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open rp.
please link and warn for nsfw prompts!
[ Okay... being alone in Andy's office is better than losing it in the hallway for everyone to see and hear. Not that enough people didn't witness the fight in the cafeteria already. The thought of which causes Carmela's breath to hitch again. She can feel Andy's worry in the bond between them, and knows she needs to calm down to explain.
She pulls back slightly, still in Andy's hug but enough to wipe her eyes and breathe as deeply as she can manage. ]
We... fought. Me and Jaden. [ So distraught she doesn't care about proper grammar. Jaden and I. Still hyperventilating slightly, pauses between her words. ] In the cafeteria, in front of... everybody. I think... I don't know, I think we're... broken up?
[ At which point she loses what little composure she had regained and breaks down sobbing again. ]
She pulls back slightly, still in Andy's hug but enough to wipe her eyes and breathe as deeply as she can manage. ]
We... fought. Me and Jaden. [ So distraught she doesn't care about proper grammar. Jaden and I. Still hyperventilating slightly, pauses between her words. ] In the cafeteria, in front of... everybody. I think... I don't know, I think we're... broken up?
[ At which point she loses what little composure she had regained and breaks down sobbing again. ]
[Connor's the same way; he'll run in rain or shine. He nods at her question.] It's one of the few things I'm actually good at. [It's said with some self-depreciation as he falls into step just about next to her, keeping a step or two behind.] Nobody could run faster than me in... in my family's pack. [Not his pack. His family's pack. He never really felt like he'd ever been a part of it.]
[ The words break Andy's heart but what really feels like a punch to the gut is how Carmela starts sobbing again, and she pulls the younger girl to her once more. She steers them gently and carefully towards the couch, sitting them both down, her arms still wrapped protectively around Carmela.
She doesn't say anything right away, though. Instead, she tries to wrap her head around the idea of Jaden breaking up with Carmela. (That's how she figures it had to have happened or Carmela would be at least somewhat less distraught.) It makes absolutely no sense to her; she knows how deeply Jaden cares for Carmela, how he's wanted to be with her for so long; why would he break things off now?
Her hand rubs over Carmela's back, firm enough to be felt and to maybe offer the poor girl some strength but still gentle enough to be comforting, while the other cradles her head. When she finally speaks, her voice mimics the hand at Carmela's back: gentle, yet with a strong edge to it. ] Did either of you actually say you wanted to end things?
She doesn't say anything right away, though. Instead, she tries to wrap her head around the idea of Jaden breaking up with Carmela. (That's how she figures it had to have happened or Carmela would be at least somewhat less distraught.) It makes absolutely no sense to her; she knows how deeply Jaden cares for Carmela, how he's wanted to be with her for so long; why would he break things off now?
Her hand rubs over Carmela's back, firm enough to be felt and to maybe offer the poor girl some strength but still gentle enough to be comforting, while the other cradles her head. When she finally speaks, her voice mimics the hand at Carmela's back: gentle, yet with a strong edge to it. ] Did either of you actually say you wanted to end things?
[ Andy notices that distinction, how he says "My family" and not "My." It raises questions, but she pushes them aside for now; she gets the feeling that Connor wouldn't appreciate prodding, personal questions right off the bat.
Instead, she lets out a quiet, amused huff. ] Is that so? I wonder if you're the fastest here. Maybe we should have a race sometime. [ It could be fun and could let both him and the other wolves blow off some steam. ]
Instead, she lets out a quiet, amused huff. ] Is that so? I wonder if you're the fastest here. Maybe we should have a race sometime. [ It could be fun and could let both him and the other wolves blow off some steam. ]
[Connor ponders the idea. A part of him wants to meet the other wolves here, hoping that they're like what that other wolf - Wyatt - had said and that they wouldn't give him any problems about being an omega. The other part of him though is used to at least a couple wolves giving him crap about it and he feels anxious and tense at the thought of getting that reaction again in a place he's hoping he'll be able to finally fit in at. He is genuinely curious if he would be the fastest wolf here though.] All the wolves...? Are you guys like... one big pack? Who are the alphas? Would they be there? The alphas, I mean.
He said-- [ Slowly, surely, she gets her breathing under control. Still hyperventilating a little bit, but actively trying to take slow, deep, steady breaths. ] He said-- he needed some-- space.
[ Which in and of itself doesn't sound too terrible, but it was the way he'd said it. The way he'd treated her, in front of everyone in the cafeteria, like she was dust on the bottom of his shoe. That wasn't Jaden. He would never-- but he just did. ]
Something's-- wrong. With him. I don't know what, but-- [ She searches for the right words. ] He's not normally like this.
[ Which in and of itself doesn't sound too terrible, but it was the way he'd said it. The way he'd treated her, in front of everyone in the cafeteria, like she was dust on the bottom of his shoe. That wasn't Jaden. He would never-- but he just did. ]
Something's-- wrong. With him. I don't know what, but-- [ She searches for the right words. ] He's not normally like this.
We have one somewhat large pack here, then there are some other non-pack wolves as well. [ She's actually a little surprised another pack hasn't formed yet, but that's beside the point. ] Cath Nowell - the gardener here - and I are both alphas of one of the packs, but... We're more just the parents than anything. Wyatt Johnson, though he's a student, behaves more like their alpha. [ She smiles a little, obviously fond of all of them. ] We'd likely be there, unless you're uncomfortable with the idea.
[ Andy, not having all of the information or details, doesn't necessarily think to need some space is such a big deal or a final ending of a relationship. But clearly there's more it that she doesn't know, which is evident enough even before Carmela says that last bit. ]
Like what? [ Although she's hesitant, Andy pulls back somewhat once more, trying to get a view of Carmela's face. ] How's he behaving?
Like what? [ Although she's hesitant, Andy pulls back somewhat once more, trying to get a view of Carmela's face. ] How's he behaving?
[ Carmela shakes her head, not sure she can explain it with words. It was more a feeling, of coldness, and disrespect. Not like Jaden's usual behavior at all. ]
He blew me off, and pulled away from me. He's been avoiding me, and when I called him on it, he said, "Can't you take a hint?"
[ Just remembering his angry look sets her off crying again. ]
He blew me off, and pulled away from me. He's been avoiding me, and when I called him on it, he said, "Can't you take a hint?"
[ Just remembering his angry look sets her off crying again. ]
Okay, okay, shh... [ Andy immediately pulls Carmela back into a tight embrace, one arm strong and solid against her back while the other hand rubs between her shoulder blades to try to calm her once more. What she explained definitely doesn't sound like Jaden, but there's nothing that can be done about that right now; her first priority is calming Carmela down.
She can kick Jaden's ass later. ]
You're gonna be okay, Carmela. We'll get to the bottom of whatever's going on with him and you'll be okay.
She can kick Jaden's ass later. ]
You're gonna be okay, Carmela. We'll get to the bottom of whatever's going on with him and you'll be okay.
If you're sure. Cath and I aren't exactly fans of forcing ourselves into situations we're not wanted in. [ She pauses before adding, ] Unless someone's behaving like an idiot. [ Or they otherwise feel it necessary. ]
But Wyatt's a good kid; he'll help you feel out a place for yourself here, I'm sure.
But Wyatt's a good kid; he'll help you feel out a place for yourself here, I'm sure.
[ Andy's touch helps, and Carmela curls into it, crying small sobs as Andy rubs her back. She can't ever remember feeling this hurt, this hollow. It feels like everything she's known about the way her life works, the status of her relationships with the people around, has come crashing down like an unstable house of cards.
She feels like, without Jaden, she has no one. But that's not true. She has Andy, here and present and solid and comforting. And everything is going to be okay... somehow. ]
I just don't know why...
She feels like, without Jaden, she has no one. But that's not true. She has Andy, here and present and solid and comforting. And everything is going to be okay... somehow. ]
I just don't know why...
[ Though she can't completely decipher Carmela's thoughts, Andy can feel that uncertainty in the pack bond, can feel Carmela almost wavering. But she just holds the younger girl tighter, offering to be her rock in this unexpected storm. She even tries to tamper down the desire to track Jaden down and yell at him for this; the last thing Carmela needs right now is to feel Andy's tension and... Anger's not really the right word for it. Disappointment might be better.
Also, of course, confusion and concern because clearly there's something more going on, something she missed, something she's unaware of. And she hates that. ]
Has anything happened recently? [ She at least manages to keep her voice steady and soothing, her hand still rubbing over Carmela's back. ] Between you two or in general?
Also, of course, confusion and concern because clearly there's something more going on, something she missed, something she's unaware of. And she hates that. ]
Has anything happened recently? [ She at least manages to keep her voice steady and soothing, her hand still rubbing over Carmela's back. ] Between you two or in general?
[ Things Andy will never admit freely: how charmed she is by the drawing when she finds it. Unfortunately for Orion, however, she doesn't call him; the drawing and the post it notes get put away in her desk, seemingly forgotten for now. But when she's heading back to the earth staff house one morning after a run and catches sight of him heading her direction, she lifts a hand in greeting, waiting until he gets closer to say, ] Good morning, Orion. I got your drawing.
[ It's hard to tell if she's happy or upset about it, though. ]
[ It's hard to tell if she's happy or upset about it, though. ]
[ Orion was slightly disappointed that she never called him, or even texted him, but he wasn't really surprised. She was probably a no-nonsense type, and he could respect that. Though that opinion was turned on it's head when she actually greeted him and mentioned the drawing his face broke into a wide crooked smile. ]
Yeah!? [ Maybe she didn't approve, but hey, she said 'good morning' to him and that was pretty much all an eager omega needed from a gorgeous alpha. His metaphorical tail was wagging rapidly as he gazed down at her. He was almost a full foot taller, but she still felt so much bigger- more impressive. And this was coming from a guy who didn't want to be intimidated by alphas. That attitude was apparently only for male alphas. ]
Did you like it? I worked on your hair the most, but I'm no artist.
Yeah!? [ Maybe she didn't approve, but hey, she said 'good morning' to him and that was pretty much all an eager omega needed from a gorgeous alpha. His metaphorical tail was wagging rapidly as he gazed down at her. He was almost a full foot taller, but she still felt so much bigger- more impressive. And this was coming from a guy who didn't want to be intimidated by alphas. That attitude was apparently only for male alphas. ]
Did you like it? I worked on your hair the most, but I'm no artist.
[ Carmela pulls back, trying to compose herself enough to speak again. She presses her back into the couch cushions and draws her hands in to rest on her lap. Sniffling, she shakes her head. ]
No? I don't-- I don't know. We were fine, then... [ Then Jaden started avoiding her. What had happened to cause that? What was the triggering event? ]
I was away from the school when those monsters attacked. Maybe... maybe it was that?
[ But she doesn't know why that would affect Jaden? ]
No? I don't-- I don't know. We were fine, then... [ Then Jaden started avoiding her. What had happened to cause that? What was the triggering event? ]
I was away from the school when those monsters attacked. Maybe... maybe it was that?
[ But she doesn't know why that would affect Jaden? ]
[ His eagerness was difficult to ignore; although there was no pack bond between the two of them, Andy could practically smell it in the air and it made her nose tickle. ]
It was charming. [ Though it could be taken as such, she certainly hadn't meant that in a condescending sort of way. It really was cute, him drawing it and leaving it on her desk, but there was one big flaw in his decision: ] There's a reason I don't have one of those, though, and it's because I don't want students getting the wrong idea when it comes to possible relationships with me.
[ In other words, she didn't sleep with her students.
As a matter of fact, she wasn't the sort to sleep around with anyone, even people her own age. Not that she was a prude, she just preferred to have a connection with the person. ]
Do you understand what I mean?
It was charming. [ Though it could be taken as such, she certainly hadn't meant that in a condescending sort of way. It really was cute, him drawing it and leaving it on her desk, but there was one big flaw in his decision: ] There's a reason I don't have one of those, though, and it's because I don't want students getting the wrong idea when it comes to possible relationships with me.
[ In other words, she didn't sleep with her students.
As a matter of fact, she wasn't the sort to sleep around with anyone, even people her own age. Not that she was a prude, she just preferred to have a connection with the person. ]
Do you understand what I mean?
[ Andy let's her go easily enough, settling into the couch herself, although she leans her side against it and remains facing Carmela. One of her hands rests in her own lap but the other moves to Carmie's knee, just to keep a point of contact between them. ]
Maybe. [ Mentally, Andy starts kicking herself for not paying closer attention to her pack. She should've sensed if there was something going on with Jaden, or anyone else. ] Whether that was it or not, it's probably just something he needs to work through. I'm not saying it's fair of him to take it out on you, [ she's quick to add, squeezing Carmela's knee for emphasis. ] But sometimes people aren't good at controlling themselves when they're upset. Especially if those people are werewolves. It's not like we're known for being very level-headed, after all.
Maybe. [ Mentally, Andy starts kicking herself for not paying closer attention to her pack. She should've sensed if there was something going on with Jaden, or anyone else. ] Whether that was it or not, it's probably just something he needs to work through. I'm not saying it's fair of him to take it out on you, [ she's quick to add, squeezing Carmela's knee for emphasis. ] But sometimes people aren't good at controlling themselves when they're upset. Especially if those people are werewolves. It's not like we're known for being very level-headed, after all.
Edited 2017-09-25 03:53 (UTC)
Charming? I'll take that.
[ and happily! There was nothing quite as sweet as the scent of an omega who'd just received praise from an alpha. His heart pounded, but he still looked sheepish when she lectured him mildly. ]
Yeah, I get it. I didn't think I'd have a chance with you anyway, but I had to try, right? I'm the kinda guy who'd rather fall on his face in failure then say I never gave it a shot.
But maybe you'd like to have lunch with me sometime? And I'll promise not to flirt with you!
[ and happily! There was nothing quite as sweet as the scent of an omega who'd just received praise from an alpha. His heart pounded, but he still looked sheepish when she lectured him mildly. ]
Yeah, I get it. I didn't think I'd have a chance with you anyway, but I had to try, right? I'm the kinda guy who'd rather fall on his face in failure then say I never gave it a shot.
But maybe you'd like to have lunch with me sometime? And I'll promise not to flirt with you!
[ Andy considered him for a long moment but it was difficult for her to turn down someone so endearing as him. Even if it weren't for her desire to take any and all wolves in the school under her wing, Orion probably would've won her over anyway. He seemed like the embodiment of puppy dog eyes right then.
That scent coming from him certainly helped matters, too. ]
Alright, sure. Just as long as we're clear that it's nothing more than lunch. [ This time, though she definitely meant it, the words came with a small, almost affectionate smile. ]
That scent coming from him certainly helped matters, too. ]
Alright, sure. Just as long as we're clear that it's nothing more than lunch. [ This time, though she definitely meant it, the words came with a small, almost affectionate smile. ]
We're clear! Cross my heart.
[ He even used his index finger to briefly make that 'cross' motion over his chest. ]
I'm not the kinda creep that makes the moves on someone who says she's not interested. I'd just like to spend some time with you.
[ Just being in her presence was good enough for him! ]
I dunno, maybe it's just an omega thing. I want you to know I'm good or something.
[ He even used his index finger to briefly make that 'cross' motion over his chest. ]
I'm not the kinda creep that makes the moves on someone who says she's not interested. I'd just like to spend some time with you.
[ Just being in her presence was good enough for him! ]
I dunno, maybe it's just an omega thing. I want you to know I'm good or something.
[ Carmela nods quietly. She's still sad, still angry and upset, but she knows Andy's right. She wipes at her eyes again, then drags her fingers through her hair. ]
Ugh, I must look like a hot mess.
[ She sighs. Then pulls her knees up and hugs them to herself, feeling smaller than she's ever felt. Looking up at Andy, she asks, ] Can I stay here for a little bit? I don't want to go back out there just yet.
Ugh, I must look like a hot mess.
[ She sighs. Then pulls her knees up and hugs them to herself, feeling smaller than she's ever felt. Looking up at Andy, she asks, ] Can I stay here for a little bit? I don't want to go back out there just yet.
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