Sometimes it's peaceful (open)

[Alaya Tiaun]

The fire burned brightly and formed many different shaped shadows on the wall. Alaya sat in silence and alone, grateful for the peace. She had been back to classes that day after three days away again. She had been going to classes less and less and knew that she needed to start going again so she wasn't boggled down with work. She also hadn't been around her friends very much and it was sad but it was hard to confront her friends when she couldn't even confront her own fears.

She took a deep breath wondering if she should go to bed soon. It was late and everyone was long asleep. Normally she would be out in the woods at this time, but now she was unsure if that was a good idea. Maybe it was time to start acting like a student again and not a prisoner locked up. She smoothed out her school uniform as she watched the dancing flames.

She heard someone come down the stairs. She held here breath as to not use her heightened senses. She wanted to control what she was but she could not figure that out. She watched the fire as one of her classmates came closer.

[Emilia Silverstien]

Emilia was laying on top of her covers, fully dressed, waiting patiently for all of her bed mates to fall asleep. She had her curtains closed around her bed to keep the light from preventing any of her friends to fall asleep. Sighing, she closed her book gently, she couldn't wait any longer to sneak out. Extinguishing her light, Emilia quietly got up from her bed, and opened her curtains gently. Peering out from the opening of the curtains she could see that all of her bed mates were fast asleep in their respective beds, all of them except Alaya. Of course Alaya isn't in her bed... she mused in her bed.

Walking quietly across the room, Emilia opened the door, gently closing it behind her. She felt a smile grow on her face for she was sneaking out to meet Dante. Ever since the night by the lake, Emilia wanted to spend all the time she could with Dante to make up for all the time that they lost. Every waking moment it seemed that Emilia always thought of Dante, and nothing but Dante. Sure, she went through the motions of school and homework, but always in the back of her mind would be Dante. He was quite the distraction for her, and that was exactly what she need right now. It allowed her to escape all of her fears.

Now she felt herself running down the stairs, without caring if she woke someone up this time. Realizing this she slowed her pace, she didn't want to get caught and get in trouble. Also she wasn't so sure she should be running when she was so distracted. It could be dangerous for her because with her luck she would fall and break something. Giggling at this she entered the Common Room. Before she made it to the door she noticed someone sitting by the fire. It was Alaya, this stopped her dead. "Alaya? Is that you?" She was so anxious to see her best friend for it felt like it has been days since she had seen her.

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[Alaya Tiaun]

Hearing that familiar voice, Alaya smiled. It had been a while since she had seen Emilia and it was nice to see her. "Yeah, its been a while hasn't it?" Alaya then realized that she had been holding her breath and was thankful for the lung full of air. She felt a peace for once. Her friends always kept her in her right set of mind and at ease.

She realized that Emilia had somewhere that she wanted to be. Alaya figured it was to be with Dante. She knew that the two were very close, it was a lover school and also the way Emilia would look at Dante in class and vice versa. Alaya shook her head and laughed slightly.

"Going to see Dante?" She teased. Alaya was glad that her two friends were together. They had so much hardship in their lives and it was good to have someone to share ones thoughts with. Alaya looked back at the fire trying not to think of sneaking out that night. She needed to figure things out before she went back to the forest. There was still a smile on her face which was very strange for her. Lately she always wore a frown, all things considered she was lost in her thoughts most of the time.

[Emilia Silverstien]

Emilia matched the smile on Alaya's face with one of her own. She missed being able to simply go to the Common Room to talk with her best friend. Alaya had been in and out of the castle so much lately that Emilia never saw her, even in their classes. Emilia had been worried about Alaya for she had been out of class for three days. She was about to start a search party if Alaya hadn't shown up in her classes that day. It worried Emilia, and she just knew that something was going on, she just didn't know what.

Bounding over to the empty chair across from Alaya, Emilia sat down in the plush chair turning her attention to her best. Crossing her legs she shook her head, "It has been awhile. Where have you been? I know something is going on, and I don't want to pry, but I'm worried. You've never missed so much school in your life, and I could swear you were just holding your breath the whole time I was walking over here." Among the extraordinary gifts Emilia had, it was her sense of her perception that was impeccable. She was always able to tell when something was going on or if someone was troubled.

Shaking her head and giggling, she shrugged, "Dante can wait. Sure he'll be a little testy at first, but once I explain that I was with you he'll lighten up. He knows that I miss you and that I worry about you. Besides I know exactly how to charm him into a better mood." She was blushing by this point, she couldn't help it. The butterflies were already flying madly around her stomach. Every time she thought or spoke of Dante it seemed as if her mood was lifted, and she just radiated happiness. Shaking her head slightly, she forced herself to stay seated and focused on her friend. It was time to devote some time to her because Emilia just sense something was off.

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[Alaya Tiaun]

Hiding things form Emilia was like trying to hide a fire in the dark. It just wasn't done. It was almost a miracle Emilia hadn't confronted Alaya before about the situation but then again she hadn't be around enough for her best friend to say anything. Yes missing school was not the best things in the world. When she walked into class that day most of her teachers asked who she was. Alaya knew they were just stating a point that she had been gone way to long and did not have a good excuse. It still did not make her feel any better about the whole situation.

Questions, the very ones Alaya was trying to answer herself. How could she answer her friend if what she needed help with was finding those answers. She knew Emilia was just giving off wave after wave of happiness and Alaya did not want her small storm cloud to dampen that light. She was thrilled that Emilia was happy and now could smile more without the dark gloom lingering in her eyes. It seemed like school was as it should be. It would not stay that way of course but it was nice for the moment.

She chuckled slightly at Emilia's comment about Dante. Her two best friends as a couple. It always brought a smile to her face when she saw those two so happy. Where to start? Her mind was back on the questions and she could not find words to explain them. "Well I guess I could say I have been preoccupied with other things but like the professors you won't fall for that. I really don't know what to say since I am still confused. I guess the best way to put it is that I was lost and still am" She had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Emilia. Maybe that was all she needed was someone to help her through the changes instead of trying to figure it out for herself. Her whole life she had felt alone till she came here and she needed to remember that at school and from now on there were people there for her.