& I SEE MY IMPERFECTIONS , (tagged; ara)

Sometimes Ashton understood why war caused so many people to resign in their leader positions. It was a difficult thing to be dealing with when you were just an ordinary student with your ordinary problems but it got even more insane and difficult to deal with when you were responsible for your own injuries as well as those of an entire element. He had thought about resigning after the war himself on a couple of days where it had gotten really bad but in the end usually came to the same conclusion--he couldn't do that to his fellow Earth elementals. After he'd handle his temporary position so well during the first war they'd asked him to step up as a real leader and he felt that to renounce his position after all of that would be letting them down in some way. So instead he swept his emerald-coloured gaze around the room to seek out his companions and make sure that no one else in the place was giving them trouble. The leaders were meant to keep the peace and that was still on his mind even though he was here for an injury of his own. It was always going to be on his mind.

He was so busy concentrating on his thoughts about the war and the Earth element that he did not notice anyone approaching or hear any sort of footsteps. In fact, he had no idea Aramina was there at all until he felt the tap on his shoulder and heard a voice nearby. He was not someone that reacted with violence to his surprise but he did jump visibly and spin around in surprise, hand immediately going to his chest as his heart picked up speed. His eyes registered her familiar appearance before his ears could recognise the sound of her approach and a weak laugh brushed past his lips. "Ara," he said, not sounding angry at all as he sighed in relief. "You gave me a fright, there!" It was a lucky thing that Ashton was by nature such a friendly and relaxed person. Taking a Fire or Thunder elemental by surprise probably wouldn't have netted the best reaction. Heck, even some of his own side could be prone to accidental violence when you caught them off guard. Ashton usually was not. A few of the Earths had turned their attention toward their leader when they caught the movement but as there seemed to be no danger everything went back to normal after a few seconds.

Ash smiled at her despite the fact that he was in pain, but it was that sort of smile that one produced at the sickbed of a friend. He figured that she was not here because she fancied a look at all the medical diagrams and cold-and-flu tip charts hanging on the walls. "Did they get you, too?" He didn't freak her out by showing her the bad burn on his side, unaware that she already knew about it anyway. He would have asked a generic question like 'so how are you?' but that was a pretty stupid thing to inquire in the event of a war. Especially when you were meeting up with your friend in a place as grim as the medical wing. 'Oh, I'm fine, just a couple teeth knocked out and missing a finger. You?' Yeah, he wasn't going to take that route. Instead, he said, "This place is really hectic during wars. Sucks we had to run into one another here of all places, eh?"

When Ashton detected the slightly sad hint to Ara's tone he immediately waved his hands in an attempt to dismiss her worries. He didn't want her to think that she'd hurt or offended him in some way, he was just a jumpy guy--especially with the whole war that they had going on. "No, no, I'm okay," he said with a chuckle and a bit of a smile. "Just a bit on edge, is all." It made perfect sense for someone to be on edge during the war, too. Sometimes he wondered what it was like to take part in a real war. The Academy's wars caused a lot of injuries and could often make or break friendships as Alliances split the school down the middle but there were hardly ever any deaths. There had apparently been a few in the past chalked up to 'elemental accidents', though. A classmate of his swore that a few of them were due to wars but Ashton wasn't sure he could believe him. Not even the Fire elementals usually aimed to kill, but then again, with the way they'd all treated Nell the first time around could they really be trusted? It made his head hurt to think about it and thus he tried not to over-analyse. They'd just need to power through this war like they'd gotten through all those before and the new year would bring a fresh start. Usually the removal of the graduating leaders and a lot of the bitter senior students calmed things and he hoped it would happen this year, too.

He gave his friend--he considered her a friend, anyway, he built friendships with lightning speed if the other party were agreeable--a sympathetic and sad smile when she explained how they'd attacked her. For someone like Ashton who was very empathetic and hated to see anyone in pain, let alone people he got along with, wars were a hard thing to deal with. However, there was a reason that the guy was the Earth leader. He was made of a tougher substance than one might have imagined and he could handle the pressure a lot better than even he'd have thought himself capable of. "That's harsh," he said, the sympathy showing through in his tone. "Have you... taken sides, yet?" It was proposed somewhat awkwardly because as the Earth leader he felt a little biased. It was obvious that she wasn't with the Fire group if they were making her a target but if she was neutral he really didn't want her to feel pressured. "I just mean that... well, sometimes it helps to have people looking out for you," he amended a little awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. If Ara was true neutral he didn't know if he could bring himself to turn on her. I'd have to though, wouldn't I? he acknowledged sadly. I'm a leader, I don't have a choice.

The Earth leader nodded his agreement as Aramina brought up a very good point. He gave a minute shudder as he considered the prospect of not having a medical wing in times of war at the Academy, quickly thanking whomever was responsible for running and staffing the place in his mind. "It would devastate the Academy otherwise," he mused gravely. The conversation was grim and he felt a little bad for keeping the mood so dark but during wars there was never much of a choice. What could you talk about except the dreary clouds of war that hung over your head? It was hard for even the optimists like Ashton himself. "Are your injuries very serious?" he asked, knowing that there was a pretty lengthy waiting list for treatment since the wing was so full. "I'd switch spots with you if you want." That was Ash for you, always putting others before himself.

[My muse is on a roll this morning o.o]

Ashton smiled reassuringly at her words, though the smile faltered a moment later when he saw that she seemed down. He assumed that it was just lingering feelings of doubt and guilt for the fact that he was hurt, not realising that something else might be up. Ashton was not an idiot but he was also not the most perceptive. He didn't jump to negative conclusions easily because he wanted to believe the best in everyone and everything. "Are you okay?" he questioned, the worry saturating his voice. He hated it when friends were upset, especially when he didn't know why and thus didn't know how to help them. He felt like this was somehow his fault (of course) and so his brows pulled together as he said, "I'm really okay, you know, if that's what this is about." He smiled again, the gesture contrasting for a moment with the concern in the rest of his expression. I wonder what she's thinking?

Though he was not supposed to be biased or try and hoodwink his friends into being on the same side as he was, that did not mean he was not relieved as Aramina said that she was on his side. This was betrayed by the soft laugh that brushed past his lips. Thank god. If he'd had to fight her it likely would have put a bit of a strain on their friendship. He likely would have used the excuse that the medical wing was safe grounds in order to get out of confrontation but it would have meant the end to the friendship at least until the war was over. He didn't want that. He wanted to stay friends with the people he cared for, not cut ties just because of this war. "That's good to hear," he said earnestly. "Aside from the war, how have you been lately?" He felt it was only fair to inquire how she was doing in general rather than just fussing over this whole thing about the war. Peoples lives didn't go on hold just because fighting had broken out at school and he knew that. His mother was still writing her book, his father still went to work every day, Ashton was still looking for a job to save up college money...

He returned her smile and nodded. If she was sure, he wasn't going to force her. Though he definitely put his friends before himself that didn't mean he was an absolute idiot or that he was pushy. Besides, the burn on his side did hurt. He wished he had a friend that was a Fire student. They could apparently heal injuries that were inflicted by the flames. It was the same with Thunder elementals and burns. No Thunder or Fire would want to be friends with our kind. Well, there was Asha, but that hadn't exactly worked out, had it? And Nell had that boyfriend of hers but Ashton didn't know him well, either. "It's hard to believe they're still holding the dance and graduation after all this," he chuckled. "There'll be a lot of new leaders in the new year. Maybe that'll help things." He didn't know whether or not he'd still be leader in the new year. He was eligible but would his element elect him again? There were no 'tryouts' for leader, it just happened to be the choice of the element themselves.

Ashton nodded and followed her gaze, emerald eyes settling on the person in question. He was just wondering what this guy had to do with the situation at all when she explained that she had seen him when she was attacked. Though he was not an angry person or anyone violent by nature, he still felt a sweeping sense of distaste toward the boy. "You mean you think he attacked you?" He wasn't going to leap for the guy and start wailing on him in the middle of the Wing, of course. He wouldn't even try to get the guy alone later and attack him. However, if this boy decided to give Aramina trouble again, well, she had allies behind her now. That was the great thing about the alliances. They caused a lot of problems sometimes but it was nice to know that there were a group of people that really had your back during times of need. "If he gives you trouble again, you know who to call," he said with a bit of a smile, turning his gaze away from the boy and back to his friend. "As long as you're with us, our alliance'll be there for you." Given that he was the Earth leader, he could really promise that sort of thing. Some people were wary about trusting the Winds but Aramina had his complete and total trust. Sometimes Ashton was a little too trusting but he always allowed people the benefit of the doubt until they gave him reason to think otherwise.

He nodded in agreement -- no matter who you were or what element you were in, the war was time consuming. It was sometimes a pain to get up in the morning with the knowledge that he was going to have to deal with Earth Elemental Issues 101 instead of whatever homework he had for the day. He loved being there for his element but wars complicated things. "There's been a lot of the same on my end," he said. He'd been flagging behind on his work again and with exams so close he was admittedly panicking about studies as well. He just hoped that luck would carry him into the next year without too much of an issue. He couldn't imagine the lecture he'd get from his parents if he really stressed out and ended up failing because of this war business. "Oh, and I'm going to the dance with a friend of mine," he said with a fond smile. He really did see her as 'just a friend' but that didn't mean he wasn't looking forward to it. He was glad that he could do Hannoly a favour. No one liked to show up to the dance alone. Aramina's in tenth grade. I wonder if she's got a boyfriend old enough to take her? He considered asking and chuckled. "Do you plan on going? I know you're not a junior or senior yet, but..." He trailed off with a cheeky but joking grin.

He was surprised to hear her opinion about being a leader. He knew that there were a lot of people who thought it would be interesting but he hadn't pegged Aramina as the overly ambitious type. Then again, neither was he. His element had elected him temporarily in place of their original election who had gotten hit by a bus and hospitalized in the beginning of the year. That boy hadn't been up to leading once he'd recovered and things had just went from there. He didn't regret the decision to say yes but he'd never really thought about being a leader until the position had been thrust upon him. Maybe that was for the better. It never went to his head this way. He didn't have an ego of which to speak. Ara didn't seem to have one either. "It has its ups and downs," he replied honestly. "I do like it, though. It's nice to know my element trusts me like that." He'd always been good at socializing and making friends even before he'd come to the Academy but that didn't mean he was unappreciative of the trust that the Earths showed in him. He considered most of them his friends, after all.

Ashton's green eyes lit up with an amused sort of curiosity. "Does this guy have a name?" It was friendly teasing when it came from Ashton, not actually meaning to fluster or embarrass anyone. He liked to see his friends cheerful no matter how new they were to a friendship with him and if that meant supporting them through crushes and love interests alike then so be it. Besides, he was curious as to whether he was acquainted with the guy that she liked. "Best of luck on getting to go next year, though," he said sincerely. Even though he teased and trolled a lot for the sake of good sport and a laugh to go along with it he really did mean it when he wished his friends the best. He wondered briefly whether he'd have a date for the prom next year. Would he have gone with Asha if it had worked out better? Ah, of course. He finally thinks that he's over the fiesty Fire and the memories assault him again. Relationships were hard for Ashton, break-ups were hard, so he hoped that Ara's love life worked out a hell of a lot better than his own. He might have had a lot of experience in the dating field—some good, some bad—but that didn't mean he was necessarily 'good' at being in a romantic situation. Quite the opposite if he were to be honest. He hadn't a clue what he was doing half the time.

He tilted his head a little as he regarded the Wind elemental curiously. So she really does want to be a leader, huh? He wondered what it felt like to be that self-assured, to have that kind of confidence in yourself. He wasn't particularly low on self-esteem but he also didn't have enough of it to really propel himself forward. He felt the usual and harrowing anxieties when trying new things, always concerned that he was going to mess up in some way and have no way of fixing things. It was ironic that an optimist could worry so much when it came to his own life and experiences but he couldn't help that he didn't have much of them. He was still very much a greenhorn in the world. A lot of people had experienced death and tragedy—all Ashton had to speak of was a lot of crash-and-burn romance. Still, even though he couldn't share her ambition he did respect and even admire it. "Do you know a lot of people in your element? That helps." His tone was thoughtful and expression serious. "I wish I had more advice to give but really my election was random. I stood in for a while and just took over when our old hand didn't come back." Ashton shrugged and offered an apologetic grin. He knew it wasn't much in terms of helping out but hey, anything counted, right?

Shifting his position slightly, the conversation had taken his mind off the burns until the sudden movement caused a searing pain in his side. A few curse words of which his mother would have been ashamed hissed past his gritted teeth and his eyes watered for a moment before it died down to more of a dull burn as opposed to a searing agony. "Well, that was stupid," he stated with a weak sort of laugh, hoping to inject some humour into the situation and dispel any sort of worry. Damn, did it ever hurt. He was anxious for the waiting list to go down so that he could get it treated but he would never ask for a sooner spot in line. As a leader he likely could have pulled such a favour but he was too selfish. He'd be more likely to do exactly the opposite—had tried to, actually, when offering Aramina his spot on the list. To avoid thinking about the pain he once again grasped the topic of their conversation. "Why do you want to be a leader? I'm honestly interested." He liked being a leader and could understand the want now that he knew what it was like, but surely she had no experience, right?