fandomhighdorms | The Dorm Roof, Evening

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The Dorm Roof, Evening

The Tick was sitting on the roof alone. It was a nice night, but he couldn't quite enjoy it. He was Concerned.

He wasn't much in the mood for company tonight. That probably had something to do with the fact that he was holding a letter from his sidekick from The City, Arthur. He looked to be pondering something pretty deeply.

[OOC: He is open to interaction no matter what he thinks up above, even if he might seem a little distracted. I will post the contents of the letter eventually. I have to write it first, though.]

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In need of a break from a weekend full of nothing but catch-up work, Archie wandered up to the roof in hopes of a little change of scenery. He froze when he saw the large blue creature, suddenly apprehensive, but the Tick's distinctive profile triggered recollections in his mind. This was -- one of his teachers? That had to be it.

Hesitant to bother the Tick, Archie strode as quietly as he could to the other side of the roof and stared out over the town.

The Tick heard a small noise that Archie made as he strode and it broke his concentration. He turned around and saw a famliar face. "Archie! Egads!" He stood up and walked over to his student. "I'm glad to see that you're okay!"

"Professor . . ." Archie paused for a moment, searching hard for a name from his class schedule. "The Tick, sir?"

He fidgeted uneasily, not sure of what to say. "Thank you, sir. I am . . . relieved to be back."

"I was getting worried about you, chum. Before I just thought that missing students just kind of left abruptly. But then with Kitty..."

Archie looks at him, alarmed. "That's the third or fourth time I've heard that name mentioned since I came back -- I never knew her, though. Who is she, and what happened?"

"Ah. Err, she was actually in my class with you. She didn't join until later in the semester, though."

Tick looked uncomfortable. "Err. She was apparently killed a few weeks ago. Nobody really knows what happened, though."

Archie wondered, at first, why this was so shocking, then reminded himself harshly of the cultural differences. "I'm sorry that my disappearance was so poorly timed as to coincide and make things worse, sir," he said, adopting a tone of quiet concern. "Was it -- did her death affect everyone greatly?"

"Oh, it wasn't your fault, chum! It was just poor luck, I'm sure. Nothing at all to be sorry about! It just makes people more concerned when people do disappear is all. As far as we know, nobody else had been hurt like this here."

"It seemed like most people didn't really know her, but when someone dies, it's bound to affect people."

Archie nodded slowly. "I know that all too well," he replied, his voice pained. "I've seen far too many people die."

Abruptly, he turned to face the Tick, his jaw set. "Sir, I apologize profusely for my absence -- the circumstances were somewhat beyond my control. And I am more than willing to do whatever work it takes to make up for what I missed."

"That's okay, chum! You missed a big project, and we do have a quiz coming up on Thursday. You should be able to do the quiz, though. You're one of my best students and it'll mainly be general stuff. I will ask you to do a short essay to make up some credit, though. Talk to me on Tuesday and I'll give you a topic."

Archie smiled, relieved. "Thank you, sir, I'll do that. I appreciate the reprieve until Tuesday, as I've quite a bit to make up in my other classes as well."

He drew in a deep breath and exhaled it, enjoying the sensation of the chilly night air in his lungs. "If I may ask, what brings you up here tonight?"

"You're welcome, Archie."

Tick drew back slightly. "I got a letter from back home. It's... I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind. It's not great news."

"No, I understand," Archie said quickly. "I haven't exactly had wonderful news from home myself, either. I can leave, if you wish . . . ?"

"Oh, no, Archie! Please, stay as long as you'd like! I just need some time to... ponder."

"Then we can both ponder in companionable silence," Archie replied amiably. "I'd like some time to do that myself."

"Not a problem, chum. May this night serve as the backdrop for your Scene of Introspection!"

The Tick turned back to where he had been sitting and read his letter from Arthur again. He was very quiet once more.

Rory ran up to the roof, clinging to the leash that Vladdie was straining against.

"You...stupid...flying...dog," she panted as she caught ahold of his tiny, squirming body.

Tick heard a familiar voice yelling at... a flying dog? He turned around and saw the strange sight. "Hello, Rory! What are you doing up here tonight?"

"Hello sir," Rory replied. "I didn't expect anyone else to be up here. I'm...chasing my dog." She walked over to him, holding the puppy out. "Have you met Vladdie?"

Tick stood up and walked over to the puppy. "I like to come out here when I need some time to think things over. And I think I saw Vladdie at your party, but we haven't really met."

Tick leaned closer to Vladdie and asked in a playful voice, "Whosagooddoggie?"

Vladdie reached out at the big man and pawed him on the nose, barking happily.

"Vladdie isn't," Rory replies a trifle grimly. "I've been chasing him all over the dorms tonight. Silly nocturnal puppy."

Tick petted Vladdie very gently. "I'm sure he's just being a scamp. He's very cute."

The Tick's antennae sprung straight up as he remembered something. "Egads, I almost forgot! I have something for you!" He walked over to where he had been sitting and picked up something that had probably gone unnoticed. It looked... somewhat belt-like. But bulkier.

Rory set Vladdie down, wrapping his leash around her wrist to ensure a firm grip, and took the belt-like thing from Tick.

"Um. It's...very nice, sir. What is it?"

The belt had some heft due to all the stuff strapped to it. Tick seemed somewhat giddy at having to explain what it was. "It's a utility belt! All good sidekicks should have one. Sam Carter helped me put it together."

"It was assembled with you in mind, so it has pouches for whimsically-colored pens, highlighters, tape, a stapler, a notebook, bandaids... Everything you could need! Ooh! Plus, a coffee thermos holster!"

"What do you think?"

Rory grinned at the belt, turning it over in her hands. "Sir! You didn't have to do this!" she exclaimed, peeking in the various pouches. "This is so cool! Sam helped you? I'll have to thank her. Because this is so incredibly awesome. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Rory! You've been a really keen sidekick. You've earned it!"

Tick looked slightly embarrassed for a moment. "Sam was a great help. She, err, let me know that hammering the pouches on wouldn't work. And she sewed the pouches on. Very helpful girl."

"Hammering?" Rory asked, glancing up. "Um, I can see why she would suggest sewing them. Though hammering could work too, I suppose. And yeah, Sam is very resourceful. I don't really know her that well - friend of a few friends, that kind of thing - but she's really nice."

"And she's friends with half my class. It's kind of wacky that she was the one to help me out." Tick shrugged, then pet Vladdie on the head again. "Suchacutelittledoggie!"

"I have to ask you, what's with Vladdie's flying? Dogs don't usually do that. Usually."

"He's a vampire," Rory explained. "But not like Angelus. He's apparently a different kind, and his sort can fly."

"Definitely a different kind. Angelus isn't a puppy." Tick smiled wisely.

"So how are you tonight? Everything going well?"

"I'm...okay. Sleepy. Had a weird dream last night," Rory said, choosing not to elaborate further.

She pointed at the letter. "News from home?"

"Um. Yes. It's not the best news, I'm afraid..." Tick turned away slightly, suggesting that he, too, wasn't going to elaborate.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, sir," Rory said, sensing he didn't want to discuss it. She picked up Vladdie and her belt. "I probably ought to get going, if I want to get into town before curfew."

"Thank you, Rory. Will you be okay getting to town at this time?" Tick asked, concerned.

"I should be fine," she assured him. "It's not that far to where I'm going, and the police are everywhere these days, anyway. Besides, Vladdie'll protect me."

Vladdie licked her chin and pawed the air in response to this.

Tick was not entirely convinced, but he trusted Rory's judgement. "Okay. Then you'd better be going. Be careful, though!"

Tick petted Vladdie one more time and said, "I'llseeyoulatersuchagoodboy! Have a good night, Rory."

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The Dorm Roof, Evening

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