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Post by Admin Courtney on Nov 10, 2012 15:11:45 GMT -5
"As long as the pool is empty, I'll go, any time of day. Night, morning, during classes..." He smirked. Yes, he would definitely not refuse to skip class to swim. "I'm just sick of people staring at me. It mostly doesn't bother me, but I'm tired of their pitying expressions and judgemental whispers, you know?"
Yeah. Pain certainly sucked. Talon tried to numb himself, but he could never achieve it. He had asked Summer once if just being numb would be better for him, but she had been horrified by the idea. He never asked her again. He had read about people just numbing themselves to all emotion, but it was something he did not think possible for him. Death was his only out, the way Talon saw it. But clearly that wasn't going to happen with Leah around.
"I don't know how I feel about Leah being around," Talon admitted. He looked around as if she would just appear. "It's hard to think about."
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Nov 10, 2012 17:03:29 GMT -5
"Well, the pool should be empty right about now. Most people don't go swimming this late," Jade told him. She nodded in understanding at how he felt. "I know how that is all too well. It's like they either just look at you like you're a lost puppy or someone to judge harshly. They don't know anything, so it's best to just...let it slide right off." Even if it still sometimes bothered Jade, she knew this. It was sad how even at a school where everybody had unique powers, they still had the nerve to judge one another.
"What do you think about going for a swim right now?" she asked and then listened as he confessed about how he felt with Leah around. "It's...Its's hard to get used to even. I imagine it's different when you can't see her, but you know she's here, but...I'm used to it. I'm used to spirits clinging to me or searching for me because...not many people can see or hear them, but I do understand where you're coming from."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Nov 13, 2012 22:35:08 GMT -5
Talon brightened at the thought of going swimming now. He really did miss being in the water, and perhaps it would help him think less about everything that had happened recently and more about, well, anything else.
"I want to swim," he decided. If the pool was empty now, he wanted to take advantage of that. No people and a pool to himself? Well himself and Jade, who he tolerated very much even though she saved his life and he was not exactly happy about that. It would be fun.
"It must be tough to deal with, seeing the dead and knowing they're dead. I cannot imagine many of them are happy," he mused, trying not to think about how unhappy his own sister must be. But of course, that was the only thought on his mind.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Nov 13, 2012 23:15:10 GMT -5
Jade brightened at his agreement. "Great. Let's go then." She could use a swim herself. It would also keep her from wanting yet another cigarette. Besides, she craved being in the water like she craved the nicotine and swimming was even better when it was just you on your own. Even in competitions, Jade pretended she was the only one there, as if she was racing against herself.
She began to walk, looking over at Talon. "It is. I mean, half the time I forget that they're dead, you know? They're so...alive to me." She shrugged. "And...a lot of them who haven't passed over have something keeping them here."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Nov 16, 2012 13:14:17 GMT -5
His face had a little more colour and his walk a little more purpose as they headed towards the Veritas indoor pool. How long had it been since he'd gone for a swim? A couple of weeks, he guessed, but it certainly felt like a lot longer. He had been deteriorating quickly the last few days before he had tried killing himself, though he had not seen it coming. He had felt fine, but had allowed himself to rely too much on what was going on between him and Dakota, and it had turned out dangerously. But now he was going to swim again. Hopefully it would distract him enough from the pit of pain that swelled inside of him.
"Keeping them here?" Talon repeated, a frown on his face. Was he keeping Leah here, then? Could she not move on because of him? Of course, that only added to his guilt, but he wondered what it would be that could happen to allow her to leave him and to move on to wherever it was that spirits did.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Nov 19, 2012 12:19:25 GMT -5
Jade grinned as she opened the door to the swimming pool and breathed in the air. For some reason, the smell of chlorine was often among her favorites. It meant swimming and freedom. She turned to Talon as he followed her inside the door and it shut behind them. "Yeah," she said with a nod. "I mean, it's not always a bad thing. They might have unfinished business or maybe they just want to watch over their loved ones. Sometimes they've even passed over, but frequently come back. Spirits still crave human interaction."
She looked over at the pool then and then back at Talon, laughing slightly. "I get so caught up in conversation when it comes to spirits...I didn't even remember that swimsuits might be a good idea," she said with a sheepish smile in his direction. Hers was in the girl's locker room, but did Talon still own his?
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Post by Admin Courtney on Dec 2, 2012 17:31:50 GMT -5
Talon closed his eyes immediately when Jade opened the door to the pool. Like Jade, he inhaled the scent of chlorine. It was one of his favourite smells, and he had been deprived of it for a while. It was like breathing in real air; it filled his lungs, awakening him, and a first real smile spread across his lips.
Then he thought about bringing Dakota to the pool because his roommate had mentioned water would calm his power, and his smile faded. He couldn't - shouldn't - think like that. His face fell, his heart sinking to his stomach as he remembered Dakota didn't like him that way, and that thinking about kissing Dakota in the pool was not going to help him get over Dakota.
"That's really sad," he mumbled. "Being stuck here because you're tied to the mortal world. And then not even being able to touch any people you might love." It really was a depressing thought, and did not make Talon feel any better at all. Still, the water gleamed and the smell of chlorine called to him. He began stripping off his clothes until he was down to his boxers.
"My trunks are in my dorm somewhere, but this will do," he said with a shrug at Jade.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Dec 2, 2012 18:59:37 GMT -5
"It is sad," Jade agreed solemnly, her eyes on the still water in the pool. Any way you put it, it was still sad. Even if they weren't being held back because they couldn't cross over. Jade knew first hand. Lanie was always there with her and yet...she couldn't touch her sister...couldn't hug her. Even if she did get to talk to her, it was still painful. "But believe me, Talon...your sister is here because she loves you. She's just trying to help you, even if it's from the other side."
She wrinkled her nose, not liking the dreary mood. She was eager to get into the water. "Enough of this, I really don't feel like crying again. After the week I've had, I'm down for a free swim." She looked over at him to see that he was stripping down his clothes. "Well, that's an easy fix," she said, shrugging her shoulders. Oh what the hell, it wasn't like a swimsuit was much different from your undergarments. Well, at least bikinis weren't. Still, Jade wanted to swim now and wouldn't be bothered to go find her suit which was probably cold from this morning.
Instead, she followed Talon's example and kicked off her boots first, followed by her jacket, dress and tights. It was quite complicated, stripping when you dressed like Jade did, but she could only grin as she stepped forward to the pool's edge with Talon at her side. And then she jumped in.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Dec 2, 2012 19:55:28 GMT -5
Talon wrapped his arms around himself, digging his fingers into the flesh on his arms as Jade spoke about his sister. It was all too depressing to think about how his sister was hanging around him all because he was unhappy. Well, he could not get happy knowing she was stuck in the 'between' because of him.
He agreed completely when Jade pushed the topic aside, and swallowed the lump that seemed to always be stuck in his throat, threatening to turn into ugly sobs.
"Yeah," he said. "Swim."
He pulled off the last of his clothing (minus his boxers, which he kept on for Jade's sake) and stepped over to the edge of the pool, not bothering to pile up his clothes neatly. He didn't do that in his own bedroom, so why do it here? He glanced over at Jade, who he could not help but notice looked amazing stripped down to her undergarments (but he tried not to stare), then jumped into the pool after her.
The second he hit the surface, he felt rejuvenated. He allowed the force of his jump to propel him to the pool's bottom, then kicked off the cement and swam up to the surface, shaking water from his hair once he had. He looked over to find Jade and grinned. This was the best idea.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Dec 2, 2012 20:08:45 GMT -5
Jade didn't know how to talk about spirits with other people a lot of the time. She found it difficult because not everyone could see it her way, or even believed in the dead roaming the earth anyway, but she knew it happened. She experienced it. His sister was a real sweetheart. She cared so much for Talon. Jade could still hear her pleas to save him echoing in her mind. And she had done just that. And she was glad he was alive.
When she resurfaced and pushed her black hair out of her face, she realized that his face lit up when he swam. "You never should have quit the team, Talon," she said, treading water. "Swimming is better than any shrink I've seen." She was grinning at him as well. "Doesn't seem like you've lost much tone though." He still had the build of a swimmer.
She was still smiling when she saw the silhouette of somebody behind Talon. It was Lanie, standing on the pool side. What was she doing here? She just randomly decided to appear now? "Leah's nice," she said. "She just wants to look out for Talon."
She nodded in reply to her. She must have been spending time with Talon's sister. The thought made her smile a bit, but then she was only annoyed by what Lanie suggested next. "You should ask Talon to the snow ball."
She wondered how it was that her ghost of a sister paid more attention to things like school dances than she did. Sure, Jade had seen a flyer and seen guys get asked out by girls numerous of times. That was fine and all and while Jade loved to wear dresses and tights and shoes with elaborate jewelry, dances weren't really her thing and she could guess that they weren't Talon's either. She laughed out loud at the idea and realized that yes she was still here with Talon. When spirits approached her, it was sometimes easy to forget you were among the living. "Lanie's here. She thinks that I should ask you to the snow ball."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Dec 2, 2012 20:34:58 GMT -5
Talon shrugged his shoulder, but couldn't wipe the smile from his face. He certainly was happier in the water.
"My grades are shit, though. And I'm suicidal. They won't let me back on the team. Or maybe they will," he realised, but wasn't sure if he wanted it. Actually, that was a lie. He knew he wanted back on the team, but would they want him back?
He mulled over the idea while he swam through the water, his muscles enjoying being put back to work to something they were familiar with. He heard Jade laugh randomly, and stopped, looking back at where she was. He arched a quizzical brow at her, then snorted at her words.
"No offense or anything, I mean I'm sure you'd look great in a dress, but I don't dance. Not at a dance, anyway. Nor do I do balls. Er..." He smirked at the innuendo. "I don't do formal dances, I should say. I don't even own a suit." This was true. The last suit he had worn was to Leah's funeral, and he had not touched one since. And he only danced at clubs. At least, the gay club he had found in town.
"Why would she suggest something like that, anyway?" he asked, treading water and looking around as if Jade's sister's ghost would just appear.
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Dec 2, 2012 20:49:14 GMT -5
"I'm sure I could pull a few strings," Jade told Talon with a smile. "Besides, swimming will help you. It makes you feel alive. They shouldn't take that away from you." She was more than willing to put in a good word for Talon. He was a natural in the water.
She wasn't at all offended by Talon's laughter or rejection to the date she hadn't asked for. "Thanks about the dress comment, but I wear dresses pretty much everyday anyway. Besides, I don't really like the whole dance thing. Too many people. Too many opportunities for spirits to fuck with me." She almost burst out laughing at his innuendo that he'd made on accident and she raised an eyebrow over at her sister, knowing that she would be right about Talon not liking dances.
"Why would she suggest that? I have no idea why Lanie says half of the things she says. She just does." Lanie was grinning at her from where she stood though, now crossing her arms.
"I suggested it because dances are romantic and would it kill you to have a little romance in your life?"
Jade didn't appreciate the use of the word kill in that sentence. "It could, lots of things can kill people," she replied to her sister, not caring. She was with Talon and for some reason, not much mattered when he was around. She could say pretty much anything.
Lanie sighed. "You saved his life! It's totes romantic."
She did not just say 'totes.' And besides, he hadn't wanted to be saved, so it wasn't exactly romantic. She rolled her eyes, turning back to Talon. "Sorry. I realize that it's weird to be hearing only half of a conversation."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Dec 2, 2012 21:01:04 GMT -5
"Yeah, way too many people," Talon echoed, hating the mere idea of it. He would much rather sit in class than go to a Ball where everyone was happy and paired up and laughing and terrible music was playing... No thank you.
"Well I guess your sister is either trying to get you to have fun or she thinks it would be hilarious to see us at a dance. I definitely don't go for formal occasions. They always end in disaster, anyway." He had nothing to back that statement up, because he avoided the Snow Balls like the plague (actually, he would rather welcome a plague. At least no one could save him from that. At least not way back when), but he could not see them ending nicely for him anyway.
He listened as Jade argued with her sister, not finding it too weird anymore. He still didn't like the idea of his own sister being around, but Jade seemed more comfortable knowing hers was, so that was what mattered.
"Nah, it's okay," he told her, swimming over to the edge of the pool and resting his arms on the ledge and his head on his arms. "It's fun to try to figure out what she's saying to make you roll your eyes."
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Post by Admin Sydnee on Dec 2, 2012 21:06:57 GMT -5
"I'd say those are both accurate assumptions," Jade said with a nod of her head. "Maybe it'd be a bit hilarious. I mean, seeing you dance has got to be interesting." She cracked a smile at the thought and then wrinkled her nose at the idea of even going to the dance. "Everyday is a formal occasion for me." Although it's not like she dressed to impress, she just liked these clothes better. She felt more comfortable in dark shades, loads of black and dresses and shoes and all of the jewelry she could imagine. "Something bad always happens at a dance with a shitload of teenagers anyway and I'd rather not be a part of it."
She'd probably just have a smoke, talk with Lanie and sit in her dorm room listening to some good music as her roommates headed off to the snow ball. It sounded good enough to her. "Now, an anti-snow ball, now that sounds awesome."
She watched as he swam over to the edge of the pool and raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh really? And what do you think she said, detective?"
Lanie was still there, voicing her opinion as always. "He's observant. I like him."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Dec 2, 2012 21:19:46 GMT -5
"Hey, I can dance," Talon informed her, lifting his head up. "I just don't want to dance in front of a bunch of judging teenagers. And they don't know what to do around me. Half are pitying and half are scared of me. I'd rather just keep my distance." He picked at the bandage that was wrapped around his stitched up wrist. He wasn't supposed to get the bandage wet, but oh well. All he had to do was put a new one on. Annoyed at it, he pulled it off and tossed it towards the wall. All the bandage served as now was a way to hide the scar that was forming on his wrist and the stitches that held his skin together. He didn't need it.
"And anti-snow ball," he repeated, turning towards her. "That does sound awesome. That's what we should do. Skip the stupid dance and do whatever the hell we want. Have an anti-ball. Smoke while no one's around to scoff at us."
He shrugged. "I bet she said I'm hot," he said with a smirk, a bit of the real Talon showing through. "In my boxers. And then you rolled your eyes."
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