Relaxation!

Subject: Relaxation! Wed Aug 10, 2011 11:02 pm

Zero sat, outside, under a tree, watching the leaves as they delicately fell. His eyes blank as he watched them just peacefully fall from their home above to the soft ground below. The sounds of wildlife were all around him, watching him just as a mother would watch their young. They tread carefully around him, as not to disturb the peace he had made with nature. He looked up at the blue sky above, sunlight shining through the treetops and showing him the blue skies above, devoid of the clouds that usually threatened to rain. His demeanor was calm, soothing, and gentle.

He laid flat against the treetrunk, black shirt, white jacket showing itself against the tree trunk. His hazel brown eyes gazed out in a daze, his black hair covering his face a bit. He seemed to be half asleep. He soon got up, stretching a bit. He yawned. "I almost fell asleep. Gotta be careful." Zero said to himself, walking around a bit to get some blood flowing to his legs, going back to his spot.

It was never like this in the real world. It was always so busy and loud, people fighting and wanting to get into arguments. Their incessant noise about trivial things never ceased to get on his nerves. Thats why he was always in a bad mood in the human world. Their messed up rhythms and the way that they dirtied the air with their respective hatreds never ceased to amaze him.

He got up with a stretch, picking up a guitar he had just recently learned how to play, starting to tune it a bit. It was an electric guitar, with a built in amp. Silence was good and all, but he needed some music to accompany him today. What better way than to do it yourself. He started humming a song that he had just recently learned how to sing by the band named "Breaking Benjamin." He took out an old CD player with a speaker on it, putting on the background instrumentals of the song (other than the main guitar) He began to sing, knowing that the school day was over and he was just loitering a bit.

Hold it together, birds of a feather,
Nothing but lies and crooked wings.
I have the answer, spreading the cancer,
You are the faith inside me.

No, don't
Leave me to die here,
Help me survive here.
Alone, don't remember, remember.

Put me to sleep evil angel.
Open your wings evil angel.

A-ah.

I'm a believer,
Nothing could be worse,
All these imaginary friends.
Hiding betrayal,
Driving the nail,
Hoping to find a savior.

No, don't
Leave me to die here,
Help me survive here.
Alone, don't
Surrender, surrender.

Put me to sleep evil angel.
Open your wings evil angel.

Oh.
Fly over me evil angel.
Why can't I breathe evil angel?

Put me to sleep evil angel.
Open your wings evil angel.

Oh.
Fly over me evil angel.
Why can't I breathe evil angel?

Zero sang this softly, yet powerfully, playing his guitar at the same time. He did this with his eyes closed the entire time. When he stopped playing he just breathed a bit, opening his eyes slowly.

Level 1. Posts : 28 Join date : 2011-08-09 Age : 30

Lichen had been wandering around the vast school campus to get a feel for what life would be like here.
She had figured out how to sign up for a dorm, and once she had, she had finally been able to let her family in with her luggage to help move into her new home in the dormitories.
Not wanting to keep them there for longer than necessary, Lichen had simply asked them to help her unpack and then sent them on their way soon afterwards.
She didn't see anyone else around, and she was able to finish setting up her bedroom for herself.

Now she stopped her exploration of the campus, because she had heard something in the distance. Soft. Rhythmic. Music. A song? Lichen drew closer to its source.

There, under a tree crowned with autumnal leaves, sat a dark-haired boy with a strange... instrument? He was playing it somehow. And he was singing.
She'd never heard anything like it before, but she knew it sounded good.
Quietly, so as not to disturb him, she closed the distance between them and sank down onto the soft green lawn a couple feet in front of him.
Rather than interrupt, Lichen waited for him to finish playing and notice her for himself, her sage-green eyes fixed on his elegant fingers as they danced over the instrument.

Subject: Re: Relaxation! Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:03 pm

Zero kept his eyes closed for a little while longer after the show was done, letting the current song exit his body as he relaxed, sitting down against the tree. He let out a long sigh as he let his guitar rest against him. He turned off his CD player before the next song could come on and blast in the wind. He started to re-tune his guitar, thinking of what other songs he could play. Maybe some more Breaking Benjamin? Or some System of a Down might be in order. Or some Rise Against. Maybe some Disturbed. He had a world of possibilities infront of him.

Then, he felt someone looking at him. It was a girl. He blinked and waved sheepishly with a smile, feeling kind of awkward that he didn't see her before.

"Oh, um, hello there."

Zero said while rubbing the back of his head. He didn't approach her because he didn't want to seem overbearing to her. Soon, his fingers traveled back to his guitar, strumming the intro for Firefly by Breaking Benjamin.

Level 1. Posts : 28 Join date : 2011-08-09 Age : 30

When the boy finally noticed her, Lichen smiled warmly and pressed her hands together in silent applause. His music had created around them a tranquil atmosphere, and even though he had greeted her, she waited until he picked up his guitar again. It was only when the boy resumed playing that Lichen deemed it appropriate to speak.

"Sorry," she murmured quietly underneath the melody of his effortless strumming. "I was giving myself a tour of the campus, when I heard you playing, and well..." She paused, tilting her head slightly to the side as if to hear the music a little better. The emeralds of her irises flickered once to his dextrous hands, and then back to meet the hazel pools of his eyes. "Well, I've never seen anything like that," she continued softly, gesturing mildly at the instrument under his hands, "but you do have a very nice voice."

Lichen gave him another small smile, hoping she wasn't being too creepish with her interest in the stranger's music.
"Would you mind if I stayed with you a little while? But I can leave if I'm bothering you."

The truth was, Lichen was an outgoing person at heart, and wasn't one to pass up the opportunity to learn something new. She was curiosity-driven, but this made her seem a bit forward at times. The last thing Lichen wanted was for him to think she was a mere sycophant.

Subject: Re: Relaxation! Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:49 am

Zero smiled a bit at the girl and silently listened to all of her questions. She was an inquisitive girl, not that he minded it, but it was interesting to see someone so forward in this day and age. He sorted out her questions in his head. He continued to strum his guitar idle-minded for a minute or something before stopping to answer her, looking her straight in her emerald green eyes. What he said, he said with a soft smile on his lips and a calm voice.

"First of all, its very nice to meet you and having you for company. I'm overjoyed that you found my music to your liking. I take it you're new since you're touring the campus? And this is a custom made electric guitar that I made myself, with these two hands from parts I collected over the years. Also, thanks for the compliment. Sometimes I don't think I have such a great voice."

Zero said, answering some of her questions as he began to strum again. He decided to speak and strum this time, instead of stopping to speak.

"Secondly, I don't mind if you stayed at all. I'd be honored if you did stay and listen to my music."

Zero said simply, not wanting to give an overly complicated response to a simple question. He stopped strumming to stretch his arms, standing up again.

"So, would you like another song?"

Level 1. Posts : 28 Join date : 2011-08-09 Age : 30

Despite herself, Lichen was delighted to hear positive replies to her questions, and without thinking, she went and sat closer to him, her legs folded neatly by her side, and only a foot or so of distance between them, the way any two friends might sit under a tree.

No longer transfixed by the instrument, Lichen found herself comfortably making eye contact with the boy as she conversed with him.

"The pleasure is all mine, really," she assured him brightly. "Thank you for letting me stay."

" And I am new..." she continued, just as easily. His friendly demeanor allowed her to be herself, despite the fact that she had so rudely intruded his upon his peace. "I just arrived on campus today. I had finished setting up my room in the dorms before I heard your music." Lichen grinned when he mentioned how he doubted his own singing.

"It's true we don't have music like this back where I lived, but I'm pretty sure I know a great voice when I hear one." And she meant it. Lichen tried to be friendly, sure, but she never lied to achieve it. "And that's incredible, to have made that by yourself. It's... so obvious you're devoted," she remarked admiringly about his hand-made instrument.

A cool breeze washed over them under the tree, scattering autumn leaves upon the two of them. She picked out one that had gotten itself tangled into the straw-blonde strands of her hair and released it to the winds, where it fluttered lazily before settling down on the stretch of grass that encircled them.

"Only if you'd like to play another one," she replied in response to his offer of another song, gazing up at him from where she remained sitting as he got up to stretch. "I didn't plan to keep you here to play songs for me-- just listen until you decided to stop." A small smirk tipped up a corner of her lips. Since he had stopped playing anyway, she decided now was a good a time as any to introduce herself. Lichen offered a hand up to him.

"I'm Lichen. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. And you are?"

Subject: Re: Relaxation! Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:40 pm

Zero smiled and blushed a tiny bit as she sat beside him, strumming his guitar idly as he looked around a bit, finally making eye contact with her as he reached for his CD Player, shuffling through the playlist a bit before setting it down. listening to her speak.

"It's no problem at all if you stay. I enjoy the company. Its kinda quiet out anyways."

Zero said, stretching his arms a bit so they wouldn't get stiff. He looked at her with a calm look in his eyes and a bright smile on his face as he began to say something else.

"If you'd like, I can give you a tour around campus.

Zero said with an honest smile as he listened to her speak again, nodding intently. "This is what I was raised with. I've listened to different kinds of music over the years, but this is what I've learned the best.

He did a little intro and stopped playing, getting up and shaking his hands to get the cricks out of them. He picked up his CD player and the speakers he was using (which were small, but powerful), changing it to another song as he turned on his guitar, strumming again and tuning his guitar. As he played the intro, he began to sing, closing his eyes once more.

Fall!

Now The dark begins to rise, save your breath it's far from over
Leave the lost and dead behind, nows your chance to run for cover
I don't want to change the world, I just want to leave it colder
Light the fuse and burn it up, take the path that leads to nowhere
All is lost again, but I'm not giving in

I Will Not Bow, I Will Not Break
I Will shut the world away
I will not fall, I will not fade
I will take your breath away

Fall!

Watch the end from dying eyes, now the dark is taking over
Show me where forever dies
Take the fall and run to heaven
All is lost again but I'm not giving in

I will not bow, I will not break
I will shut the world away
I will not fall, I will not fade
I will take your breath away

And I'll survive, paranoid I have lost the will to change
And I am not proud, cold blooded, fake
I will shut the world away

"Yells"

I will not bow, I will not break
I will shut the world away
I will not fall, I will not fade
I will take your breath away

And I'll survive, paranoid
I have lost the will to change and I am not proud, cold blooded, fake
I will shut the world away

Fall!

Level 1. Posts : 28 Join date : 2011-08-09 Age : 30

Lichen leaned back against the sturdy trunk of the tree, closing her eyes as she did so. As a result, she did not see what the boy was doing, but she could hear and feel his movements as he adjusted this and fiddled with that before finally settling down to play. Although she did not say so out loud, she agreed with him that at certain times, the outdoors was certainly too quiet. So she welcomed the music that flowed so easily from his lips and from the guitar which he so expertly played.

For a while, she stayed that way, sitting absolutely still with a boy she barely knew, only stirring when the breeze playfully tossed her blonde tresses into the winds. When he finished, she let the silence settle around them before slowly reopening her eyes. A smile lit up her features.

"It's so powerful,", Lichen murmured, musing as she studied the boy's face. "Amazing, the things you can do with music."

With a grin, she bounded up to her feet and stretched like the boy had done before, and she let out a happy, "Heeeen~! as she felt her long-unused muscles flex again with the new movement.

"C'mon," she said, offering her hand to the boy again to help him up. "It's not good for us to be sitting for so long. I'd love a tour around campus."

"Oh, and, I've mentioned my name was Lichen before, but I never got your name," she added, smiling as she waited for the boy to take her hand and help himself up. "So your name was...?"

Subject: Re: Relaxation! Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:34 pm

(sorry for taking so long to post. I've been pre-occupied/internet-less)

Riku rubbed the back of his neck with a slight blush on his cheeks, an embarrassed smile playing on his lips. She was so polite and cute and nice and...wait. Did the word 'cute' flow through his head upon a description of her. While it was true, the word cute just seemed to outline itself against the rest of the descriptive words in his head. A slight blush came on his face for a half second before she started to speak again. He cleared his throat as he put his guitar on his back, turning it off beforehand.

He smiled as she helped him up, pulling himself up while using some of her weight to help him up (using most of his own strength) stretching his arms without any noise other than a deep sound coming from his muscles and joints as they popped and stretched. "And by the way, since you asked, I'm Zero. Its a pleasure to have you company."

"All right, lets do the tour!" Zero said, taking her around the school, starting with the North Wing. "This is where the sporty stuff is. The Gym, training rooms, pool, and the like." Zero said, moving on while giving a thorough inspection of each area.

"This is the West Wing. All Science, Math, Language skills and any other class you can think of that goes under academics are here." More in-depth stuff after the general introduction.

"These are the Dormitories. I haven't got one here yet, but I hope to soon. There are girls only, boys only and also Co-ed dorms here." Zero said, not wanting to get too in-depth in this department.

"And finally, the relaxation wing of the school, the south wing. If you ever have free time, I'd suggest you come here to eat, relax, and talk with friends." Zero said. "Now. Any questions?"

Level 1. Posts : 28 Join date : 2011-08-09 Age : 30

(It's alright! I've been sick anyway, and also unable to get on the computer. This time, I must apologize. I'm sorry for the very tardy post.)

"Up you go~" Lichen sang cheerfully as she helped the boy up to his feet. It was rather obvious he could have pulled himself up easily, though he must have taken her hand just for politeness' sake. Lichen was glad, though, to finally have learned his name. "Zero, it's nice to meet you! And likewise," she added.
Lichen also noticed Zero did blush quite a bit. She couldn't figure out why, but admittedly, it was sweet.
'Maybe he's just shy?' she wondered.
Either way, those self-conscious smiles of his earned him a soft part of her heart, and she regarded him kindly. It was so nice of him to give her a tour.

Lichen kept close to Zero's heels throughout his tour, sometimes bounding ahead of him and pointing out the interesting things she wanted him to explain.
By the end of their tour, Lichen felt completely at ease, and was confident she'd never get lost. Even better, she felt like her usual, bouncy self. 'A new life!' she thought excitedly. 'A new life at this new school.' A chance to forget the past weeks-- months, even-- of private agony. She felt she had gotten a great start.
Now, when Zero asked if she had any questions, Lichen shook her head lightly. She pushed some of the blond strands of hair that had shaken loose with the motion from her face, and with a sunny smile, held up two slender fingers.

"No questions, sir, but I've got two comments for you," Lichen started breezily. She refolded her middle finger and wagged the index one.

"Firstly, Zero, thank you so much for the tour!" She beamed up at him, the forest green of her eyes lighting up with the smile she offered. "I bet I'll never get lost," she added, grinning.

"And secondly," Lichen let her second finger rejoin the first one briefly before she put her hand down, "I just wanted to let you know that I live in the Co-Ed Dorms, Dormitory 2C." Her head tilted ever so imperceptibly as she fixed her gaze on Zero's soft, hazel eyes. "If you ever want to hang out at the South Wing... or anywhere, for that matter, feel free to visit, okay?" 'My first friend... I'm so glad.' She finished with a gentle, sincere smile.