-- THE SOUND OF MADNESS [Gale]

The longer the music flowed from her fingertips, the more at ease she felt. There was still a roll of fury surging up inside of her, but on the outside her expression became more placid and serene. Lark was never one to attempt to display her emotions, and made an effort to keep them to herself. Lately, she had done well keeping things at bay, but today it was becoming quite the obstacle. Just as the humming died away, replaced with the hum of the strings as they vibrated against the guitar, a voice broke Lark's train of thought. A scowl, one of sheer malice crossed her features as she looked up to find herself face to face with a boy. He did not look familiar, but that was of no concern to her. What was of concern to Lark was why someone took it upon themselves to bother her while she tried playing her music. The poor kid did not even realize what the girl had been through previously, so was unaware of how frustrated she truly was. He walked right into a mine field. "If I wanted to talk, do you think I would be sitting over here by myself playing my guitar?" The words were spat like a snake baring its fangs, ready to strike at its prey. Gale was probably a nice guy, harmless as a fly, but right now to Lark none of this was harmless. She felt under attack by everyone.

Apparently not bothered by her vicious words and malcontent, Gale took it upon himself to sit in her vicinity and try to make conversation. Who the fuck makes conversation after that? Was he really so dense? Lark rolled her eyes and stopped playing the instrument, settling it in her lap as her arms crossed over the strings. Her glare was hard, cold, full of frustration. "You ask too many questions, I think." Was all she said at first, still surveying his face with her dark eyes. The complement was flattering, but at the same time unwarranted. Had he not invaded her space in the first place, then he would have probably allowed the music go unheard. The frown creased her lips--something that did not do well for her pretty face--before she gruffly added, "It's an American Standard Stratocaster. Nothing is ever considered new once it's taken off the shelf." Which was true. The minute you took a car off of the dealership lot it lost value, just as with any other item you buy. It was not this kids' business where she got it from, who she got it from, or when. Had she been in a better mood the information would not seem so important to keep safe, but right now the wall was impenetrable steel. Lark had no intent on relinquishing that guard just yet.

"You're really trying to get under my skin, aren't you?" The question was more of an avoidance to answer his own inquiry, even though her name was not really such a hard answer. "What's my name matter to you anyway? Why don't you go find someone else to bother with your barrage of questions. I find better company with my guitar." Her words were hard and stern, unwavering. Lark wanted to be friendly, to try and be social, but it was proving difficult. She did not do well with people intruding her personal space and asking so many damn questions, especially when she truly wanted to be alone. Lark was not an open book like a lot of her newly allied counterparts, which made things difficult at times, but she was managing quite well. Until today. As though her words whisked him away into another dimension, leaving her alone, she picked up the guitar and began to play again. Maybe if Lark sat there long enough and tuned out Gale, he would give up and find something better to do. On the other hand, she quietly hoped that he wouldn't, because maybe being around someone chatty could drag the girl out of this temperamental slump.

"I never said I needed anyone to listen to me," Lark stated dully, just staring at him now. The initial fire was gone, but she was still rather displeased with his presence. What good would he do anyway, when all she heard was 'blah blah blah'? The talkative ones were hardly ever good listeners, especially if they were persistent in sticking around when they were not wanted. Ashton was an exception, though he actually made for a very good listener despite the questions he threw out at her. I asked him to ask me. On the hike, Lark requested that Ashton ask her questions that she could answer so she could become more adept at the whole conversation thing. Today was not really the day to play the conversation game. Oh, how Lark wanted to say 'Apology not accepted' and get up to leave, but the girl was stubborn as a mule. She was there first, and refused to leave. If anyone needed to leave, it was Gale. It was so childish, have the whole 'I was here first!' mentality, but Lark did not really care. It was a fact. "Yeah, whatever," She finally replied to his apology, lifting her shoulders up and dropping them heavily back into place. Lark was definitely not the most social creature, and it was rather obvious. She only hoped that Gale would assume just that and leave it be without asking what was actually bothering her. She most certainly would not answer.

Okay, now Lark was intrigued. The boy plays guitar, but doesn't play it much. How can you own such a magnificent instrument and not play it? That nearly baffled her, forgetting that not everyone has the same passion she does. People can enjoy your passion without actually sharing in it instrumentally. She had a few friends that loved to listen to music and knew the words to every song on the radio, but could not strum a chord to save their lives. "Yeah, well, you can't magically obtain super guitar playing powers." Her voice was gruff, but a lot less intense than it was before. Finding common ground with someone was almost like a sedative. "You're gonna continue to suck at it until you practice." One of Lark's goals was to make a living out of teaching guitar to others, while gathering up a few gigs at the local bars and pubs around the Hollow. No one had expressed interest in the lessons just yet, mostly because she had not offered them, but would soon enough. Lark was just now growing comfortable with playing and singing in front of others; only recently did she attempt to play in the park. It felt good. The girl shrugged yet again, shoulders not rising as high as before. "Thanks I guess. I like to pride myself in my music." It took Lark a moment to steer her gaze towards the guitar, but a gleam of pride was evident in her eyes. She had nothing else to give love to, so why not the next best thing? The guitar never mocked her, hated her, rejected her, and accepted her hand without hesitation.

"Uh huh," Lark lifted her chin a bit, not looking the least bit convinced. However, though it might be a potential lie, the words at least felt good. She would not deny that, at least to herself. "Cheering me up how? I don't see juggling or magic tricks. Until then I will not be satisfied." Her expression was flat and emotionless, but on the inside Lark managed a sort of smile. A half smile that was only formed by her own words. Like Josh, it was easy to tease while appearing completely serious about your statement. Some people hated it, others figured it out. Would Gale actually catch on? Lark scoffed, fighting back a smirk. "I could easily not tell you my name and kill you, yes? It can work either way. Or I don't have to say anything at all." She would never kill anyone of course, though it was a fun threat. Gale seemed intent on staying in her presence, which was incredibly annoying, but in the same token impressed her. What fool would sit there and take her attitude? Gale, obviously. Not many could do that and take it all in stride. Impressed, indeed. "Do whatever the fuck you want man. Just know I'm not liable for any potential bodily injury should you piss me off." So far he had done nothing to piss her off, merely the horribly awful timing. If Lark had come out here in a good mood to play guitar, this meeting would have wound up driving in a more positive direction. She glanced up at him. Beautiful face, huh? Where had she heard that before? "I'm gonna make a wild guess and say you're either Earth or Water."

All it took was four words to stun Lark into silence, to wipe the look of rage off of her face for at least a moment. She didn't have to. Was it a look? The way she walked? The downward tug of her lips? All of these signs indicated that she was infuriated about something, or at least had a lot on her mind. Gale picked up on the cues and ran with it, something she did not expect. Most people were keen on avoiding run-in's with other people who were angry, simply because it kept life simple. There was no confrontation, or furthering their frustrations, or being a sort of burden. There certainly was no scathing words or rude comments, to be sure. It was difficult for Lark to cope with all of the friendliness these people exhumed, because most of the time they did not have extreme bouts of anger on the other side of their coin. When it came to her own element, you never know when even the smallest thing could set them off. Smile to your face one moment, a burning ball of fury the next. Lark liked what she possessed, but her temper could most certainly hinder a lot of things. Like friendships. "Well, I guess if you wanna get better you best get on that then." She was dedicated to her music like some were dedicated to their love life. It was something she put time and effort into every day, something she truly cared about. In all honesty, it was probably the only thing she could really display affection to without feeling vulnerable.

"Self taught is definitely not as easy as going in for lessons," Lark pointed out with a half shrug. She was still surprised that Gale was sitting here talking to her as though her anger and attitude were nothing to be bothered by, like it was dust in the wind. She never could get a firm grip on people. It was why she avoided being overly social. Too many variables. Lark watched as he stood up, appearing a bit baffled. "Well you best get to entertaining me then, little squire, before I get bored and send you off to the guillotine." Her lips twitched, the faint form of a smirk before it vanished into stoicism once again. It was comments like these that normally set people off (not just in anger, but confusion) but it was like Lark not to care. If they could not handle her sense of humor, well, then it was no skin off her back. She wanted people who took the time to understand her and take her personality in stride without lashing out consistently. The Earths and Waters--mostly the Earths--were good for that. "You make it sound like you aren't crazy," Lark replied, using the anger at her father as a way to make 'aggressive' humor. "You should probably stop talking to yourself, because that could lead to other mental issues. Or make current ones a lot worse. I'd probably think it's the last one." Gale seemed mentally stable; he had not threatened to stab her or started having conversations with invisible people, so there was nothing to be worried about. Yet.

Lark pointed a finger at him when she gathered up her guessing points, still keeping a stiff expression. She was not much of a smiling person when in a state of upset, though around strangers she looked anything but friendly in the first place. Once you approached and began conversation Lark could ease into it well enough, but upon first glance she seemed unapproachable. She nodded a bit. "Yeah. Fire. Recently transferred alliances, so no need to try and glare or douse me with water." She quickly tossed it out there because she knew how loyal elementals reacted to the opposing alliances. If Gale was a die-hard Water, then she was not so sure how she would have been treated had she stayed with the Fires and Thunders. It was then that he started to juggle, though it was only with two rocks. This kid was really striving to put the girl in a good mood, wasn't he? It was amusing, to say the least. Even more so, because a moment later Gale dropped the rock on his foot and began to hop around like a one-legged jack rabbit. Lark cracked a bit of a smile and chuckled, though it appeared to be rather sadistic, and suddenly vanished into a state of seriousness. "Only partially. You need to even it out with the other foot. Then I'll be satisfied. I might even tell you my name."

Lark smirked, liking the 'master' complement. She was arrogant with the things she knew how to do, and had a great amount of confidence in it. She was by no means a master--even she knew that--but that did not mean the first thought that came to mind was Just watch and learn, then. Lark was not confident with people, or physical contact, or constantly controlling her temper (like today), but music was a solid constant in her life and if that was all she could be confident in, she was going to let it burst from within like ruptured volcano. "I like learning on my own too," She agreed, picking up the guitar and strumming it again. "I don't do well with having people tell me what to do, and besides the self-taught experience is really rewarding." To figure out a song on your own felt more of an accomplishment than having someone else give you everything you needed to reach that point. You could tell someone 'yeah I took lessons' and get a good response if you're good at playing, but to be a good player and tell someone that you taught yourself? Normally people are more impressed. It saves you money on lessons, but it's most certainly harder. As though fate was offering Lark multiple opportunities, she grew silently excited when he mentioned finding lessons.

"I don't mind teaching," Lark offered, acting nonchalant about the ordeal despite how eager she felt at the prospect of teaching someone. She already had Ashton in line for lessons, so another person would give her a good reputation. "Actually I decided a while back that I'm offering up lessons and stuff for free to other students, for a sort of...reputation slash resume build-up type thing." Now, the only students who received the benefit would be those of her own alliance. Earths and Waters only. Even if her career path led her down a more solid teaching job, these made for great references down the road. Hands on experience was the only way to go for her. As Lark started to play a little more, finding a sense of emotional balance, she glanced up to see he was still juggling the rocks in his hands. It was not all that spectacular really, but the fact that he actually did it was surprising. Why would a stranger go completely out of their way to do something like that? It made no sense. Lark would have watched the other person storm by with a raised eyebrow and done nothing more afterwards. She never really concerned herself much with people she did not know. "So you are psychotic," Lark pointed out with a smirk, clearly pleased that he was running with her personality so well. She liked when people could handle who she was without flinching or turning heel. "But that's okay. Since when is 'normal' ever any fun? I'm sure you enjoy having conversations with yourself and blaming your evil twin for all the bad shit you do."

Being on the other side of the alliances was...new. It took a lot of adjusting, but so far things seemed to be going smoothly enough considering her element. Waters would be Waters and take that liberty to pull pranks on other people--same element or not--but even so she did not appreciate having someone busting the pipes in the bathroom (thank you, Elliot) or doing dive-bomb water balloons from the second story windows. So far Gale had not attempted anything, which was probably the best for both of them. "I've never been a fan of the light anyway." She replied, shrugging as though the conversation was completely serious. In all truth she loved the sun and the warmth it had to offer, though the night time was good too so long as it wasn't cold. Lark blinked and glanced up at him, eyebrow cocked. "Well well well, look who hit the big time," The girl teased with a glint of humor in her dark eyes. "I bow to your sheer awesomeness." Of course this 'bow' was merely a drop of the chin with a sarcastic eye roll tacked at the end. It was probably stereotypical, but she had half expected the Water leader himself to make some sort of comment on her switch, or her element. Nothing came, and it surprised her. Not everyone was the same of course and Lark partially shamed herself for making the assumption, but could it really be helped? Everyone placed a label on her, she was sure. Lark considered the offer for a moment. "Hmm...turn into rabid werewolf, or take the points..." After a second or two of silence, she shrugged and glanced up at him. "Since it's not the full moon I can't do the first. And I like points. So the name is Lark. Just know that I'll probably have to kill you now."