Colin's posts

"Come in!" she heard from inside.

She then went inside, closed the door behind her, and made her way to the desk.

"...Miss Kiczys..." he said, his tone soft.

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

"I mean in general, and overall. It seems that you are a target for torment and verbal abuse, and you haven't been looking the healthiest as of late." he told her.

"Is something wrong?"

".....that is true." he replied.

"What I have to say may take a while." he went on.

"If you would prefer, I can see you AFTER school." he offered.

"That way you don't have to worry about being late." he continued.

"Because I know Williams is VERY stringent about that, and even with a note or slip, he may still punish you." he then said further.

"I won't keep you right now, but please see me her after school."

He looked around, and saw that she looked like she was in poor shape.

She did NOT have the clothing for this kind of weather.

He also couldn't shake the feeling that he had about her. He couldn't tell what it was. He just couldn't. But he couldn't just leave it be, either.

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, and then sighed.

"Miss Kiczys." he addressed her.

"May I speak with you after class?" he asked.

Ryker raised an eyebrow when Eke returned.

"Hm?" he mumbled.

"What's got YOU all red-faced?" he asked.

"...and happy?" he asked further.

He then leaned in a bit close, and smirked.

"Did you have an encounter with a girrrrl?" he teased.

Ryker just nodded in response.

"Sure." he said.

"Go ahead." he told him.

"Take all the time you need." he said further.

"You have... a lot to process."

Ryker returned the hug, and sighed.

"Firstly, you don't HAVE to live up to your father." he told him.

"You live your life however you want to." he said.

"As for what to do now.... that, again, is up to you." he went on.

"What was your plan for after finding out about your father?" he asked.

"Or did you not have one?"

Ryker bit his lip softly as Eke started to cry.

"I know." he said, pulling him into a hug.

"I wish I'd met my parents as well." he told him.

"But I'm sure, wherever he is now, he's as proud of you right now, as I am." he then assured Eke.

"And now you know that you have immense power over your Mother." he added.

"........" the man was silent as he felt the dislike in the air.

'Hm...' he thought, as he prepared worksheets and such for later in the week.

'Something about her is different...' he thought further. 'I feel a strong presence emanating from her...' he went on, before scanning the room again.

He wondered what all the snide comments meant.

From what he gathered, they thought she was insane, or some sort of developmentally challenged. But what in specific did they mean by that?

And was it true?

Ryker was silent again for a moment.

How had he missed that? He wasn't a dragon, and even then, he knew elder dragons were a big thing.

"Right." he said.

"Come on." he told him, helping Eke to his feet.

He put the book back and started to lead Eke back outside, so he could get some fresh air.

The man looked at the student, and his eyes widened suddenly.

'It's... it's her.' he thought, remembering her from that stormy night.

"Take your seat." he told her.

"Today is a free period to plan out your major project for the year." he said.

"So feel free to plan it however you wish." he assured her further.

"...." he was silent once more, realizing she still did NOT look good.

Ryker was silent as Eke read, and sat down beside him.

He sat close to Eke, reading as well, and biting his lip when he read the part about the disease.

'....my God...' he thought.

He then looked at Eke, and sighed quietly.

"...hey..." he said.

"It seems he was a great man. One to be proud of." he told him, trying to cheer him up.

The man narrowed his eyes when he heard the whispers.

"A-HEM!" he cleared his throat loudly.

"Any comments can be kept to yourselves, thank you very much." he said.

"Let's all try to maintain some civility in the classroom, please." he went on, scanning the room, making sure that everyone was behaving.

He then looked at the list again.

'....Madison Kiczys...' he thought to himself, as he continued the roll call.

When he finished, he told them to break into their groups for their projects, but he kept his ears open, knowing the kids would still talk about the one that was missing.

The man then sighed when he heard that.

"...you're right." he said.

"Besides, I cannot put my job on hold because of this. I have a responsibility." he admitted, standing up.

"Thank you once more." he told them.

"And yes, please let me know when there are any updates." he finished.

"Take care." he finished, giving them a small smile.

The man was silent for a moment, before nodding.

"Thank you." he said.

"....but something tells me I should stay." he told them.

"I don't know why, but... I just want to see her all right with my own eyes, however long it takes." he said further.

"Guess I'm a sucker that way." he chuckled nervously.

"If that's all right."