Down Time (Xeryth)

[Xeryth Varson]

The kiss broke, and was soon replaced by a broad grin from Xeryth, fully exerting his boyish looks as she brought a hand up to his cheek, smiling and wishing him good morning. For a moment, he said nothing, he simply laid there smiling at the girl before him. She was beautiful, no doubt, and he knew that he felt something about her that he'd never felt before. His lack of personal experience with women had left that feeling unexplainable for now, but he knew only two things about it: It was nothing he'd ever known until now, and, well, he liked it.

"Good... good morning," he said, still a little bit unstable as ever, but happy regardless, looking into the eyes of the girl laying mere inches from his face. "I trust you slept well?"

[Phoebe]

Phoebe couldn't help but smile up at Xeryth. His own smile was seriously contagious for her. He was so cute, so handsome, so perfect. She didn't mind the stutter. In a way for Phoebe it made him even better. Because it meant that most didn't see what she say. Most would think him weak but she saw a sweet and strong boy. She saw the way he had stood up for her sister but this feeling inside her whatever it may be had nothing to do with that. It was him and completly him.

"I've never slept better in my life." she said with a smile as she looked into his beautiful eyes. "I hope you slept well too."

She couldn't believe her luck. She had transfered to Arcane only to find her sister sick. Her overbearing boyfriend took her away from them but then... like the breath she needed here was Xeryth. He had taken her in here and let her spend the night. She lay still in his arms and she didn't want to move. She had never been more comfortable even though her heart was racing she couldn't believe that she had met someone as wonderful as Xeryth through it all.

"I was wondering. When we decide to leave the room..." she said blushing knowing that technically she didn't really WANT to leave at all. "we could maybe go to the library. Or.. maybe you have books here."

She bit her lower lip nervously. It was a habit from way back.

"Though you probably have plans for the day. Well, that's okay." she said with a smile. She was here with him now and that meant the world to Phoebe.

[Xeryth Varson]

Phoebe replied, asking Xeryth the same question, in about as many words. Xeryth nodded, finding words to be unnecessary for the moment. He was simply content to just lay there, with the girl in his arms, living the moment to its fullest. For Xeryth had placed at least one aspect of these new feelings he had been experiencing since he met Phoebe, and mostly, since about a few moments ago. Something he'd never felt before, but had suddenly exploded into the scene since his arrival.

For the first time ever, Xeryth felt happiness. True happiness.

Phoebe spoke softly to him, offering a choice of what to do today. Her idea, to go the library, sounded fun, but at this particular moment, the boy just didn't seem to want to get up. He was enjoying himself where he was, and that was enough for him right now. Perhaps later, but right now...

Xeryth's hand, the one not holding onto Phoebe, went to her face, quietly pushing her hair past her ear with a trembling hand. Smiling, he replied.

"The library sounds like fun... I have some books here... but if you don't like philosophy, you might be out of luck..." he smiled and shrugged politely. "Of course..." his grin looked just the slightest bit mischievous as his eyes hovered to the direction of the window, "don't you think that... that it's still just a bit early for anything?"

[Phoebe]

Phoebe's eyes slid closed as she blushed the very moment Xeryth's hand gently came up and brushed her hair back behind her ear. She could feel his hand trembling but a smile crossed her own face as she swallowed her heart placing it back in her chest where it belonged.

She opened her eyes and the blush was still on her face. She listened as he spoke and truth was philosophy wasn't really her thing but to stay here with Xeryth she could find something to read she knew it.

"I think you are right." she said blushing deeper not even bothering to look up at the window. "Much too early to be moving about. We might wake people and that would be a bad idea."

Her own gentle smile was replaced by her own blushing mischevious grin as she continued staring at the boy who thankfully hadn't removed her from his grasp. She couldn't think of a better place to be.

"We should .. stay here." she smiled and blushed again.

She looked over at the boy his own blonde hair was so beautiful and his eyes... oh my they were captivating. His gentle demeanor seemed to speak to her like no one else she had ever met. She felt like she belonged here and she wasn't about to challenge that.

"Can I get to know you better?" she asked in her light and gentle voice. "Like, things you like to do and things you don't like to do." she asked hopefully.

[Xeryth Varson]

Xeryth finally broke their cuddling embrace, not out of any type of revulsion to her question, but simply as a change of pace, a bit of motion into his morning. He may have liked Phoebe, he wasn't sure, but what he did know was that if he didn't move at least a little bit, he was going to stiffen up, and considering his rather small physical state, that could be a serious problem.

Thus, exerting a whole lot of force and definitely getting in his daily workout, Xeryth rolled onto his back, his left hand still holding onto Phoebe's, listening to her speak in her soft, yet beautiful voice, and asking her about him. Nodding, Xeryth looked up at the ceiling, answering her questions as best he could.

"Well..." he began. "I... I don't know, really. I haven't really been out in the 'real world'.... for... for long at all. I... I suppose I'm still... figuring that out myself... what I like... what I don't. So far though... I like... I like to read, anything I can get my hands on... and I like to walk around... and... well... old habits die hard, I suppose, I enjoy training with my powers. I'm not so sure I like going to classes, however. This... this school is so focused on magic and not... not psychic powers. I... I'm not so good with anything that doesn't... doesn't start with me using my head..." he smiled bashfully, admitting one of his many weaknesses.

"But... that's what the classes are for, right? To help... help you get better. I..." Xeryth let out a long sigh before continuing. "I just wish I had a teacher here.... that could teach me about my own powers. I... that was one thing I did have back there..." he trailed off, losing himself in thought about the D-13 training organization he had been a part of, most likely leaving Phoebe curious as to what, exactly, the young boy was talking about.

[Phoebe]

Phoebe felt him move and the lack of warmth seemed to have an immediate effect on her body. She shifted slightly but didn't move closer to him as she figured he might have moved away because she was too close or maybe that he just needed to move so she stayed where she was staring at him for a moment and drinking in every word he said.

She began to think. Okay real world... what exactly did that mean. How had he not been in the real world before now. She put that on the check list to find out later. Okay Psychic powers... what did that actually mean what could he do with those. Mhmmm another thing on the list. Back there? Where was there and other yes another thing on the list.

"I pretty much read anything as well. I enjoy reading it opens the mind and you can learn so much from the pages written out of one person's mind." she said with a smile. A glint in her eyes seemed to brighten as she talked about her books and reading.

"But... if where you were... they had a teacher for you why did you come here? Was it a bad place?" she asked and moved closer to him a bit bringing his hand with hers over.

She would have placed her head on his shoulder but she figured that might have been too much. She switching the hand she was holding his with she propped her head up on her elbow and looked down at him with a smile her left had taking his. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze letting him know that she would listen and never judge but also that if he didn't want to talk about it she would understand. She reached up with her hand that had propped her up and brushed his hair away from his face gently before letting it support her again.

[Xeryth Varson]

Xeryth smiled up at the ceiling when he heard that Phoebe also enjoyed reading. This was good, a common interest they shared. It would make that trip to the library later that much better, since neither of them would be having to duly endure it in any way. She pressed on, however, beginning an attempt to pry into Xeryth's past life, trying to decipher the rather vague words he had said to her. Turning his head to face her, Xeryth just smiled. It wasn't a weak smile, or a mischievous smile, or anything of the sort. It was simply a smile, something rather rare for Xeryth, as he usually had a hint of some other emotion in his facial features. This one, however, just seemed happy.

"Well... n-no sense in trying to hide it... it's not like I'm... ashamed... or had any say in the matter..." Xeryth shrugged a bit before continuing. "For... thir-... thirteen, yes, years of my life, I was training... training in an organization I've only known as.... D-13." He was quiet a moment, letting this much sink in before continuing. "I... I don't remember going there, I only remember simply... simply being there. They... they trained me... day in and day out... on how to use my... my abilities. From what.... what I understand... they do this to all young psychics... get them early... mold them into... into weapons. Send them against their enemies... I would have been... like... a perfect soldier." Another pause, for breath, and then he continued again.

"Someone... another psychic... he broke me out in... some kind of raid, I suppose. He got me away... told me to come here. So I... I did... and I haven't looked back since. Now, maybe you see what I mean. I was... was not treated badly back there... they fed me, kept me clothed... but that was it... I had... no social interaction... no leisure time... no nothing. I... I just worked my psychic abilities... and then returned to a pitch-black room to sleep and eat in... and maybe that would explain... my... general nervousness around people. It's... just not something I'm used to, yet. They... they taught me a lot, though... I did learn there..."

Again, Xeryth trailed off, but this time his eyes were looking directly into Phoebe's. He shrugged again, smiling it away as he continued to stare into the beautiful eyes belonging to the beautiful girl before him.

[Phoebe]

Phoebe had never listened to anyone closer than she was listening to Xeryth right now. She watched his face for any hidden emotion as he spoke and she watched those gorgeous eyes as they stared into her and she swore he could see her soul. He finished his story and for a moment she was silent but she did offer him a smile.

"Well, first of all I would have to thank the man that saved you and brought you here." she said with a blush after deciding on what she wanted to say. "Secondly, I don't agree with putting yourself down about your social skills. With me, you seem perfect." a deeper blush.

"But it does sound that despite the darkness and lack of human contact you became well trained in your abilites. I have had to train myself. So mine, are very few and feeble."

"I have been training in Italy. With my sword. When Phaedra got accepted here I hadn't because I had no powers at all. But then during a fight they woke and I was accepted here. That is why I was here yesterday. I came to enroll. Now, I couldn't be happier." she said and looked at Xeryth. She leaned in and gave him a very soft gentle kiss on the cheek before pulling back with pink crossing her pale white face.

[Xeryth Varson]

Xeryth blushed as well as Phoebe spoke, complimenting him graciously and then kissing him. It was very kind of her to say such things, especially on his proficiency with his abilities, even when she had yet to see anywhere near the full extent of his power. Xeryth himself had not even seen this level of power, as he had yet to find himself in a situation necessary to using it.

When she kissed his cheek, Xeryth blushed an even deeper crimson, back to his usual bashful smile and his shy self. No matter how quickly Xeryth seemed to take to people, there was something about this Phoebe that kept him slightly nervous, seemingly all the time. It was as if he wanted to always put his best foot forward around her, and not make any stupid mistakes. This led to his shyness and nervousness.

"It's interesting..." he began, speaking softly to her, "that we are so different, then... in our talents, of course," he quickly added. "You... you are very skilled in the more martial of arts.... whereas I... I have a deeper... a deeper grip on my psychic abilities..."

He looked into her eyes and grinned. "Maybe, sometimes, we could help each other learn our deficiencies..."

[Phoebe]

Phoebe of course loved the idea. They were the same in many ways. Both shy him more than she. Both quiet individuals so happy just to lay here with each other and spend the time together.

"I would really enjoy that." she said with a smile. She had seen how red he had turned at her last kiss and decided to keep herself from kissing him even more. So she stayed herself and lay next to him letting him decide the next move.

"I am a telekenetic." she said in her soft voice. "So you are the perfect person to train with. And I would be more than happy to help you with a sword or dagger. Anything really."

She squeezed his hand gently. This was going to be a wonderful day. A perfect day in her own mind. She smiled at the boy next to her. She couldn't imagine ever doing anything different really. He was sweet and cute and he was perfect. And it seemed that he liked her too and she couldn't imagine herself being happier... well maybe.. but right now she was happy. Happier than when she had been accepted in the academy.

"Xeryth... "she bit her lip and blushed a deep red. "I... I... like.. I like you."

She blurted and closed her eyes tight before she could see his face for fear he didn't like her the same.

[Xeryth Varson]

Xeryth smiled, and returned the squeeze as she gave his hand a quick compression. It seemed like he'd done more smiling in these past few moments than he'd ever done before in his life, but it wasn't reason for alarm. No, this was what just felt right, and it made Xeryth happy. When one was happy, one smiled, and Xeryth just couldn't get enough, apparently.

Phoebe seemed more than willing to work with him in swordfighting, and Xeryth thought that'd be a good thing to take up, if not infighting with the usage of daggers. His PME could technically become both with enough focus and personal training on his own part, and knowing how to use the actual weapons couldn't hurt, either. Of course, he could do his best to help Phoebe with her telekinesis, especially since, as of late, it was the foremost of his own psychic abilities, the one he'd been using the most since his arrival.

Phoebe's next words, though, did not come quite as much of a shock to the boy as one might have originally thought. Sure, his eyes widened, and he blushed like crazy, but he didn't seem to shrink back in fear or worry. He just smiled, goofily, as Phoebe screwed her eyes shut, most likely afraid of the answer.

Xeryth... Xeryth didn't know what to say. It was the first time something like that had happened to him, and it was such a great feeling. To know that someone truly was interested in you, who really cared? His smile went from ear to ear. His free hand reached out and took Phoebe by the cheek, softly, meekly, and tenderly. Phoebe's eyes fluttered open, meeting Xeryth's, as he drew his face even closer to hers.

"I like you too," Xeryth whispered ever so softly, before leaning in the last tiny bit and putting his lips to hers, kissing her gently, really the only way he knew how.

[Phoebe]

That touch on her cheek. It was Xeryth's soft hand there on her pale cheek. Her eyes opened as he moved closer.

"I like you too." he had whispered.

Her heart was suddenly filled with such hope and such happiness she swore that left unattended her heart was sure to falter. She looked into his eyes and then.. his lips.. she would never as long as she lived forget the feeling and sensation of Xeryth's lips on her own. She let this one linger. Because for some reason it seemed proper to do so. It was different for her than the other kisses they had shared. This one was almost like a pact a seal of some sorts between the two teenagers that still lay on the same bed as last night.

"Would.. would you like to date?" she asked this time not closeing her eyes. She left them open. This was what always came after the phrase 'I like you'. "Like... maybe I could... be your girlfriend... if you want that is."

She looked at him with the most hopeful look in her face and her eyes as she wanted him to accept so badly she could feel her heart stopping all together as she waited.

[Xeryth Varson]

"G-girlfriend?"

Xeryth stammered out, quietly, a slightly confused look on his face. Again, here was something new. Someone wanted to be his girlfriend. Phoebe wanted the two to be almost as one, two kids happy together, enjoying themselves in the company of each other. The thought warmed Xeryth's heart considerably, and it was all he could do to keep from leaning in and just kissing her again. He was still acting completely on how he felt, without stopping to think, except for this one small act of restraint on his part. Without it, though, there would be a lot less words, but most likely a lot less need for them.

"Th-that... would be... absolutely fantastic," he said, smiling at her from just a few millimeters away... "I would love that..."

His smile turned a bit mischievous, however, as a sly look came into his eye. "Then... what... what do we do now that we are... dating?"

[Phoebe]

If Phoebe had been one of those people whose heart and soul lived in a constant dark and cold place then those very words that had come from the sweet boy... no her boyfriend's lips would have been the sunlight in her dark and desolate world. As it were her already bright world became a brilliant sunflare as her eyes brightened and a smile couldn't help but cross her face.

"I'm so happy." she whispered the smile never leaving her face.

She heard his next question and new exactly what she wanted to do. First he was already close and so to kiss him would take mere millimeters. She instead raised her free hand and ran her hand delicatly through his hair her eyes never leaving his own beautiful ice like pools. She smiled as she ran through his hair several times.

Then she leaned in and closed her eyes as she ran her nose gently along the length of his own. Her hand then landed gently and carefully on his cheek before she dipped down and gave him another kiss. This one lingered far longer than any other they had shared and she was going to let him break it.

[Xeryth Varson]

Xeryth smiled upon hearing Phoebe's declaration of happiness, for he felt exactly the same way. The boy had never really know true happiness, while his life was far from 'bad' or 'harsh', he had simply existed for such a long time, not knowing much of any emotion until he had arrived at the Academy. Even here, he had only been able to dabble a bit in the different states of emotion a human being could go through, considering his previous life left him a more taciturn, reclusive individual. Regardless of all that, however, this moment he'd shared with Phoebe shone out above all other moments, burning only a single word into his mind.

Happiness. Pure and unadulterated.

He would have stated this much to the girl, but she had already closed the distance between them, their faces touching together softly. Xeryth closed his eyes, almost instinctually, as their lips met, and held, a much longer kiss than they had ever shared before. His hand, still upon her cheek from earlier, moved up, running through her hair gently as he kept his lips pressed upon hers for the time. Right now, there was nothing else he wanted to do, and if he could help it, this kiss wouldn't end anytime soon.

The hand traveled through Phoebe's hair to the back of her head, holding her gently in place as Xeryth finally pulled away, breaking the kiss slowly, his eyes opening to look at the girl before him, a smile that could have charmed the devil gracing his face and somehow refusing to leave.