<JETMODE> *The scene is somewhere in one of the magic corridors -- Roary can be passing through on his way to something else, if necessary. It's dusk; the last rays of the sun are dimming, and the torches are beginning their eerie shadow dance. For the most part, things are quiet in this hall, though they'll probably be hopping once true night hits.

<JETMODE> *Most of the classrooms are closed, but one door is cracked open slightly, and there's lamplight from within.

<TIAMAT> *Roary is fairly new -- and completely lost. He's only been here a few days and still hasn't learned -- or figured out -- that the entire first and second floor are dedicated to the metalsmiths and magicians, respectively. He's currently trying to figure out how to get back to Lady Gwen's Inn (I think that's what I called it ...), which is where he's staying.

<JETMODE> *As he approaches the open door, he can hear voices. I know you don't mean to eavesdrop, Roary, but you really can't help but hear what they're saying -- especially since one of them is shouting at the tops of her lungs.

<TIAMAT> *Roary pauses just before reaching the door, looking bewildered.

<JETMODE> <first voice> I haven't seen such sloppy work since I worked with castle-trained brats! These arts are NOT for the undedicated or the easily distracted!

<JETMODE> *There's a pause, and a low voice murmurs something.

<TIAMAT> *Roary decides that this might not be a good time to get in someone's way and attempts to hurry past the door.

<JETMODE> <first voice> I won't HAVE it, Genoa! This is the third time this week --

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I'm going.

<JETMODE> *Too late, Roary, she's already halfway out the door. ^_^ This is not Genoa as we're used to seeing her, however. She's looking worn, almost haggard, and her walk is a slow shuffle.

<TIAMAT> *Roary backpedals away from the door as it opens, trying not to collide with Genoa.

<JETMODE> *Genoa barely notices him in time, stepping aside. Stellalune, hooked to her shoulder, squeaks. Genoa stares at Roary for a moment, as if attempting to process the fact that he's there. "Who.. are you?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary blinks at her, looking considerably nervous. "I...uh...my name's Roary...I, er, I mean, I was just passing through...I didn't mean to overhear your, er, conversation.

<TIAMAT> *She's all goth, right? Bet he's never met one before.

<JETMODE> *Well. *laughs* She's very pale, and her hair's very dark, and she wears dark colors. Rich purples, dark blues, and blacks. She doesn't do the make-up, though. That's gross.

<TIAMAT> *And she's got a BAT. Roary's used to, you know, cats and stuff as pets. Not bats.

<JETMODE> *And she's looking really *horrible* right now. Collapse-on-her-feet horrible.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *waves a hand* Doesn't matter. I'll.. get another teacher. *her eyes burn slightly -- oddly enough, it looks as if she's about to cry*

<TIAMAT> *Roary stares at her for a moment, not sure what to do. "Um...are...are you all right?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *stands still for a moment, clenching her fists over her eyes* *when she drops them, the momentary weakness is gone* I'm fine. *she starts walking*

<TIAMAT> *Roary watches her for a moment, then suddenly seems to remember something. "Hey, wait!" *he jogs after her to catch up. "Wait. I, er, I didn't catch your name.

<JETMODE> *Genoa stops, sending a look over her shoulder that was probably intended to be a warning -- but she winds up just looking weary. "Genoa."

<TIAMAT> *Roary catches up with her and walks with her. "Okay...Genoa. I'm Roary McFaye -- but most of my friends call me Sabre. *pause* Er, are you sure you're okay? You look pretty worn out..

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *looks like she wants to say something biting, but instead she presses the heel of her hand to her forehead* Rivermarch. Genoa Rivermarch. .. I'm just tired.

<TIAMAT> *Roary grins, a bit weakly. "Well ... I good night's rest always helps that. Er...where're you staying?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I don't have time.. not yet.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: ... Time? No time for what? Sleep? You have to sleep. I mean, you're...you're exhausted...

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *a small spark of anger* What would you know about what I need? *she does, however, wobble slightly*

<TIAMAT> *Roary stops, looking crestfallen. "I ... sorry. I was just trying to help.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *shortly* Well, don't.

<TIAMAT> *He doesn't have many friends yet. In fact, he might not have any at all. He's a bit overwhelmed by the whole Arena and gets intimidated easily. ^_^

<TIAMAT> *Roary murmurs another "Sorry" and starts off the opposite direction.

<JETMODE> *She slumps against the wall slightly, then pushes off with a stubborn growl and starts walking again. Stellalune squeaks in a concerned way, but she ignores it.

<JETMODE> *And then, from behind Roary, since he turned around, the little sod, there's a thud. And a very distressed squeak.

<TIAMAT> *Roary glances over his shoulder.

<JETMODE> *Genoa is now prone on the floor, one arm stretched slightly in front of her. The bat is climbing up and down her arm, making a tremendous amount of noise.

<TIAMAT> *Roary turns full around, looking alarmed. "Genoa? *When she doesn't answer, and trots over to her and kneels by her, shaking her slightly. "Genoa??

<JETMODE> *She stirs slightly, giving a low murmur. "Fa..ther.."

<JETMODE> *Stellalune squeaks at Roary.

<TIAMAT> *Roary, to Stellalune: What!? What am I supposed to do? *he shakes Genoa again. "Genoa, get up!

<JETMODE> *Well, they're near the library. Think you can drag her that far, Roary? Then maybe get her some water.

<JETMODE> *Stellalune, incidentally, is now attempting to climb up Roary's arm.

<TIAMAT> *Roary clamps his free hand over his wrist before Stellalune climbs over it, as if that's going to stop the bat from going any further. "Hey...hey, stop it..! Come on, Genoa! *he looks around wildly.

<JETMODE> *Open door, Roary. Open door. Stellalune scrambles over and up to his shoulder, then proceeds to squeak loudly in his ear. ^_^

<TIAMAT> *Roary flinches as Stellalune arrives on his shoulder, then spots the door and darts for it, and yes, leaving Genoa in the middle of the hallway.

<JETMODE> *Stellalune shrieks at him.

<TIAMAT> *He attempts to ignore the bat as he bursts through the door. "Hello!? Is anyone here!?

<JETMODE> *Well, just at a guess, the library's pretty empty at this hour. Most of the tables are empty, except for one, where a young girl is seated, paging through a book. History, probably. She looks up. "Mm. You're noisy."

<TIAMAT> *Roary rushes right over to her, wide-eyed and panick-stricken. "Please...you gotta help me...a girl collapsed out in the hall...she won't wake up!

<JETMODE> <girl> *puzzled look* And you just LEFT her there?

<JETMODE> *Stellalune shrieks condemnation.

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks startled. "Well, I...I didn't know what to do! No one was around--

<JETMODE> *She claps the book shut, hopping to her feet. She looks about twelve, really.

<JETMODE> <girl> Well, I'm here, aren't I? Let's go help your friend.

<TIAMAT> *Roary suddenly stares at her, now that I know her approximate age. :P Then he blinks when she speaks and nods dumbly, darting back out the door and over to Genoa.

<JETMODE> *The girl kneels next to her, frowning a little. "She's just passed out. See? Still breathing. Geez."

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks a little miserable. "She just collapsed...what am I supposed to do? I don't know where her room is..

<JETMODE> <girl> We can take her inside the library and get her a little comfortable at least. *slightly skeptical look*

<TIAMAT> *Roary nods. "Yeah, okay... *he attempts to lift her. Not sure if he's strong enough to without dragging her feet or something, though. ^_^

<JETMODE> *Well, the girl's going to help. ;) She takes her feet, and off they go. Stellalune has quieted a bit, at least, giving a concerned squeak now and again but otherwise just observing.

<TIAMAT> *We can say there're some bench-things with cusions on them lining a couple of the walls, so Roary and Alpha can dump her off on one of them.

<JETMODE> *Which they do. The girl leans back and wipes her forehead with the back of her hand. "Yeesh. This body's not suited for that kind of work, is it?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary stares down at her. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't realize how, um, young you were--

<JETMODE> *The girl laughs. "Oh, not to worry! I'm fine!" She glances at Genoa. "I'll go get some water.. see if you can't get her to sit up, okay?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary nods. "Yeah, okay. *And after she leaves, he finds some spare cushions or pillows or something to prop her up a bit.

<JETMODE> *Well, Genoa's still a bit pale, but she stirs a bit as he moves around.

<TIAMAT> *Roary props her up, then pulls up a chair next to her. "Genoa?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> .. unh. *she opens one eye and grimaces*

<JETMODE> *Stellalune squeaks, attempting to crawl down Roary's arm to get back to Genoa.

<TIAMAT> *Roary sighs in relief and grins. "Oh good, you're finally coming around. *Roary picks up the bat gingerly and holds him out in his hand toward Genoa.

<JETMODE> *Genoa attempts to sit up, shaking a little, and extends her arm to the bat, who clambers over to her.

<TIAMAT> *Roary suddenly realizes he doesn't know the other girl's name. "Er...someone is coming with some water. Just take it easy for a minute.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> .. what happened? *from the look on her face, she's guessed, and she's not happy about it*

<TIAMAT> *Roary frowns. "You...you collapsed, out in the hallway.

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Are you all right?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *presses her hands to her eyes again* I said I'm fine.

<JETMODE> <girl> *cheerfully, from the door* No, you're not.

<JETMODE> <girl> People who are "fine" don't collapse in hallways.

<TIAMAT> *Roary turns to her. "Oh, hey, what's your name? I'm Roary, and she's Genoa.

<JETMODE> *Genoa grits her teeth at his casual introduction, but she doesn't say anything.

<JETMODE> <girl> Oh, right! Call me Alpha. *trots over to Genoa* Here -- water. You look kind of dehydrated. Have you been skipping meals as well as sleep?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> What's it to you? *glares, but takes the water*

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks worried. "We were just trying to help. What was I supposed to do, leave you in the middle of the hall?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *angrily* Maybe you should've!

<JETMODE> *Stellalune gives a distressed squeak, but Alpha puts her hands on her hips, looking seriously annoyed.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> That's some thanks! You must not have ANY friends.

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks utterly miserable.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I --

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *overrides her* I think he really should have left you in the hall like that -- maybe someone would have stepped on you! If'd I thought about it, I would have!

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Hey...come on, now...I mean, I wouldn't have--

<JETMODE> <Alpha> And furthermore, I think you at least owe him a thank you. He was really worried when he came in here! What a waste. *she looks at Roary* I'm sorry you had to waste the time on her.

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks a little bewildered. "Er...no, it's all right...I mean, I wouldn't have just left her anyway.

<JETMODE> *Genoa, oddly enough, is not rising to the occasion with her usual vigor. Instead, she's staring blankly at her lap -- but the hand gripping the glass of water is trembling.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *smiles at Roary* That's sweet. But she seems to be able to take care of herself, don't you think? She thinks so, at least.

<JETMODE> *A bell peals suddenly.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *jumps* Oh no -- *curses* I'm going to be late! *and she's gone in a flurry of books and papers*

<TIAMAT> *Roary watches her for a moment, then gets up. "Yeah...I guess. *hears the bell* I should be going.

<JETMODE> *Before Roary can leave, though, he's probably going to catch sight of Genoa suddenly flinging the glass of water at the far wall.

<JETMODE> *Where it hits and spills, even if it doesn't shatter.

<TIAMAT> *Roary blinks at Alpha as she rushes out, then turns as the water splashes everywhere. He glances at Genoa.

<JETMODE> *She's slumped forward now, trembling, with her head in her hands. It's probably difficult to tell whether she's shaking with rage or tears. (Probably rage, knowing her.)

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Well... *he turns toward the door* Guess I'll be going. Take care of yourself, Genoa.

<JETMODE> *If she heard him, she gives no indication.

<JETMODE> *Stellalune, however, squeaks a farewell.

<TIAMAT> *He watches her for a moment, then walks out, still looking pretty gloomy.