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Post by ASHTON CAMDEN RALEIGH on Jan 4, 2012 15:00:53 GMT -5
The gardens were a paradise bordered by winterscape. Plants were not meant to thrive in the snow and cold but the graduates defied all logic by showcasing their favourite flowers and foliage year-round. There were maple trees in full autumn red with not a leaf on the ground, towering shrubs and brilliantly coloured roses winding their way around artful trelliswork. The fragrant and familiar perfume smell hung heavy in the air and it looked as if a Fire elemental had been through and cleared the pathways, keeping it warm. Not all of them are bad. It was a world-weary thought. Asha had broken his heart but he still couldn't believe that every Fire student was a sour grape. He would not befriend them or indeed ever chance a relationship with one again but he could not pass them off as the definition of evil. Evil was murder and violence and hate. Evil was genocide, torture and sadism. Evil was not the alliances. They could be a vicious structure with politics in play but it was not what he considered evil. He did not appreciate the way Fire and Thunders both seemed to have a penchant for violence but they were, at least, not serial killers or rapists or indeed anything of the sort. They were just cutthroat high-schoolers and above.
Shaking his head to dispel the thought, Ashton smile and touched his fingers to the petal of a soft blue lily. It was not the flower's natural colour but the work of the one who'd crafted it could have surely convinced one less knowledgeable. Ashton admired the plant until he heard a soft giggle nearby, at which point he jerked his hand back in surprise and whirled around. "Oh!" he exclaimed, reddening. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." The older elemental was leaning against the trunk of a tree, her long brown trusses tickling her face. "Did you...?" He gestured to the lily and then to the large birch whose trunk extended quite a ways above their heads. She nodded and stuck out her hand. "Amanda," she introduced herself. "Ashton," he returned, shaking it. "Your work is really admirable," he admitted. He was not shy but his voice was soft as he smiled at her. He always enjoyed complimenting people on their work. It boosted the confidence, he believed, and that was something that couldn't go wrong unless in the case of egomaniacs.
"Here," she said. "Let me show you a few things."
Half an hour later found Ashton sitting on an all-natural bench crafted of thick, intertwining branches. It created a weaved pattern and quite a comfortable seating area. They had slaved over it for the past little white, adding finishing touches and trying to get it just right. Ashton had discovered that he was four years below her, Amanda in her final year of college, and so mostly he'd just watched and listened to what she was saying. He wouldn't be able to command the earth so easily as she for years, but it was at least something he could aspire to. A vine created by Ashton's slow and arduous manipulation wound its way through some of the cracks and then sprouted a multitude of small flowers, finally finishing the piece. "See? You're not all bad." Her words were encouraging and he was warmed by the thought. She had to leave then, unfortunately, but he was alright with that. "Nice meeting you," said the rather friendly Earth. Speaking of friendly, he did not much fancy being alone and so it was not unlike him to seek out company.
Glancing around the area, Ashton was slightly tired from the efforts of bench-crafting—I didn't even do that much, I'd kill to have her stamina—and reluctant to leave the creation. He would have normally gotten up and wandered around until he spotted someone that looked amiable, but as it were he remained where he was and just waited until someone came into view. When he was finally greeted with someone within hearing distance, he gave them a wave and a friendly grin. He liked to come off as nice without being frightening. Not everyone was sociable here, after all. "Hey, there," he called. "What are you up to?"
[Had him start dialogue so you have something to work off~]
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Post by nerine on Jan 4, 2012 17:53:29 GMT -5
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Nerine always admired nature in it's natural environment. She loved the gardens, no matter what the season. Given, these trees and flowers were tended by the earth elementals and always kept up to their pristine and beautiful colors. She admired it even then, cause hey: the earth elementals share a love for nature as she does. Her mother always said that if Nerine wasn't a water elemental, she would probably have been an earth elemental. She loved the rain and snow, loved starry nights, and loved nature. It's almost as if she was connected to it, like a child to it's mother, or a fat kid to his cake. Speaking of cake, Nerine had just finished baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and they were still warm on her plate. Earlier, she had noticed a few elementals tending the gardens and even making benches! So, she got the idea to bake cookies for them, and hopefully she could see how it's done. She had strapped on her apron and started to create these cookies, and made about 20 of them. She didn't know how many students there were working outside, but it couldn't have been many. So, due to her nature, she just baked a few extra... Just incase a few cute boys walked her way.
Walking down the pathways always made her smile. She admired the flowers and noted the fruity and fresh fragrance. Inhaling, she smelled the amazing aroma and winter's chill at the same time. Being a somewhat chilly day, she wore her uggs, skinny jeans, an over-sized pink shirt, and a really pretty jade green scarf she received from her mother on her birthday. She admired it, and it was really warm too! The cookies also felt warm on the tray as she held it in her hands. Baking, a passion of hers, was always therapeutic. Since she only bakes when shes in a fantastic mood, her confections usually turned out quite delicious and note-worthy, at least her peers said so. She was particularly happy with her cookies today, because she did add a pinch or two of cinnamon into the batter, and that makes the cookie seem even more warm when it slides down one's throat. Hopefully, someone who would like one notices, and comments on her creation. Oh, how she loved hearing compliments about her cooking! Hopefully there were no fire or thunder elementals though... She doesn't want them taking more than one, as erratic as they can be.
However, wherever she walked, it was silent and lonely. It was just a deserted paradise: quite odd if she does say so herself. However, she noticed one of the boys that was making the bench over by her and felt glad that he was still there. If anything he can eat all 20 of her cookies, and that'll be the end of it. Suddenly, she realized that she was way closer to him than she thought he was, and suddenly blushed. He wasn't any normal earth elemental, but a really cute one. He had gorgeous eyes, nice hair, a very nice body, and was quite the hard worker. She had noticed him around school, but never really got to talk to him before. Suddenly, he greeted her and was friendly towards her. She looked around, and noticed that he was actually talking to her... She blushed and smiled, replying. "Hey there! I saw you making a bench earlier and... I decided to make you some cookies, for all your hard work in the garden... and all..." Her voice kind of trailed off as she just stared into his eyes, almost mesmerized. Of course, someone that cute has got to have a girlfriend or something, but who really cares. If he does, she'll move on.
She lifted up the cloth to reveal warm, almost steaming chocolate chip cookies. In this cold weather, how can you refuse such a delicious offer? The slight hint of cinnamon made it almost too mouth watering to deny one. "Take a few, I made them myself." She stuck out her plate and smiled, the cold weather and hot cookies making a small trail of steam off them. "Do you mind if I sit down with you?"
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Post by ASHTON CAMDEN RALEIGH on Jan 4, 2012 21:16:33 GMT -5
Ashton was relatively baffled by the fact that the girl had actually come over to talk to him, having assumed that she was just another person wandering the gardens aimlessly as he had been before he ran into Amanda. It did not provoke a hostile emotion, however, more like a cheerful one. He enjoyed compliments and friendliness. He didn't want to take credit for something that had mostly been the work of the graduate and so he said, "Oh, a lot of that was Mandy's doing. I just helped out a little." The older Earth had insisted upon the nickname shortly after they'd been acquainted, insisting that it was what friends called her. He himself was a very amiable and could make friends in minutes so it hadn't made him uncomfortable in the least. He had befriended Nell in the space of a day. It hurt to think of his former friendship with the girl but his decision to stop talking to her had been a solid one. He couldn't associate himself with a murderer, even an acquitted one. He'd already proved to himself that he was bad at judging people.
Though this gullibility was bad for him, Ash just couldn't help but enjoy talking to new people. He offered the girl a broad grin when she held out the cookies. "Really? That's so nice, thanks!" He liked to believe the good in people and so was less shocked and more grateful for her random act of kindness. Ashton was completely oblivious to the fact that she found him attractive, having stubbornly friend-zoned everyone since the end to his last relationship. She'd been a Fire, a real beauty, but she'd also been a liar and had abandoned him. Broken promises. He didn't want it to happen again. His relationships were mostly of the failed variety—sometimes it was his fault, sometimes the girls', sometimes it was mutual. Whatever the case, he was sick of it. He didn't even realise it as she stared into his eyes, their green depths completely naive and light. Biting into a cookie, he was taken aback by how good it tasted. He hadn't eaten anything homemade in a while since his family had just made the move to the Hollow from Vancouver and they were tight on funds while making repairs and such to their house. "This is so good!" he enthused.
Never one to turn down the chance for a chat, especially not one he'd technically initiated, Ashton scooted over on the bench and gestured to the empty space. "Suit yourself!" he said. "Or should I say... seat yourself." Ashton ducked his head and shook it at his own corniness. Sometimes he couldn't help cracking even the most ridiculous of jokes. They might have been cheesy but if he could make a friend laugh then it was all worth it in the end. Ash often had jokes cracked at his expense but he was a good sport about those sorts of things. "I'm sorry, that was terrible," he apologised, chuckling slightly. Realising that neither knew the other's name, he gave a bit of a start. "Oh! I'm Ashton, by the way!" He was known around the school as the Earth leader by quite a few people. Leadership did that to you. A few years ago he'd just been a friendly but insignificant pawn in the elemental politics and now he was in the midst of all the bickering leaders and their differing views. It could be stressful at times but the bright grin on his face suggested he was handling it well. "You know, I think I've seen you around," he said thoughtfully. "Don't we have some classes together?" He'd never spoken to her personally, if she was indeed the fellow twelfth grader he assumed.
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Post by nerine on Jan 4, 2012 21:33:21 GMT -5
--------------- Nerine smiled as he took a cookie and enjoyed himself. How wonderful it was to have someone appreciate her cooking. It reminded her of how the people in her baking classes always commented on the quality of her cooking. Despite being younger than most of them, her skill in the arts of baking were high. I mean come on, it was her passion, and people who have a passion for something are usually good at it. At least, if they practice. As he smiled and devoured his cookie, she took one herself, looked at it plainly, and took a bite. The warm, sugary sensation started to take over as she closed her eyes and nommed (yes, nommed) on the delicious cookie. She looked at him, less in admiration, but more in friendship as she smiled, a chocolate chip in her tooth in which it made her look dentally unhygienic. His friendly gesture to take a seat was kind, as she slowly sat down, still smiling as she saw her breath when she exhaled.
"Thanks! I made these just for you and Mandy, but I can't find her now... So, your name is Ashton? You're the leader of the Earth Elementals aren't you? I've heard so much about you! It must be hard being a leader and all..."[/b] She said that in concern, almost as if he's been working too hard. She looked to the left and right, and saw no one in sight, and dared she do it? Dare she? Perhaps... Maybe in a bit. "My name is Nerine. We had Defensive Arts together last year, and this year too." Hopefully he would recognize her as the top of the class in defensive techniques. Of course, if he knew that, then he would know that she also sucked at hurting people. It just wasn't in her nature to harm, but play around isn't such a big deal. Anyways, she finished her cookie in one bite, giggling as a few crumbs fell into her lap. Chewing slowly, she looked around and swallowed, chocolate still on her teeth. "So Ashton, what's it like being the leader of the Earth Elementals? I assume it's really stressful and hard, but I am sure you know how to handle it." She was trying to strike up conversation, and try to get to know him better as a student and leader. She wasn't sucking up, but more like getting to know the authorities around campus. She smiled yet again, revealing the hideous chocolate stain on her teeth. Hopefully it wasn't enough to make Ashton laugh, but if it is, then Nerine might find it offensive if she didn't know what was going on. [/size] |
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Post by ASHTON CAMDEN RALEIGH on Jan 5, 2012 17:21:36 GMT -5
It was such a sweet gesture to bake an entire batch of cookies for two people you didn't even know that Ashton could already tell he was going to like Nerine. He appreciated people with goodness in their hearts and unfortunately for Ash he tended to trust them a bit too much as well. His split-second of misgivings thanks to what happened with Asha and Nell was already in the past and now he was viewing the Water as a friendly person whom he'd love getting to know. It was one of his nicest qualities and most detrimental flaws when people took notice of it and decided to manipulate him. He was easily duped into things. "I think she said she was going to meet a friend," he said, in regards to Amanda. "It's a shame. Your baking is really delicious, I'm sure she'd have liked it." He was hardly an expert in the culinary arts and so he couldn't identify the cinnamon but that hardly mattered. He liked it either way and he wasn't just saying that to placate her. "Maybe you could run into her later? She mentioned a class in the gardens later in the day." It might have been a bad idea to give out a detail like that about someone else to a person he'd just meant but he didn't consider the possible consequences. He tended to be blind in his willingness to believe in a person. Nerine seemed perfectly genuine and so he told her.
He nodded in confirmation and offered a broad grin. "That's me, Ashton Raleigh." He liked the fact that the Earth elementals had kept him as their leader even though last year's election had only been because their first candidate had been in an accident. Richard had been one of the really cool, funny guys that everyone looked up to. Ashton had known him as a good acquaintance and had agreed with the masses that he'd make a good leader. He hadn't even seen it coming when they'd chosen him but it had been a nice surprise. Now he actually enjoyed his duties. "Good things I'm hoping?" People always talked about the leaders and the rumours weren't always pleasant. "It's not so bad. A little stressful sometimes but I like it!" He was not what you could call a natural, born leader. His abilities in leadership had been learned. He was just a friendly, agreeable person that tried his best to help out his element. He guessed that they respected that. At least he wasn't shy—public speaking was practically in the job description.
His green eyes lit up when she mentioned what classes they had together. "Ooh, yeah, I know who you are!" His tone was enthusiastic and he paused in his happy munching of the cookie in order to exclaim his knowledge of her identity. "You're the Eaton girl, right? Top marks in that class?" He hadn't recognised her first name because the professors had a tendency to be formal and use surnames. He was 'Mr. Raleigh' or just 'Raleigh' sometimes if they were being informal. Flushing a little as he realised his excitement might be a bit strong, he ducked his head and admitted, "It's, heh, it's admirable what you can do." Ashton did not excel in either art but was overall better at defensive than he was offensive for the fact he hated causing injury to others. They were in agreement on hurting people—it wasn't a good thing. He did not think her lacking offence was something to be ashamed of. "I think we might have a few other classes together too but I definitely know we've got that one."
Her question was one he'd been asked quite a few times—he was used to answering it now and the surprise was not present. He liked talking about his position; not because of an ego, but because he enjoyed what he did on a daily basis. "It can be hard, especially when we're at war with any of the others, but it pays off. I really like my element and I like helping them." He'd always seen the Earth element like a family. He loved them like brothers and sisters. They did not replace his blood family of course but they were like an extended one. "And it's good not being alone, too. I don't think I could do it without my partner." He and the female Earth leader complimented one another well if he did say so himself. "So," he said with a soft smile, "why do you like defensive stuff so much?"
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