thirty-nine detention slips

[delincuente]

[A sleepy, slightly blanket-muffled voice comes through the journal late on Monday night - one that hasn't been heard for quite a few weeks.]

Whatever makes the castle decide to put people to sleep like this, someone needs to figure out how to do it. Like, I would totally pay money to just to be out cold till it makes up its mind to drop me back in New York.

[Alex yawns loudly, and there are some rustles as she rolls over towards the journal - followed by a small groan once she realizes how uncomfortable she is in this clothing. Stupid no-pajamas loss.]

Gotta say, though, doesn't feel as comfy in skinny jeans.

[Once she closes the journal and gets up and about, she'll be heading up to the roof with a wished-up pizza. Anyone more inclined to face-to-face social harassment can come bother her there.]

Comments

[peacockherald]

<sub>[ Vanyel was used to harassment - though it usually came in the form of fanatic Karsites tossing demons and thunderbolts at him as he raced along the border. But that was the life of a Herald sometimes, wasn't it? Especially for him.

He had come put to the room to try a spell to look for spirits. He knew he should have done some of it with Tylendel, but he wanted to try on his own again, without the need to be aware of Tylendel's potential loss of control.

He cocked his head when he saw Alex, surprised. ]</sub>

It's a bit cold to be up here just to eat a pizza, don't you think?

[Dictated]

[cant_breathe_no_heir]

Interesting. For how long have you been slumbering?

[delincuente]

I-D-K, since the start of December or something. Missed all the Christmas crap.

[delincuente]

[She gives a noncommittal hum and doesn't look at him, instead taking a large cheesy bite - and reacting when it burns her tongue.]

I'm pretty sure this cheese could burn my face off if it wanted, so I don't think I'll freeze.

[peacockherald]

Even so, I don't think it'll be enough to keep you to warm, Alex.

_{[ He came closer and sat down beside her, looking at the pizza with an expression that said he had seen one before, but never tried it. ]}

Is it traditional to eat those up on roofs?

[delincuente]

[Turning around, she gives him a pointed look and pulls out her wand.]

Shivering is getting old,
so dress me up to keep out the cold.

[And in one blink of the eye, she's dressed head to toe in much warmer clothing, including a hat, scarf, and mittens, one of which she pulls off to keep eating.]

I don't know, but I do it a lot. It's peaceful, I guess, if you're into that kinda thing. No one gets in your business. [She raises an eyebrow.] Well, almost no one.

[peacockherald]

Haha, sorry, hold habits. It's sort of my nature and my job to worry about others.

_{[ He doesn't so much as blink when new clothes appear. It was practically standard here in the Castle, even without magic. ]}

I rather envy your magic, a bit. Mine won't make me new clothes from a simple spell. I have to make do and patch along the road.

[cant_breathe_no_heir]

Good for you.

The holidays were not pleasant here.

[Dictated - Filtered to Alex]

[therealrisette]

[Rise would love nothing more than to harass Alex. Socially. Or some other adverb starting with "s".

Unfortunately, she's... kind of stuck at the moment. But she can totally play this cool. Totally.

... Her attempt to not sound an odd mix of worried and relieved is at least half successful...]

Hey, Sleeping Beauty! The kiss finally worked?

[Fairy tale references. Somewhat double-edged now, considering what's happened to her. But the opportunity to tease Alex is something she's missed very much. Along with Alex herself. They didn't get to spend nearly enough time together in December! It's time to start making up for that! ... Even if just over the journal for now.]

[delincuente]

Yeah? What went down?

[delincuente]

[Is it possible to turn beet-red over dictation? Because Alex just did that, before letting out a tired, sarcastic laugh.]

I can't believe you actually just said that.

[Well really she can, but she's going to pretend like she thinks it's the weirdest, cheesiest thing in the world, and not actually touching and cute.

It's starting to seem like they spend a lot of time this way, with Alex unconscious and Rise waiting for her. Hopefully the castle doesn't stick her in a princess gown next.]

[delincuente]

Really?

[She picks her want up and examines it absently.]

Except for, like, majorly altering reality, there's not much you can't do with an improv spell.

[A slight pause.]

And I kind of accidentally did that anyway. It just took a stronger wand.

[peacockherald]

Ah, my magic is a bit more limited and structured, I am afraid. I can make up new spells, but it takes months of work and preparation, and it often helps to have focus stones if you can find them.

I actually specialize in Lightning and Gate spells, though of course I learned others for my duties. Having my other Gifts made things a bit easier too, of course.

Your spells are quite... "free" is the word I want to use.

[therealrisette]

[It's all Rise can do to keep from freaking out over her own situation! Not the being a mermaid part, she's used to that by now. But being stuck alone in her bathtub? At least Sugar could keep her company, but she's still going a little stir crazy in there.

Still putting on a brave face (voice?), she giggles at Alex's reaction.]

Well... I figured if I kept trying...

[She teases because she likes Alex so much! ... And because it feels nice and familiar and comfortable. Unlike being trapped in a tub.]

But it's not as fun if you're asleep~.

[The adorable pouting is very nearly audible. ... And followed by a strange, lazy splashing noise. There might be a few droplets on the journal pages. What could Rise be up to, Alex? Hm?]

[im_the_doctor]

There you are! I'd been wondering why I've not seen you around. How was your nap?

[delincuente]

... That sounds way boring compared to mine. The hell's a focus stone?

[delincuente]

How foward of you, Ms. Kujikawa.

[Alex gives a dry chuckle at this, and is about to shoot back something lazily flirty, when she sees the water and pulls back from her journal a bit.]

... Are you swimming or something?

[delincuente]

Just practicing for my future as a reclusive, starving artist. And it was boring. Go to sleep for a month and you'd think there would at least be a couple of weird dreams about underwear or the President or something. Nada. I don't even feel rested.

[peacockherald]

It's usually a gem or some sort of mineral that helps Herald Mages focus their power and produce more powerful results. They are not necessary for working magic, but in more powerful spells they can be helpful, including when you want one to hold.

[delincuente]

So it kind of does the same thing as a wand.

[im_the_doctor]

Well now, that's a shame. If the Castle was going to make you miss out on all the joyful holiday shenanigans at least it could have given you entertaining dreams! Although to be honest, I think I would have rather of been sleeping!

[delincuente]

Yeah? What happened, anyway? Heard it sucked pretty bad.

[inlifesname]

[Nita's on the roof looking at the stars. Charting them, actually. But the smell of pizza is teenager bait, and she'll eventually wander over.]

Hey. It's been a while.

[delincuente]

Hey yourself.

[Alex looks up and over her shoulder, giving Nita a friendly acknowledging glance. She gestures vaguely to the open pizza box in invitation.]

How've... things been...?

[Help her she is not good at small talk mayday.]

[therealrisette]

[Rise chuckles at that again. Alex was the one who kissed her first! Forward she may be, but for once, Rise didn't make the first move. Not really...

Okay, maybe she was already flirting with her a bit! Or more than a bit. It's hazy, and what do the details matter anyway?

Alex's question hits her before she can really respond to the teasing, and she's so relaxed, she just responds automatically.]

Oh, I just had to change the water in the tub! It was getting kinda hard to breathe... and my tail's really sensitive. I have to stay wet or it gets really uncomfortable.

[She... may have forgotten for a moment whether Alex knows about her loss. But she sounds pretty annoyed about it, if resigned to her temporary fate.]