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[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Technically, I'm American." Carlos raised an eyebrow. "Skin color isn't everything, you know. I was born in Florida, down in Miami. I just spent a lot of...time in Mexico." God damnit! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why did he even go there? Now Cleo was going to want to know, she would ask questions, and--Carlos bit down hard on the Jolly Rancher, cutting off his panicked thoughts. What was out was out, and he couldn't really take it back. Sit, he thought. Sit here and stay calm and brace yourself.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

"Yeah, but your heritage is Mexican. It counts." Just like anyone else, though, Cleo was curious. "You don't sound very happy about Mexico," she observed gently. She didn't want to push the issue. She had a feeling Mexico was linked to stories, candies, and the sorrowful look that had previously crossed Carlos's face. She didn't want to push him too far, in case of anything bad happening.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Well, let's just say I didn't exactly go there to celebrate Cinco de Mayo," Carlos said dryly. Sarcasm was not usually his forte, but he had been nudged--by his own fault, of course--the slightest bit farther down the wrong path. It didn't matter; what mattered was that Cleo had either been smart and realized that asking questions was a bad idea, or she had ben courteous and simply kept her curiosity in check. Whichever one it was, Carlos was grateful.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo caught his drift and nodded sympathetically. "Ah. Understood." She wondered what he had gone there for, though, but the same thing that had told her it wasn't a good story that Mexico was linked to also told her that asking questions would not get her anywhere good. She made a mental note to ask someone at some point what Carlos's story was. Perhaps Jason had some knowledge on the matter.

"So, earlier you seemed to know exactly who it was I was have issues with," Cleo began as she changed the subject for him. "Are you, too familiar with Raven's generous hospitality?"

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Raven?" Carlos's grin returned, full-on this time. "Thankfully not--at least not in the way you're implying--but he does have a penchant for giving me looks from across the room with this odd little smile on his face...like we share some big secret." And, he supposed, they did. Just a little. He'd thought more than once about going to ask the Indian to spar with him; it would be a sort of release for the both of them, not to mention a challenge. It had been a while since he'd been roughed up.

((This is an actual thing I have considered having them do. XD))

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

[Well Raven needs to fight with someone worthy, and him and Jason are the only two good enough.]

"He is definitely a freak," Cleo agreed, and said no more. He only shivered, but there was no wind. The thought of Raven on top of her, trapping her made her all worried and sick with fear again.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

Carlos frowned. "That bad, huh?" he asked, something like sympathy lacing his voice. He of course knew exactly why that brief little shiver had come--it was the response of many to slight fear, even the memory of it. He himself had had issues with such involuntary moves in the past. "If you don't mind me asking, what did he do to you to make you that scared?" Attempted rape? Carlos considered the thought for only a moment--were that true, Cleo probably wouldn't feel up to talking to boys at all, especially not the eccentric ones. What, then? He couldn't help a rolling wave of curiosity from coming over him.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

"Nothing terrible this time," Cleo explained, knowing how lame it sounded and blushing a little. She wondered if he was perhaps overreacting to the encounter (she knew plenty people had come out worse with Raven), but she still felt scared of what could and would happen when he next saw her, which she hoped would be never. "He's had it out for me for a while, though, and he left me with a threat after he jumped me in the hallway the other day. I've gotten away mostly unharmed the other times he's seen me, so I'm hoping I don't see him again because next time he won't hold our on me."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"He jumped you?" Carlos leaned forward, the curiosity beginning to show in his eyes now. "Really? Good grief, what did you do?" He hadn't known Raven to preferred such obvious, rough-and-tumble tactics. As far as he knew, he still didn't...but then, the Indian had been acting a little strange of late. More unstable, somehow, as if there was a primal, predatory animal inside him that was constantly fighting to get out--and may have gained a little leeway.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo nodded, not meeting his curiosity filled eyes as she had done earlier with Jason's rage filled ones. "I ran away from him because he got too close, and he chased after me, tackled me, and pinned me to the floor." She was amazed at how easily the story was coming out. She generally didn't like talking to people, but she knew that Carlos had no preference towards her and wouldn't go after Raven in order to save her virtue. "He asked me some questions, verbally tossed me around a little, then let me go when I didn't cooperate or look at him. But he did threaten me, and the next time I see him, he I tends to carry them out."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Ouch. And I do mean that literally--Raven weighs, what, 200 pounds? More? And if he tackled you going at a full sprint..." Carlos shook his head in slight wonder, his lips parting in a sympathetic grin. "You know what you should do, then? Two things: first, don't run from people who look like they'd really want to chase you." The grin widened, the boy laughed. "Seriously, don't you know that anything with any sort of bloodlust loves a good chase? Running is pretty much the stupidest thing you can do."

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo nodded, feeling the shame was over her a little. "Yes, I know. Running was a very bad idea, but hey, it's fairly obvious that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer." She shrugged dismissively, what could you do about it? Not a thing. "Oh, you forgot the second thing, by the way."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"The second thing is to never leave the side of your weapon-loving boyfriend." Carlos chuckled. "Jason's his name, right? He certainly looks a little imposing. Just walk around on his arm, see if Raven decides to finish what he started then." Of course, he could only figure that the Indian would simply wait until he could catch Cleo alone--of course she couldn't be with Jason all the time--and continue his games then, but hey, he figured it couldn't help to be optimistic.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

"You know, you sure know quite a bit about me. You in here for excessive stalking? I wouldn't be surprised." Cleo smirked at her own joke before becoming serious once again. "Yes, Jason is very useful for that. He already wants to go kill Raven, which I don't think will end well." She sighed and shook her head as if to say boys. "But I can't be with him all the time. That's just too much and plus I don't want to waste up all his time. Though, I have considered not leaving my dorm unless he plans on going somewhere."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

Carlos grinned. "Stalking? Nah. I just keep my eyes and ears open, Cleo. You should try it sometime--might keep your sorry butt safer, you know." He winked, then laughed; this, too, was meant to be a tease. "But in all seriousness, I'd stay around Jason. At least for a little while. Until Raven gets bored and moves on to someone else." If you waited long enough, people like Raven always did. They could never stick to long with one target, especially if said target wasn't much fun.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo nodded understandably. It was a good idea, and one that she had thought of before, but she had a feeling that if she picked up on the defense mechanism, she worried she would do it all the time and cower behind Jason for the rest of her time here, and she didn't find that to be an effective way to live. "The thing is, though, I dot think Raven forgets. He attacked me not only because I ran away, but because he had it out for me before. I can't hide from him until he forgets, because I'll be hiding out for forever."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

Carlos raised his eyebrows. "Yeah? What's his vendetta against you?" He waved a dismissive hand and grinned at her a little. "Other than the fact you apparently make really good prey, of course."

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo shrugged again, a light blush appearing over her cheeks. "I think some day I was talking about Raven to someone and I said something he apparently didn't like. Then he confronted me and I told him I didn't say anything terrible about him. He's had it out for me since then." Her but lip showed how nervous she was about talking about the situation.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

Carlos laughed. "Aw, come on, now I have to know more. What'd you say?" He himself could imagine a few scenarios, but of course none of them seemed plausible at the moment. He wanted more information before he decided to try making guesses.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo grinned and shook her head in amusement. "I'm not sure, anymore. It was a long time ago. It was probably something about go evil he is."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

(9It was about cannibalism. XD))

"Awww." Carlos actually looked a little disappointed. "Dang it. That sounds like an awfully boring reason to have a vendetta--he's probably heard it all before, after all. I was kind of hoping you could tell me something I could use to tease him with." Because he liked to laugh at people, especially where actually jokes were involve--even if it wasn't always the smartest choice. It was fun, and that was what mattered.

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

[That's right! I forgot!]
"Maybe I had something to do with cannibalism," Cleo said vaguely, but the tugging at her lips have it away that that's exactly what her comment had been about. "If you tell him how you know about it, I will find you, and I will cut you." She tried to look as menacing as possible, but her threat hung in the air with no promise of bing followed through.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Oh, no!" Carlos shot his hands up and widened his eyes in mock terror. "I've never been more afraid in my life, Cleo," he said, smirking at her. Then he winked, and dropped suddenly halfway to the ground. "I won't tell him about you, I promise; but now I do have to find Raven and call him a cannibalizing savage. It's comedy gold. Those howls of pain you'll be hearing will be mine, but don't worry--I'll probably be okay. See ya!" And with that, he was gone.

((Oh God that was hilarious. Fade?))

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

[Haha fade.]

Cleo smiled. "I'm not responsible for damages done to you because you can't keep a secret!" She called out to him, dropping out of the tree and heading towards the asylum for her dorm, knowing she was safe with Carlos keeping Raven occupied

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

Carlos's memory of the past night had been completely shattered. He remembered running out of candy, remembered going to ask for more, remembered being shooed away, and remembered going out into the graveyard in a fit of irritation...but beyond that, nothing. He had no idea why two of the marbles were missing from his collection, or why his face was covered in scratches, or why his ankle was twisted--and it was all so confusing. So he had come to the peach tree, the last place he could remember being happy at since yesterday. High up in the branches, almost draped across the tree's limbs sat Carlos, his head in one hand and several peach blossoms in the other. They were soft; they felt good against his skin. Almost like some comforting touch. Right now, the boy definitely needed some comfort in his life.

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

It was the first time Felix had been outside in a few days. Everything just happened so much, and so fast... Unlike Carlos, Felix remembered,everything he had done, and the very thoughts plagued his very assistance.

He had been avoiding Harper; he didn't want to see her upset, to set her crying. He didn't want to disappoint her more than he already had. And so Felix found himself outside for once, the fresh air a welcoming scent.

The young boy hadn't expected company, but he was done snapping for now. Baby blue gaze, tired as it may have been, glanced up at Carlos. Felix offered a wave, and then took a seat under the tree.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

The subtle movement was caught, and Carlos looked down. "Oh," he said. He, too, had been expecting alone-time. "Hi, Felix." Enough rumors had been going around for Carlos to learn the little boy's name, his problems, and his most recent insane escapades. None of that was good. Nonetheless, his own expression was weary. "I don't suppose you know where I was last night." The words were quiet, as if Carlos was not expecting an answer but merely trying to get some of his old mood back by making some sort of tease. It wasn't working very well.

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Pale gaze looked up with a little frown. "Well, I know as much as the rumors have let me piece together," Felix said with an arch of his eyebrow. It was amazing how even the tiniest of details could make their way around the asylum. Felix, and a select few others, had heard of the boy's episode, and had seen enough of the nurse, Sera, walking around to know what had happened. Carlos' apparent amnesia only confirmed the story for Felix.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

Carlos looked startled. He jumped a little in the tree, nearly falling out of his perch in the process. "What? What rumors? What happened?" A frown, equal parts worried and frightened, replaced the tired sort of smile that had been his expression a moment before. Oh, God...there were rumors going around? Rumors about him? That couldn't mean anything but bad news. Distantly, as if outside of his own body, the boy began to feel a familiar pounding at his temples: another headache. But this time, no hum. Good--he was distracted enough with this new pain, he didn't need to hear any more of that insistent, buzzing sound.

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

"The rumors that a certain patient snapped and attacked his nurse. And for once it wasn't me this time." Felix himself seemed a little amused at himself, though he pursed his lips a little as he glanced up at Carlos, who seemed a little distraught. "At least that's what the rumors have Feb saying.

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

((*been))

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"I attacked Sera?" In the span of two seconds, Carlos had gone from confused to absolutely horrified. He looked for a moment as if he was considering trying to scramble back down the tree, though it would obviously cause him pain--but after another, he seemed to regain some control of his senses and forced his tense muscles to relax. "How bad was it? Do you know? Did you see anything? What did I do?"

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Felix shrugged. "Nobody really knows, she's keeping everything covered up pretty well I've heard. But I think her nose is broken."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"God damnit." Of course Sera was covering things up--because that was how Sera was. She didn't want to make him feel bad, so she pretended things were better than they were. He looked down at Felix, his voice becoming ever-so-slightly hopeful. "Do you know where she is? I ought to go find her, so we can work this whole thing out." That was what his nurse would have wanted, after all. It was only fair that he try his best to cooperate.

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Felix shook his head. "No, sorry, I've got no idea." The little boy looked up at the boy, and he saw himself in him. Carlos had screwed up, and all he really wanted to do was make it better, but somewhere deep down he knew he couldn't. Felix was more like Carlos than he thought.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Shit," Carlos sighed. Well, that at least explained his scratches--he must have tried to stop himself. Fat lot of good that had done him. He gave a little groan, leaning back against the trunk of the tree, massaging his pounding temples with both hands. "Jesus Christ," he moaned. "I really fucked up, didn't I? I legitimately beat the shit out of the only person here who cares about me. What kind of person am I?"

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Felix sighed, and looked straight forward as he spoke, speaking in part to himself as well as Carlos. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. What's done is done. It's not like you can go back and fix it." Oh, how Felix would have loved to go back and fix it... But how much would he fix? The incident with Ruby? His run in with Rosie? With Silas? Felix didn't even know what he would fix if he could.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"I don't care if I can or not, I'm damn well going to try." Carlos's voice, though pained, was firm, and he looked down at Felix with a gaze that was almost disapproving. "That 's quitter talk, anyway. Never took you for the type to give up so easily, muchacho. If I'm wrong and you are, that officially makes me the worst judge of character ever, and it makes you a pretty pathetic person. You know that, don't you?"

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

"Well then go ahead and call me pathetic, because I'm a firm believer in the fact that you can't undo what's been done." Felix avoided Carlos' gaze, and instead looked down at his shoes outstretched before him. "But I mean, go ahead and try, no one's gonna stop you."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Of course no one is. And if anybody tries, I'll beat the shit out of them next." Carlos sounded calmer now, more like himself. He was determined, now that he'd found out what had happened, to at least try and make amends--but first, he was going to try and get the little boy beneath him back on his own feet. "It's Ruby, isn't it?" His voice was quiet, not taunting at all, simply concerned. "What are you going to do if you alienate her, Felix? What if she's waiting for you to come to her, and not the other way around? Sitting here moping like you are is going to accomplish absolutely nada. If you wait too long, you'll miss your window--and then you'll really be in trouble."

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Felix jumped a little, and he stiffened at the mention of Ruby. He laughed a little, and shook his head. "I'm fairly sure if sure even saw me she'd attempt to beat the living shit out of me again." The young killer sighed, and shook his head. "It'd do neither of us any good for me to go find her."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"See, and now I feel like beating the living shit out of you." Carlos gave an impatient shake of his head, plucked a peach from the branches above him, and chucked it down at Felix's head. "Don't be stupid, niño. It's not you Ruby hates, and I think you know that. I've seen the way she brightens whenever you walk in a room--she doesn't hate you. She hates your other side. It was your other side she was beating the shit out of a few days ago, and it's your other side you ought to be arguing with, not a fifteen-year-old Hispanic psycho--because I know more about living with demons than you ever will, believe me when I say that. Take my advice, Felix. Don't make my mistakes. I think I know what I'm talking about by now, don't you?"

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Felix sighed. Carlos was right, of course he was right. But the little boy was stubborn, and Felix shrugged. "I don't think it's that easy; she's not gonna believe me no matter what I say. She's a stubborn girl."

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"Well now, looks like someone's got a bad case of mistrust going on." Carlos gave the slightest roll of his eyes. "Boy, the more I talk to you, the more I think that all you're doing is being whiny and avoiding the problem because you're afraid of the outcome. Look at me, kid." The boy leaned slightly out of the tree, giving Felix a look of stern reproach. "If everybody in the world acted like you when they got down, shit would never get done. Stop being such a fucking sissy and go find your goddamn sweetheart. Work things out. How are things ever going to get any better if you just mope around all day taking no initiative?"

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

Felix arched an eyebrow at Carlos. Yeah, he was right, of course he was right. Felix sighed, and gripped the bridge if his nose with his index finger and thumb. "Yeah. Okay. You're right," Felix admitted.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"You better believe it. Look, if I can have the courage to go find my nurse--and from what I've heard, I definitely didn't let her off with just a single slap in the face--then you can find the nerve to go talk to your Ruby. Right? We can even do this sort of thing together, if it makes you feel better. Kind of become partners in rehabilitation." A grin was cracked, the first genuine one in several days. "Come on, Felix. Be a man, not a boy. I know you don't want your own personal beast to win--so walk right up to it and punch it in the face. Go find Ruby. Talk. Explain things to her. Apologize, if you have to. Just do something."

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

The boy sighed, and nodded. "Yeah, I think I will. Thanks, Carlos. I appreciate it." He even offered a smile to the boy, a small little grin.

[Hope , I belong here more than they do.]

"De nada." The grin was returned, and Carlos even laughed a little. "Now, run along in case I fall while trying to climb out of this tree and make a humongous fool of myself. I don't need anyone laughing at my pain." He waved a hand, as if shooing the boy out of his sight. With the way things were going, he would fall, and land on his ankle, too. He didn't want anybody getting the chance to laugh at that.

((Fade?))

[Annie, Have no fear of perfection-- you'll never reach it.]

((Fade.))

[*~Silvypoo~* (Chaser of Artemis), Life's a dance, you learn as you go.]

Cleo again was at the peach tree. It was here and her dorm she felt remotely safe from the threat of Raven in the air. She didn't think he would ever come to the peach tree, and still hoped that he would follow by the rules of security. Regardless of the possibilities of Raven's appearance, the pink-clad young girl was dozing under the shade of the peach tree, not yet deep enough into sleep to have a nightmare, although if she did fall into a deep sleep, the darkness surrounding her subconscious would certainly transform into a terrifying nightmare much worse than what could lay ahead of her in reality.