Discovery of a home and...roommate?!

[Kira Karyuudo, Hikari]

Weary after her first day in Hircine, Kira trudged slowly into the elevator of the dorm building she was assigned to, foregoing the stairs because she felt she couldn't muster the energy she normally had to travel up six flights of stairs. Pressing the sixth floor button, she slumped against the wall of the enclosure, her half-lidded gaze swerving up to the light. 'Three...four...five...six...' She counted along with the machine, pushing herself off the wall with a sigh as the elevator rolled to a stop, the doors opening to let her pass into the hall, the card-key dangling from her pocket.

All in all, she supposed it hadn't been that bad of a day. Certainly had nothing on her first day at Varron. She'd gotten lost way back then, running into both Jahova and Ajax in the morning, ending up having to run from a small group that were chasing Jahova, and later that afternoon she had met quite the interesting group of students: Maverik, Leon, Pyro, and perhaps another, but she couldn't recall. However, she had made a scene this morning with Hikari; their first day at Hircine High. Otherwise, it'd been pretty darn uneventful, save for the curious looks and or glares that were sent her way for being a transfer from Varron, as if all of them were the same.

Kira mustered the energy to growl at the thought. Most of them were arrogant; thinking they were better than everyone else. While it might have been true in some cases...Kira didn't exactly respect them for it. And, she had made them aware of it with her mocking bow with Hikari at the assembly that morning. Glancing to the number on one of the doors, Kira sighed, keeping her trudging walk going a few more doors. Slipping her hand down, she grabbed the card key quickly and set her forehead against the door, her soft blue eyes swerving to the left at the sound of a door closing and a feminine giggle coming from someone... All Kira caught was the sway of a hip and a glimmer of a watch on a girl's wrist. With her key card hovering mere inches away, Kira turned her attention back on unlocking her door.

The next thing she knew, she was being tugged firmly away from the door, blinking in surprise as she stared into the wide turquoise eyes of a girl not much older or younger than herself. Long lashes fluttered as the girl in front of her blinked, the soft green eyeshadow offset by blue eyeliner. Layered, straight blonde locks fell in straight waves in a slightly dramatic yet soft cut, hanging to rest lightly on the girl's shoulders. Tight jeans hugged the girl's legs, a forest green shirt hugging her upper body, leaving her shoulders bare, the sleeves curling around her arms. She blinked, clearly dumbfounded and confused, though there was disbelief flickering in her eyes.

"You know, people normally give some form of greeting and introduction before spinning someone around..." Kira noted dryly, arching an eyebrow at the girl.

"Oh, uh me?" The girl grinned cutely - though cluelessly, in Kira's opinion, giving the girl a nod. "Rachael. Rachael Gaiken. I think you're, like, a bit lost, there's only one person in that dorm room."

Kira's stale look towards the girl had no effect, she just blinked with the same grin on her face. She seemed friendly enough, whether it was just idiocy or not...in any case, Kira's agitation grew. "No, I'm pretty sure this--"

"No, you've got the wrong building, like, this guy requested to have nobody for a roommate, and he's like, a Senior." She spoke with a haughty air now, fairly sneering at Kira, knowing she was right.

"You're mistaken, unless there's another dorm building called likeGolden Gate Residence, and another room with the number like 658..?" Her agitation clearly simmering in her voice, Kira flashed her card with the information printed on it, leaving the blonde girl blubbering as she turned quickly and slid the card home, unlocking the door and stepping in quickly.

Ignoring the sudden protest and shove to the door, Kira heaved on it, pushing the door closed with a heavy sigh. Her stomach growled, but Kira could care less, the bag upon her back and in her other hand weighing heavily. She was in no mood to deal with her hunger, either. Grumbling softly, she waltzed to one of the two closed doors, not so much as glancing anywhere in the apartment-like dorm. A soft click reached her ears as the door unlocked, and she pushed it open, slipping in and shutting the door behind her and all but flopping onto the bed after she set her bags down.

"Oh, maaan, I still have to go get my things from Taiku's..." She groaned, shifting to make herself comfortable on her bed. After several minutes of lying there, ignoring the second soft rumble of her stomach, Kira slowly pushed herself up. With a sigh, she leaned forwards and pulled up the white bag, withdrawing a box and slowly opening it to withdraw a new laptop. Shaking her head, she moved to the desk, wondering where she would fit the text books and other reading material she had. Setting the notebook on her desk and heaving her bag up onto the chair in front of it, Kira could only sigh and withdraw her purse. She would head over there, but maybe after finding something to sate the hungry beast that seemed to be her stomach.

Slipping her purse onto her shoulder, she slid out the door, tucking the card-key into her purse. Shuffling slowly into the kitchen, Kira yawned, slowly looking through the cupboards for something quick that hopefully wouldn't be missed too badly. 'Speaking of someone missing objects,' Kira mused, 'I wonder just who my roommate is...'

[( Raaah, I only had one person interested in this?! =O For shame, boys and girls, for shame.... Anyhoo, you know who you are, so post away! )]

[Darren Blayne]

Another day, another long day, but, for the Captain of Hircine High, it was simply to be expected.

Trudging his way to the elevator of the apartment/dorm complex on-campus, Darren Blayne mused silently to himself about his decision to get closer to campus. Certainly, his family was more than willing to keep him in their own homes, but, since the school was allowing anyone to sign up for residency free of charge, and, being a Senior, he'd get first openings as well as preference of roommate and which apartment he wanted, Darren had decided that the absolute best way to maximize his efficiency as being a Captain would be to live on campus, and thus, never be far from the trouble, if it would erupt, at any time, day or night.

Plus, with all the Varron transfers out and about, the likelihood of that trouble had probably escalated immensely.

Entering the elevator and pressing the button marked '6', Darren leaned against the back wall, his eyes downcast, waiting for the elevator to reach its intended floor. As he travelled, he thought about the entire day: The opening speech and the blatant mockery of those two girls, the fight surveyed, the lunch with his Pillars, the breaking up of a fight between his Lieutenant and some lowly punk, and last, but not least, the battle for the Captainship he'd already had to defend against.

It had, indeed, been a long day, and Darren was looking forward to an uneventful night.

With a quiet *ding!* the door opened, and Darren exited, heading straight for his room. His stuff had already been set up, and everything had been in order since the day previous. All that was left was to come in, fall onto his bed, and fall fast asleep.

"Um, like... Darren...?" The girl suddenly spoke, seemingly having already been there waiting for him.

"Not now..." Darren replied, almost apologetically, his gaze never leaving the haven of his apartment door.

"But, like... there's a... like..."

Paying her no heed, Darren swiped his card and opened the door. As he entered, he turned and faced the door again, ensuring it closed quietly and without too much noise, so as not to bother the other tenants. As he turned around, however, Darren could only raise an eyebrow at the sight, as a combination of surprise and fatigue overtook him.

"Well. This is certainly going to be interesting."

[Kira Karyuudo, Hikari]

Hoisting herself lightly, Kira balanced upon one of her knees, checking the top shelf of one last cupboard for anything fast to make. Her other leg hung over the edge like a balance-weight, and the black-haired girl grinned as she found something fitting for a quick meal: ramen. Slipping herself down from the counter with a simple grace, she picked up the small styrofoam cup and set the element beneath the kettle on the stove on high, hearing a faint click as the door closed.

"Well. This is certainly going to be interesting."

The voice was new, and yet so familiar. Kira glanced through her bangs, her blue eyes going wide with shock as she fumbled with the object in her hands, dropping it before scrambling to catch it with a soft "Eep", her eyes darting back and forth between the cup of instant noodles in her hand to none other than the School Captain. There was only one thought rolling through Kira's mind... 'Oh... shit.'

For Kira, the situation had just turned awkward and tense. Very awkward, very tense. 'And of course I just had to mock him this morning at the assembly, hadn't I?' She groaned mentally, 'Karma just doesn't like me... Perhaps getting an apartment of my own would have been wiser.'

"Of all things...this I did not expect," She murmured, half to herself, and half to her fellow Senior standing in front of her. Her eyes, suddenly cool and calm, though with lingering hints of nervousness and unease, bored right into his own as she tilted her head. As an after thought, she murmured lowly again, more to herself this time. "I suppose I expected something more, but my brain would have been fried if I was paired with Rachael."

[Darren Blayne]

Almost ignoring the girl's words, Darren, simply too exhausted at the moment to do anything more about his situation than comment dryly on it, quietly lurched across the living area to the couch, falling down onto it with a muffled thud, laying sprawled across it. However, the way he fell left him in a position such that he could see, and appropriately respond to the girl who not only had openly insulted him earlier that day, but was, apparently, to be his roommate in the year to come.

He had heard her comments, not requiring a comment on her first, as it was quite obvious by his own statement that he shared the girl's sentiments. On her second mumbling, however, that is, if Darren had perceived it right, the captain did feel as if he had something to say. Thus, in a much more conversational tone than the boy tended to have during school hours, he found himself speaking.

"On that note, Varronite, you'll find us both on the same side." Darren looked up towards the general direction of Kira, a small, tired smile on his face. Even though the girl had completely disrespected him and attempted to make him look like an ass in front of a large portion of the student body, at this particular point in time, he was simply too tired to even make an issue of it.

A curiosity, however, was due.

"While you are here, as am I, as well... can you explain the purpose or usefulness of that little... show of yours this morning?"

Darren raised an eyebrow, regarding the girl, and his tone did, indeed, come off a little more sharply than the previous statement. After all, as tired as he was, he was still on edge about this rebellious girl, and while he was engaged in a less tense (But admittedly all the more awkward) situation, he intended to go about business by taking a different path.

[Kira Karyuudo, Hikari]

Her gaze wary, Kira watched as Darren slid through the kitchen to the small living room, slumping on the couch, his eyes keenly peering at her from behind the thin frames. And for a moment, Kira stared back, a mild smile of amusement flitting to her lips at his agreement, only to be snuffed with an indignant snort a moment afterwards. 'Bitch, please...' Kira thought mildly, the wry humour lacing her thought.

"I have a name, as I'm sure you know. Seeing as you're the school's captain, it definitely isn't the best of things to lack information... Especially when that information would be about a school of students that have been fighting amongst themselves, against the teachers and school system...and just happens to have transferred the most prominent of those students to your school." Kira's tone was matter-of-fact, though softened somewhat in attempt to at least keep the conversation civil. She'd started off on the wrong foot earlier that day, and now it wouldn't do to cut off the foot she could do better with and hop around the school on the wrong one.

As a result, her next words were mild and teasing, with just a hint of an insult buried beneath. "But, I suppose should you be that misinformed, my name is Kira Karyuudo. And, dear Cap'n, unless you have poor memory, you could at least have some courtesy to address me by my name, and not as a Varronite... Not everyone who comes from that school to this one is as bad as you've apparently been informed."

With a simple shrug, she turned back, glaring lightly at the kettle as she heard the first stirrings of the water heating. She ignored his sharp, curt question for the moment, somehow managing to keep her voice light. "Because I seem to have raided your stock for a quick bite to eat, you want one as well..?"

Turning to face him, she hopped up to sit on the counter, crossing her legs slowly and leaning on one hand. She studied him awhile, seemingly trying to judge his character in those few moments. She would tell him her reason, most definitely, but figured she could make him wait. He seemed pretty content just to be lying on the couch. No doubt he'd had a bit of a tough day, if Kira was any judge. But then, in the first few weeks, dealing with Varron's students had been a strain on her as well... However, if she felt awkward - and she did - she hardly showed it. All she was currently focusing on was getting something to eat, and getting the hell out of here, if only for awhile.

She'd have all year to be here, unless she decided to move out if things got more than tense.

"Purpose? It's simple enough; it's to show you and everyone else at Hircine that we're not going to roll over in a subservient position just because you say so. For years, though admittedly, I've been there for at least two, we've played by our own rules. It wasn't the council's rules, or the teachers', but our own. A school of misfits, fighters, ruthless teenagers. I've had run-ins with some of them, I've seen how bad the damage was after The Edge went down. And yet, not everyone that was in Varron knew how to fight." Purposefully keeping herself omitted as one of those people, Kira tilted her head a fraction, blinking several times as her eyes swerved to the kettle again, the noises gradually becoming more prominent before she set her gaze back onto Darren.

"I'm not the only one dissatisfied with the move. By all rights, I should be starting into a University now, but no, I have to repeat another year at a school that's clearly not in the least happy about their newest transfers. I'd say if our roles were reversed, you wouldn't want to be told you had to jump when someone you currently have no respect for says to. I can adhere to the rules set by the school, to get through the year and get out, but I'm not going to take your word as absolute."

With the slowly rising whistle as the steam was forced through the small opening, Kira shifted, opening the small styrofoam cup and flicking off the element again, carefully pouring the hot water inside. Adding the flavour on top, Kira looked at him expectantly, lightly pushing the seal down.

"No threats intended, but it's quite possible that gangs could spring up again, and then ones from Hircine as well, whether it's just to join in on the 'fun', or to try and beat back the Varron students... And it's hard to say who could be the start of it, if it should happen." Shrugging her shoulders, the blue-eyed girl fell into silence after that, watching the Hircine School Captain with a look of calm.

[Darren Blayne]

Still sprawled on the couch, watching the girl make a cup of ramen, which, the Captain was fairly sure, was his ramen after all, Darren let out a little sigh. It seemed the girl wasn't too keen on answering his question, at least not at the exact moment, offering instead to make him a cup of, yes, it was indeed, his own ramen.

But not before, apparently, trying to serve a quick verbal jab his way, which he ignored at the first place. Inwardly, Darren shook his head at the girl's naivete. Certainly, of course, as Captain, he should know the names of all two hundred Varronites who had only JUST entered into his school. Yes, it made perfect sense to the captain, as another sigh escaped his lips.

"If you're offering, then yes, please. And thank you." he said politely, allowing the girl her own words before he gave any himself.

The girl, Kira, continued to speak her monologue, going on and on about the state of Varron, what they did, what had happened, how things were back there, generally informing Darren about things he, for the most part, already knew. When she was done, Darren spoke himself, giving his own take on the subject.

"For starters, Kira," he began, giving a bit of emphasis to her name, though not in any particularly nasty way, "You place far too much responsibility on me than I should be held accountable for. There are quite a many of your kind coming through my doors, and you have only been here one full day now. It is beyond most's abilities to remember that many names, one would think."

Darren neither apologized, nor justified his own reasoning past that point, leaving Kira to take what he said as she would. Pausing a moment to take a breath, and watch Kira go about preparing her snack, Darren then continued.

"You and your kind may not be satisfied with the move, but, this may come as a surprise, but most of the Hircinians are just as disappointed. What we are dealing with are two polars opposites, only with much, MUCH more of us than there are of you. And, seeing as you shouldn't be that misinformed as to such matters," Darren specifically used Kira's own jibe against her, "you should know that this will give the Hircinian students much more confidence in themselves winning out.

"I know about your history, your recklessness, your chaotic natures. You think I am simply some single-minded sycophant who works only for the Council's bidding?" Darren's eyes narrowed a bit, this girl was assuming him a fool, and it was something that he was not happy with, much at all, really.

"At Varron, your student body HAD no leadership. When you even had a school captain, they did nothing to keep your school together, and, if I am not mistaken, your last year was spent completely captainless. Not only did the previous captain do nothing, they could not even appoint a second in command to take his place. The students of Varron followed their own rules because everyone was too weak to govern them.

"This will not be the case here. The pillars and I, we are the law here, understand? Before you jump to conclusions, also, try to read between the lines."

A small, yet tired, grin crossed his face as he seemingly challenged Kira to think past his words, and into his meanings.

"Simply because I told all of the Varron students to follow my every command, doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to walk around commanding everyone all the time, now, does it?"

Darren raised an eyebrow, driving his point home, and continuing with an explanation. He'd been more duplicitous than he really cared to be at the orientation meeting, but he knew he had to start on a strong foot to instill some sort of emotion toward him in the Varronites.

"You've been a day at my school. Have you seen myself or my Pillars walking around, forcing students to do things they don't want to do? You haven't. Our system allows the students to do as they will, but if they get out line, then justice is handled swiftly. I will offer the same for you Varronites, if you can truly learn to abide by a set of rules."

Darren, from his position on the couch, managed a half-hearted, slightly awkward shrug.

"From what I've seen of the Varronites thus far, you are all either too eager to rebel, simply for the sake of rebellion, or, in some cases, you try too hard to pretend like you're members of this school already, acting on the flawed logic of 'if you ignore it, it doesn't exist'. As such, thus far, Kira, your classmates, and you as well, have done little for me to place much faith in your ability to get along."

Darren laid back, stretching a bit, attempting to assume an even more comfortable position on the couch. He'd said his piece, and wondered just what this Kira would think of that.

[Kira Karyuudo, Hikari]

Turning and slipping up onto the counter once again, Kira reached into the cupboard, pulling down another cup of the noodles and mechanically pouring the hot water in, ripping the flavour open and adding it as well. Shrugging at his first rebuttal, she remained quiet, allowing him that point. Yes, it was a bit much to expect... However, when he turned her own words back upon her, Kira scowled at the cups, glaring at them a moment. 'So, if you want to throw my words back, I might as well do the same. A battle of wits I can handle easily... If it should happen to go further...I do believe I'm sunk.'

Kira waited until he was halfway through his reply before she turned, cocking her head to the side, the cups sitting on the counter. "Contrary to what seems to be your popular belief, I am quite aware that Hircine outnumbers us at least ten to one, and that your school is no more satisfied than the ones from Varron that are here. And, perhaps it had been an assumption you were the Council's lackey, but how was - or even am - I to know if you are or are not? I doubt you'd not have assumed that if our situations were reversed."

Taking a short breath, she continued on, a tint of frustration in her voice, though it was toned down. "Varron students lived by their own rules because there was no Captain, it's true... However, nobody could rise to take the position because of events surrounding them. There were times when several people were close. On top of that, seeing as you seem to be informed on the behaviour, at least, you'd realize that nobody could instate rules because of the chaos. I'd imagine if one did rise to power, no doubt he would have been taken down by those who opposed him. It would have been a rare thing to have a Captain that most of the school could agree on, at least. Several people against a school doesn't seem to work out so well, does it? At least you seem to have the trust and respect from your school for your position. There's no guarantee that it would be the same with Varron.

"And whatever law you do have here might have to be bent and twisted a little until - or if, if you'd prefer - we all settle in. It's entirely up to you, of course, but I'm not saying that we should be able to run amuck."

Falling silent, she turned back to the cups, the first one she had done up nearly done. Pulling open a drawer, she didn't find exactly what she was looking for... The second, she did. Rummaging slightly and sighing at the lack of chopsticks, she dragged out two forks. Setting one on the counter near the first cup, Kira silently debated taking the second to Darren. In any case, it still needed a few more minutes, and her ear was tuned into him as he finished.

It was time to shove his words back. Kira looked over her shoulder, slowly turning her body to face him again. After a moment of silence to gather what she wanted to say, she spoke, drumming her fingers over the counter. "Darren, we've been a day at your school. I'm not sure that things will be as you say in the next few weeks, if you're words are true. You know things will be rough, and no doubt my fellow students will have a lot to do with that. Surely you can't think that you will win over the transfers in one mere day. Many don't even respect you...and I fail to see why we should at the moment. Given time, perhaps.

"From what I've seen of the Hircine students, our 'assimilation' will not be complete for quite awhile. And you Darren, have done little to earn any sort of respect from us...or faith, for that matter, that things could be different. All you've done is pointed it out...and so I suppose we will see if what you say rings true, or whether the system you have here will fray at the seams."

Picking up the second cup and fork, sliding around the small table to walk over and give him the food and utensil. "As it stands, I'd say there's work to be done on both sides... Unless you'd rather the tension between our groups continues on and we remain separate factions."

Offering a shrug as she turned and made her way back to her own cup of noodles, Kira breathed in slowly, lightly hopping back up onto the counter. Picking up the fork and styrofoam cup, she tore the lid off, slowly breaking the softened noodles apart before beginning to eat her quick, small meal. Twirling the fork a few times, she lifted the food, chewing thoughtfully as she watched him, an eyebrow quirking slightly once before it dropped back, the cup raised so she could drink the steaming liquid. The corners of her mouth tilted upwards slightly in amusement at nothing in particular, and also at the soothing taste of the hot water.