Fourth floor common room: Sunday morning

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

After returning from the stables, Karal had taken a shower, changed into his robes, and headed for the common room. Tea was quickly made, and now he was sitting at the table, a pot of it in front of him and a cooling cup by his hand.

He was holding his Vkandis medal, fingers tracing each ray of the sun, lost partly in thought, partly in prayer.

[ooc: open! He's not emo, I promise, just thoughtful.]

Comments

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"So am I," he said and smiled briefly. "And probably because I called her a bad leader. She reminded me of someone from back home."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"You were right. She abuses her power, she turns magic on those it is her responsibility to care for, hurts people for no reason at all." He took a deep breath, striving after the calm, closing his eyes briefly. He wanted Altra. "There are people like her in my world, too. She had no right to inflict that on you."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"No, I know she didn't," he said and nodded. "I think it makes her happy or something. She didn't seem to concerned with making sure I knew what I'd done wrong. I think she liked seeing pain."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I think there may be something wrong with her," he said carefully. "Those who take pleasure from pain, and from fear, they are unbalanced, have often lost any sense of right and wrong."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I think she lost that a long time ago," Gavin muttered. "I think she thinks she's right and that's all it is."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I suspect you're right," he said with a small sigh. "I cannot help but wonder why anyone would place someone like her in charge of a school."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"She could've always lied," Gavin said, shrugging. "I don't think she has any objection to that."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Very true. It would be a small thing after everything else," he agreed. "Do you know, have there been any plans made for, well, for deposing her?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Nothing for certain," Gavin replied. "Just a few bits and pieces here and there but nothing solid."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

It crystallised his determination -- he would have to see her for himself before he could decide what to do. "Not something to be undertaken lightly," he said, looking down at his medal. "Apart from what she did to you, are you well?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I am," he assured him. "Besides that, it's been a good few weeks."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Good," he said firmly, then smiled, determined to think about something happier. "I brought you a souveneir from Los Angeles. You may wish that I had forgotten, though, once you see it."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"You brought me something?" He brightened. "What'd I get?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal bounced to his feet. "Wait here and I will go and fetch it for you," he said, heading out the door. He returned a few minutes later with a bag (http://www.hollywoodsouvenirs.com/cgi-bin/CatalogMgr.pl?cartID=b-4746&SearchFor=TShirtsLAngeles&template=Hhtx/tshirts.htx&hdr=Hollywood+Souvenirs+Product+Listing:+T-shirts&). "I saw it and I thought of you right away."

It's probably worth noting he was trying very hard not to laugh.

[ooc: It's the fourth one on the page...Karal thinks he's funny!]

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin took the shirt out of the bag and...peered at it. "That's really...colorful and nice!"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal started to laugh. "It is very, very silly, Gavin. Not at all a serious present, but it has all of the most famous things about Los Angeles represented on it."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I like it," Gavin said and smiled. "I'll wear it tomorrow!"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I'm pleased you like it," he said, still grinning. "And I didn't get stuck in any doors while I was there, so I think the trip must be counted as a success."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Good to hear," Gavin said and tossed the shirt over his shoulder. "I ate a lot of cookies, hung out, broke some decrees and hung out some more."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Then overall it has been a good few weeks for both of us, and that outweighs even her unpleasantness," he said, picking up his tea and taking a sip. "And no matter what she attempts, we will continue to enjoy our time here." It was, to Karal's mind, the best sort of resistance.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin looked down and said, "Did you...want to see what she wrote?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He bit his lip. "I would like to know," he finally said. "But only if you're willing to show me."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I've only shown one other person," he said quietly, "and I'm sure you can guess who. Don't...tell anyone?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"You have my word, Gavin. I never will, no matter what happens," he replied, just as quietly, unconsciously shifting his chair around the table so he was closer to him.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

He peeled the edges of the bandage away and pulled it back to show Karal the words that were still raw and carved into the back of his hand.