Adjusting to reality.

[slick]

Doors shot open, eyes everywhere diverted to the single beauty that stood toward the entrance of the school, and jaws all around began to drop in awe. Eyes widened, pure interest of this student who had just walked into the school growing to an extreme level. Walking through the hallway confidently, the student waved to the students staring at him, but they didn't move... Not a problem, all he had to do was continue his way down the hallway, and let them adore him for as long as they needed. As he moved, their eyes followed, it was strange, and that was when the student noticed their eyes weren't looking at his head, but his... pants?

GASP! HE WAS WALKING AROUND IN WHITEY TIGHTYS! THE WORLD AS HE KNEW IT WAS OVER FOR HIM!

A sudden hard object hit the side of the student's head, the sudden fuzziness went away, and the student found his eye lids opening half way looking down at his desk. A pool of drool was beginning to form, and he raised his head, his entire arm soaked in his very own saliva. Looking around, a few student's were snickering, obviously they were the ones who committed the kind act of waking him up before anymore embarrassment was made. Shaking his head a bit to get himself awake, the bell suddenly rang, and it was timed to be released to go into the hallway. He adjusted his glasses, and then stood up from his desk, swinging his heavy bag of books around both of his shoulders.

Well, that was quick, but the student couldn't complain, at least the teacher didn't catch him. How long had he been out? He didn't know, but he was pretty tired. Staying up all night playing on his PS2 really got the best of him, but he really had to get his character on the game to level 75. Being at level 74 for so long bugged him, and the length it took to level in the game didn't help him much either. Still, the task was done, and now he just had to deal with his reward: Lack of sleep.

"Uh... Slick, you have something on the side of your cheek," a student who was in his class spoke, and then soon after Slick moved his right hand to wipe his left cheek. Nothing there. "Other one," the kid corrected in a mocking like tone. He was a definite bully. Doing the opposite, Slick found out that he had some of that drool that was covered on his arm earlier on his face too. Embarrassing!

"Uh... thanks..." Slick responded, and then began to walk away on his lonesome in a tired way. He was wobbling a bit, having trouble keeping balance, his head throbbing in an intense pain that just couldn't seem to leave him alone. It was well worth getting to level 75 though!

...BAM!

Some random kid bumped into from the left Slick, and then strolled off into an insane fury. Unfortunately, being a weak weak and poorly weighted student, he fell like a domino aimed right toward another kid who was on his right side. Now rather it was an important student or not on who ran into wasn't the problem, the problem was the traffic inside the hallway was instantly beginning to increase big time. Students everywhere stopped to stare at this huge problem inside the hallway. Poor Slick being pushed was very unfortunate, but who knows what will happen with the kid he ran into.

Was anyone observing? Was the kid going to want revenge? Most of all, why did it have to be Slick of all people to suffer this horrendous fate!? Well, one who knew Slick couldn't be too surprised, he seemed to be quite unfortunate when it came to surviving the daily things of life.

[Teneile]

Everything was going just fine. Teneile's life was completely turning around and she could be seen at school with nothing less than a bright smile on her face. She loved being here now, everything had become great recently there was not one thing that made coming to school bad. Her life was on track and she was happy. Really happy, not just some semblance of it that she showed to the world before, instead she was really happy and she couldn't help but let it boil over. Even her classmates had noticed the change in the redheaded dancer. They had noticed how she was paying more attention in class, she seemed to get answers, she always was smiling, and sometimes she seemed to be off in her own little world.

Walking down the hall, she was in that little world. She was on her way to lunch to sit with the person that made her smile this much. She was humming softly her back pack was on her back it was pale pink and had more keychains that should be legal in the united states, but she collected them and she loved every one of them. Dressed in blue jeans and a button down silk pink shirt, she walked through the halls her high heeled boots clicking on the tile with every step. She was merely going to stop at her locker before going ahead to the lunch room when she was suddenly broad sided and sent right into the wall. Someone had crashed right into her beating her up against the locker she winced being a thin girl she really wasn't up for much like this.

"Ow." she said rubbing her arm that had been shoved visciously into a combination lock on someone's locker. She winced looked up seeing a boy that had shoved into her. He looked a bit scared like he was worried she might be mad.

"Are you okay?" she asked standing straight again she flexed her arm. At least she hadn't bruised her leg or somethng, that would have been bad she had an upcoming dance coming up and she didn't want to miss a practice. "Did you get hurt anywhere?" she asked him, it seemed like an accident. Maybe she was wrong but she was at least going to give him the benefit of the doubt that was just who she was.

[slick]

Well, the goods news was that the domino chain didn't last long because they ended up falling into some lockers. That was good, and it saved some embarrassment, but the block in the hallway wasn't solving anything. Slick didn't realize about the crowd, so he was just wasting his sweet time by stumbling back away from whomever it was that he had just thrashed into the lockers. No serious injuries besides a shattered pride had come about him. He straightened himself out, his cheeks blushing to a bright red color, and his eyes finally moving to the person he had innocently caused troubles for.

The bad news was that the person that laid in his vision didn't help. In his eyes, she was beautiful, an angel, the last person he would ever want to see forcing a conflict with. Unfortunately, Slick had to suffer his horrid fate of bumping into this fair maiden of the lands, and it was now up to him to find a way to get out of this sticky situation. Well, that's what it would seem until she began to talk first, and she really was a sweet girl. Alright, so this might be easier, she was acting as if she were more concerned about him than she was about herself. Perhaps this wasn't as bad as it seemed... maybe she thought he was cute! Hey, he can dream.

"Yeah, I'm..." he began in a dull sounding voice, then paused, and let himself think of what to say. He was hoping for something good, but his entire mind was scrambled up, forcing him to catch a word. "...Fine," he finished with a shrug, before moving over to a pair of lockers to lean on. It was pretty much then that students everywhere began to scream in rejoice that they could once again move, and the stampede of the impatient teenage army began to march through the hallways once more.

"I'm really sorry about that," Slick added on, not wanting to look like some sort of jerk who did it purposely. The blush had went away, a small flare of confidence beginning to build up inside of him, and the hope of being able to hold a conversation with her growing at the second. Maybe if he tried hard enough she would be his girlfriend! Once again... only a distant dream that would most likely never be reached. The voice he spoke in was a bit sarcastic sounding, but he really couldn't find himself being extremely enthusiastic while being tired, embarrassed, and just narrowly avoiding bumping into someone who he would forever regret running into.

[pinefresh]

Malikai sat staring out the window of the classroom as the teacher droned on and on about something meaningless the 16 year old already knew. This was one of the two freshmen classes he was forced to attend this semester. The school had decided that because he never lived in an English speaking country and was never fully exposed to the written and spoken language they would have to put him in special classes last year. They also decided that he would be put a grade lower than the other kids his age. As a result Malikai was forced to sit in a class full of kids two years his junior for subjects he probably knew about as much as the teacher did.

There was a simple grace and humility in how he, for no real reason, just showed up to class did the work and left. Most other students in similar positions spent most of their time just complaining and arguing with the teacher about how unjustly they were being treated. They lacked the self-restraint and discipline to just sit there and take it. They also lacked the intelligence to figure out if you fight such pointless things life will just get that much more difficult. Especially when the teachers tended to mark students they could tolerate easier. So it was with suicidal and sadistic thoughts in mind, Malikai suffered.

Through the corner of an eye a more interesting subject presented itself. His name was Slick, and he was sleeping in class. Not only was he sleeping but he was also drooling all over himself. ~American's... so civilized, so graceful.~ The sarcasm flying through Malikai's head as he looked on in a mix of disgust and pity did the situation little justice. Sitting only two seats down to the left everything was left visible. The other students around him whispered and laughed. Only one out of pity was kind enough to wake him up and end the suffering.

The bell rang and Malikai put his books away and prepared to leave the class. Always the last student to leave had it's advantages in the fact you did not get pushed around by the others eager to get out into the hallway. The last time Malikai had been in the middle of the line and was shoved the kid stumbled away with a bloody nose and Malikai was disciplined by the hall monitor. The experience was not pretty in the least.

Stepping out into the hallway Malikai could see an object sprawling all over the hallway from side to side. When he was capable to focus on the object he noticed it was not an object at all but a boy. The boy he could tell from his tall and stick-like physique to be Slick. Groaning, Malikai rubbed the left side of his face with his left hand and made his way toward the sprawling figure. There was no point in allowing him to be fed to the wolves and by keeping an eye on him at least he could kick the crap out of the wolf that tried anything.

A few feet down the hallway Slick hit some girl into a locker and finally came to a stop. She seemed more surprised then anything, and even seemed to try and help slick out. Malikai decided that he should at least go see if everything was alright. "Are you two alright?" He asked rather plainly, his eyes moving from one to the other awaiting a response.

[Xenarius]

"Unbelievable... what is the hold up I'm starving?!" I thought to myself as I stood in the middle of a throng of students. I wondered why this was taking so long for about ten seconds when I heard the bang of someone colliding with a locker. "I better check this out..." I think to myself "Mav would be mad if I didn't try to stop a conflict." I quickly work my way through the crowd and when I get to the front I see a very red faced boy stammering out an apology to a girl about my age.

Walking up to the two of them I see another boy approaching as well. He asks them if they are alright as the rest of the kids in the hall finally get to surge on to lunch there is an increase in the volume as they all start having conversations again. I could tell they were waiting with held breath to see if there would be a fight here and now. "Not bloodthirsty my ass." I think to myself as I assess the situation.

"What happened here?" I ask the boy kindly with a smile on my face. It would seem he was having a rough day as it was, and there was no reason to be confrontational here. "You are both sure you're alright?" I ask and then stand waiting for a reply.

[Teneile]

Teneile looked at the boy that had blushed seven shades of red in record time. In a way he was cute, she had never really met someone so shy, but it was cute none the less. She smiled as he finally said he was allright and she was glad. She had been worried he had hurt himself in the stumble perhaps gotten a twisted ankle or something worse like a concussion she had not seen what had caused him to run right into her but she really wasn't going to hold it against him, that was just not her style. He asked if she was allright but even before she could answer two more guys came out of seemingly no where and seemed to be worried about them as well. She cocked a red brow a bit, she hadn't realized there were such caring people in the school if anything she figured the poor boy might get beat up for blocking traffic or something.

"I'm fine, really just a bruise most likely. Hit one of those combination locks just right. But nothing I can't handle." she said sweetly.

She looked at all of the boys. They seemed nice and polite in the least. she wasn't really used to being in school much having only really started up again after some tragedy in her life this was one of her first new days. She smiled softly at all of them, they seemed to mean no harm and perhaps they could become friends. Truthfully, aside from Kazuma, she didn't know anyone in this school so to make a few friends might be nice, especially if she could introduce them to kazuma and maybe have them over or something. But there she was getting ahead of herself so she backed down a bit.

"My name is Teneile." she said with a bright and happy smile. "What are your names, and thank you both for checking on us, it's really quite nice of you." she said with another one of those award winning smiled.

Teneile was the kind of girl that really shinned around other people it was when her true self really came out and she loved getting to know others. Here was her chance to meet some new people and get to know them, she wasn't about to back down.

[slick]

Slick wasn't expecting a barrage of comments to go his way to be quite honest, and was much more hoping that he could sort of sneak away soon before embarrassing himself. This was one of those lucky times where he had managed to get out of a sticky situation without risking any more verbal assaults, physical assaults luckily never showing its way to Slick for some reason or another. Still, his luck quickly ran thin, and the barrage of questioning came. Slick's stomach jumped at the voices since his full attention was on the girl. Who could blame him though? It would be insane for a male not to have a complete interest toward a pretty thing like that!

Both of his half opened brown eyes trailed at the other two, his head still had small waves of throbs in it, and everything was a bit blurry still. They asked if the causalities of the crash were fine, right? That seemed like the most logical thing at the moment, and Slick knew it was best to go with it. While they were talking, he found his right arm moving up, and his finger nails scratching the back of his neck in nervousness. It was a bit awkward really, half of him wanted to be there for the attention, the other half wanted him to leave to avoid embarrassment.

A name was given, another question was asked, and then Slick saw the golden opportunity to talk. Normally he passed them up, thus resulting in him becoming very submissive in the conversation, and him never getting a word in again, but he made sure that he would get it in this time though. Perhaps it was because he was still half awake that inspired him to do this crazy stunt that he was trying to pull off. "My name's Slick Harris," he began, and then paused wondering if she even wanted his name in the first place. Perhaps she was just asking for them two, what if he just helped in making a fool of himself? While resisting the urge to slap himself in the head, he continued on with utilizing the spotlight the best he could in that dull, unenthusiastic tone of his, "And um... I'm fine too, I am used to it by now." Another thought popped in his mind, was that too negative? This didn't seem to be going to well for him, and for now, all he could do was prey to some heavenly figure to spare his soul.

[Xenarius]

"I'm glad you are both alright. I am Xenarius it is a pleasure to meet you both." I stick out my hand to Teneile first and then after she shakes it (if she does) I will move it over to Slick and shake his. "But Slick what happened that made you tumble into Teneile? Were you pushed?" I ask with a kind look still on my face.

"I hope he didn't do it himself on purpose... his dodging of my question the first time is a little disconcerting though. I will assume the best until the worst shows itself, and if it is one of those situations I will deal with it. He already appologized and seems very sincere about it so I don't think he would do something like this on purpose. But looks can be decieving..." I think to myself as I waited for an answer from him. "He seems very uncomfortable with this much attention being paid to him... I understand that though, it isn't unnatural to be wary of attention... especially in this place".

(ooc: sorry it is so short everybody)

[pinefresh]

~Oh good God, of the things to run into it had to be a goodie goodie~ Malikai thought to himself as he tried hard not to roll his eyes as Teniele spoke. Good little girls, though generally demons in the sack, were nerve wracking. Always trying to be friendly and everyones friend, it was rather irritating. Fake was good for lawyers and actors but had no place inside a school. What did she hope to gain from this? Who was she trying to impress? Malikai sure as hell was not going to bite on this one that was for sure. Though in the spirit of kindness he would not show any outwardly hostility to the girl either.

The other boy who was names Xenarius seemed to be ignoring Malikai completely. The boy seemed to have quite the one-track mind and was focusing only on the problem. Someone could jump him from behind right now and he probably wouldn't even notice until he hit the ground. Admirable as his may be in actuality they would get him nowhere farther down the road.

Slick, being not one for words as it seemed, managed to get out his name as the fact he was alright. It seemed now it was left to Malikai to speak. "Yeah...The names Malikai...It's nice to meet you all." In his head at the very end he put in the two words 'I think' to finish off what he actually meant to say. He was starting to think just watching from afar would have been the best idea. "I see that you have not fully recovered from your in-class nap Slick. Perhaps you should go sit down and wake up a little more before trying to walk in the halls"

[Teneile]

Teneile shook Xenarius's hand gently with her own. She didn't worry about grip or anything cheesy like that but gave him a nice enthusiastic hand shake. Thing was, Teneile WAS a nice girl. Plain and simple she was the kind of girl that bent over backwards for her friends and loved doing things for other people. Sure, just like everyone else she had her selfish moments, but the thing she loved most was making those around her happy. When Malikai chimed in with his name he was rewarded with a smile as her hand slid out of Xen's (for shortness) and back to her side.

"Well it is nice to meet you all, I'm just glad no one else was hurt." she said with a soft smile.

Xen asked why Slick had fallen into her, and to be honest Teneile was a bit curious to that herself. He seemed like a nice guy, a little shy, but around Teneile that wasn't a odd thing. No, it wasn't because she was pretty, it was because her personality tended to make the shy ones seem even more shy. Teneile was a very outgoing and fun loving girl. Malikai mentioned a nap that Slick had apparently taken in class and her eyes shifted to the brown eyed boy and she smiled softly at him.

"We should all go find a seat. It's lunch anyway, maybe we could all eat together, unless you had plans that is." she technically did, but Kazuma would eat with her no matter where she was she figured. She had his lunch, so he would have to find her eventually and she knew he would, he was always hungry.

[slick]

It was hard to pick everything up, so much was going on at the very moment in time. Not only was he barraged by questions, comments, and the such, but it seemed gestures were going into the equation as well. An arm extended to him, Slick really didn't bother to see who it belonged to, and just let his own arm join in the shake from an instinct that developed over the days. The whole sleepiness was clearing up, the throbbing decreasing, and the awareness level slowly making its way back to the norm. At least his vision was fine again, and of course, for the most part he was staring at Teneile, her lips to be more specific. He really wanted to answer both guy's questions as soon as he received them, but he just couldn't seem time to fit it in with all the other speaking going on around him.

Still, he planned to sneak in right after Teneile was done talking in this very oddly made pattern of words that always ended him in talking after Teneile. Alright, so Slick had three things to answer, what were the questions again? Trying to recap on them, he had a bit of trouble remembering because to be honest, he was multitasking between paying attention to the questions that were asked, and day dreaming about Teneile while he was staring at her beautiful... lips... Yeah, but anyways, he remembered Teneile's question like statement since it was most recently said, perhaps working his way from hers to Xenarius's first one would work best.

"Well uh... I don't mind going to sit down and eat," Slick said in that normal toneless and tired voice of his. It was then it dawned on him that the other guy knew he was sleeping, Malikai if he wasn't wrong. How did he never notice this guy was in his class before? Anyways, he was asking if he wanted to sit? Due to the negative thinking waves Slick has a tendency to have, he was figuring this was a hint toward them wanting him to leave. "And I think I'm fine now Malikai, thanks for asking," he answered there for knocking down two answers. The third one was the question about him knocking her down, right? Well, if it wasn't, then too bad because he planned on answering that question only for now anyways. "You don't need to worry about me... I normally wouldn't expect being shoved unintentionally anyways, so my tiredness has nothing to do with it," he added, there for justifying he wasn't really effected to much by his tired state, while answering the third question.

Well, he managed to get them all out of the way, now he just needed to debate rather he should eat with them, or if he should just find an escape route and save himself from any further embarrassment before it was too late.

[Xenarius]

As soon as Malikai said his name I would reach over to shake his hand, but he didn't seem very interested anyway. If he took my hand I would shake his and then address Teniele's question, and if he didn't I would drop my hand and address Teniele's question. "Sure, it will be nice to get to know some more people here." I will say to her while thinking "most people here won't even give me the time of day when they find out I'm from Varron..." Looking over at Slick and then back at Teniele I say I'm glad you are both alright." Again showing hopefully that I believe Slick's story about being pushed.

"Who knows where this is headed," I think to myself, "Maybe I'll be able to learn something about the hate the Hircinians feel but then again probably not... maybe I'll get some friends out of it anyway. Malikai doesn't seem very happy about the situation though. I doubt he will come eat with us..."

"Well shall we go find a place to sit?" I ask to the others... and with that question open a whole new avenue of options that were not there before. "Its about time things started to cool down..." I think to myself as I wait.

[pinefresh]

(OOC: Hey Xenarius just a suggestion for you. When you want to think something try using a different symbol than the quotation marks. I know what you meant but for a longer post or with someone that prefers just to skim posts your thoughts and actual speech may become confused.)

~To shake or not to shake that is the question.~ Malikai thought to himself as Xenarius lifted his hand in greeting. The polite thing to do would be to shake the hand firmly and smile or something. These people seemed nice enough and perhaps having a few decent non-troublesome friends would look good to whoever may be watching. Good people could always vouch for your character if your brought into question, there was no downside to this.

Malikai took his hand, gave it a quick firm shake, and let it go. Turning back to Slick, Malikai noticed him lost in some sort of thought. The boy was clearly anti-social to a degree beyond that of Malikai, who was turning out to become very social indeed. Malikai placed his left hand on Slicks left shoulder firmly to settle the deal and make sure he didn't try to duck out.

How did Malikai know Slick would try and duck out? To be quite honest he didn't, he was basing it on Slick's actions so far and from class. If he was as anti-social as Malikai suspected then the next logical option for him would be to flee. He would flee because of fear of the situation and nothing more. People perhaps were not his favorite thing to be around and ditching them would be his favorite option. Unfortunately for Slick, Malikai had found a need for him.

"Food sounds like a good idea, let's get going before the tables are taken as Xenarius suggested." Malikai even managed for force an hospitable smile to appear on his face to show some genuine interest. Trying not to smite the good little girl would prove a mental challenge to him though, one he would happily undertake. Perhaps she even knew some not so nice people he could use later to help him out.

[Teneile]

((OOC: Sorry it's taken me so long to reply.))

It seemed that no one really minded going to eat lunch together and to Teneile that was great. Mostly because that meant that she might make some new friends and she enjoyed being around people. Though they might get scared off just seeing Kazuma when he found her, the tall large man seemed a bit intimidating for a lot of people, but if they got to know him he was a nice man and she loved him dearly. So when everyone had chimed in about wanting to go to lunch and eat somewhere she smiled brightly and nodded.

"Right! Let's get a table then." she said as she turned and waiting for them to follow.. or at least one of them to, she would head off into the cafeteria which hadn't been far.

Once there the bustling cafeteria was indeed busy it was filled with the students here enjoying their less than tasty school food and enjoying conversations with their friends. Teneile scanned for Kazuma as well as a spare table, she found one but not the other as she led the guys over to a table and sat down at it. Opening her backpack she pulled out not one but two lunches. One far bigger than the other that she sat aside and one that she opened by tearing the brown paper sack gently making a little place mat for herself. The other was for kazuma when/if he found her.

"So what grades are you guys in?" she asked curiously. "Im a junior to fess up the info first." she said brightly as she opened her tupperware to reveal left overs from last night. Sliced grilled chicken marinaded in lemon pepper. One a bed of herb rice with steamed carrots to the side. She unwrapped the plastic fork from it's napkin blanket and took a bite of her lunch.

[Kazuma]

He sat at the table by himself looking at those around him. He hated the lunchroom and had barely been in the hustling bustling room since his arrival at Hircine. It had only been in the past few days he had been finding himself here more and more, though not out of his own choice. Up till now Kazuma would normally enjoy a protein shake and a sandwich up n the roof or out in the courtyard while enjoying a cigarette. But ever since he had began dating and living with Teneile such loner acts as well as smoking was out of the question.

Kazuma looked down at his watch getting worried, she was late. It was only by a few minutes but in this school that could be a very bad sign. By himself he could feel the first week jitters creeping up on him as his body craved for sweet sweet nicotine, it made him feel as though he was on edge. (Water… I need some water) he thought to himself trying to distract himself from giving in to his cravings. Kazuma got up and pushed through crowds of people heading toward the mens room.

As soon as he entered he went straight to the sink and turned on the cold water letting it run for a moment before cupping his hands underneath the running water, letting them fill up before throwing it on his face. The chill clamed his nerves and brought his mind back into its normal state. Looking into the mirror he gave himself a smile “Keep your cool big guy…first week is always the worst” He then took a paper towel and wiped the excess water for his face. He was feeling a bit better but he wouldn’t feel his best until Teneile was next to him.

Exiting the mens room Kazuma made his back to the lunchroom his eye quickly scanning for the jewel in his life. He was so glade she stood out with her long red hair which could easily be spotted, but what he wasn’t happy about was her company. He felt his teeth clench as his edgy mind was getting the best of him. (Easy Kazuma easy…must be friends of hers) he thought in order to get a grip of himself.

Kazuma made his way to them coming up from behind Teneile. Paying little attention to those around her at first he leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek quickly, not wanting to give her the greeting he normally would have in front of her new friends. “Hey honey… who are your friends”

[slick]

Woah, out of no where Malakai reached out to grab him, and Seeker instantly jumped completely thrown off by this. It was just so sudden, so unexpected, so crazy! Luckily, it wasn't anything threatening, thank God. "Yeah, you're right..." he said, agreeing to his suggestion, his eyes forced off from Teneile for the time being, and being forced to focus onto him. She soon talked again, and his eyes once more trailed to her, this time more justified than anything.

She was so kind and considerate, it was quite an honor to be able to talk to such a girl like her. When she asked about what grades they were in though, Slick had to admit, he felt a bit awkward. Knowing his luck, these might be the students that ridiculed freshmen, but he couldn't lie about anything either. He already knew well that Malikai was in his class which meant... Wait a second! That meant he was a freshman too, right? With the thought of that, confidence began to raise in Slick, completely unaware that he was actually a sophomore, after all, in a freshman based class, you would of course, expect freshmen.

"I'm a fre-" he was cut off by another guy kissing her on the cheek, and then a few airplanes that were flying in the air began to slowly twirl around before beginning to crash against the ground causing explosions in Slick's mind. Well this was great, how could he of not guessed earlier? A big let down, and even worse, now he couldn't stare at this girl, it would involve awkwardness with the most likely boyfriend around. The awkward feeling was sunk inside of him, he couldn't even think of what to say, but luckily, it would more seem like respect if anything. At least, he hoped it would seem that way.

Either way, the words just wouldn't come out, and besides, it isn't like the question was alive anymore. The guy was obviously talking to the girl, and the most common thing when somebody asked 'who are your friends' would be introductions. Slick could just let them do that, and perhaps work back on finding another escape route after his hopes had been crushed so sudden and unexpectedly.