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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 14:48:03 GMT -5
Dare heard Michael, but it took him some indeterminable moments to be able to force a response. He tried to speak first, but he couldn't get his mouth to work. What would he say? He wanted to stay in his mind, where he didn't have to face the results of his weakness and stupidity. He didn't want to face Michael. Michael. Dare blinked, but his eyes teared before he got more than a glimpse of the concern in Michael's eyes. He didn't deserve Michael's concern, didn't deserve the attention. Dare let his head droop, but that wash of pale gold in his vision only reminded him. Dare closed his eyes tightly, murmuring I'm sorry between choked breaths.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Dec 2, 2008 14:55:14 GMT -5
"Yes, yes, enjoy the view. That bastard over there has my wand," Ariel said, gesturing over towards Dare who was, apparently, having some kind of a breakdown. He felt no sympathy for Dare, whatever his reason was, but only looked up at Markise with glaring, expectant eyes. Get my wand, or get rid of all of this.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 2, 2008 14:59:43 GMT -5
Markise looked over at Dare, but he couldn't see Ariel's wand from here, only Dare's. He wanted desperately to go to Dare, to find out what was wrong and help him, but something told him that he'd only be in the way, another thought that made his heart clench. He turned back to Ariel, drawing out his own wand instead. He got rid of the rabbit ears first, hoping that might calm Ariel just a fraction before releasing his feet as well. Ariel was positively frightening right now. Markise didn't step any closer.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 15:04:22 GMT -5
Michael hadn't expected Dare to react like that, and his arms immediately went around him. He ignored the sting of his arm and the burn in his chest, and focused on Dare. He barely heard Ariel speak, and so didn't respond. "It's okay," he whispered, over and over in hopes that it would help Dare. He didn't even know why Dare was apologizing, but he could find that out later. In the mean time he wanted to get him calm and keep his own breaths under control again.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 15:09:03 GMT -5
It was so much more than he deserved, but Dare couldn't push Michael away. He was selfish, wrapping his arms lightly around Michael the way he was. He was greedy, letting himself cry against the worn cloak laying over Michael's shoulder. He didn't deserve to be comforted, especially not by Michael. Dare's eyes opened. "My God, Michael, you're supposed to be resting, what are you doing?" He lifted his head and tried to pull back, starting to panic again at the knowledge that Michael was hurt, and he wasn't being taken care of. "You have to lie down, I'll help you," he said, not even really aware of the words.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Dec 2, 2008 15:20:31 GMT -5
Ariel reached up and ruffled his hair and then moved his hands down to rub at each ankle in turn, falling in those shoes hadn't been much fun at all. Then he glared up at Markise. He sighed heavily through his nose and pulled himself up, looking firmly away from the bed as he took a step or two towards Dare and Michael. "Any chance I can have my wand back?" he asked, crossing his arms angrily.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 2, 2008 15:24:24 GMT -5
Markise hadn't expected any thanks, but somehow he hadn't expected that last glare, either. He pressed his lips into a firm line to keep himself from saying anything and stepped back a bit, self-consciously pulling his hood more firmly over his forehead. He kept his wand at the ready, though. He didn't know what had happened, but he was familiar enough with Ariel's temper that he thought he ought to, just in case.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 15:28:07 GMT -5
Michael shook his head, his arms remaining loosely around Dare. "I'm fine, I just...woke up, and you weren't there but Markise was and..." he trailed off, the confusion coming back when he was reminded of Ariel's presence. What had happened? And why was Ariel asking them for his wand back? Michael looked from Ariel to Dare, his eyebrows together and questions in his eyes.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 15:34:34 GMT -5
Dare couldn't think well enough to give Michael the answers he wanted. It was difficult enough not to just ignore his words and take him back to bed. But Michael hadn't let go of him, and Dare didn't want to put up so much of a fight that he'd end up hurting Michael even worse than he was just by being here. He glared down at nothing in particular as he dug Ariel's wand out. He tried to think for a minute, but it was no use. He ended up setting Ariel's wand aside and pushing it across the floor out of the way, then picking his own up, lifting his head to watch and glare at Ariel.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Dec 2, 2008 15:45:50 GMT -5
Ariel picked up his wand, glare still firmly in place. "Give me one reason I shouldn't shoot something at you," he said, gripping his wand tightly. To his sleep-deprived mind his odds were pretty good, because an injured Michael couldn't do much, Markise surely wouldn't attack him, and Dare didn't seem to be in much of a state to do much fighting, either.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 2, 2008 15:51:18 GMT -5
"Don't do it," Markise said, his voice soft, but firm. He didn't want to use his wand on Ariel, but he would if it came down to that. Without knowing what had happened, Markise sided with Dare simply because he knew how hard it was to rouse Dare's temper. Markise made no move to do anything to Ariel, not yet. He held his wand firmly, though. "You guys probably ought to go back to your room," he suggested, as though they weren't standing in a lit cauldron right now.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 15:56:52 GMT -5
Michael pulled his wand arm from behind Dare and held out the tightly gripped wood towards him. He didn't say anything farther than casting a strong shield around him and Dare. Then he shifted to a squat and held out his hand for Dare, eyes wide but steady on Ariel. He didn't want to fight again, but he wouldn't hold back should Ariel send a spell towards them.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Dec 2, 2008 16:02:26 GMT -5
Dare's hard look faded at Michael helping him again, though he hadn't asked for it. He took Michael's hand, but didn't put much pressure on it as he struggled to move his worn muscles. When he got to his feet, he leaned back against the wall for a moment before pulling Michael up with him. Michael shouldn't be doing this. He should be resting, sleeping. Dare hardly spared a thought for Markise, and little more for Ariel. Michael's shield would hold. Dare had seen the kind of magic that Michael was capable of, even minutes before he'd lost consciousness.
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Post by Ariel Logan Callahan on Dec 2, 2008 16:08:04 GMT -5
Ariel wanted to ask Markise why he shouldn't shoot a spell, but only glared at the shield and sighed angrily. "Whatever, just get out of my room," he said, then tossed his wand on the table and started toward the bathroom. He was stiff and sore and tired and he just wanted to run through a shower and collapse in the bed, even as angry as he still was.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 2, 2008 16:15:07 GMT -5
Markise was torn. He wanted so badly to go with Dare and Michael, to be sure that Dare was all right and find out what happened. He didn't know if Ariel would tell him or not. He was almost afraid of staying with Ariel, as well. He'd seen Ariel angry--he'd made Ariel angry--but he'd never seen him pull his wand on someone. Still, there was Michael and his protective stance. Michael, with the Dark Mark tucked away on his arm. Michael, who Dare loved.
Markise stood for a moment, then sighed lightly, resigning himself to fate. "Whatever happened, I'm sorry for it," he said softly. "I'll... try to calm him down." Or, at the very least, try to make sure that Ariel didn't go after Dare.
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