✎ 1x1 ✐ discussion
1x1
>
Jess and Fangs
"Maybe we should try the front, not sneaking around out back." She laughed, taking his hand softly again and continuing forward. "I hope they take us. Imagine - school! We get to learn things, and meet people! I hope they have an astronomy class, I've always wanted to learn about the starts. Oh! And I hope they have cool history classes, where we can learn about Ancient Rome and Greece, and how America came to be and stuff!" Luna rambled and rambled like a hyperactive child until suddenly, they were standing at the grandiose doors to the school.
He wasn't sure about meeting new people, that part sort of scared him. He never really liked people, except for her. He guessed it was what he had to deal for now, though he was interested in learning a lot of new things. He had always been interested in history, the history books in the library at the institute he had read a bunch of times. But there weren't many of them. He looked up at the doors, standing there for a moment before he worked up the courage. He found what looked like a buzzer and pressed it.
Luna felt herself shaking with anticipation. She squeezed London's hand for good luck and let go, about to knock on the door when no one answered.
But soon a lovely song-like voice rang through an intercom. "Hello? Announce yourselves please."
Luna looked up at London and back to the door. "Um... well I'm Luna. And this is London." she said pointing to him.
The voice stayed silents, but they could hear murmuring behind the door.
But soon a lovely song-like voice rang through an intercom. "Hello? Announce yourselves please."
Luna looked up at London and back to the door. "Um... well I'm Luna. And this is London." she said pointing to him.
The voice stayed silents, but they could hear murmuring behind the door.
London stood there with her for a moment, waiting before he spoke up.
"Look we don't want to cause any trouble." He said. "We've been walking for a long time, and we don't really have any other place to go right now. "We are willing to learn, and be on our best behavior."
"Look we don't want to cause any trouble." He said. "We've been walking for a long time, and we don't really have any other place to go right now. "We are willing to learn, and be on our best behavior."
"Come in." The lady said. There was a buzzing sound and the doors opened to reveal a short and stout old woman, and a long and beam-like younger one. "Welcome to Hilcrest. We don't let just anyone in. There are gonna be tests first."
***
Luna shivered. She had grown to hate that word. Tests. We are going to run tests She heard the voices of nurses chant in her head and flashes of needles, tools, and IV bags flashed in her mind. She had grabbed London's hand, but once she came back to Earth she let go and smiled at the ladies. "Absolutely! We understand." She chimed.
***
Luna shivered. She had grown to hate that word. Tests. We are going to run tests She heard the voices of nurses chant in her head and flashes of needles, tools, and IV bags flashed in her mind. She had grabbed London's hand, but once she came back to Earth she let go and smiled at the ladies. "Absolutely! We understand." She chimed.
He looked between the two women, and for a few moments thought about backing out. But stayed his ground, he was going to stay strong for Luna. And so far they were being pretty nice.
"We're ready." He nodded his head.
"We're ready." He nodded his head.
The tall lady nodded and the two stepped aside allowing them in. Luna went in first. The ladies led them to a small room, close to the door. The short lady motioned the to sit at desks on opposite sides of the room. She pulled out two pencils and offered it to both of them. Tall lady took a seat at a desk, to watch the two.
"These tests will test your overall knowledge of core subjects, IQ, and common sense. Hilcrest values their students being well rounded."
"These tests will test your overall knowledge of core subjects, IQ, and common sense. Hilcrest values their students being well rounded."
London followed behind her, warily looking around the hall before they got to the room. He silently gulped as he sat down in the desk, feeling as though he would pass out. But he took the pencil and nodded as he listened to her explain. He would do his best on the tests, but he was never very good at them.
The short lady passed out the test and ignored Luna as she thanked her. She then waddled and sat next to the tall lady. "Begin." she croaked out.
***
Luna looked at the test and then over to London. She mouthed "good luck partner" before looking back to the test. Heeere we go.
***
Luna looked at the test and then over to London. She mouthed "good luck partner" before looking back to the test. Heeere we go.
He looked over to her, and smiled a bit before looking back to the test. He for some reason felt a bit better about it, and picked up the pencil and started.
Time seemed to go on forever, and Luna's brain was aching.
***
"Time." Called the Short Lady. Tall Lady rose and collected their tests. "It will take time to grade these. Until then, we will let you stay here in the spare room. Separate beds." She said sternly eyeing them.
Luna smiled as brightly as we could. "Thank you, that's very kind!"
Tall lady smiled back and said "Dinner is at 9. You have 2 hours to 'chill' " the lady laughed using air quotes around the phrase she heard the kids say.
***
"Time." Called the Short Lady. Tall Lady rose and collected their tests. "It will take time to grade these. Until then, we will let you stay here in the spare room. Separate beds." She said sternly eyeing them.
Luna smiled as brightly as we could. "Thank you, that's very kind!"
Tall lady smiled back and said "Dinner is at 9. You have 2 hours to 'chill' " the lady laughed using air quotes around the phrase she heard the kids say.
London had managed to finish, though he wasn't sure how right any of the answers were. He slightly jumped as the lady called for time, he set his pencil to the side.
"We really appreciate this." He nodded. They really didn't know how much. Dinner and a place to sleep for the night, it was more then he could have ever hoped for.
"We really appreciate this." He nodded. They really didn't know how much. Dinner and a place to sleep for the night, it was more then he could have ever hoped for.
Tall lady nodded. "The hospitality will last if you did well on your tests. Hilcrest doesn't take in strays, we take in the best - no exceptions." Tall lady lead them out, but parted ways with them with a short wave. Short lady took them to a room down the hall.
The whole procedure had seemed routine, like they had done this before. The room they were led to was decorated minimalistically, like a typical guest room.
"See you at 9." short lady said before she shut the two into the room.
The whole procedure had seemed routine, like they had done this before. The room they were led to was decorated minimalistically, like a typical guest room.
"See you at 9." short lady said before she shut the two into the room.
"Whoa..." He finally let out a breath he was holding after she shut the door. He felt a bit stressed out for a moment there, but he was starting to settle down now. He looked around the room it wasn't really a lot, but it was nice. "This...is a bit strange." He admitted.
Luna nodded, "yeah, it's very ... guesty." she said hoping onto the bed furthest from the door with a plop. "I feel like I'm in a hotel." She said with a satisfied sigh. "I hope we did well. I've always been good at math, and some science. My grammar is atrocious I know but the test seemed straightforward enough. I enjoyed the logic puzzles too. I liked being tested like that at school - but the stakes feel so much higher here you know? If we don't get in we have to find somewhere else to crash." Luna rambled. She sat up and looked at London.
"Sorry... I ramble when I get excited. - You know that." She smiled a little pink.
"Sorry... I ramble when I get excited. - You know that." She smiled a little pink.
"It's okay, you don't need to apologize." He shook his head sitting beside her and glancing around the room again. "I understand." He was excited but also nervous and scared all wrapped up in a tight ball. "I've never been good at tests even at school. "I always sucked at math." The only time he actually understood it was geometry. But at was only because it was mostly just lines and shapes. "This is going to be fine, we'll be okay."
Luna took his hand again. "I have a good feeling about this you know. I think we've found a place." She leaned her little blonde head on his shoulder and closed her eyes with a smile. She wanted to say more to him, but couldn't place the words. She stayed silent, for once, and just listened to their breaths rise and fall.
He closed his eyes as she lay her head on him, holding her hand and trying to enjoy just this small moment. But now that they were here, he knew what he wanted to say to her. Even if it didn't come out exactly how he wanted.
"I'm glad you're here with me..." He said a bit awkwardly, mentally kicking himself for how stupid it sounded. But he tried to fix it. "I really don't think I would have escaped if not for you. "I wouldn't have even thought about it, if you hadn't been in danger too..."
"I'm glad you're here with me..." He said a bit awkwardly, mentally kicking himself for how stupid it sounded. But he tried to fix it. "I really don't think I would have escaped if not for you. "I wouldn't have even thought about it, if you hadn't been in danger too..."
Luna's eyes slowly opened. She really was so lucky that she got paired with London, that he was there to help her escape. To be honest she hadn't even thought much about leaving till she met him. He made her feel strong again.
Luna lifted her head off his shoulder. "London... I feel the same way. You were a blessing that day, and now. I wouldn't want to be here with anyone else." She said softly. She bit her lip for a moment, before emotions overcame her. She gave a small smile, before she leaned in and kissed his cheek again, by the corner of his lips. "You make me feel strong, and protected." She whispered, still close to his face.
Luna lifted her head off his shoulder. "London... I feel the same way. You were a blessing that day, and now. I wouldn't want to be here with anyone else." She said softly. She bit her lip for a moment, before emotions overcame her. She gave a small smile, before she leaned in and kissed his cheek again, by the corner of his lips. "You make me feel strong, and protected." She whispered, still close to his face.
He smiled at her words, he just would have gone back to being drugged and held down if he had been paired with someone else. Just trying to pretend he would ever get out of there alone. His eyes widened a bit as she kissed him, and how she didn't move away. He wasn't even sure what he was doing, before he moved closer and softly kissed her lips. He kissed her for a moment, realizing what just happened, he pulled away bright red and looking down.
"I um..." He had no idea what to say now.
"I um..." He had no idea what to say now.
Sure they were both awkward, outcasted, weirdos. But they had each other, and Luna had a feeling that wasn't going to change. She loved him. Ok, love might be a strong word - she did just meet the guy. But she could feel something deep in her, pushing them together. Everything just stared clicking once they met. So Luna didn't stop herself when she let go of his hand and gently grabbed his face. She turned it, and pressed it into hers, their lips touching again.
He really liked her a lot, he didn't want anything to ever happen to her. He didn't want anyone to ever touch her again. He was going to make sure she was safe. He was a bit surprised at first, but it slowly melted away his eyes closing and kissing her back. His arm wrapping around her waist lightly. Whatever was there between them, he could feel it even more now. His heart feeling as though it would beat out of his chest. He never kissed a girl before, and he was glad his first was with her.
Luna's lips felt like they were on fire, her whole body tingled with... something. She never wanted this moment to end, it was... almost magical. She felt herself sinking, melting into him. Thankfully, the moment seemed to last forever. She ran her fingers threw his hair and wrapped her arms around his neck.
She finally pulled away, an easy smile on her lips. She pressed her forehead against his and let out a very content sigh. "Well that was... awesome." She breathed, removing her arms and looking at him with a new light in her eyes.
She finally pulled away, an easy smile on her lips. She pressed her forehead against his and let out a very content sigh. "Well that was... awesome." She breathed, removing her arms and looking at him with a new light in her eyes.
He was a bit upset when she finally pulled away, but he couldn't help but smile. He chuckled lightly at her choice of words but he nodded his head a bit.
"Yes, it was." He agreed, looking into her eyes. She is beautiful, he couldn't help but think, as he looked at her. He moved his arm and put it around her shoulder so he was hugging her close.
"Yes, it was." He agreed, looking into her eyes. She is beautiful, he couldn't help but think, as he looked at her. He moved his arm and put it around her shoulder so he was hugging her close.
Luna wrapped her arm's around his waist. "I've never gotten close to someone like this before." Luna nuzzled her head into his chest again. "I think you're amazing." she whispered taking a breath and holding him a little tighter. She never wanted to stop being this close to him. She had never felt more safe in her life.
"You are the one that is amazing." He mused softly. "I never really liked people, in fact I was afraid to let anyone in. "But you managed to squeeze in." She still would probably be the only one he ever really let in, but that was more then enough for him. She was all he really needed.
Luna smiled. She really wanted to kiss him again, but the thought of the two ladies coming in made her stay where she was. "Well I'm glad I did." She paused for a moment before giggling. "You know, those people back there made a huge mistake putting us together." She turned her head up and smiled at him again.
He laughed and nodded his head.
"It was there fault." He smiled and laughed again. "Though I don't think it was a mistake. "At least from my view." The nurses were probably kicking themselves for having messed up so badly. But had to thank them, this was the only thing he would ever thank them for.
"It was there fault." He smiled and laughed again. "Though I don't think it was a mistake. "At least from my view." The nurses were probably kicking themselves for having messed up so badly. But had to thank them, this was the only thing he would ever thank them for.
"I agree. It was fate, I've decided." She said simply. She pulled away, reluctantly, and stood up. "Wanna see if we can explore the place before dinner?"
He felt a bit strange with his arms empty now, but he decided it was okay.
"Yeah, lets see what we can see." He smiled, pushing himself to his feet which had only barely stopped hurting. The place had to have a few interesting nooks and crannies.
"Yeah, lets see what we can see." He smiled, pushing himself to his feet which had only barely stopped hurting. The place had to have a few interesting nooks and crannies.
As they headed towards the door it swung open. It was just the Tall lady. She had two sets of clothes in hand. "Glad to see you've made yourselves comfortable." She said noticing the sat on bed. She placed the two sets of clothes on the dresser.
"We noticed your... situation. We don't want other kids to see you like this. You must wash and dress before dinner. Return these tomorrow if it doesn't work out for you here." Lady turned to leave. "You'll thank me later" she said shutting the door again.
***
Luna walked over and looked at the clothes. They were uniforms. They each had white button downs. Luna had been given a dark green and blue plaid skirt with navy knee high socks and black flats. London had the same plaid in a tie, and navy pants and nice black shoes.
"We noticed your... situation. We don't want other kids to see you like this. You must wash and dress before dinner. Return these tomorrow if it doesn't work out for you here." Lady turned to leave. "You'll thank me later" she said shutting the door again.
***
Luna walked over and looked at the clothes. They were uniforms. They each had white button downs. Luna had been given a dark green and blue plaid skirt with navy knee high socks and black flats. London had the same plaid in a tie, and navy pants and nice black shoes.
"Oh..." he looked at the uniform he was supposed to wear. A tie. He hated ties, but if he was going to stay here, it was a small thing he was going to have to get over. "Well...this is going to be interesting." He picked up the tie and looked at it.
Luna grinned as she picked up the skirt. "I don't like uniforms - I think they limit out freedom of expression. But this skirt is cute!" Luna said with a laugh. "Dibs on shower!" She said skipping to the small joined bathroom.
***
Luna came out a few minutes later. squeaky clean, hair done up in a towel for the moment so it wouldn't drip on her uniform - which happened to fit just right. Luna tucked the shirt into her skirt before sitting on the bed again. "It's all yours" she said cheerily taking the towel off and drying her hair.
***
Luna came out a few minutes later. squeaky clean, hair done up in a towel for the moment so it wouldn't drip on her uniform - which happened to fit just right. Luna tucked the shirt into her skirt before sitting on the bed again. "It's all yours" she said cheerily taking the towel off and drying her hair.
He actually did think she would look cute in the outfit, but he didn't get a chance to say so before she ran into the bathroom. He only smiled slightly and started to explore the small room a bit more. There wasn't much, except some paper and pencils in the desk. When she came back out he realized he was right, she did look very nice in it.
"I'll be out in a minute." He told her grabbing the uniform and heading into the bathroom.
"I'll be out in a minute." He told her grabbing the uniform and heading into the bathroom.
"Okey dokey" she called after him.
Luna dried her hair as best she could, and combed it with her fingers. She rose and walked over to the long mirror that hung on the wall and examined herself. It had been a long time since she had been able to really look at herself in the mirror, it wasn't like the institute valued how pretty they were.
Luna leaned her head in as close as she could. She saw her pale hair, pale eyes, and pale skin. Overall she just felt like she could blend in with the snow. She looked at her hands, having them turn invisible, for the fun of it. She wiggled her fingers and played with her hair, finding amusement with the fact that it looked like a ghost was messing with her.
Luna dried her hair as best she could, and combed it with her fingers. She rose and walked over to the long mirror that hung on the wall and examined herself. It had been a long time since she had been able to really look at herself in the mirror, it wasn't like the institute valued how pretty they were.
Luna leaned her head in as close as she could. She saw her pale hair, pale eyes, and pale skin. Overall she just felt like she could blend in with the snow. She looked at her hands, having them turn invisible, for the fun of it. She wiggled her fingers and played with her hair, finding amusement with the fact that it looked like a ghost was messing with her.
((So, for dinner I'm thinking that it's cafeteria style for everyone. And I'm thinking that we play ourselves, and then extra's who interact with each other. So I'll be people that talk to you, and address me if they need to, and you'll do the same?))
((Sounds good.))
London took a quick shower, for a few moments though just standing under the warm water. He quickly washed himself up before hoping out and drying himself. He eyed the uniform, picking up the pants and putting them on. After a few moments he came out trying to figure out how to tie the tie. He hadn't ever tied one on his own, it was always his father that did it for him. He did the best he could though. Trying to remember the little rhyme he was told.
London took a quick shower, for a few moments though just standing under the warm water. He quickly washed himself up before hoping out and drying himself. He eyed the uniform, picking up the pants and putting them on. After a few moments he came out trying to figure out how to tie the tie. He hadn't ever tied one on his own, it was always his father that did it for him. He did the best he could though. Trying to remember the little rhyme he was told.
Luna's hands came back as London came in. "How was your shower?" she asked turning to him and sauntering over. She looked at him fumbling with his tie curiously. "I've always thought ties were strange." she mused quietly aloud.
"They're actually just annoying." He said with a sigh, looking up at her as he finished up. It was a loose knot but it was all he could do. He walked over to the mirror and looked himself over, thinking he looked weird. He moved his wet hair back to where he liked it and then stood up straight. "You look...beautiful by the way." He turned back to her smiling softly, his face turning a bit red.
Luna grinned and stepped up to him, centering his tie and tightening it a little. "You don't look so bad yourself" she said simultaneously getting on her tip-toes and pulling his tie so he was closer to her. She gave him eased her lips onto his for a brief moment before letting go and returning flat to her feet. She smiled and stepped away, looking down and smoothing her skirt.
London was about to thank her for fixing it, when she pulled him closer. He half smiled as she did and kissed her back, standing there a moment after she pulled away. He smiled a bit wider as he watched her. before looking toward the clock on the way.
"Almost time." He said looking back to her. For some reason feeling pretty nervous all of a sudden.
"Almost time." He said looking back to her. For some reason feeling pretty nervous all of a sudden.
Luna did an excited bounce. "I'm excited! I really hope that we get to stay." She said clasping her hands under her chin hopefully. "Maybe we should start heading there? So we can get good seats?"
"That's probably a good idea." He nodded in agreement putting his hand out to her. He wasn't sure what to expect once they got there, which didn't help his nervousness. But for now he was keeping it down, all he had to do was just sit with her and eat. Which he realized he was pretty hungry.
Luna took his hand and let London take the lead out the door. They walked down the hall, and Luna 'ooed' and 'ahhd' over the artwork and statues in the hall. "London, this place is magnificent!" Luna giggled pointing to pieces she found particularly interesting.
He felt a bit out of place here, he hadn't though it would be this fancy he guessed was the right word. The uniforms and the artwork lining the walls. But she seemed to be enjoying it.
"Yeah it is." He looked at each of the things she pointed at. It took them a bit of time to find the way, but they eventually did. The small sign next to the door saying as much.
"Yeah it is." He looked at each of the things she pointed at. It took them a bit of time to find the way, but they eventually did. The small sign next to the door saying as much.
Luna squeezed his hand and let go. "We got this." She said with a wink and a thumbs up. She pushed open the doors to reveal several round tables, about 10 chairs each. 2 cafeteria lines moving like a line of ants. Most of the tables were still empty, patrons still in line.
Luna bit her lip. There was a lot of people here, but none of them seemed to be paying them any attention so Luna continued forward.
Luna bit her lip. There was a lot of people here, but none of them seemed to be paying them any attention so Luna continued forward.
London froze as he saw all the people that were already there. He honestly wasn't sure what he had expected, though he had known people would be there. It wasn't anything like this. He quickly followed her lead behind her, keeping his eyes on everything else but other people. He just wanted to eat and leave the room.
Luna kept her head up, and a soft smile on her face. Luna marched them to the back of a line and put her back against the wall. "So... there's quite a few people down here huh?" she whispered to him. "We should try to make friends."
That was sort of what he was afraid of, she was a lot more social then he was. Just the thought of trying to make conversation with someone made him anxious.
"If you want to try..." He told her quietly. "I'll be right here." He gave a weird sort of smile, clearly a bit uncomfortable.
"If you want to try..." He told her quietly. "I'll be right here." He gave a weird sort of smile, clearly a bit uncomfortable.
"No problem." He smiled softly, glad he cold make her this happy about something. "We just have to figure out how to get in."