✘one.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[There is a boy wandering the first floor hallways of the Garden, and he doesn't look pleased. Well, he's not just "wandering", exactly. More like stomping angrily. It could just be restlessness - he's new, and he certainly doesn't like the situation he's in, and he's ready to take it out on anyone or anything he comes across.

But stomping down the halls like this means Elliot isn't really paying too much attention to where he's going. He might bump into you (yes, you) on your way somewhere if you're not careful. Or maybe you can catch him before he collides with someone? Either way, this can't be healthy, and he must be stopped.]

Comments

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[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[As certain Commanders have already learned, it's never quite a good idea to walk around in the Garden without looking where you're going, especially on jelly danish days. Thankfully, the pastry isn't hanging from Hope's mouth this time, but that doesn't mean it's any less messy when he turns an unsuspecting corner and bumps right into someone with enough force to send the treat he's holding in to the air...and right onto the head of whoever it is that's unfortunate enough to have turned. Hope stumbles back and for a second, just glances at his empty hand.]

Huh? Where'd it-

[He looks up.]

...Oh.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

This really needs to stop happening...

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[The impact also causes Elliot to stumble back, and if that wasn't annoying enough, did something just hit him in the head? Not that it mattered. He shakes his head to get rid of that slight dizziness (bye bye, pastry!), and looks over at the "source" of his trouble.]

Don't you watch where you're going?

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[The sorry thing about it is that this time-]

...I was. You've got, uh. Um.

[He makes a motion to his own head, because of Elliot's not careful, that huge glob of strawberry jelly is going to drop right into his eye.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[It takes Elliot a moment to realize what Hope's trying to say, but unfortunately, he is a moment too late.

...there is something red in his eye. Elliot says nothing.]

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[Neither does Hope.

He's just going to...unwrap the handkerchief around his neck and hand it apologetically up to the other boy.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Since it's been offered to him, Elliot will instinctively snatch it from the other boy. Better than using his own gloves since... they're probably the only pair he's going to have for a while. He starts wiping away the jelly, a frown on his face.]

In a hurry?

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

Not really. I guess I wasn't careful enough - sorry about the jelly.

[Hope taps his nose, to indicate the small smudge Elliot might have missed. His is a face Hope doesn't recognize, so he might as well ask.]

Are you new?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He's ready to make another smart comment before Hope taps his nose, which means Elliot's going to keep his mouth shut and quickly wipe at that, too, to make sure he's got everything. He'll answer his question after he thinks he's finally rid of all the jelly.]

What does it look like?

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

Your face? It's clear now.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Oh dear. Either Elliot didn't look as obviously new as he thought he did or this kid felt... really, really, really bad about the danish. Elliot says "Thanks" as he shoves the handkerchief back at Hope, though it's more of a grunt because Elliot doesn't really do thank yous. Once he's returned the handkerchief, though, he'll properly answer his question.]

Of course I'm new. Can't you tell? [...a little bitter there, perhaps.]

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[Hope gives him an odd look, taking back the handkerchief. It's not as if Elliot has 'HEY I'M NEW' printed on his head, now, is it, and as far as students go, he's seen odder like talking Armadillons]

Not really. How am I supposed to?

[A tilt of his head, and a small wry smile.]

You have a brand or something?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Naturally, Elliot doesn't see the irony in that statement. He'll return the boy's odd look with his own.]

Am I supposed to?

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[A shake of his head.]

No, that'd be silly. But if you're new, do you need help or something? You looked pretty lost.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Whoa, hello there, big guy. Elliot steps back after having bumped into him, but he's more surprised by the fact that the guy is walking the halls dressed like that. Is that normal around here?]

Excuse me.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot turns, watching him as he's about to leave.]

Hey! Aren't you going to say sorry? [Or wait for him to say sorry? He's weirded out that this guy isn't harassing him about it.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[...oh. Well. He did have a point there. Change of subject!]

Where were you coming from, dressed like that?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[And Elliot looks in that direction. He'd passed by there earlier... huh.]

I see. [Pause.] Is it worth it?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

You can never be too strong. You can always get stronger. [Not that he has any idea what he can expect to find in that place.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Well, whatever's in there... Is it strong?

[exorcizing.livejournal.com]

[Alice isn't quite watching where she's going, either, her nose buried in a leather-bound book. When she runs into Elliot, or rather when they run into one another, she lets out a quiet eek as her book clatters to the floor.]

I'm so sorry!

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Well, thankfully, this collision isn't too painful, but Elliot's still rubbing at his head because he's probably going to end up with a headache before the day is done. He looks in the direction of the noise and frowns, knowing exactly what it was that caused the girl to be distracted in the first place, and goes to pick up the book for her.]

Are you okay?

[exorcizing.livejournal.com]

[Her hands clap together in the form a of a prayer, and she gives a nod. She usually wasn't so unobservant, but she'd been studying, and...]

I am. Are you?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

I'm fine. [He's not being intentionally snippy this time - just, you know. Potential headache and all. He glances at the title of the book he picks up before holding it out to Alice.] And this is yours?

[exorcizing.livejournal.com]

[She almost winces at his tone, feeling a little worse than she should. She looks at the book, her holy weapon, it's title in a language most would never be able to read, and gives a nod.] Mm. It is.

[She takes it, feeling grateful.] Thank you.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head, and he's ready to walk away, but... Well, he has this feeling that someone would remind him to mind his manners, so he doesn't walk off just yet.]

My name's Elliot Nightray. And you are?

[exorcizing.livejournal.com]

[She holds her book close to her chest, and gives him a smile.]

I'm Alice Elliot. It's a pleasure to speak with you, Elliot. [She almost found the fact that his first name was her last name a little amusing.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

The pleasure's mine. [She was certainly the most polite Alice he'd met so far, so that was a good thing! Even though he doesn't bother to return her polite smile. Um.]

[exorcizing.livejournal.com]

[She gives a slight bow of her head, knowing there was no real reason to hold any sort of conversation.]

If you'll excuse me... [Perhaps they'd run into one another again in the future.]

[mcpistolwhip.livejournal.com]

[ Haine's a bit bored but seeing this guy run into person after person in the hallway is proving enough entertainment to help pass the time. There's a quirk of the lips and an entirely too amused expression on his face when he speaks. ]

Popular, aren't you?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot stops and spins around until he spots Haine.]

Are people around here always this rude?

[Tooootally not his fault, nope.]

[mcpistolwhip.livejournal.com]

Usually. I'd get used to it if I were you.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He frowns.]

What a welcoming place.

He can't help it. Really. He can't.

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

[With Lionheart against his shoulder, the blade decorated with dark blood, Squall's on his way out of the Training Center. What else does the Commander do in his spare time besides that. Nothing, just the Training Center, because there's no way in hell you'll catch him swimming in whatever extra time he has in a day. He's just heading back to the elevators and momentarily distracted by thoughts - yes thoughts - when he and Elliot collide.

Which is funny given the boy is stomping about like that.

Squall steps back with the jolt and immediately looks down expecting to see a head of silver hair and a butterjelly stain -- but there's no head of silver hair. And there's definitely no butterjelly stain on his white, blood-splotched shirt.]

. . .

It's just. Really bad luck, that's all.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[And Elliot looks right back up at Squall, and it still surprises him that you can apparently bump right into people here and they won't even say a word to you.]

E-excuse me.

[...he's definitely got a headache by now. This probably wasn't the smartest way to spend his first day here. Huh.]

I'm starting to think so.

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

[Raises a brow, looking right back down at him. He's secretly grateful this kid doesn't have anything with butter or jelly on it...]

Should watch where you're going.

Such is Squall's life.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

What about you?

[Don't mind that accusing tone, sir.]

Sobs.

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

[Narrows his eyes briefly at that tone.]

Is there a problem?

[Referring to Elliot's stomping earlier.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Does it look like it?

[That's a "no". ...somewhere in there.]

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

...Then carry on. [Squall steps to the side and keeps on walking.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot watches him as he leaves. He can't decide if this guy holds some position of authority or... is just a jerk.

Hm.]

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

[...He doesn't hear him stomping off and Squall stops, turning slightly to look back at him.]

Is there a problem?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He was ready to turn and walk off himself when he heard his voice again.]

Is there?

[...they seem to be going in circles.]

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

... Whatever.

[Squall shakes his head, continuing on down the hall.]