Mew and Harpy (Darkest Powers)

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

"Yeah I get what you're saying," Luke replied to her as he peeled one of the carrots, beginning to cut it up on the chopping board in front of him,"But, I dunno, having a place for just some peace and quite is pretty nice. For me anyways." Before he got here a month ago, his life had been crazy for at least a year. And for a chance to just stop everything and live for a little bit? He never thought he would appreciate something more in his entire life."I wouldn't mind a little extra time outside though. Seeing these same walls every single day and only getting to go outside for, like, an hour, is really killing me. I'm about ready to start crawling up and down these walls."

"I know, but I happen to like your name very much," Vivian said with a sweet smile over at the boy, but she did nod her head,"But okay Kel." She allowed the two of them to introduce themselves as well, smiling between the both of them. Kelly was her best friend here, he was who she could go to whenever she needed to talk about anything really. Well, whenever Everett wasn't around, which was few and far in between. The large guy seemed to always be around the other boy, hovering there like a second large shadow. However, at the moment, he wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Where's your roommate at?" she questioned him with a curious tilt of her head, shifting her weight to her other leg.

[Mew or Fox]

Dakota let out a groan and set down her vegetables and tool to look at Luke head on. She wasn't truly annoyed or anything but she did have a flair for the dramatics. "If you can call having group chats about our emotions living. Sure its nice not to have to deal with the real world, but if I have to answer the same questions on my relationship with the General, I am going to fucking scream." Not that she would ever do that around people, she knew better than that. Still though she had only been here slightly longer than Luke, but all the doctors asked her about was her father and how she handled her emotions. It was repetitive and annoying as hell.

Suspicion dipped the corners of Kel's smile as he glanced over to Vivian. He had never discussed why he hated his full name and he had no intentions to do so. Despite his friendly persona, no one ever got past the surface of him. Expect perhaps Everett, and that was only because that boy had more issues than Kel did. It was some what of an oxymoron though, given how he was open to chat with just about anyone.

Closing the book Kel let it flop onto his stomach, "I have no idea honestly. If I were a betting man I would say he is trying to jimmy a window open again for a bit of fresh air. It does seem particularly nice outside today."

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

"I know, I know. They repetitive questions can certainly get annoying, I'm not gonna argue against that," Luke said with a small chuckle putting his hands up in mock defeat. He'd gonna into a few accidental arguments with Dakota before and it had not been pleasant. At all."Once you just learn to ignore that and just do what they want and say what they want, well, I guess it just kinda becomes part of the flow. I'll do whatever I can to get outta here, even if I have to spit out a bunch of bullshit."

Vivian chuckled a little bit at his words, nodding.
"That certainly does sound like something he would try to do. Even though he's already tried doing it, like, 10 dozen times," she said, looking over at her roommate,"Everett isn't allowed to go outside as often as the rest of us, not really sure why exactly. But he gets really twitchy if he doesn't get any fresh air or more place to move around in." She had caught him multiple times hanging out by the back door, almost like a dog does when it doesn't get to go outside for a long time. Yeah, that was a pretty good comparison.

[Mew or Fox]

Kody narrowed her gaze on his for a moment, clearly deciding exactly whoes side that he was on. In the end she just shrugged a little and tossed another peeled potato into the bowl. "You are very good at faking the bullshit aren't you? Though why are you still here anyway? Surely you are old enough to be out on your own if you wanted. Our parents can only keep up in here until we are legal in the eyes of the state." She had no intention of still being here by the time she turned 18 but if for some god awful reasons she was, then she was out the door as of midnight that day.

"Well it is said that practice makes perfect. Then again trying the same thing over and over again expecting a different result is a sign of insanity." Kel's slightly cryptic words left Val a little more concerned than confused. She had to remind herself that all the kids were here for treatment, just like her. So they would have their quirks. Light blue eyes glanced over to Vivian at the explanation of why the mystery boy would be trying to break out a window, " Well that seems unfair, if all of us are limited to begin with they shouldn't take it away anymore."

That got a small scoff out of the lounging boy, "Welcome to Lyle house, there is no such thing as fair. Just their rules and our objections. We aren't trusted to have rights since we are all crazy after all." His grin was teasing as he twirled a finger around his temple. Even as he spoke lightly, his eyes stayed dark and impassive. Kel knew he was perfectly healthy, both in mind and body. He was fairly confident all of them were, though a few exceptions were still out there. It was fairly likely that Marc was actually a narcissist.

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

Luke chuckled a bit at her words, shrugging his shoulders a bit. He was pretty good at it, he had to admit. And he continued to be good at it when he raised an eyebrow at her words about age, grabbing another carrot to peel and cut up.
"I'm one of the youngest here D, I'm only 16. I'm not gonna be able to get out of any government facilities until I'm 18. And I was under government care when I got here too, my parents don't have a say in what happens to me," he said with shrug, acting like he didn't care. Truth be told, he hadn't seen his parents since he was 8, but no one needed to know that.

"Yeah it has something to do with the reason he's in here, I'm not sure of the specifics. I just know he's not very happy about it, obviously since he tries to pry open windows," Vivian said with a small chuckle, crossing her arms over her chest. She had just finished speaking after Kelly when he felt something behind her. Tensing up, she turned around and let out a soft yip at the chest she suddenly came face to face with, jumping about a foot back.

"You're acting like I jumped out from behind the couch. Christ, chill out," a very large boy standing behind Vivian said. He was tall, like hella tall. Spots of acne covered his face and his damp hair fell limp in his face, covering up one of his eyes completely. However, it didn't seem like his hair was damp from a shower, considering the stench that was radiating off of him. It smelled like he hadn't showered or changed clothes for 2 weeks. He was a pretty intimidating guy from the looks of it, though it also appeared he was fairly overweight as well, evident from how baggy his clothing was. Obviously this was Everett, the one everyone had been talking about. And his eyes were now focusing on Valarie.

[Mew or Fox]

A scoff broke from Dakota's lips at his defense of his age. She might not know how old he actually was but she was certain he wasn't younger than her. Even so, she rarely pressed the issue more than just to tease or get under his skin, which was disappointingly difficult. Everything just seemed to roll of Luke's back. "You keep saying that Luke, but if you are sixteen then I am a fucking princess and we all know that isn't possible." She started to laugh at her self deprecating joke when someone yipped a few rooms over. "Was that Effie or the new girl?" It wasn't as if Kody was concerned given she sounded more amused than anything else.

The reason he is here? That statement triggered a similar question in Val's thoughts. but she knew the answer already. She was here because she was seeing things that weren't there. 'Seeing things that no one else could wasn't healthy.' the comment from her doctor back home still rang in her ears and left a cold pit in her stomach. Her wandering thoughts rushed back in a flurry when Vivian spun around next to her. Light blue eyes first glanced to her in surprise and concern, but then followed up, and up, to the source of the shock.

The sight should have had her stepping back as her new roommate had. With all the warning the Effie and the others had made about the young man here, Valarie had created some kinda mental image, none of which matched the real deal. It was a rare occurance that she would feel small next to someone, with Everett she felt like a child next to an adult rather than just a fellow teenager. How was he possibly their age? Survival instinct overpowered the questions as his intense line of focus was turned onto her.

Rather than fight or flight she froze, unable to even think let alone move, a trap only broken when Kel spoke up. ”Don’t sound so offended, she was distracted after all. And you do make a habit of lurking.” An amused smile tugged at his lips at seeing the girls’ reaction. It was always fun to see people scramble around Everett. Even he had taken a bit to get used to the intimidation factor the boy possessed, though by now he had seen past the first impressions and to the reality behind it.

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

Luke kept his cool as he started chopping the carrots again, not letting anything shine through the rouse he was playing. He had kept everything in perfect order the whole time he had been here and, while he trusted Dakota, he wasn't going to let her know about him. He chuckled a bit at her words and was going to reply when he also heard the yelp. Raising his eyebrows, he glanced in the direction it came from and shrugged.
"Sounded like Effie. She probably saw a bug or something," he said, not thinking much of it. And he wouldn't unless he heard it again.

Everett kept his eyes on the new girl in front of him, not knowing what her name was, but she seemed...interesting. For one thing, she smelled like death. And it wasn't an odor problem exactly, it was just...just her smell to him. She smelled like dirt and musk and sour death. He wrinkled his nose a bit from the smell and looked at Kelly, shrugging.
"I don't lurk," he grumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. Puberty had been kind to him in that department it seemed, but not so kind to the rest of his body from the looks of it. Frowning, he looked at Vivian, who still looked about 10 seconds from hightailing it outta there and he sighed."You look like a just kicked your pet poodle. Chill." He moved then, after a quick glance to the girl, and sat down next to Kelly on the couch, crossing his arms over his chest.

Vivian swallowed when Everett finally moved to the couch, it being easier to breath now. He just terrified the hell out of her, he was so large and scary looking, she couldn't really help it. Clearing her throat and trying to regain her composure, she found herself instinctively trying to lean behind Valarie, like she was trying to hide or something.
"I was....just showing Valarie around. Um...Everett, this is Val, my roommate. And that's Everett, Kel's roommate," she introduced them quickly.

[Mew or Fox]

Conceding to his assumption about the tiny blonde just getting spooked by something insignificant, Kody picked up the last potato and made quick work of it. "So what are your first impression of the new girl? I don't think she is gonna be a trouble maker like Kel or Marc. But I can't shake this weird feeling." She had felt it before just had never been able to put her finger on what exactly caused it.

If Valarie had the courage to say it right, then she might have mentioned that silently standing people folks as they talked was most definitely lurking. But the rational part of her brain convinced her that arguing with someone like him upon first meeting was bad idea. The fact that Vivian looked more likely to run than a mouse before a cat, wasn't helping. After the initial shock of his sudden arrival though, she noted smaller details that made him seem more guarded than imposing. It was in the way he held himself, defense rather than aggressive. Still she wasn't about start anything with him.

Kel couldn't keep the grin off his face as he watched the small scene unfold. This was basically his replacement for television here at the house. He didn't even both to adjust his stretched out posture on the couch when Everett joined him, making it obvious that he was the only relaxed on in the room.

When her roommate made an attempt at introductions, Val noted her skittish body language and some kinda maternal or protective instinct kicked in. Drawing herself up a little taller and putting on her friendliest smile she offered a little wave to the Goliath sized teenager. Sure the front didn't show how unsettled she actually was, but it would draw more attention to her, and therefore take some of it off of Vivian. "Hi, I've heard your name come up alot around here so far. It's nice to put a face to the name."

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

"Eh, she seemed pretty okay to me. Not too bitchy but not too sweet either. Probably a decent girl, but I'm just curious what the hell is wrong with her, you know? Like what she did to get put here, cause it has to be something," Luke replied as he worked through his carrot, grabbing another one. She knew why a few of them were here, like Dakota and Effie, but other than that, he tried not to pry. He only knew why they were here cause he was friends with them. However, he had not confided why he was, using the simple explanation that it was too hard for him to talk about.

Everett knew that Vivian was afraid of him, but that wasn't much new. People are always either intimidated by or feel challenges by him when they first meet him, like Marc. Marc made it his mission to piss him off whenever he could. And like Vivian, who couldn't even look at him without squirming. As the new girl, Valarie, spoke, he could see the blonde trying to make her way behind her already. It was annoying really.
"Glad to know people are talking about me," he grumbled from her words, looking away a moment later.

Vivian bit her lip as she moved about halfway behind Val. Even sitting down Everett was scary as hell, he just had an aura around him that she found very off putting. Plus him being huge as hell didn't help.
"Val? Why don't I show you downstairs?" she offered to her, wanting to get away now.

[Mew or Fox]

"Hmm..." Kody murmured her agreement thought wasn't completely convinced. Not that she thought Val was going to be 'too bitchy' or 'too sweet', rather it was that feeling that had left the hair raised on her arms and her teeth on edge. She did her best to keep it hidden from the girls and even Luke when she noticed it. Trying to shrug it off, she headed over tot he sink to wash her hands, "Well my guess is Vivian will find out before too long. She is good at getting people to talk after all. Then you just have to ask her. Although I bet you could just smile and get that Snowflake to melt in your palm." Her teasing was lighthearted, but really while Marc was particularly Silver tongued, Luke had a disarming effect on almost everyone.

Val had to admit, that the way Everett was acting didn't match up with the comments the other kids in the house had made. Sure he was offputting and imposing but he wasn't as if he was trying to be. The fact that he was the size he was wasn't his fault, and given the fact that he seemed to be trying to make himself smaller, by closing his arms around himself, made Valarie wonder if he was self conscious about it. Conflicting thoughts chased each other around her thoughts as he smile dampened slightly. Thankfully she didn't have worry about figuring out how to follow up his comment, instead she nodded to Effie. "Sure, sounds good to me." She gestured for her to lead the way, though before following she waved again to the boys, "See you at dinner?"

"Well I know I will be there, I'll see about dragging this lug along too." Kel answered with his all to pleased smile. Once the girls had left he glanced over to his roommate with an arched brow. "You are terrible at first impressions you know that right?" He nudged Everett's knee with his foot in a joking manner. " So what were you up to anyway?"

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

Luke was just finishing up all of the carrots that needed to be peeled and cut, moving them all into a bowl once they were finished. He waited until Dakota was finished washing her hands before he moved over, nodding at her words.
"Very true, she can be pretty persuasive and I don't even think she realizes that she is. And I don't quite know about that, I'm sure it'll take a little more than a smile to get it outta her," he said with a chuckle. He knew how people usually opened up to him however, he just had a kind aura about him he supposed.

"Great, come on with me," Vivian said to her and took her arm gently, moving her out of the living room. She probably did that a little bit faster than she should have, but Everett gave her the general creeps! He was just so huge and scary, he never talked either! Just glared at people! Moving past the kitchen, she opened up the door to the basement and turned on the lights, starting down the steps."Sorry to drag you off like that so suddenly. I just...really don't like being in a room with him."

Everett didn't say anything as the girls started to leave, just stared down at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. He did seem to relax a little bit once they were gone and looked to Kel when he spoke, scoffing a bit.
"Not my fault people are scared of me for no reason," he grumbled, running his fingers through his oily hair. He had showered this morning and, already, he was in need of another one. Great."I was trying to get into the nurses office....Get the file on that new girl. You know, see what she's in for."

[Mew or Fox]

A disparaging look came from Kody at Luke's weak attempt to be humble, but it cracked after a second as she shook her head. "You keep telling yourself that." After drying her hands on a dish towel, she collected a stack of plates from the shelf and headed for the over sized dinner table. At about the same time that the two girls scurried past, making a beeline for the basement. Dakota drew up short catching the plates before they could rattle too much. "Watch it!" Her warning was pointless since the girls were already heading down the stairs," Da hell has them running around with their tails on fire?" She added in a grumble.

Valarie tried to give an apology to the punkish blonde as the passed but too late for that now. Effie seemed determined to vacate the room as quickly as possible. It wasn't as if she could blame the petite girl, but she didn't understand quite how everyone seemed so on edge around Everett. The boy had certainly unnerved her but so far he had done nothing but make a rough first impression. Once Vivian slowed down on the steps downstairs, Val offered a bit of a smile, "It's okay, though if it is so uncomfortable to be around him, that must make it hard with him being Kel's roommate." The bubbly blonde's body language toward the aloof boy had not gone unnoticed by Val.

A short bark of laughter was all Kel gave at Everett's feeble attempt at a defense for his behavior on meeting Valarie. When he continued though, the dark skinned boy sat up straight on the couch, "Bold, I would have helped you know." Sneaking into places his probably shouldn't had always been a hobby that he couldn't dabble in enough. Never anywhere that would cause extreme trouble, yet anyway. "Were you able to find anything of interesting? We haven't seen a fire starter in a while. It would be so rich to see a pyro roomed with Effie."

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

Luke chuckled at her words, reaching for some paper towels once he was finished washing his hands, He was tidying up the counters when the kids suddenly rushed past them like that and he raised his eyebrows, looking to Dakota and shrugging his shoulders.
"Heck if I know," he said, pausing for a moment and he was just able to hear Kelly and Everett's voice from the living room,"Ah, it's probably Everett. You know Effie has a distinct fear of him."

Vivian knew that she might be unfair with the whole Everett situation, but she couldn't help it. She had tried to be nice to him before when he first started, tried to give him the benefit of the doubt form everything she was hearing about him. But he was so cold to her and, after that fight he had with Marc, well, she couldn't find herself able to be comfortable around him, or safe for that matter. Hearing Valarie's words, she blushed a bit however tried to play it off as they got to the end of the steps.
"I suppose so. You know, since Kelly and I are good friends," she replied, smoothing her dress out a bit and clearing her throat. Had she been that obvious she liked him?

"I know, but it's easier for me," Everett replied with a shrug of his shoulders, sinking a little bit further back into the couch. He shook his head at the question, looking rather irritated."Nah I couldn't get in. The nurses were all over and as soon as I was able to pick the lock, one of them would come by." He was normally so good and quick at getting information, but he supposed because of a new person coming in, they were more active then they would be otherwise. Which was irritating, meant he had many more eyes on him.

[Mew or Fox]

Of course it had been the local mystery boy. Everyone had their secrets around here but Everett didn't seem capable of even sharing his favorite color. So it lead most to assume the worse of him.

A scoff came from Kody as she started to set out the plates. She's never gonna get over that fear if she runs away from him every time they cross paths." Dakota was by no means comfortable around the mentioned boy, but she also was the type to back down. One of the reasons why she had gotten in trouble in the first place. Like when she had first met Everett, she had tried goading/convincing him into a harmless tussle. He made up excuses or straight up ignored all of her prodding. Although when the Goliath finally snapped on Marc, she realized her mistake and had stopped bothering him. Not that she would ever admit that had been the reason. "Well hopefully, that new girl will give her enough of a distraction for a while, to finally adjust."

Val hid a small giggle behind her hand but she composed herself quickly. It was bit of a relief to see something as normal as a girl having a crush. Well she assumed it was a crush anyway. She certainly wasn't comfortable around her new roommate to question her about it yet. "Right, and also that everyone is kinda trapped in the house. I guess you are bound to cross paths with everyone no matter what you do." That was a realization that Val wasn't sure how she felt about yet. She was quite the people person normally, but also appreciated the value of one's own space. Something that seemed like a rare commodity around here. Branching off the topic, she glanced around the basement asking, "So what's down here?

"Damn. At least you didn't get caught. I would hate to see how much further they could ground you." Kel had no fear in teasing Everett, even if he didn't know anything more about the boy as the rest of the house. All he knew was his roommate was a victim of bad genes and worst circumstances. Frankly, he thought him to have made pretty damn good of his situation. It was a quality to be admired and not the only thing that Kel admired. "I guess we will be finding out the old fashioned way then? Just waiting to see what sets off her broken psyche in the inevitable explosion?" The sarcasm dripped so heavily from his words, he rolled his own eyes at it.

[Mew or Fox]

(Hey Harpy, hope you had a good holiday season. Just curious if you are interested in continuing this one, or possibly interested in trying something new. If not I understand, just wanted to ask.)

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

(( I am still interested in this one, I am so so sorry that I didn't reply sooner. Some of my RPs got lost and after the busy season passed at WalMart I haven't quite gone through to find all of them yet. If you're still willing to continue I would love to. ))

[Mew or Fox]

(It's alright, I had wondered if it had gotten buried. I am definitely interested in continuing. No rush on a reply, take whatever time you need.)

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

(( Alright thank you so much for being understanding (: I'll work on my reply now! ))

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

"No I really don't think she will. Effie is skittish as a mouse though, she's not exactly easy to scare," Luke replied with a chuckle, digging in the drawers for the silverware. He didn't have anything to do at the moment, he had finished his task earlier. Following her into the dining room, he followed behind her with the spoons, they were never given forks or knives because, well, it was a safety hazard. In the eyes on the nurses anyways. If they did receive on, it was always plastic and collected at the end of dinner."I hope so, Effie doesn't exactly have a close friend here yet. She needs one so Albany can finally leave her be." He didn't consider Kel a friend since, you know, they were crushing on one another. At least, he assumed the guy liked her as well, he acted like it.

Vivian was glad from Val's words, visibly relaxing when it seemed like the accusations of her liking Kel were gone. Clearing her throat, she moved a bit closer to the washing area down there and very quickly, and briefly, explained how the laundry worked around here. At the end of every week, there were 2 people assigned to do laundry, one of the boys and one of the girls. If Val didn't know which clothes were which based on look alone, that was okay, cause the girls could come down and claim their things themselves.
"Albany will have a fit if she needs to do that, but the nurses will keep her in check," she finished off saying, offering a smile,"She's a bit of a...particular person."

Everett looked at him as he spoke, grunting and mumbling something at his first words. He knew it was just teasing and since it was Kelly, he would let it slide. Anyone else that tried that with him, of course, would not be so lucky. He rose his eyebrow at his last words though, a small, what some may consider a chuckle, escaped him.
"Yeah, sure. Cause that's how we always play things," he replied, also being sarcastic,"I'm gonna wait for tomorrow. Weekend, it'll be down to the graveyard crew. And I'll probably do it at night, make it easier."

[Mew or Fox]

A small murmur of agreement came from Kody at the similarities of Effie to a mouse. Of all the kids in the house she figured that Effie was probably the closest thing to normal they had. Luke was a close second but he was so damn secretive about anything of merit it left them all wondering just who he was. "True though the girl could use some toughening up so when she gets released I won't have to worry about her fending for herself. If Albany is good at anything, it's teaching someone to grow a thick skin." She finished with the place settings and dusted of her hands, even if there was nothing on them. "And that is where I draw the line. Everyone can serve themselves from this point."

Val had never done laundry before, well besides helping her parents sort out the clothes and fold them when they were ready. So she figured she was half way there already. Still she wasn't sure about having someone else handle her things, even if it was just another girl in the house. The new name caught her attention from the laundry room. Val was certain that Vivian had mentioned it before when naming the rest of the residents off, but she couldn't remember if she had explained anything about the girl. "Uh, particular can mean a lot of things...Like is she OCD or something?" Val had a few classmates back home with OCD most of them mild but she knew better than to mess with their stuff once it was all arranged.

"Oh striking again so soon? Do I get and invite this time or do I just have to wait to get the details until after you get back?" Kel joked about it, but if Everett was successful in getting his hands on the file, then he would find out the information one way or another. He wasn't the kind of person that liked to be in the dark. About then Marc appeared at the doorway and without comment flopped into a nearby chair with aloof ease. Kel glanced over to him with one of his rare annoyed looks, to which the platinum haired boy put on a mockingly affronted expression, "What? I haven't even said anything." This just pulled and eye roll from the dark skinned boy but he managed to keep him comments to himself.

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

"Yeah cause you have to get to use to her bullshit all the time and just ignore her," Luke replied with a chuckle, following behind her the entire way until she was finished. He nodded and motioned towards the steps."I'll go let the nurses know we're done so they can make the rest of the stuff." He gave her a small pat on the head, just a little something he did to annoy her, before running off upstairs before she could attack back.

Vivian leaned on the dishwasher as she asked that, thinking on how best to answer that.
"I wouldn't call her OCD exactly, it's not that she has too have it done a certain way. It's that she prefers it. Like...her way is the only right way kind of a thing," she replied with a shrug. Not many of them around here liked Albany, she was pretty mean after all. The amount of times her and Dakota had almost gotten into fights were impressive to say the least.

"You can keep look out I suppose," Everett replied, preferring to do things alone. But he knew that Kel wanted to feel like he was included in what they did, after all they were like a little team of two. And it would be helpful to have someone there. When Marc came in and sat down, he too gave him an annoyed look which, at this point, was basically just his face. He swung his arm across the back of the couch so it was over Kel, a protective gesture as he looked slowly away from Marc. He didn't like the guy.

[Mew or Fox]

Luke's quick retreat left Dakota alone to fume about the belittling head pat. Of everyone in the house only he got away with that kind of treatment to her. Not because he earned some kinda special favor with her or anything, rather there was just nothing she could do to get him to stop. Also it definitely wasn't because of the way it often made her cheeks burn out of something more than just frustration. With the table set and her chore finished, the punkish blonde headed out of the dining room in search of something to do until dinner. She spied the inevitable conflict as she passed the lounge where Kel, Everett, and Marc faced off with each other. The need to witness the chaos battled with self preservation for a moment. She had nothing against any of the boys in particular, she might even consider Marc oddly enough to be a friend, but she had seen this storm before. And if it was gonna explode she didn't want to be around when the nurses found out. So she opted to go hang out on one of the couches by the front door, trying to catch a little of the remaining sun through a window.

Val managed to hold back her first thought of, 'Ah, so she is high maintenance,' when she realized just how rude that would be to say about someone she hadn't even met yet. Instead she nodded in understanding and said, "Oh okay. Duly noted. Although I would guess most people like to have things their way rather than anything else?" Valerie liked to think of herself as a flexible person, but she knew as well as anyone, that it was nice to feel in control of your situation. A feeling she hadn't had for quite a while, given the hallucinations and this sudden relocation.

If Marc was dissuaded by their response to his arrival he didn't show it. Honestly though, it disturbed him that so many in the house had such a negative attitude toward him. The staff seems to like him well enough, but then he reminded himself that it was practically their job to do that, so their reactions were bias. He knew he might have screwed up a couple weeks back with Luke, but he couldn't fathom while Everett hated him so. He had only promised good things, nothing he had said to other kids their age, but yet the reaction was the complete opposite. Marc understood while Kelly was so avidly against him, because the boy was completely loyal to his roommate. So nothing to be done about that, without building some serious groundwork, work he wasn't willing to take on at the moment. Rather he opted to try for the less arduous mountain. "So did you meet the new girl, Everett? What did you think of her?"

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

"Very smart not to get involved in that," a voice said from the couch that Dakota had just sat down on. Payton was sitting there, though he had imagined the girl didn't notice him right away, he always seemed to blend in with everything. He was sitting criss cross there with a textbook open in his lap, working on some math. Things around here got boring so he often resorted to just getting ahead of whatever lesson he might be working on during their school sessions.

"Yes, but most people don't throw insane tantrums and yell when things arn't done to their liking," Vivian replied with a small chuckle, pushing a strand of hair that got loose out of her face. She had tried to get along with Albany when she first got here, God knows Dakota didn't get along with the girl. But it was very clear within the first 2 weeks of her trying that they weren't a compatible pair.

Everett wanted Marc to go away, not just because he didn't like the guy, but he wanted to talk to Kelly further about their plans for the night. He certainly wasn't gonna do it while the other guy was there. Did he think he would snitch even if he found out about it? Nah, Marc wasn't that type of person. But still, he didn't want him involved at all. Hearing his question come up, he raised his eyebrows at him wondering why he would ask him that. It was kind of weird right? He was silent for a few long ticks before he shrugged.
"Only said hello, didn't get much of an impression of her at all," he replied in a gruff voice.

[Mew or Fox]

Kody had just sat down to and started to nestle into the corner of the couch when the surprise of a voice right next to her shot her back onto her feet. "Holy fuck!" Her reaction coming out in a higher girlish sound that she would have liked. Whipping back around, she saw that it was Payton nonchalantly sitting at the other end of the couch. Damn him...While she wasn't the most observant person, she liked to think that someone wouldn't be able to spook her that simply. Trying to save some face, she flopped back down onto the cushions and folded her arms stubbornly, "Well duh, I'd much rather still be allowed to go on the Sunday outing than watch that sorry show of a cock fight." Her vulgar bravado, was a thin cover to her how her pulse pounding in her ears and how her fists clenched against her ribs. "If they go nuclear, then anyone in that room is gonna end up grounded. And probably face extra sessions to boot."

Somehow Vivian's quick assurance that the classic melt downs of mentally unstable patients wasn't a thing here, didn't provide all that much comfort to Val. If she was being honest, if this place was like the movies then maybe she would have a clue on how to deal with it. But how did she deal with a boy that had a lecherous eye for everyone, a girl that seemed more interested in starting a fight than making friends, and a boy that seemed ready to break something if he didn't get fresh air soon? Sure Kelly, Effie, and Luke so far seemed alright, but she knew that if they where here they were just as crazy as she was, so who knew what they were capable of. 'No, stop that...They are probably just like me. I'd never do anything that would get someone this paranoid. So why would they?' Val took a a steadying breath trying to keep her thoughts for going too wild. Just as she was about to ask Vivian about how long everyone had known each other, something moved behind the tiny blonde. It was subtle, as they always were at first, but the translucent appearance was unmistakable. Out of the wall behind Effie, a ghostly hand and forearm pressed through the surface blindly stretching out toward the two of them. Almost instantly, Val felt cold lance through her body and her pale eyes went wide, fixated on the spot in the wall. She couldn't get enough breath back into her body in order speak, and even if she could, she had no idea what she might have said.

There was no containing the eye roll, as Marc waved away the cold response. "Oh come now. Everyone has a first impression. Even if you don't say much." A scoff came from Kel but more so out of annoyance than dismissal. He was a furtive believer than someone could learn a lot about a person before they ever open their mouth. Before the dark skinned boy could suggest that the other find someone else to taunt, Marc continued, "Like how she is a lot like you when you first arrived. Although she at least makes an attempt to be pleasant to be around." The odd correlation gave Kel just enough pause to glance sideways at Everett and the opportunity for the troublemaker to rattle one. "Like how I am pretty sure she counts the exits to any room she enters. She glanced five times to the front door alone when Luke and I met here on the stairs."

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

Payton knew that the girl would probably be startled, most people were when he accidentally scared them anyways, but he did not except the high pitched scream. It was humorous to say the least since Dakota was a very punk type girl who he didn't think would have been able to achieve that, however he knew if he laughed it would only piss her off. So he contained it, simply watched as she sat back down and nodded to her words.
"Very good thinking on your part. When you put those 3 together, trouble is certain to come," he said, looking back down at his papers and writing something down. He had been trying to work out a problem in his head while talking, though it hadn't worked too well so he needed to read it again.

Vivian was still leaning against the dryer, just waiting for Valarie to say something next. When she didn't speak for a moment however, she opted to look up at her to see if maybe she was confused on what to say next or something. What she didn't expect was to see her wide, scared eyes staring at her. Furrowing her eyebrows, she glanced behind her, thinking there may have been something there, but there was nothing.
"Um Val, you okay?" she asked with a tilt of her head and a concerned look on her face.

Everett listened to Marc as he spoke to him, even though he would like to be doing anything but that at the moment. He hated listening to him, anything that he ever had to say. Cause it was either bullshit or shit he didn't care about, like this. He didn't care about the new girl, she had her own issues and wasn't his problem.
"So she's a worry rat, so what? Vivian is too, it's nothing we haven't had to live with before," he replied just as gruffly as he had before, adjusting himself slightly on the couch so he was a bit more comfortable. Though when you were as big as he was, it was kinda hard to get comfy in the first place.

[Mew or Fox]

Now that her heart was back in the right place of her chest, Kody still refused to look at the Payton, convinced he would have some kinda cheeky grin there. Really though she shouldn't have had to worry about that Payton was quiet, hence the reason why he could so easily surprise people, but he had never been less than considerate to her or anyone else at Lyle house. All the same, her pride wouldn't allow it. "True, if Kel wasn't attached to E at the hip then I would suggest we lock them each on separate floors, just to save the rest of us the headache." Kody had another string of things to suggest on what they do with those boys when a sudden chill took the words from her mouth. Goosebumps sprung up all over her body and she barely suppressed the full body shudder that came with them. Loosing her folded arms, she quickly ran her hands over her forearms and biceps, trying to bring some warmth back to her limbs. "Damn it, if they are going to trap us in this place at least they should patch up the drafts." Of course she had no idea that the reaction had nothing to do with a cold breeze and rather what just took form in the basement.

Downstairs, it took Valarie a moment to realize that someone had asked her a question. No, not just someone, Effie. The only other person down there. There was no hand in the wall. There was nothing else happening. Val tried to cope with the affirmations that her therapist as suggested. Of course that therapist was exactly much help seeing as she had been refereed to this place a mere couple of months later. Still though the mental fortifications steadied her enough so she could refocus on her now roommate. " Um sorry, I...I, uh, zoned out for a second. Sorry..."She stammered out the lame excuse, afraid of just how unbalanced she must appear right then. Before she could try to recover once more, the ghastly image drew her attention again. The hand now reached it's full length into the room, the beginnings of a shoulder and torso were visible. Fear clenched Val's gut and she felt her eyes sting with the threat of tears. She always cried when she was scared, she just couldn't help it. She would have stayed rooted to the spot as well if the first sign of a head hadn't started to poke through the wall and Val refused to see the face. The faces are what lingered in her nightmares. Self preservation finally kicked over the fear and broke on the lock on her feet and with out warning she turn and fled out of the laundry room and back up the steps. Just barely getting out a flustered "Sorry!" as she did.

He was going to have to spell everything out wasn't he? Then again Marc was used to having to explain his non-linear thinking. He choose to take it as simply that the others couldn't grasp his clever ideas without being guided through them. "I wasn't concerned about living with the likes of her. I just thought you might recognize the usefulness of someone like that. At least in these first couple of days." Marc paused for a second glancing from Everett to Kel and back, letting the meaning settle in. Honey seeped into her words as he lowered his tone to more of a whisper," From the looks of it, she wants to be out of here just about as bad as you do. Well perhaps not quite that much, but still. I would be willing to bet that it would be a simple matter to coax her into getting her to do something, like say nick the pass for the back door? Nothing drastic, just a few extra hours outside. Some time where we don't have the adults breathing down our necks. Be able to get some fresh air and maybe remember what free will feels like." This was a bit more a blunt way of using his silver tongue but with a brute like Everett there wasn't exactly another option.

[Mew or Fox]

(I saw your post on the request board. Just bumping this up like you said.)

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

(( Thank you and I'm sorry it took me forever to get to this :/ ))

"Yeah separating them probably wouldn't be the best idea. You know how they seem to only function when around one another," Payton replied as he wrote something down in his notebook. He took a moment to work through more of the problem, not ignoring Dakota though he imaged she probably knew that. He was just trying to get some work done is all. Once that one was worked though, he looked back over to her once she spoke again,"You're cold? I don't feel anything." He didn't, not much anyways, but he always seemed to be warmed then everyone else in the home.

Vivian didn't feel anything, maybe a little bit of a chill, but it was pretty much always cold down there so she didn't really think much of it. She was just worried about Valarie who legit looked like she had just seen a ghost. (of course she didn't know how right she actually was) She nodded when the girl tried to explain, though she didn't buy any of it. Vi was going to question her again when she suddenly bolted up the stairs, leaving Vivian down in the basement very, very confused.

Unfortunately for Marc, his words never worked with Everett the way that it worked for everyone else. He wasn't so easy to sway and Marc wasn't going to change that, despite his unusual ability to make most people bend to his will. He did listen to his words though, thinking about it momentarily, but shaking his head.
"I have my own plans of how and when I'm gonna get out of this place, I'm not gonna let some little girl who probably doesn't know the first thing about survival into my little operation," he replied. Really, it was only he and Kelly that he actually planned to get out of there, wasn't like he exactly cared about anyone else in the house after all. Though he knew that Kelly did.

[Mew or Fox]

"Function is a generous word for it.""Serious you didn't fucking feel that? I had no idea it had gotten that cool outside..." She scrubbed at her arms again and then leaned over to glance at his work, "Good god, what chapter are you even on? I don't recognize any of that. " Math was one of her least favorite subjects, she saw no value in it. Now she loved History, ask her to research a bunch old dead dudes, she was your girl.

Val had dealt with this hallucinations before, not very well, but still it wasn't new to her. In the past if she could just get far enough away then they would go away. At home she would have ran down to the end of their street and hung out by the low iron fence that gated the neighborhood. At School she had just headed to the opposite end and that seemed to do the trick. But here, she realized at the top of the basement steps, she couldn't leave. She couldn't get away. Effie had explained how the doors were locked unless opened by the staff. Panic flared in her chest, now contending with the fear. Logic tried to press it's way into her thoughts, the only bit that made sense was to go up. If she couldn't go out to escape then she would put as much distance as possible by going up. She didn't pay attention to the doors or the people she passed, she just spirited full tilt to the top floor of the Victorian-esque. Realizing there was nowhere else to go, Val just slid down a near by wall and buried her face in her hands. Not able to hold back to the waves of fear and emotion anymore. She didn't even try to stop the tears this time. It was all just too much.

While Everett might have been able to withstand the compulsion of Marc's suggestion, Kel wasn't quite as sturdy. His annoyed expression remained the same but he found himself nodding along with the idea that the nordic boy presented. When his roommate shot it down, Kel glanced over with an arched brow. "You know, if at bare minimum it could take some of the heat off of your back. Right now, besides this jabber jaw," he jerked a thumb over to Marc and continued,"your the only one willing to things up around here. Might help to push the spot light onto someone else." A standard coy grin tugged at the platinum blonde's lips as Kel appeared to be siding with him. One down. He opened his mouth to add to the persuasion when the sound of pounding feet gave him pause. The sound went from the hall to the stairs and then continued on about. "Who released the stampede?"

[Mew or Fox]

(Hey Harpy, how are you feeling about this one? I really like the potential for it, and I would like to continue if you do. But if you would rather move on I understand.)

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

(( I'm really sorry for not replying to this one for a while, I still really do like it and I wanna continue with it. I opened it, read it and forgot to reply ): ))

[Mew or Fox]

(It's alright, I have the same problem sometimes. I just wanted to reach out and see how you felt about it. Feel free to continue whenever you want)

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

(( Okay, thank you really so much for being so understanding, I hate to be that person who never replies to roleplays cause I know all the well how it is to be on the receiving end of it ): I'll try to reply more often whenever I'm on! ))

"Nope, I didn't feel a thing," Payton replied with a shrug of his shoulders, looking back down at his book when questioned about the work."I think I'm a couple chapters ahead of you. Trust me, I don't really understand much of this either." He was also more of a history type of person, that and writing. He was about to work more on the homework when he heard running up the steps and he turned just in time to see the new girl bolt up. He couldn't say that he wasn't curious but, really, he tried to keep his nose out of peoples business and, well, he didn't quite know what her deal was yet. So if she was dangerous he didn't exactly want to be the one to figure that out.

Everrett looked at Kelly as he said those words, raising his eyebrows at him.
"And how do you know she isn't gonna rat us out the second she gets a chance? It's better to keep this as low key as possible Kelly and you know that," he said in a grumble, really just not liking interacting with other people. He glanced up when he heard the running as well, wondering what the hell was going on. His smell was the thing that told him it was the new girl, Val, but he didn't really act on it. Just looked back over at his friend.

The girl wasn't alone for very long, soon there was a small squeak of the floorboards and a warm hand nudging her arm gently. Luke was there, kneeling down in front of her and holding some tissues out for her. He had a small, kind smile on his face and was a decent distance away from her, not wanting to crowd her when she was obviously upset.

[Mew or Fox]

(To be honest I am just glad that you are still interested in working with me. I don't mind waiting for your responses~)

Before Kody could come up with a snide remark about how the boy was always a couple chapters ahead of them, her attention was drawn by the fleeing new girl. In Val's wake, that same frigid draft washed over her and here was no helping the full body shiver that followed it. "Well....so much for a quiet first day. So do you think that Effie traumatized her, or is she just as coocoo as the rest of us?" She managed to keep her tone half joking but a small part of her brain wondered about the coincidence of Valerie's arrival and the fact that Payton hadn't noticed the draft. Kody knew there were weird things about herself, maybe this was just something to add to the list.

One of the crucial parts of Marc's little talent was the target's attention on him, and nothing else. Normally if he could rope them in, they didn't want to look elsewhere. But outside factors were hard to control. So between the noise from overhead and Kel looking to Everett now, the dark skinned boy shook his head slightly as if clearing it. Kel then chuckled a little, in an attempt to cover up the odd comment. "Right, no point in running the extra risk." As his thoughts caught back up with everything his roommate had said, the laugh dropped into a cold smile, "And please Everett, its Kel."

Realizing that his opportunity had come and gone, Marc just sighed and got to his feet. "One these days you aren't going to hate me anymore. And just maybe you'll see that we are on the same side. This isn't you versus the world. It's us versus them, and I am very much not on there side." He offered something of a knowing grin and then headed out of the entertainment room, "See you at dinner"

For a solid eight seconds, Val felt secluded enough for her mental break down. All the built up stress over the pat week just crash all at once. And then she jumped so hard she banged her head against the wall. She been so wrapped up in her own mind that she hadn't noticed Luke join her. The back of her head was throbbing but that didn't compare to the embarrassment that burned through her. Valerie started to scrub the tears away from her eyes when she spotted the tissue offering. "Ah, thank you...." She tentatively accepted them while during her best to avoid eye contact. "Sorry if I barged in on something up here." She had no idea what was on this floor and hadn't really taken the time to take it in before she had curled in on herself.

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

(( Thank you for being so understanding, really (: I really enjoy RPing with you! ))

Payton noticed how she shivered again and, like last time, he didn't feel a darn thing. Must be something about her side of the couch, though that was the only thing he could really think of. Shrugging his shoulders, he slowly looked away from the steps and back down to his homework.
"Everyone is here for a reason, I'm gonna try to stay out of her business if I can though," he replied. It's mostly what he tried to do anyways, other people had their own stuff with life and it wasn't his position to butt in.

"Oh Kelly, Kel, either or. At least you respond to it," Everett grumbled back to him. Really, he was just in a mood right now. Marc was annoying as hell and it was only a few days away from the full moon. So he was getting hella antsy, it was amazing that he was able to sit on this couch mostly still for as long as he had. Looking over at the other guy, he just rolled his eyes at him as he started off, adjusting himself on the couch a little bit."Like I'll ever stop hating that fucking creep."

Luke was glad when she accepted the napkin from him and he took the chance, sitting down criss cross across from her though still giving her enough space so she didn't feel crowded.
"Nah, didn't barge in on nothing except, well, dusting," he replied, motioning around them. The top part of the house was pretty much where all of the books were so there were a few bookshelves along the hallway walls, some places to sit and some paintings here and there. Doors were at the end of each hallway, but they seemed to be under lock and key from the touch pad that was there signaling it needed a code to open it. Near one of the doors, there was another girl sitting with a book in front of her face, her pink hair and curious eyes just peaking over the top of it. Luke seemed to ignore her though as he looked back over at Val and offered a warm smile."So what's got you upset?"

[Mew or Fox]

Slowly the punkish girl brought her attention back to Payton, really at this point she should have expected nothing less than that level of indifference. But how anyone could not want to understand the type of crazy they were sharing a home with was beyond her. Concerns about the new girl vanished though as a predatory grin flashed across her lips. "You never wanna get involved. You only ever seem interested in those books." Striking fast, she swiped the homework from his lap and at the same time, twisted on the couch so she could plop her legs between the two of them. "Really, if I didn't know better, I would assume you have something a hell of alot more interesting that math problems in here." Kody started to flip randomly through the book, while keeping it hidden behind her knees.

Recognizing the irritability in Everett's tone for what it was, Kel pinched the bridge of his nose and silently asked for strength from a deity he wasn't fully convinced existed. He forced himself to breath and then back down a fraction, pressing now would do nothing to remedy the situation. In an attempt to avoid the same trap as before, Kel straight up ignored Marc as he left, not even bother to look at him when he spoke. He didn't fully understand how the Scandinavian boy's charms worked, but he had strong suspicions that eye contact was necessary.
Despite the sour air of the room, Kel snorted briefly at Everett's comment, "And if you do then I will know something is truly wrong." Then he forced himself to swallow a bit of his pride and apologize for his little snap the moment before. It was better to settle things immediately than let them fester,"Sorry Everett, I just really hate it when anyone uses my full name like that."

Valerie took a second to wipe her eyes and cheeks, doing her damnedest to stop the tears all together. With limited success on that front, she then recognized Luke now sitting before her, seeming as causal as he had been downstairs. On one hand she was grateful for the calm presence, on the other she couldn't help but to feel like a child having a melt down next to him. Following his generalized wave, Val took in the space she had foolishly tried to hide in. For the most part, the hall seemed like a quiet place to chill, which is probably what the pink haired girl had been trying to do before she had charged up here making a scene. Great, more fuel on the embarrassment fire. Red tinged eyes came back to Luke though at the question, and Val scrambled to come up with something, anything to explain it that didn't involve mention of the monstrosity in the basement. " Oh, well, I'm sorry...I just, I think that it all set in I guess...Never been away from home like this before." It was such a weak explanation, but at least it was partly true.

[TeddyBear {HarpyAshe} **Well You Built Up A World Of Magic, Cause Your Real Life Is Tragic**]

Payton didn't know what Kody was going to do at all before she actually did it. He blinked as his notebook was suddenly taken from him, the panic setting in a moment later.
"Hey Kody! C'mon now, not funny, give me it back. You're gonna rip something!" he told her, trying to reach for it but he didn't have the longest arms and she was quite a distance from him. There really was mostly homework in there, though towards the back of the notebook there were some drawings. And not exactly...good drawings. They were of monsters, rough sketches of very demonic and dangerous creatures. Some of them depicted the monsters hurting men and women with large white wings and others the opposite, of the winged people hurting the creatures.

Everett didn't think much of the apology and simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Is' fine," he replied simply, scratching his arm a little bit before putting it back in it's spot behind Kel. It was pretty much how he always sat, his arm around the other guy or on the back of the couch behind him. The other never seemed to mind it so he decided to keep on doing it until told otherwise."So sneaking in tonight, getting the papers. I can handle it and let you know what I found tomorrow."

Luke didn't know if he would really get much of an explanation. Some people liked to talk about their problems, some people found comfort in it while other people, well, didn't quite feel that way. So he just waited there patiently for her to decide if she wanted to talk or just beg him to keep this all a secret. Not that Albany was the best at keeping secrets and would no doubt bother her about it at dinnertime though.
"Ah. I can understand that, it's a lot sometimes," he replied, not fully believing she was telling him everything that was on her mind, but at least she told him something. It was a start.