Colin's posts

"Pasta, eh?" Vincent asked, thinking about it for a moment.

"Yes... yes, I know a place." he said.

"Feeling like anything in specific?" he asked.

"Because the place I know does all kinds of pasta... well, they specialize in it... but they also have a sampler platter for those that can't make up their minds." he told her further. "Oh, and they have an upgraded version meant for sharing." he continued.

"That something you might be interested in?" he asked.

"The sampler has things like spaghetti and spaghettini, lasagna, fettuccine, and a lot of others. The sauce comes separately, save for the lasagna, so you can mix it yourself, and complimentary garlic bread made in-house."

Vincent chuckled.

"Heh, all right." he said.

"A refreshing attitude." he told her.

"Anyway, thank you for informing me as to your sources of information for your papers." he then said with another chuckle.

"I'll leave you be." he went on, before snapping his fingers.

"Oh, I was considering ordering in tonight." he told her.

"Do you wish to partake? And if so, what would you like?" he asked her. "Anything in specific you're craving or desiring?"

"I understand." Vincent replied.

"But Madison? You're not alone any longer." he told her.

"No matter what, I'm here for you." he went on.

"Incidentally, you scored perfect on both of your reports." he then said.

"Which means a perfect on your final essay, obviously." he went on.

"Congratulations."

Vincent just sighed deeply.

"I see." he said.

"That's... not much better, admittedly." he told her.

"Neglect can be just as bad as abuse." he reasoned, before shaking his head slightly.

"Regardless, it's amazing that you've been able to control and utilize your abilities for as long as you have." he then said further, complimented her.

"It shows that you are... well... a prodigy." he told her.

"And here, you can use your abilities freely if you wish." he then said. "I'm a mage as well, so there's no need to hide it or anything like that." he assured her with a smile.

"On a side note, I'm impressed you got Adolph to cooperate... regardless of how... willingly or unwillingly it was..." he then finished.

"Is good." Ryker responded with a thumbs-up.

Then, in good time, they got out the tent, had it set up, and had the sleeping bags and rolled-up cushion inside it, as well as a few pillows.

"Amazing how much one can fit in the right backpack." he chuckled.

"Anyway, you're obviously tired, so you ought to consider turning in for the night." he told him, climbing into the tent.

"Will a little bit of light bother you?" he asked.

"I don't mind laying down, but I'm not quite THAT tired yet, so I think I'll read until I DO fall asleep."

Ryker returned the hug, and held Eke close.

"I understand." he said.

"Well... to a certain degree." he then added.

"Also, sure thing. We can set up outside." he told him.

"Just need to find a good place to set up the tent, is all." he said with another smile.

"Supposed to be a warm night, too." he then added.

Vincent froze when he heard that.

"Ah..." he stammered.

"I..." he stuttered further, before shaking his head a little.

"So... you're... a necromancer?" he asked. "One that can summon the souls of the dead." he went on further.

"That explains a lot." he commented.

"About the amazing quality of your work in History... as well as what some of the other students seem to think about you." he continued.

"How long have you been able to use your abilities?" he then asked her.

Ryker watched him looking around, and sighed.

'Is he looking for me?' he wondered.

He then shrugged, and sighed again, before stepping out from where he was, and making his way in Eke's direction.

When Eke noticed him, he waved.

"Hallo again." he greeted him with a warm, small smile.

Ryker continued to keep his distance, staying just out of sight, but he kept an eye on Eke.

'You have some sort of miracle plan to help him?' he was mentally asked.

"....no." Ryker responded.

'I have no experience here. I don't know what I can or should do." Ryker admitted.

"All I can do is let Eke work through this, and be there when he needs me to be."

Ryker was... stunned.

Outright stunned.

'Geez.' his other side said mentally. 'Didn't think the kid had THAT in him.' he admitted.

".....hm." Ryker muttered.

"Eke..." he said quietly.

Was this something that had changed Eke forever? Was he now doomed to be cynical and hate-filled for however little of his life ha had left.

"....." he was silent again, before slowly following. He wanted to make sure nothing more happened to him, but he wanted to give Eke his space.

Vincent shook his head.

"Madison." he said.

"Your reports are excellent." he told her.

"Perfect." he went on.

"...almost TOO perfect, one could say." he then said further.

"No, I'm not accusing you of plagiarism or anything like that, far from it." he then quickly assured her. "But some of your info... I'd swear you got it first hand." he went on.

"Especially your report about Adolph Hitler." he then said further.

"One could swear there were parts that could have been written by the man himself."

Ryker shook his head, and walked in front of Eke.

"No." he said.

"You're NOT fine." he told him.

"I get that you're pissed. I get that you're saddened. But please... don't turn this into self-harm." he went on.

"If you're not careful you're going to collapse and pass out." he then warned Eke.

Vincent raised an eyebrow when she handed him the binder.

'...she did it.' he thought, opening it up and skimming through it.

'Two reports.' he realized.

"All right, class." he then said.

"These will be graded and returned to you by the end of next week." he told them.

"As this constitutes the equivalent of a final exam, this class will essentially become a study period for your other exams." he then said further.

"So I expect you to make the most of this time." he finished, shooting a glare across the room.

He then looked at the binder that Madison had given him and opened it... he was interested in what she wrote.

Later that evening, Madison was in her apartment, when she heard a knock on her 'front door'.

"Madison? Can I speak with you about your essays?" she heard Vincent call in.

"Of course." Vincent replied.

"Adieu." he told her.

He then left her apartment, closing the door behind him, and headed up the stairs, making his way to the den and sitting down in one of the couches.

"Hm." he mumbled.

"She'll need a key for the front door as well." he said.

"Going to have to get one cut tomorrow." he reasoned, before sighing again and looking out the window.

"...at least she's safe here." he then mumbled to himself.