in the sky, not to mention the usual basking in the ocean sun. In all logic, the serum should increase his love for those things, not make him horribly afraid. It was all in his head. Mind over matter, and all that jazz. So, with these thoughts once again, the music teacher had bravely stormed-up the cliffside of Lillegard's island and managed to reach the edge, peering dangerously over the side to both heights and water. He did it. He did it!

After many attempts of leaving, however, Denskith found that he was paralyzed from head to toe, most likely from sheer fear. His eyes were frozen on the rushing currents below, threatening to take him away . . . He was still scared. Still so very, very, unreasonably but terribly scared. And, he was stuck looking down at that very fear. Forever.

If he could move his mouth enough to command-sing himself to fall back over to safety, he would. He really would.

As far back as she could remember, this was the first time Ashel had ever left home. She did feel lonely, but not very much. Ashel loved adventures, and what better one than exploring an island she had never been to? And filled with strange creatures too.

With that in mind, she continued down the dirt to just see where it ended. Her ankle still hurt when she exerted it or walked too much. The pain was bearable now, but this meant no running and confined her to short distances, like this.

She could hear the sound of the ocean. Of course, this was an island. But it also meant that she was getting closer to the edge. She loved the water. It was her element, quite literally. She breathed in the salty sea air, and found her pace picking up. Maybe there would be a view.

A beautiful ocean view was waiting for her when she reached the end cliffs. But that was not the first thing that caught her attention. THere seemed to be a very tall man standing at its edge. It was a dangerous position to be in, in Ashel's opinion. She shivered. She didn't like heights. But somehow she didn't mind it so much when it was overlooking water. She supposed it was a kind of compromise.

Walking carefully towards the cliff's edge and the man, Ashel called out a friendly greeting. "It's a wonderful view, isn't it?"


(I don't mind continuing, but I wondered if you wanted to respond)

(( Of course I'm going to respond! XD ))

It had been well over an hour since Denskith had first looked over the cliff's edge. Two hours? It felt like an eternity. Not being able to move at all . . . Trapped within his own mind. Other minds would have been fine, but his? It was a literal nightmare, only able to hear the rush of the waves, the whistle of the wind, and his mind only able to linger on that fear of the two. That in itself was paralyzing-- which, he supposed, was why he couldn't move in the first place. He was stuck in a vicious cycle.

From the edge of his vision, however, he spotted-- a student? a person! his knight-in-shining-armor! Best of all, she had already noticed him! He would have jumped for joy-- he was mentally, at least.

A wonderful view . . . That was debatable. Very, very debatable. Everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but really? How could the rushing ocean currents, the threatening high winds, the crashing of waves-- how could any of that be beautiful? She was crazy. Mental-- wasn't everyone here-- but, regardless, his knight. His only hope.

The teacher focused all of his energy towards moving his mouth to respond (a simple 'help!' would have done nicely), but found himself unable to. The vicious cycle continued.

Ashel kept walking until she was beside the man. She wondered whether she had not been heard or was being ignored. She casually glanced at the man's face-- and then she noticed his frozen expression. It wasn't his expression as much as his wide frantic eyes... staring at her?

She sidled closer to the man on her left and stood on her tiptoes, just staring at him with wide blank eyes. He had a very nice face. He was abnormally tall, she noted, but then, after all, he seemed human enough compared to the ratgirl she had met earlier. Perhaps under other circumstances she would have been invading the man's personal space... if he wasn't so freakishly tall. She said, slowly, a mischievous smile forming on her face, "Do you need help?"

Without waiting for an answer she pivoted on her left foot and leaped, throwing her weight to her left, and made a half spin in midair. When she got in front of him, she would wrap both arms around the man and... basically try to tackle him.


(She has hollow bones like a bird so she’s really light. Lol her profile doesn’t say that because I forgot.)

(EDITED)

She hit the nail right on the head. Yes. Yes, he needed help. Desperately. So, if she could be as kind to turn his head away from this horrific, terrifying, mind-crushing scene--

Wait, what was she--?

Denskith could not dodge the assault, instead thudding onto the grassy ground with the mysterious girl on top. She was lighter than he expected, but the momentum of the tackle still make the landing very, very hard. It didn't help in all this that he landed scar side down. Ow . . .

The girl was . . . quite close to him, what with those arms wrapped around him. His face flushed slightly-- this was a nightmare situation for any teacher talking with a student. What if anyone saw? Then again, why would anyone be out here? Why was she out here in the first place?

". . . Thank you," he eventually settled with, smiling as the words eased out. He had his voice again! That was all that mattered.

Ash'l giggled as she rolled of the very tall person. Not so tall now, was he? But still pretty. Very pretty. She had thought this person was a man, but she could be wrong...

All doubts, however, were expelled when she heard his voice.

Sitting up, she grinned happily, "You're welcome." For some reason she couldn't stop looking at him... and smiling. He was so pretty. And he was blushing slightly. She wondered if she was blushing, too. And now he was smiling. He was really cute.

"So what are you doing up here?" She asked, trying to be casual despite having just sat on him, gesturing at the horizon. She wondered who this person was. She wondered if her staring (which she just realized she was doing) freaked him out. She hoped it didn't. She didn't want to stop.

. . . Why did she giggle?

"Erm," the teacher hesitated, still lying on the ground, "I was just . . . testing something." Testing and failing yet again. While the question could be directed towards her, as well, Denskith thought it rude to do so, especially to a presumed student. He really just wanted to get out of this area as quickly as possible. Really, truly.

He attempted to get up, his long legs still weak from the stare-down of the ocean cliff. "I should get going." The girl puzzled him to no end-- why was she here? Of course, he could have asked, but that wasn't the most pressing matter . . . "Could you please get off of me?" She wasn't particularly heavy, but simply a body being there prevented him from getting back onto his feet.

At his words, Ashel blinked, suddenly remembering that she was still sitting on him. She got to her feet and held out a hand to the man. "I'm sorry," she offered. "I hope I didn't hurt you," much she mentally added. She had all but pounced on the unsuspecting man, after all.

But then he did thank her afterwards. So she must have done something right. He mentioned that he was testing something. She found herself wondering what it could be. She said, a touch doubtfully, "So you came out all the way here, a place were you apparently can't stand, to test something?"

How cute, she somehow couldn't help thinking. "So what kind of experiment was it?"

"You didn't," the teacher reassured with a lopsided grin, the scarred half staying firmly in place. A couple bruises, nothing serious-- and, nothing to tell about.

Denskith got up from the grass, brushing off the sticking blades here and there off his black dress pants. There were spatches of mud, too; he would have to wash these. . . . A fair enough cost, he supposed, for prying his eyes off the horror. Just thinking about it made him cringe . . .

"Testing is about pushing one to one's limits," Denskith explained to the girl, thankful for the distraction from his whirling thoughts. "As for what kind--" He really didn't want to go there, though, nice girl or not, "--I'll keep a secret," the teacher finished, glancing away from the girl and instead down towards the grassy fields. She seemed nice enough, really, but telling someone, anyone about his dual-weakness was not the best idea. Wolfgang, others of the Resistance, and perhaps Richard someday . . . but, not a girl he just met.

"Oh okay." Ashel supposed she could understand not wanting to tell a stranger details about herself either. Seeing that the man seemed uncomfortable, she laughed and added, "You don't have to tell me anything."

"By the way, I'm Ashel. I'm new to the academy," she paused, waiting for him to answer. She hoped to find out a lot more about him...


(Late reply is late DX Sorry, school just started for me, so I expect to be late a lot of times...)

"Denskith Huges," he returned with a lop-sided grin, although he could not help but stare at her. What was so unusual about her? Nothing in particular striked him as odd . . . but, then again, something had to be if she was enrolled in the academy: a will-o-wisp, ghost, vampire, golem, or something of the like. He tried to shake such thoughts from his head, though; spacing-out would not make a good impression on such a lovely-- nice! She was nice, and that was it-- student. Nice was the word. Anything else and he might be questioned for usual conduct with a student, despite all intentions to the contrary. He really needed to keep this job. It was that, or . . .

Oh, she was still here?
He had gotten lost in thought again-- Denskith's smile had all but vanished in the small lapse of time. His face flushed horribly. "M-my apologies the, erm, pause. I teach Music. Yes." So much for a good impression. His eyes went from her face (how long did he stare at her?) to the grassy ground below.

(( 'Tis fine. XP So long as you eventually reply~ ))

Denskith Huges. Even his name was pretty. Then she noticed he was looking right at her. HE WAS LOOKING RIGHT AT HER. He was looking right at her. HE WAS...

These thoughts played on a loop in Ashel's mind over and over again. Was she blushing, she wondered. She was so nervous and happy she could have died. Then she remembered her recent tousle in the grass. Was her hair messy? Maybe there were still leaves sticking in it. She resisted the urge to run her hands through it to smooth it out. Then she realized that he was frowning. Oh dear, did he dislike her already? A distressed expression was beginning to form on her face as she thought of this.

Why was Denskith blushing? But she barely registered this and whatever he said afterward. As soon as he looked away, she began brushing her hair furiously using her hands to hopefully make it neater and get rid of any bits of grass and leaves that had found their way there. Then his words hit her. He was a teacher.

She took her time straightening herself out and considering this new development for a few seconds. By the time she finished, she had already reached her decision. She flashed her most winning and innocent smile at Denskith, as if she were saying, Is that supposed to matter?

When the girl didn't say a word in reply or continuance, the teacher looked up only to witness Ashel's wonderful smile. Why was she giving him such a smile? It was flattering, yes, but also . . . disturbing. A reminder of sorts.

"Um . . . Yes." He shifted his feet slightly, his eyes darting back towards the ground. Was his face red? Yes. Yes, his face was definitely red. This was wrong, though-- wrong in so many ways. That smile: she was trying to flirt with him! Him, a teacher-- he had even said he was a teacher, didn't he? Yes! And yet, here they were, Ashel giving him that winning smile and him . . . him not knowing what to do. He couldn't just leave her here, just like that! Those feelings would continue to grow unwatched, and then, just when he least expected it . . .

Maybe . . . Maybe, he was overthinking things. Again. Yes, that often happened-- it wasn't out of the possibilities, was it? She could just be overly-friendly, or something. Or something. Or anything other than the possibility of . . . of a crush. Of love.

"My arm! MY EFFING ARM!"
He never wanted that again. God forbid it.

The music teacher could only stare at the ground once more, his face contorted from one of flattery to pain and sadness. God forbid . . .

His face was red. He was just too cute. All teachers should be as cute as he was, then maybe they wouldn't have to worry about getting students to come to class and listen, Ashel mused. But her thoughts took a turn for a more serious tone when Denskith's expression turned painful and sad. Ashel felt herself somehow responsible for this change.

"Are you okay?" She said hesitantly, and as gently as she could, reaching to touch his arm. Her eyes were wide and filled with concern as she tried look into his face to see what was wrong. "Is something the matter? Was it something I said?"

The teacher's blush returned. "N-no! It . . . It wasn't anything you said, but--!" He shut himself up; stammering out words was never a good practice, especially if one was a teacher. Especially if one could kill with the wrong words. He formed the sentence in his head-- he had to finish this off quickly before things got out of hand. . . !

"I cannot return your feelings," he blurted out, his face the brightest shade of crimson possible. He hoped he was right about her feelings-- but, if he wasn't, then there was nothing to worry about. If he wasn't right, then he just made a grave misunderstanding and would never live it down. Regardless of result , it was a lose-lose situation . . . but, it had to be said.

Ashel could only stare speechlessly at him as he spoke, her expression frozen in place. If it wasn't anything she said, then how could he decide this just like that? Maybe he really did dislike her, after all. Her face crumpled and her eyes began to fill.

No, she thought, I can't cry in front of him. She stepped back and turned her back to Denskith. She crossed her arms and, trying to sound like she wasn't on the verge of tears, asked in a quiet, barely audible voice, "Why not?"

His face twisted about, trying to find the right words, pleading to himself to find the right words before anything got out of hand-- too late, he was making her cry. Almost cry. Same difference, but, point was, those tears were on his conscious, and now, he had to calm her down. Somehow. Desperate to do something, anything, the teacher began to fiddle with the cuff of his one good sleeve, raising the fabric up and down, up and down . . . His eyes were focused intently on the ground, unable to meet her face-to-face.

"--teacher," he eventually blurted out. "I-I'm a teacher. You're probably a student." Why was answering two simple words so hard to do? Denskith shut his eyes tight in concentration. "You-- you're probably very nice." The compliment-- command-- was barely gotten out with the uncertainty; it was choppy, sloppy, and he was slipping. He had to finish this, fast. "VERY nice, but . . . I don't want to hurt anyone." No, no, that's not what he wanted to say-- "Not a faculty member, not a student . . . not YOU." Shut up, shut up, shut up! "I can't do this. I--!"

The man jerked his arm up and hastily covered up his mouth. No. This had to stop, he was just making things worse . . . He was on the verge of tears himself now. Why was this so damn hard? It was just two words to answer. Just . . . two.

She didn't understand. She didn't understand it at all. She turned around when he began talking. His eyes were shut. He didn't want to hurt anyone? What was that supposed to mean?! But as she stared wordlessly at his twisted face, heard his stammered words... Sh just couldn't escape on fact: this was her fault. She had started this and now...

Very softly, she whispered, "I'm sorry..." Her voice caught and she couldn't speak. Suddenly, the words just stumbled out, haltingly, directionless and chaotic, "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to... I just... "

This was going nowhere. She wrapped her arms around herself, and looked away, not knowing what to do. She hadn't meant for any of this to happen. Stupid Ashel.


(I'm so sorry it took forever DX)

The man could only stand there, frozen to his spot for completely different reasons than before.

"Don't apologize," was what he wanted to say. Don't apologize, dry your tears, don't be sad-- but, they were all commands, all taboo. Did he want a repeat of Richard? Or, of Aisling? Of course he didn't, of course he ached for those two to never get hurt-- too late-- shut up-- THEY HAD ALREADY GOTTEN HURT. Thinking about it now, of all times, was not going to help him. He simply couldn't risk a command. Reword the phrase, the sentence. Make it safe.

"You don't have to apologize," would be the alternative phrase, the safe one. Denskith's thoughts rolled about it; it just didn't sound right. For comfort, commands were the best. For comfort, he could offer nothing.

And so, the man stood there, unable to offer anything of value to the girl.

(( It's okay. : ) ))

What else could she do?
What more was there to say?
Hadn't she caused enough harm?

The two stood in silence. Finally Ashel decided that there was nothing more she could say or do to make things better. Or worse, for that matter. "I guess," she said, making a small gesture toward the castle, "We should be heading back..."

Without looking at the teacher or waiting for an answer, she slowly turned and started walking down the same path that brought her here. If she had a chance... to do things differently... she would take it, and not come here at all.



(Haha. It was getting awkward so ^^; )

Denskith finally disconnected from his thoughts just long enough to shake his head at her words.
"No. I'll head back later."
By then, though, the girl had already begun to leave.

He remained rooted to his spot, eyes casted towards the ground. He messed up-- again. He messed up again! Why were such things so hard for him? Why did he crush every happiness across his way, destroy the few people he loved, and demolish the love given to him? He was a teacher, but-- surely, there was a better way to reject her feelings than that. Surely. He was just too ignorant to see it, just too blind-- a blind, scarred mouse-- three blind mice / three blind mice . . .

Although his gaze was no long on the crashing waves, the teacher was more fastened to his stance than ever before, his thought process whirling about him.

(( Very-much so. XD ))