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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 26, 2011 15:31:31 GMT -5
The sun was warm, the skies were clear, and the breeze was gentle. It was almost as if nature itself was lulling him to sleep, telling him to take a few minutes off and get some rest. He'd stayed up the previous night, once again struck by the rather intermittent hand of insomnia, and was now suffering the consequences.
Tiredly, Arthur leaned on the ledge, peering down to see if anyone was doing something that they ought not to do. He caught sight of one - ah, a newcomer, from the looks of it - trying to sneak behind the Science building to smoke a cigarette, but relaxed as soon as one of the Student Council members apprehended him. For once, it seemed like he could actually sit down and relax. (In other words, he could actually feel like a regular student rather than the 'stodgy president of the Student Council'.)
Despite this, his book, long since abandoned in favor of just people-watching, lay on the floor beside his feet, ignored but not forgotten.
(He wasn't lonely, no; most definitely not. He was Arthur Kirkland, he didn't get lonely.)
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 26, 2011 19:20:44 GMT -5
It was so...high.
Berwald somewhat timidly stepped through the door into the sun and wind, relaxing just a little as he felt the elements around him again. Holding up a hand to shield his eyes until they adjusted, the Swede took a look around, spotting another student standing by the railing, looking rather pensive.
He heard the wind blow, and a slight thump, noticing the book that had made it now on the ground. Crossing the plaza, Berwald stooped to pick it up, dusting it off. Much Ado About Nothing. The blond tilted his head a little, having not heard of such a thing, and wondering what could be in it.
He looked at the other student, offering the book to him. "S'this y'rs?"
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 26, 2011 20:39:21 GMT -5
Arthur nearly jumped upon hearing the voice, muscles tensing and nearly lashing out in surprise. Though he managed to keep himself in check, his panic intensified for just a split second as soon as he turned around to see who the perpetrator was. He recognized the student, but only vaguely; Arthur had personally never talked to him before, though he did see him walk around the campus a few times. What had been his name again? (...Or maybe the 'again' shouldn't really be there; had he ever known in the first place?) "Yes, it is," he said, taking the book with a small, practiced smile. "Thank you... ah... sorry, I don't believe we've been introduced before." The Englishman then held out his other hand, adding, "I'm Arthur Kirkland, president of the Student Council. It's a pleasure to meet you."
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 26, 2011 20:45:04 GMT -5
Fear, as expected. Berwald sighed inwardly, keeping his expression stoic. The other youth had a pleasant voice, if a bit nasal, and was certainly polite enough. He took the hand offered firmly and shook it once with a nod.
"Sven Oxenstierna. M'sorry, didn' mean t'startle y'."
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 26, 2011 20:58:03 GMT -5
Sven Oxenstierna... Oxenstierna. Swedish? Arthur looked over the tall student again, once more noting the light blonde hair and equally light blue eyes. Possibly.
"It's fine," Arthur replied, drawing his hand back. Sven mumbled; coupled with his deep voice, it was admittedly just a bit difficult to understand him. Fortunately, difficult didn't mean impossible, and he continued, "It's my fault, for not paying attention. Is there anything I can help you with, Sven...?"
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 26, 2011 23:33:39 GMT -5
Berwald shook his head a bit, looking less-than-happily out over the city.
"J's came up f'r s'me air. 't's so stuffy 'n there." His brow furrowed as he searched in vain for at least some speck of green amidst the straight, grey lines of the buildings.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 27, 2011 1:12:53 GMT -5
"It is," Arthur agreed, also turning to look. However, unlike Sven, he was looking down again, at the crowds of people milling about. "A bit depressing, isn't it?"
Though Arthur had vaguely meant their current situation - of being separated from others, of being unseen, unnoticed -, he'd directed the question to be more about the landscape that was currently displeasing the Swede so.
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 28, 2011 0:11:09 GMT -5
He looked from the skyline to his new companion, moving to stand by the railing next to him before looking out again. "'t is. Ev'rythin's so..." he fumbled for the words, "...so pushed t'gether. 'n yet nothin' blends. Y'could pass a hundr'd people an' not know a one."
Like the two of them now, for example. He'd not even known the other youth's reputation, let alone his name or face, and he was president of Student Council. It was odd, though; the other had a bit of a pressure around him that felt familiar to Berwald, although he couldn't really place it. He felt strangely comfortable with Arthur, even though they'd only just met, and by chance, no less.
Although, perhaps there was no such thing as chance. That was what he'd been told since he was small.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 28, 2011 2:28:47 GMT -5
"That can't be closer to the truth," Arthur replied, agreeing fullheartedly with the Swede's observation. Pushed together, yet nothing blends... how depressing. How true. It was how Arthur had more or less felt for a good majority of his life, after all. Knowing he ought to belong, and yet, feeling more displaced than he'd ever thought possible... it was a miserable thing.
Briefly, however, the Englishman found his concentration broken by the gentle glows of colorful light behind and atop Sven's head. He paused, blinking in surprise, before realizing that yes, those were fae. Needless to say, he was quite astounded by their appearance and apparent familiarity with the other student, but decided to say nothing about it, just in case Sven was unaware of their existence. Slowly, he dragged his gaze away from the magical creatures and back to Sven, hoping the other student hadn't notice his surprise.
"...How long have you been here, Sven?" Arthur asked, genuinely curious. How could he have not noticed the Swede before if the fae seemed to be so interested in him? "At this school, I mean."
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 28, 2011 5:22:12 GMT -5
Berwald adjusted his glasses a bit, noticing but not reacting to the odd look the Brit was giving him. There was that pressure again. He closed his eyes briefly, enjoying the feeling and trying to think of what it reminded him of.
"Since th'start 'f term," he replied. "...'m not used to 't yet." Any of it, really. No fields, no trees, no animals except stray cats...for all its activity, the whole area seemed desolate to him. He could barely breathe some days, it was all so cramped and colourless. "'nd you?"
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 28, 2011 16:20:57 GMT -5
"Ah, alright. I've seen you around before, but we never really had any chance to talk," Arthur responded, eyebrows furrowing slightly when the fae fluttering around Sven flew over to perch on his shoulder. Their voices were light - distracting, in this case - as they spoke in their ancient language, their accents a bit sharper and just barely different from his what the fae from his own country spoke. "I hope that you'll get accustomed to the academy soon enough. If not, I'll be glad to do whatever I can to help you adjust."
After all, Arthur knew how difficult it was to suddenly be brought to a completely new environment. It was frightening, irritating, and exciting, all at once. He wanted to run away, yet explore; talk to people, yet stay as far away as humanly possible. He wasn't sure how well he'd be able to relate to the Swede, but he was sure that he'd be able to help, at least a little bit.
"I transferred here from England in my junior year," the Englishman continued. "And to be honest, I still feel rather foreign in this place."
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 28, 2011 19:20:54 GMT -5
Berwald smiled a little, comforted by the thought that he wasn't as alone as he'd first suspected. He didn't speak often to anyone in this place, even in the dorms he lived in - they were all so strange to him, and he to them - but he hoped that at least the two of them could be friends.
"Th's place couldn' be more diff'r'nt fr'm home," he said a little sadly. "I don' think 'll ev'r r'ly adjust." He didn't think he wanted to adjust. "Where 'n England did y' grow up in?"
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 28, 2011 23:19:46 GMT -5
Arthur nodded. "...I know. I imagine that it's much more difficult for you than it was for me, though; the differences between the American and Swedish cultures are probably much greater than the American and English ones." That and, well... given Sven's presence on the roof, it was obvious that the Swede wasn't a very sociable person, either. "Though, I'm certain that with enough time, you'll get used to the flow of things, here."
Arthur managed to do that, after all. (Though, he supposed 'getting into the flow of things' didn't really equal 'blending in to your surroundings', or even fitting in...)
"As for myself, I was born and raised in London. What about you?" Here, Arthur offered a small, apologetic smile. "I just assumed that you came here directly from Sweden, after hearing you talk."
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 28, 2011 23:51:57 GMT -5
Erk. Berwald sighed a little, letting out a quiet chuckle and rubbing the back of his head.
"Y've got one up on me; I grew up on a farm." He looked out over the city again. "Wh're I come fr'm, th'build'n's're never so high, 'n y'could go ages w'thout seein' more th'n a few houses here 'n there. Th' rest w's fields, or riv'rs, or forest..."
Thinking of it, especially in comparison to this place, draped a heaviness over his heart that was becoming all too familiar these days. However, his face was long ago schooled not to show such things, and his expression remained stoic.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 29, 2011 4:42:04 GMT -5
Oh, a farm? That was interesting. Arthur couldn't help but smile a bit; perhaps that was why the fae were so attracted to him? They tended to like those who were closer with nature, after all.
"...That sounds lovely," Arthur said genuinely, and he couldn't help but feel slightly envious. How nice it must've been, how free, to live in such a peaceful place rather than a crowded, noisy city... He could only imagine. "I haven't really had the chance to visit such places yet. I've only read about them and seen some pictures."
He paused, then, glancing at the landscape before them. It was beautiful, in the way that most aerial views were beautiful, and definitely liberating, too - liberating from the crowd, the discomfort, the expectations. If he had to be honest, though, he couldn't really say that he understood Sven's frustration. He'd grown up in the city, after all, and such crowded sights were unfortunate, but usual, to him.
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 29, 2011 5:26:47 GMT -5
He was obviously seeing something, Berwald decided. He was distracted, in the way that - of course.
The Swede blinked, looking in mild surprise at the other student. That was what the pressure was. It felt like her. His face softened into a gentle smile, and he looked out again, a little more at home than he had been a moment ago.
"I think y'll get s'mewhere like that someday, Arth'r. Y'r friends prob'ly like 't here about 's much 's I do."
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 29, 2011 16:40:11 GMT -5
Arthur found himself just a bit surprised by Sven's sudden smile. Had he said anything that was particularly funny, or...?
"Friends?" he repeated curiously, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he glanced around, then thought about his previous words. He hadn't mentioned having any friends, and... certainly, his presence up on the roof (by himself, no less) was enough to hint at his lack of companions. The fae giggled, their wings shimmering as they waggled their fingers at him. ("Silly boy from Albion," they said. "Silly, silly.")
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 29, 2011 20:02:46 GMT -5
The Swede laughed, low and cheerful, amazed he hadn't picked up on the hint. Oh, yes, he liked this one. Pushing up his glasses again, he turned to the youth, a little sad that he couldn't see the spirits he knew had to be there. He'd always wanted to, always been able to sort-of feel them.
"...the little ones."
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 29, 2011 20:53:51 GMT -5
The little ones...? Arthur's frown deepened as his gaze flickered back and forth, from Sven to the faeries. Did he...? No, no; that couldn't be. Only a chosen few people had the ability (or rather, retained the ability) to see the fae, and Sven hadn't acknowledged the creatures fluttering around him at all thus far.
"What little ones?" Arthur asked, trying to feign ignorance. It wouldn't do to just assume things, after all. "There's no one here but you and I, Sven. Are you alright?"
The fae giggled again. A few of them remained perched on Sven's head, while the others fluttered closer to Arthur, eyes shining. "Silly boy from Albion," they said again, and one tapped his nose, making him crinkle it slightly. "Try again!"
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Post by Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna on Jan 29, 2011 21:53:44 GMT -5
The Swede sighed a bit, shaking his head. He wondered when they'd resort to hair-pulling or something of the like. They did that to him sometimes when they needed what little attention he could give them. He didn't know about the spirits in the rest of the world, but the ones that hung about his family had a tendency to get a bit nasty fairly quick.
"...y'don't have t'hide it, Arth'r. I know y'can see 'em. I can't, b't it doesn' mean I don' know they're there."
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