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Post by leonora on Aug 11, 2011 13:07:24 GMT -5
*Now... why do they make English so boring?* the thought ran through her head and she couldn't help but sigh. Her brown eyes glanced up, greeting the rays of sun through the leaves. Yes, she was under leaves and no, it wasn't because she had decided to sleep in some random bush. The twelfth grader was sitting in a tree. Well, technically, half sleeping in a tree. She was on her back, her legs crossed at the ankles and Nora was just aimlessly staring up, her facial features being the only thing that was changing now and then.
Puffing her cheeks, she sighed and shut her eyes. "Stupid English..." she gave out, a light frown knotting her brows for a mere second. Being Nora, she never really got angry at anything, so the frown disappeared as she sighed once again in defeat. Her hands reaching up to her face, she covered it and whined a little. "But a two thousand word essay on how you could make your school better is a good opportunity to express yourself..." she mocked her teacher for a little. And no, she didn't dislike essays. Right now, she was just being lazy, thank you very much. I mean, who'd rather hit the books than laze around with mother nature? Well, sure, Leonora was a good girl, but she didn't want to write two thousand words about shipping in more toilet paper. She had a feeling her teacher expected the girl to suggest more colorful posters. It probably had to do something with her pacifistic nature and her being an Earth student... Oh, my god, she should so write that she wants a PTA meeting there every week, just for the kicks. Then again, her teacher might just be expecting that...
She only let out a groan and dropped her hands at her sides in defeat. Little did she know that was not the best idea. She lost her balance and fell off the branch. "Whoa!" and then followed a thump. No, she had not gotten the chance to grab on to anything. There were no other branches there to grab. Just her luck... And in some magical way, she landed on her back while she was really expecting to land face-first in thew grass. Not something she hadn't experienced, but something she didn't feel like that very day. Oh well... everything happened for a reason.
Taking in the pain her butt and back were experiencing, she opened her brown eyes to glance at the sky again. Oh look, it was clouding up. What was it, about 6pm? Maybe it'll rain? Well, it sure looked like it. Oh, oh, if she were to be lucky, she would see the sun cry! Well, that is, see it raining while the sun is clearly shining. If the clouds were coming from East and it was going to rain until the end of the sunset, it was going to look awesome. Well, pretty more than anything else, but she so hopped it was going to happen.
Only as she felt a smile grace her lips, did the girl feel something... else. Something was pinching her back. Actually, something was digging into it. Well, now. Since it couldn't be her spine, it had to be another object. Unwillingly, sliding her hand under her still sore back, she grabbed whatever the object was and pulled it out. Gosh, that felt better. Now she could appreciate how soft the ground really was. What was that object, anyway?
"A pine cone?... Really?" she thought aloud, before glancing up at the tree again. What the hell, it was an oak! Now how did the that work? And she figured earth students knew their trees. Great, just great. Giving one last sigh, she just sat the cone next to her, somewhere and glanced back up. Even if the sky was starting to get clouded, it was still relaxing. Perhaps it'd throw her an idea on her essay.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 11, 2011 13:25:51 GMT -5
Whilst one student was lazing around and wishing to be anywhere but working on an essay, another was hard at work and consumed by his studies. The forest certainly seemed a strange place for someone to be studying, especially a Fire elemental, but he was actually quite fond of the place. He enjoyed the constant sounds of the wind in the trees, the animals scuttling about the forest floor, and of course the fact that he was almost certain to go uninterrupted. The younger students weren't allowed out here because the wilderness stretched out for an incomprehensible amount of miles, forests turning into mountains, which merged with lakes and vast fields. It was only too easy for someone to get lost. And he didn't doubt that some of the older kids had been idiots and wandered out too far on a dare before. There was a sort of 'fence' around a certain part of the forest--it was really just a bit of wire stretched around spaced red posts. It wasn't there to block access, as one could clearly just step right over it, it was there to warn students from going any further. He was sitting here, out where most kids wouldn't roam. And he was studying.
Until he heard a light rumbling from above. It was not quite a crack, just a bit of a warning sign. Glancing up at what he could see of the sky through a canopy of lush greenery, Joshua's lips turned into a slight frown. "Looks as if it might rain," he commented to himself, already standing up and brushed bits of twig and leaves from his jeans. He enjoyed being out here, but he didn't want to get soaked, and he especially wanted to avoid his notes being drenched. He was about halfway done writing out the paper he was working on for his Psychology class, and though he liked the direction he'd taken and didn't want to be interrupted in his reading, even Joshua understood when it was time to give up studies and get back to school. It didn't take long for him to find his way back to the school, seeing as he just moved in the opposite direction of the post-and-wire fence until he broke the barrier of the forest and found himself on the lawn. He glowered for a brief moment at the sky, upset with it for disrupting him. Hmm... maybe he could stay out for a bit longer. It wasn't raining yet, and now the Academy was close enough that he could just dash inside if it did start.
I just need to find a tree, he thought, scanning the grounds and locking his gaze on one that seemed suitable. Yes, that would do. He could have just lay flat on his stomach in the middle of the lawn or something, but he preferred the shade of a tree when it wasn't sunny enough for his tastes. Unfortunately for Joshua, he was not the only one who'd decided to utilise this place for his studies. "Oh," he said quietly, gray eyes flickering with a brief surprise when he noticed that someone else was there. "My apologies, I nearly ran right into you." He hadn't, however, because he'd chanced a glance toward the ground at the last moment. "Erm... may I ask what you're doing on your back like that? It certainly doesn't look comfortable." He didn't recognise the girl and thus he normally wouldn't have been so civil, but he was in a neutral mood at the moment. His tone was absent of its usual snark. Noting the papers, he asked, "Were you... writing something?" He was curious as usual, but he was trying not to be too nosy. No one likes someone butting into their business, after all. "Do you need help getting up?" he wondered, offering a hand.
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Post by leonora on Aug 11, 2011 15:22:27 GMT -5
Sure, it might have looked a little strange. She was just laying there, covered with a few oak leaves, her brown hair casting variations in the grass, her feet now slightly propped up at the roots and bark of the tree. Not to mention the now scattered notebook next to her, a pencil probably lying near it. Also, she was pretty sure her beige shoulder bag was still around, leaning against the oak as well. Well, at least the view was nice. She could see the edge of that threatening cloud. She could see how the now crimson sun rays slid over it and how they still caressed the side of that majestic oak tree. It was quite a sight. Something different, really. It seemed unreal for a while. You see this big bad cloud above you, yet you still see the golden reflections of the sun. Yep, she liked it.
Footsteps. She had heard them, but didn't pay much attention at first. Why? Well, she was daydreaming about how awesome it'd be to see the sun crying again. Only at the shadow over her, did she snap back to reality. She glanced up, her brown eyes curious to recognize the voice, but she couldn't make it out too well at the first second. She could see this tall figure standing in the sunlight. It looked pretty cool and intimidating, to be honest. She did, however give a friendly smile, her eyes narrowing just a little. "Oh, it's all good. I am, blocking some path, I think." she laughed. Leave it to Nora to get attention in the strangest ways. It seemed exciting, really, but she had not intended to just fall on her back in front of people. Sure, she had heard about the true love 'falling out of the sky' but she was pretty sure this was not the case for anyone.
Was she writing? Well, she was trying to. "I was trying to think up a way to better our school." she said, a little amused of her own words. "English." she gave out as an explanation. Wow, amazing how one word could make people understand a paragraph's worth. Perhaps, she should try to break her usually long babbles down to like... fifteen words a day? Well, she wouldn't be strong away to do it, but it might turn out interesting. "And I did start out with sitting on one of those branches. Then I met gravity." she laughed but stopped since it hurt a little. Cringing a bit, she let out a sigh.
Oh, how sweet. He was going to help her up? Wait, what if she sounded too needy? Now that wouldn't do. She should at least try to get up herself. "I think I can get up..." She began, pulling her hands up to try and lean her elbows on the ground and begin her journey of getting up... and the 'ow, ow, ow' didn't help... So, then she was back on her back. Yeah, maybe a little help wouldn't hurt? "... and I was wrong..." she laughed.
Reaching up her hand, she glanced at the dark haired guy. The sun hitting his back still made it a little hard to make out all the features. "Could you?... Pretty please?"
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 11, 2011 18:30:38 GMT -5
She seemed quite peaceful and cheery, which led him to believe she was at least not someone that was in his element. She could be from any of the others, really. He had met a couple of decent Thunder elementals in his day, he wasn't going to pigeon-hole her into the sweetest of the elements simply for being polite toward him. After all, he was being polite right now and he was in the most aggressive element of the five by reputation. Josh had never been much of the antagonist, however. He would attack if provoked, but he preferred to stay out of everyone's way. "Not at all. I had just thought to enjoy the shade of the tree, but it seems I was not the only with that notion." Joshua gave an easy shrug, as if insisting that it didn't matter either way. He was in a rather amiable mood at the moment, which was probably a good thing for Leonora. Then again, it wasn't like he'd have antagonised her even if he'd been in a foul mood. He probably would have merely glared and stalked off to brood all by his lonesome. That was just how Joshua worked, after all.
Apparently she was indeed writing, however, and he chuckled slightly as she told him what. "Ah, I remember that from... senior year, was it? Junior?" His brows furrowed slightly as he looked to Nora for confirmation, unsure of whether he'd gotten it right, and if he had, which of the two it had been. He had memory of the assignment itself, but he couldn't remember which teacher had given it. "There are a lot of things that could make this place better," Joshua replied wryly. "I can't remember most of what I wrote, but I can bet that it's still relevant." He actually could remember what he'd said, but Joshua tended to get rather complicated and in-depth with his essays. He took his work very seriously, much more than most of his classmates. He wasn't going to bore Nora with that. "Most of my classmates bitched about coursework and still managed to scrape a pass." Most of his classmates weren't so serious as he about homework.
Her comment about meeting gravity even managed to coax a bit of a chuckle past his lips, Joshua being in a fairly flexible mood. He wasn't usually so light-hearted about everything, but it was probably the fact that nothing had happened thus far to spoil his day. He would have to return home to his parents and their griping soon enough, but right now he was going to enjoy his freedom. "A fickle fiend indeed," he said, glancing up at the tree for a moment. "You didn't hurt yourself too terribly, did you?" He sounded more curious than concerned, unfortunately. True and unhindered concern was usually reserved for Joshua's closest friends. "I was working on an essay myself, actually," he told her, perhaps unnecessarily. This was just Josh being 'friendly'. "A Psychology paper about animal versus human behaviour." It was a difficult paper to write, a lot of research involved, and the fact that he was enjoying it was a bit frightening. He took enjoyment from such things. It was a challenge to him, and he'd always adored those.
He raised an eyebrow when she said she'd get up herself, but he was not sexist or misogynistic, he didn't doubt her simply because she was a girl, so he withdrew his hand and fully expected her to rise. Except that she did not, falling back with an admission of defeat. "Gravity, strike two." He gave the girl a light sort of smirk--not quite a smile, but not totally impolite. He was amused by her failed attempt, sure, but it didn't stop him from taking her hand when she held it out. "Of course." He pulled Leonora to her feet. "My name is Joshua, by the way. I don't believe we've ever been acquainted." And it was nice to meet her, which was rare for Josh. He usually didn't enjoy meeting new people. Circumstance was key, it seemed.
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Post by leonora on Aug 14, 2011 11:00:13 GMT -5
"Well, you're welcome to join me. Don't worry, I don't bite." she glanced at him with a grin. He seemed polite. Somehow, she was positive she had heard that voice before. So, he must've been one of the students. Then again, why wouldn't it be one of the students? Random tourists didn't really lurk around the academy grounds, now did they? She was pretty sure that non-elementals couldn't even get in. But that did leave the tourists who happened to be elementals and magically looked like staff? Yeah, not likely. Oh, oh, but how about ex-staff who just knew how to get in? Yeah, there wasn't really a reason for them to be there, right? Well, either way, she knew she had to quit thinking about it. It had gotten too random already and she knew that she would dig up something about spies in a little while.
Oh, so he was a graduate? Well, of course he was obviously a graduate. He wouldn't just go around remembering his last high school years if he was a ninth grader, she reckoned. "Senior it is." she confirmed. Even if she could see him perfectly clear at the moment, she was pretty good at catching intonations in the voices of others. Of course, this one didn't even need trained hearing. Then... maybe she was praising herself too much? Well, still, she couldn't help but be certain she had heard him somewhere before. She also had a feeling she'd seen that figure somewhere... Well, of course she had probably seen him around school, but she had that strange sense she'd seen that figure at the dorms... but, she didn't think any of the Earth students had that voice... This was actually interesting and just a little confusing. All truth be told, she was enjoying the fact she had no idea who he was. And she didn't feel bad because he had not started the conversation with something like 'Hey, Nora! What are you doing on the ground?'. Well, he had started it in a similar way, but the key sentence 'Hey,Nora!' was absent so she just figured he also had no idea who she was. This was like a little adventure, you know. Meeting someone new under an oak tree right after she so... gracefully... tumbled from the branch. Well, she hoped it didn't look too terrible. Then again, he had probably not seen it. Which would save a little humiliation. Humiliation was actually something she didn't take too seriously, to be honest. Like, back in theater, they would run around, improvise even end up acting animals in some street festival. If she could act a cow, she could also fall from a tree without starting to wheeze... if that made any sense...
"And you're probably right. I just want to find an awesome problem, you know... and while my teacher probably expects me to go about 'more peace and love'..." she began with a slight chuckle as her gaze turned back to the sky. "I just want to escape something cliche like French fries three times a week or better equipment in the chemistry lab. If that makes sense." she said in a warm friendly tone, her lips graced with a kind smile. "And yes, classmates tend to always pass. I've always wondered how the guy who has been in math class about twice a year passes... it's a real mystery... I'll look into that one on a rainy day."
"I wouldn't say fiend. This is just a bump on the road. We'll be fine in a week or so." she laughed. "Oh, I'll be fine. I'm actually used to sleeping on the ground. Usually with a softer landing, but it's more or less the same." Sure, she was a little sore. Give her a day or two she'll be fresh as a pickle again. Yes... fresh as a pickle, really. No, no, being an earthie didn't mean she had to get associated with vegetable metaphors. Just saying... and the mention of his essay actually set off her curiosity. Oh, why did he get a cool theme? So unfair. "I'll trade ya!" she replied, hope and excitement spicing her tone. Of course, by the smirk, it was clear that it was a joke but hey - she still had hope, right? She just liked the subject. The girl had looked into it ever since she got her hands on Shopenhauer. Sure, that thing was rather pessimistic but so were a lot of opinions. "No, but really I envy you. I'm a philosophy addict myself, but I'd love to get my hands on an assignment like that. Which year do we get to do that, even?" She asked, curiosity and excitement leaking from the words, really... Well, it was easy to boost her happiness with cool stuff. And with Nora, most of the stuff was cool.
"Like I said... we'll be good in a week." she gave out with a sigh and the corners of her lips still curled upward a little. And then, she could finally get up. Sure, it was a little painful but it might have been worse, she figured. Yes, always the optimism. It was now, officially, a trademark... well, it had been before but she had a feeling it had been done before and she still got that feeling. Yeah, unoriginal didn't work here. She was an artist, thank you very much. Until she found a way to make her optimism with more edge, she wouldn't trademark it. There, that was decided.
Joshua... now where had she heard that name? Glancing right at him, it took about a second and a half to place the guy. Right, he was the Joshua! Why didn't she think about this earlier? The guy who stayed in the Earth dormitories for a little while! She had heard from classmates, really. She didn't really take part in the war. She wasn't one to hurt people. So that's why she thought his voice was familiar. She had seen the guy around... and obviously, her music school origins made her pay attention to the people around. When she wasn't daydreaming... or painting... or writing... or looking through sheet music...
"Hey there..." she began with a kind smile after dusting off a little. "Well, I'm Leonora. People have gotten used to just Nora, thou." she explained. She would've continued but felt a light tap on her head, as if something had fallen on it. The girl took a step out of the cover of the majestic tree and glanced up, only to get another tap on her cheek. Rain. Well, it was merely a drizzle but this was good. "Well, Joshua. Want to see the sun cry too?" she gave out with excitement and glanced back with a cheerful smile. Oh, what if he didn't know what she was talking about? Well, if he did, it might be a little rude to explain something he was fully aware of, right?
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 14, 2011 17:16:53 GMT -5
Joshua thought about that for a moment. He'd only been planning to sit underneath the tree so that he might have some peace and some shade for studying, and so he could have a bit of forewarning about the rain before he was absolutely drenched by it. It was possible to keep oneself dry as long as you knew what was coming, at least if you were a Fire elemental that knew how to manipulate heat. It would also be possible for Water students as well he supposed--they could just dissipated the water before it touched their skin and walk around in confidence. It was also stamina draining. Still, even though his original purpose of studying along was somewhat defeated, he wasn't completely objected to the idea. "I suppose I will," he decided after a moment, nodding and even offering a smile. Joshua was indeed polite, because at the moment he was in a good mood and had no reason not to be. If Leonora had showed hostility, however, Josh would have immediately turned sour or else just stormed off to find privacy somewhere else. Instead, he sat down and said, "You may not bite, but I can't promise anything about myself." He flashed his white teeth at her in a devilish grin, but he was only kidding of course. It would be a bit creepy if one made a habit out of biting random strangers.
Nora said that she was a senior, and he nodded in response. "Thought it was one of those years," he said. "I've done loads of assignments, so I figured that one I have such memory of would have been one that I completed in a recent year." The logic made enough sense to Joshua, at least. Deciding to be a little more lenient in his explanations, Joshua added, "I'm a sophomore. College student." The last part wasn't really necessary given his height and facial features--he didn't have that childlike look to his expression any more, and he definitely wasn't short enough to be a second year high school student. It was pretty hard to tell the difference sometimes, though. Josh could have been a college senior or he might have been a high school senior, there were just too many factors in trying to guess someone's grade. So he cleared up that confusion by revealing it to her. He didn't get quite so nervous and antsy as he used to about saying silly little things like his grade, but he probably wouldn't say too much about himself. He was still secretive, even if he'd dropped the silly things.
"It seems we've found a topic on which we can agree," Josh replied. "I always liked to write about something that didn't seem too predictable. Still do, though the essays in college tend to be much more in-depth and serious." He was a Biology major of course, wanting to get into medical school and trying his hardest to line up the bases. He would have gone to Harvard if it wasn't so far away. Donovan insisted that it wasn't the school that mattered but the education you recieved, but Josh liked the glory and the bragging rights that came with things like that. You can't have everything you want, he reminded himself with a repressed sigh. Oh well. "He probably cheats," Joshua said bluntly, no filters needed in his blatant opinions. He looked down on people that cheated, hated their every existence. If you were slacking and you were going to fail, you should fail. That was what he believed. "I wouldn't put it past half the lazy idiots in this school to--" He cut himself off and drew breath. He was going to get worked into a rage over this, and he really didn't want to ruin his almost cheerful mood so soon. "My apologies," he said stiffly. "I don't believe that anyone who cheats should be allowed the same grades as the rest of us who actually work for our marks." Despite his attempts to remain civil, his gray eyes had turned cold.
Josh arched an eyebrow at Nora. "Excuse me, but... used to it?" He couldn't fathom why anyone would be used to sleeping out on the cold ground. "Why would anyone possibly be accustomed to that?" His life consisted of resting on feather-soft beds and overall living a pampered life. He'd never had a sleepover, he'd never been camping, he'd never really had to sleep on the floor before. He'd woken up on the floor once, but that was because the dog had jumped onto the bed and knocked him off it. Nora asked after the classes he was taking, and Josh chuckled softly. "It's just a class I'm taking on the side of my major," he shrugged. "I reckon you can take it as soon as you've hit college, just like I did." Psychology was a class he'd taken more out of personal interest than a desire to make anything out of his life with it. He didn't want to be a psychologist or a therapist. In fact, he'd make a terrible therapist. Josh wasn't really an empathetic person by nature.
She introduced herself, and Josh's brow furrowed slightly. Didn't he recognise that name from somewhere? Could be anyone. Hell, there could even be two Nora's. He wasn't really sure, so he just twitched his lips into a half-smile and replied, "Nora it is, then, I guess." He sometimes called people by their intended names and sometimes he used a nickname, it really just depended on the person and whether or not he liked them. Her first impressions were good, but that could always turn sour at a later date. "The... what?" The question caught him off guard, and Josh blinked in confusion. The fuck?
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Post by leonora on Aug 15, 2011 11:51:32 GMT -5
Good, he wouldn't mind keeping her company. Well, Nora didn't want to seem arrogant or anything but she did consider herself to be rather entertaining at times, if she could say so herself. Then again, perhaps this guy was the soul of a party. She really wouldn't know. Even while she knew he was in her dorms for a while, she only got elected leader after the occurring. She didn't know how it must have been to go through it all, but she knew she was thankful to Joshua for showing such a great example of friendship.. Him and Nell might even make a beautiful couple one day, she figured. the girl didn't run after boys so she took her time in observing others. Really, it turned out rather fun. She could predict the actions of some people by now, really. She just figured it was a good thing for a leader. Heck, she could feel the responsibility climbing on her shoulders, but at the same time she was happy she got to help in a ny way she could. Blueberry really loved the academy, so she found joy in aiding it in any way she could.
He coaxed a soft laugh out of her when he gave out the 'biting' remark. Oh, curse her active imagination and a particular sense of humor. Well, it was decided, she liked the guy. He seemed nice. She liked him in a friendly way, of course. She didn't take part in the 'fell in love at first sight' scenarios. No, no, her case is a long and windy way to that magical sight, thank you very much. So, he was a sophomore. She didn't expect him to be in tenth grade after making her realize he had graduated already, but she appreciated the detail. It made her think two years back even. When she was but a tenth grader. Hmm, Joshua... Joshua Dale... right, wasn't he a fire leader back then? Well, she thought it was about that time. "You didn't happen to be leader back in the day, did you?" she asked carefully, as if afraid she'd be terribly off. Well, since she was a leader now, she figured she should at least show more respect to the passed ones. She of all people should, I mean. There might just be a freak accident and some earth kiddies might start seeing her as a role model, you know. She had to be at the top of her earthy, leader game, yo!
"That's great to hear. Originality is never easy, thou. Yet it is worth it, I have to admit." she for one, always got that 'job well done' feeling after digging up something new and unpredictable. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside so she put effort in it each time. I mean, who doesn't want to feel fuzzy on the inside, right? And then came the cheating comment. It didn't take a genius to realize Josh had a light temper and the distaste for anyone trying to cheat. Well, that was good. She just hoped he wasn't going too hard about the topic. With a light smile switching out the previous surprise, she spoke: "It's alright." she reassured. "In my opinion,... people are meant to make mistakes and cheating is one. It only comes to bite them in the end, really. If not by luck, then by remorse in the end." well, she wasn't going to tell him not to dislike something. It wasn't her place to act a mother. He was free to have his opinion on anything, she only offered hers.
She laughed at the question. Oh, right, she had heard about the Dales. The guy probably didn't share a two room apartment with three other people and a cat, now did he? Sleeping on the ground or floor was not something unnatural to her at all. "Well, I spent most of my nights at the countryside, sleeping outside on the lawn and stargazing before I came to the academy. And you should see our family reunions. Also, camping was an activity me, my cousins and my godfather loved. It really isn't that unnatural to me. I guess, I can always make the grass thicker underneath." she actually saw Joshua's response a little adorable. For a moment it seemed like sleeping on the ground was something unthinkable, even. Of course, that opened a door for her imagination. This little trail of thoughts revolved around upper class people trying to go camping. Well, that really wasn't the time to be thinking of such things but she would get back to it later, she supposed.
She just gave a nod when he mentioned the class. Wow, there really wasn't that much time left, now was there? It was already the fifth month. In seven months she'll be through with high school. Oh dear, she had so much to do! But she was interested in Josh's major, so she gave a shot at finding it out. "And your major is...?" Well, yes, she attempted to find out in a rather obvious way. Hey, she was a curious person... probably not the best quality, but she couldn't help it at times. Everyone had flaws, you know. Unlike Josh, Nora would actually like to be a therapist. She would probably focus on psychology, philosophy, music and art... yep. Maybe literature too. Indeed, she was more of a creative soul than your skeptical, straight forward kid. She actually found it hard to lock away her daydreams her theories or the random urges to draw, sing or just... I don't know, jump around?
"Oh, sorry, I'll explain" she said with a light laugh. He really didn't know what she had meant. Well, that was a high possibility to be honest. The term wasn't her creation or anything, thou. She had heard her grandmother say that when Nora was but a child. Back when everything was fine and great. But you just look at that facial expression. The girl might be mistaken but she thought it to be rather cute. She found it to be a good thing yes. Once in a while, everyone should feel their guard drop in confusion. It made meeting memorable. Glancing up, she spread out her earth elemental reach and watched as more leaves sprouted, making the branches thicker and making it that much harder for rain drops to get through. and then she glanced back and explained, stepping back under the big, old oak. "It means that you can see it raining while you still, clearly see the sun rays. Like now, for example. It's sort of a... interesting sight to see the least. Very easy to explain if you look up, but odd on its own. Not one of the most common sceneries too, I have to admit. she finished with a smile, hearing the raindrops start to drum all around.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 15, 2011 13:45:49 GMT -5
The question about his former leadership surprised Joshua, especially since it had been two years ago and thus whilst he was still recognised as one of the former leaders of his element, it wasn't something that was often talked about. In fact, it was even looked upon as a negative thing by his fellow Fire elementals now. "How could anyone like Dale ever have led us? What a dirty traitor." The comments were becoming much more commonplace now, and it was sad to say that he was almost getting used to them. However, he sensed that Leonora was only asking out of innocent curiosity, so he paused before replying, "Yes, I was." He suppressed a sigh and ran a hand through the back of his jet black hair. "In my final year of high school." He wished he could have remarked on how great it had been and how flattered he was that he'd been chosen, but he hadn't felt anything like that. He'd been shocked, then bitter as he realised what they were expecting of him. A tyrant that would put the other elements in their place through sheer terror. However, Joshua hadn't been like that at all. Remembering the recent announcement involving leadership changes as was custom after any war, he recalled, "They made you Earth leader, didn't they? Congratulations." She wasn't the only leader, just as Joshua had a partner of his own 'back in the day', but his congratulatory words were genuine. He liked the Earth elementals. They were better company than his kind.
It seemed they had vastly different opinions on cheating. Nora said something about being made to make mistakes, and Joshua most definitely disagreed. He was opinionated and almost opened his mouth to vehemently argue his point before he realised that fighting over something so trivial would have been stupid. The Fire graduate drew a slow breath. "Except that they don't suffer for it," he said. "What is there to regret when they're awarded the best marks and get off scott free when it comes to actual punishment for cheating?" His lips were twisted into an unhappy scowl. Joshua hated cheating, hated it. For someone that worked hard every day for their marks and tried his best to keep his grades in the green, it seemed absolutely monstrous for someone to just step in and steal the glory. "They don't even earn the praise they get," the boy spat. "I spend hours in the library to get the marks that I do and they probably get just as much recognition." His breathing had become heavier as the frustration overtook him, and there was indeed a subtle heat that was starting to spread out around him. Silencing himself from the rant, Joshua glowered. "They can make all the mistakes they want, I won't ever condone them."
He was still somewhat seething by the time she explained the whole thing about camping and the countryside to him, so Joshua's response was only a simple, "Oh." It wasn't that the boy thought her boring or mundane or anything, he was just too frustrated to give much thought toward the situation. Her presumptions about his family were somewhat true, however. Annabel had been camping with a few of her friends from school, but it wasn't an activity Joshua had ever before enjoyed. Other than that, it wasn't something that he even found fun in theory. Sitting around a fire and singing? No thank you, he'd rather be at home in the comfort of the indoors reading his book. Sleeping in a tent? He could just pull the curtains around his bed and pretend he was in a tent, which eliminated all of the outside dangers that camping involved. Then there was the worst part--going to the bathroom outside. Joshua had been taught that it was absolutely not okay in any circumstance. Bathrooms existed for a reason. So it wasn't something he could ever see himself doing. Still, at least it explained why she didn't mind sleeping outside.
She asked after his major, then, and at least the topic was moving toward something he was more comfortable talking about. "Biology," he replied without hesitation. He didn't go into detail about why this was his major, whether or not he actually liked the subject, or what he planned to do about it. "Why? Are you planning for college?" It was simply a filler question to keep the conversation going. Joshua wasn't in the most talkative of moods at the moment, not since his temper had flared up and consumed his overall cheeriness. It was quite easy to foul a good mood when you were around Joshua, and sometimes it didn't even have to be your own fault. It was Josh that had suggested cheating, Joshua who had worked himself into a rage about it and went into a rant involving why it angered him and what he believed should happen to those that did cheat. He wasn't upset with Nora, even though he was glowering and she might get the wrong idea that some of this had been her own fault. A lot of people misjudged his anger and the reasons for it, after all. Father suggested that he should get help for his rage and some sort of coping mechanism to help him calm down, but he might as well have suggested his son go jump off a bridge. Joshua didn't need help, not in his opinion. That had been the end of it.
Leonora explained what she'd meant, and even though Joshua didn't really understand why the hell they called it the sun crying, he nodded slightly. "Where I come from we call it raining," he remarked with a bit of a frown. He wasn't trying to insult her, he was just being Joshua and this was how Josh behaved. He was blunt and he was honest, he didn't like to change his views to accommodate outside of his own little beliefs, and that was that. Josh liked the rain as long as it didn't drench him, so while the boy left the study notes sitting under the shade of the tree, he left the comfort himself for a moment in order to stand under the sky and glance up at the clouds. He didn't know about the sun crying, but it felt cold against his skin as the droplets attacked. He liked the scent of the rain, too, and he enjoyed it for a moment before he ducked back under the tree. "How long do you plan on staying out here?" he asked Nora, lying in the grass and huffing a breath from his lungs.
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Post by leonora on Aug 15, 2011 15:29:26 GMT -5
Oh, so she was right! She had a feeling that she had heard the name before the war, too. So he was the fire leader after all. Right, she had heard something of the sort at her tenth grade, she was sure. She just couldn't pinpoint all of the leaders before. Now that she looked at the guy - certainly. She just knew the facial features and such. Sure, Nora had never really gotten the chance to communicate with a ton of fire students. Actually, it was advised not to by her own leader at the time. No matter how weird that was coming from a bunch of nice flower kids, she still listened to her superior. She couldn't even do a thing with her abilities back then. Running around and hugging fire students was not a good idea, no matter how friendly she was. I mean, she went in the same grade with Asha Woods. While she disliked no one, she wasn't the person to go and poke the feisty girl with a stick, if you know what I mean. And then, there came the congratulation. Honestly, she wasn't used to getting congratulated. She usually wasn't. "Oh, well.. thanks" she gave out, glancing down, a light blush playing across her cheeks as she played with her fingers. Well, there, she was modest! Ha! A shocker, wasn't it? Well, that was the case. I think her case went under the low-confidence thing as well, but let's just go with modest for the time being. " I just hope I don't let them down in any way or anything..."
Well, she wouldn't back up her own words or anything. Obviously, he was pissed off by anyone who attempted to cheat. Hey, she could respect that, you know. The girl rarely tried to prove someone they were being silly or wrong, or even overreacting a little. Nora never liked to put pressure on anyone too much. She had to do it at times and as a leader she would encounter it, but she didn't really enjoy it. She believed that there wasn't the 'right' opinion in any situation. There was her opinion and the opinion of another. Who was she to be certain someone else was anything but right? Indeed, she didn't have that authority and she thought of it as a little unfair to anyone. They were all human.. well, some with special abilities, but human nonetheless. The girl wasn't religious. She was down with her really, really, really great grandma being an ape. And a fish before that. She believed in science but that still didn't give her the right to doubt any religion, right? Right. So, the girl just didn't bother to teach someone else what to think. She usually just offered her opinion. Either they listened or not was up to others.
Oh?... well, that meant he understood, right? She hoped. Maybe, she had said something unclear? Hey, you could never know which parts were getting picked up by the other end. She should know. Dazing off to daydream was an action she took quite frequently, to be frank. Just as she couldn't help but start wondering if that spark of anger was her fault in any way. Perhaps, if she would've let it slide in the first place, it would've been fine? She wouldn't know, really. And it's not like she could just ask the guy something along the lines of 'Hey, did I piss you off, dude?' I mean, that would just be odd. She was a leader now. She had to seem polite and awesome when it came to other elements, really. The two weren't good friends(yet) so she could act as randomly as she would act when she were with some people. Well she could but that usually ended with newly accustomed people thinking of her as a wacko... or just someone really, really odd. Yeah, the role model thing now stood in the way of that. She had to be one of the cool kids, you know? The thought actually made her smirk just a little.
"Oh? So I'm guessing you'll be trying to become a brain surgeon or find a cure for cancer?" she gave a light chuckle only because she sounded too excited by saying that. "I've always found Biology awesome.. too bad the subject doesn't really talk back to me." she said with a sigh. She just assumed he'd want to become a doctor of some sort. Well... it was what most of the kids dreamed of... well, their parents, really. You know, how in the American movies? The lines like 'Our boy - the surgeon! (cue cheering)' or stuff like 'He could've become a doctor, but Nooo!'. Yes, all of that had been heard in movies before. As for his question. "Well, College is only about seven months away, after all. I've decided on staying here, so I was just weighing my options as to what I'd be good at." she gave out with a smile.
A chuckle followed after his realization. He was right, honestly. Still, it seemed interesting how the scenery was still colored in shades of crimson and orange while it was raining. It was unusual. And it was beautiful. "You're absolutely right, Joshua. But you have to admit it looks interesting, right?" that last part came out more hopefully than expected. She went over to pick up her notebook and the stray pencil, only to sit down and rest her back against the bark. "For a little while. Rain has a way of giving inspiration. Perhaps my amazing essay theme will drop out of the sky. Also, I'd much rather savor the scene while I can... it really doesn't happen often." she answered, her lips still holding a warm smile. "I can... grow you something to use as an umbrella in case you get bored, Joshua." she gave out with a light laugh.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Aug 15, 2011 19:05:55 GMT -5
Joshua pressed his lips together in a frown when she immediately assumed that biology meant he wanted to become a doctor. Did she know anything about the subject at all? After all, medical school wasn't the only option for biology graduates. "Why would you immediately assume that?" It didn't really bother him, he was just a little uncomfortable with stereotypes. "I don't know about finding the cure for cancer, but..." He trailed off, then gave a bit of a non-committal shrug. He was a little uncomfortable discussing his future with someone that he'd just met five minutes ago. If you were friends with the boy he could go on and on about his dreams and plans for the future, but if you weren't very well acquainted then talking about anything particularly personal made him immediately want to shut down and back out. Not only that, but Joshua was stepping into the medical field with a great deal of uncertainty riding on his back. He didn't know what field he wanted to go into, he didn't know what he wanted to study. He wanted to become a doctor because Donovan was a doctor, and maybe if his son followed in his footsteps the man would finally have the decency to turn around and say, "I'm proud of you." It seemed like a very bleak hope, but it was there.
He nodded when Nora answered his question about college. That made sense, as it was what almost all of the twelfth grades did in the midway point of the year. It was a bit hard to ignore your upcoming graduation when the professors brought in career counsellors and the like to talk to the students. Stoic and independent Joshua hadn't even considered meeting with one of them. "I know what I want to do," he had told his professor with some conviction, "and I know how to do it. Please, leave me be." The woman had been confused as to why one of her brightest students wouldn't take such an opportunity, but she'd respected his wishes and hadn't pushed the subject. "Pick something that involves your best subject," he shrugged. Alright, so maybe that wasn't the best or most interesting advice, but he wasn't in one of his philosophical moods where he could come up with something inspiring. Plus, he didn't like things to be cheesy, this wasn't a dairy farm. He figured that his words only made sense--if you were good at something, that meant you'd be quite adept in a profession that involved it, right? That was Joshua's thought process, anyway.
"Never said it wasn't nice," Joshua pointed out. As mentioned before, he liked the rain. He might have been afraid of drowning, but there was no fear of the droplets that showered down from the clouds. There was something cleansing about the rain, about the way everything looked and smelled after a fresh downpour. Of course, he wasn't going to say all of this aloud because Joshua didn't get sentimental and involved about things like that. Not to other people, at least. "What do you mean it doesn't happen often?" He sounded incredulous, shaking his head slightly in disbelief. Was Nora blind or something? "It never stops raining in the spring." That was his favourite season, spring. Not only because it rained a lot, but because it marked the end of winter and the beginning of three perfect, snowless seasons. He didn't understand the people who liked the snow. It was pretty for about a second until you realised that it was wet, freezing, and that its presence killed everything around it. Yeah, it wasn't such a pretty season to Josh. Hell, to each their own.
Sitting up, Joshua shook his head once at her proposition. "I'm good," he said by way of refusal. "As entertaining as an Earth umbrella might be, I'm not ready to head back to the Academy." He watched the rain cascade in freezing waves of droplets outside of their leafy canopy. Yeah, he was pretty glad that he was under the safety of this tree right now even if he did enjoy the rain. Enjoying it didn't mean he wanted to be soaked through to the skin and contracting a cold by the time exams came up. No thank you. "Besides, I have my own protection from the rain." A slight smirk played his lips as Joshua concentrated on his powers and then released. A wave of heat that shimmered like the desert air blasted outward in a half-circle, searing a path through the rain for a moment and heating the area. The picture was ruined as the droplets fell amongst the dry area and shattered the illusion, but it had been cool for a moment. He felt a bit of a drain, but it was nothing substantial. "I could keep myself dry if I really wanted to." He had no intentions of leaving just yet, however, and so he rearranged his notes and picked up a pencil to get back to work.
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