Just as Ayran was about to say something else he saw Atticus rush
out of the room, leaving Jack behind. For a moment he almost wanted
to go after him, but a more rational side of himself reminded
him.
You shouldn't bother with others business.
Ayran hesitated, in the end, in the span of a minute, he has looked
back where Atticus has gone atleast 3 times.
It was Jack who followed Atticus, her midnight blue cloak
fluttering behind her. Her footsteps were inaudible as she moved
through the halls. He hadn't gone far. She watched him for a
moment, before sitting down on the floor. She leaned against the
wall opposite Atticus, quietly waiting for him to speak.
Sometimes it was just nice to have a person physically there. Jack
and Cath knew from experience that it helped to know someone
was willing to listen, even if you weren't willing to speak just
yet.
"Jack. I'm sorry for walking out. Th-there are just some phrases
that... trigger me more than others. They bring back memories I
tried to get rid of."
He took a deep breath.
"I guess I have to tell you the story then. My father is a very
successful business man and his business partner and father of my
then best friend, Reina, decided that if they wanted to share the
wealth of the two businesses, they would force me and Reina to
marry. We were still very young at the time, but it was a business
deal to them. I don't know why, but I hated the idea and began to
hate Reina. She tried all she could to make me feel better, but I
never appreciated it. I told her that I would never love her as
long as she was alive, so that night, she... ah nevermind."
He smiled weakly at Jack. "Thank you, though for letting me talk.
My burden does feel lighter. Thank you."
She could finish the sentence that Atticus had paused on. Tragedy
was unjust, but logical.
"...so that night, she killed herself. Maybe she thought if she
was dead, I would love her."
Jack stood, walking over to Atticus. She squeezed his shoulder
reassuringly. "Let me know if I ever do or say something that hurts
you, okay? You don't need to suffer in silence."
Because suffering in silence was her job.
Jack tried to be matter of fact. She knew from experience that
sympathy was ridiculous. The feeling made you feel tiny and alone,
a freak among the masses.
"Do you want me to stay, or would you like a minute alone?" She
didn't want to impose if Atticus needed time to himself. But she
would be there if he needed her to be.
"I- I'll go back to the dorms. Tell Ayran he's in charge. I'm
willing to take that risk."
He smiled at Jack, unsure what to do.
"Uh. Well good day."
He walked off, feeling better than he ever had. Someone was willing
to understand him for once. Instead of yelling at him for
accidentally killing a vine of ripe grapes side-eye. He was
going to stick by Jack. She was someone who really did deserve
loyalty and followers.
She followed his progress for a few minutes, her eyes like lasers.
Then, Jack abruptly turned, returning to the {Blue and Green}
common room.
Kendo and Ayran were not-so-subtly watching their conversation.
"You guys do realize that stealth is an important component of
eavesdropping, right?" She didn't wait for a response and turned to
Ayran. "Atticus is returning to the {Red and Yellow} dorms.
Apparently you're in charge for now, and he said 'I'm willing to
take that risk.' Do not prove his trust unwarranted."
"As for you, Kendo, we need to talk." She ignored the comment about
issues.
"Stop with the parlor tricks." She led Kendo over to a quiet
corner.
"I know that you... well... enjoy banter and teasing, but I
really..." She paused, looking away from Kendo. "Please stop
calling Jackie. My name is Jack. It just... bothers me outside of
normal teasing. I can take the 'Ice Queens', and 'Stonewall
Jacksons', but please, not that name."
She was suddenly unsure of herself. If he refused, now he knew how
to REALLY get under her skin.
"Thank you. I seriously appreciate it." She was... relieved. Kendo
was a decent human deep down.
"Now, it's time to plot. Our takeover begins now, and it MUST be
organized." She summoned a blackboard, and began to scrawl in
unintelligible shorthand.
"Assets," she spoke as she wrote, "Skillsets, mages, students."
In a second column: "Enemies, obstacles, prejudice, teachers."
"Hi guys, I'm Sobble." Sobble looks at the people of the Red Yellow
Dorms. "I just got beat up by a door which was surprisingly dumb
since I was running too fast."