<JETMODE> *It's late morning now, the second day after the assassination attempt, and Genoa had to make a last-minute run for food. Their stock was in pretty poor shape before they had a third mouth to feed, however temporarily. She dashes up the hall to her room, looking forward to putting all of this down, but as she approaches, she notes a peculiar smell.

<JETMODE> *Frowning, she rebalances the groceries and pushes the door open.

<TIAMAT> *The smell she noted is acidic, kind of like burning plastic, and a particularily strong wave of it wafts out as she opens the door. Inside, she might note that a rather large hole is burning in the kitchen table directly underneath that tripod she left sitting out. Not straight through the wood, but the contents of the tripod are slowly eatting their way down, a small tendril of smoke trailing up to fill the room with that noxious scent.

<TIAMAT> *While Teal appears to be sleeping rather peacefully -- she's been force-feeding him a lot of that medicine, and it really knocks you out -- Whisper suddenly appears from around the corner in the kitchen, looking considerably peeved -- and a little panicky. "Genoa!" she hisses when she sees her. "What ... IS ... this crap!?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa stares from the table to Whisper to the table again. Then she drops the groceries, dashing inside. "My -- my homework!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Homework!? *she points to a large puddle of metallic goop laying next to -- and partially in -- the hole in the table. "What about my DAGGER!?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa hovers over the mess, uttering an occasional groan of dismay. "This was my final project! I'm going to have to start from scratch -- what did you DO to it, didn't you see my note?!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: I didn't do ANYTHING to it -- what note!?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *points at her books and to a small piece of paper lying on top of them* That one! I left it lying right in plain SIGHT! The spell circle on this one is really sensitive --

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, irritably: I didn't see any "spell circle" -- I set my dagger down for a moment, and the next thing I knew it was a pile of metal! And it was BRAND NEW, too--

<JETMODE> <Genoa> If you'd read the NOTE, you'd have known where it was -- you can't always see the ones in the air -- I have to start OVER now!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper's about to reply when there's a groan from behind them. "What is that SMELL? *If they care to look, Teal has propped himself up on his good elbow a bit, looking groggy and a little wary.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> And this is my worst class -- ah. *pauses* It's.. ah.. it's nothing.

<TIAMAT> *Teal arches an eyebrow and is about to question some more when Whisper breaks in again, fuming. "Nothing? Nothing my ass, what about my new dagger!?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> That's not MY fault! I'm going to have to work all night to make this up!!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Then maybe next time you shouldn't leave it lying on the KITCHEN TABLE-- *a clock bongs the hour, cutting her off short, though she hisses a muted curse under her breath. "I'm going to be LATE-- *she grabs her bag and starts throwing things in it. "Look, I'm sorry about your spell--

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *frustratedly* It's all right! I'm sorry about your dagger. *mutter* I'll put a big sign out next time.

<TIAMAT> *Teal is watching all this with a sort of amused confusion. Whisper scowls as she slings her pack up on her shoulder and trots toward the door. "Right. Yeah. I'll see you later, okay? *and she darts out, slamming the door a little hard behind her.

<JETMODE> *Genoa groans and sinks into a chair. "And I have to go back to the classroom to get the supplies all over again."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: I'm...sorry? *he pulls himself up into a sitting position. "What happened?"

<JETMODE> *She sighs and gets to her feet to clean up the groceries and put them away. "Oh, Whisper brushed the magic circle that was holding my homework together, and it melted all over the table ..."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: .. Oh. *he stares at the table for a moment. "That doesn't sound very profitable. And it's hard to put back together, you say?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *shifting things around in the kitchen* Not hard.. just sensitive ... I don't have all the supplies here. We have to use the teacher's stock -- they're fairly expensive.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: .. Perhaps I'll accompany you when you go to get them. *he swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands slowly, wincing a little and holding the wall for support. ".. Though I suppose a change of attire would be in order, wouldn't it?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa, just finished putting the groceries away, stalks over to him and lends a shoulder in support. "You shouldn't even be out of bed, you know."

<TIAMAT> *Teal smiles faintly, brushing her off as he takes a few steps, then pauses, wincing again. "Perhaps not ... but I can't abide laying around all the time. Especially when I'm being the burden. The sooner I can get out from under you, the less you'll have to worry about, hmm?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I don't mind -- *pauses, going a little red* -- bah. *frowns* Well, just sit down and eat something, first. I'll go find you something to wear.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: That would be most excellent -- ah. *he pauses, almost nervously* Ah ... I don't know if you want to ... ah ... venture into my, ah, quarters.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *steady stare* I've been in your room before.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Well ... well, yes, but ... ... not when it's like it is now.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *arches eyebrow* I'm sure I'll survive. There's fresh fruit. Eat something -- I'll be back soon.

<TIAMAT> *Teal starts to protest.

<JETMODE> *Genoa points at the kitchen. "Eat." She then stalks out the door.

<TIAMAT> *Leaving a blinking Teal staring in her wake.

<JETMODE> *Genoa makes her way hurriedly up the hall to Teal's quarters -- partly because she isn't keen on being seen and partly because she really is in a hurry.

<TIAMAT> *The door is closed but not locked -- hope nobody stole anything in his absence. Genoa might or might not notice the familiar figure coming around the corner a ways off just as she approaches her destination.

<JETMODE> *Unlikely, as she's concentrating on where she's going. When she reaches the door, she pushes it open, then stops still in surprise.

<TIAMAT> *Oh yes, the room is very much in a shambles. The bed has been chopped clear in half, and the sword that did it is laying in one corner. Teal knocked a couple things off his bookshelf when he slammed into the wall after being shot -- one which was apparently glass, as shards of it are scattered around the floor -- and blood is spattered everywhere. Both his and the assassin's. Though Genoa might not know that.

<JETMODE> *Genoa puts a hand very lightly to her forehead. "Ah..hah." She steps inside, attempting to ignore the sudden pounding in her temples. And the blood. And the mess.

<TIAMAT> *That familiar figure that had come around the corner just as she walked in suddenly picks up her projecting emotions and is hesitantly approaching the room as Genoa picks her way across it.

<TIAMAT> *The wardrobe, thankfully, seems to be untouched.

<JETMODE> *She sighs, pulling it open and looking for something simple and appropriate.

<TIAMAT> *Well, there're lots of uniforms of varying styles and formalities. Toward the back there is a corner that is reserved for casual wear, however. Plain tunics and trousers, some vests and a small stack of various colored cloaks.

<JETMODE> *She grabs one of the tunics and a pair of trousers, thinks about it a moment, then snatches up a cloak, too. Then she starts back toward the door, head pounding even worse.

<TIAMAT> *Just as she's closing the wardrobe, however, there's an audible gasp from the doorway, and though it's quickly stifled, it wouldn't have been quick enough for her to miss it.

<JETMODE> *She freezes in mid-step, then dashes toward the door, shifting the clothing to one arm and getting ready to really beat the hell out of whoever was poking around.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, as he was, indeed, the figure who saw her and who gasped, had stumbled back out into the hallway and was glancing around frantically, as if a portal would suddenly open and allow him to escape. When she dashed out, he starts violently, then stares at her a little wide-eyed.

<JETMODE> *Genoa, about to throw that punch, freezes again and makes a disgusted noise. "You!" Looking annoyed, she turns around and shuts the door.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod cringes away from her, still managing to look rather shocked. "What...what...what HAPPENED in there!?"

<TIAMAT> *He's picking up some insane emotions, let me tell you. From her and from the room.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *harshly* None of your bedamned business, Jarod. *her head is still pounding, though a little less now that she's out of the room*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: But... *weakly* Isn't...isn't that...Teal's room?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *shifts the clothing in her arms a little self-consciously* Yes, it is.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod suddenly takes note of the clothing. "What were you doing in there? What's that?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I already told you, it's none of your business! *snaps* If you're so worried about other people's problems, why don't you just ask Kender to give you the information third-hand instead of bothering me!?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod stares at her. "Kender?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *irritably* I'm sure Whisper told him, at least.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: .. uh ... right. *doesn't look like he's about to move, though. He's actually staring past Genoa and at the door to Teal's room, now.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *crossly* What is your problem?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, quickly snapping back to look at her: Nothing! *tense pause* I'll, uh, I'll just go then. *he takes a hesitant step backwards, then turns and trots hurriedly back down the hall where he came from, disappearing back around the corner.

<JETMODE> *Genoa stares after him for a moment, then scowls and hurries back to her room. She pushes the door open with an irritable sigh.

<TIAMAT> *She'll find the room surprisingly deserted, though the door to the bathroom is shut -- and probably locked.

<JETMODE> *Genoa pauses, looking puzzled for a moment, then walks over warily and taps on the bathroom door.

<TIAMAT> *There's a pause, then Teal's voice sounds from inside. "Genoa?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *a little pained* Yes, it's me. I have your clothes.. are you all right?

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Yes, I'm fine -- thank you -- *slightly puzzled* Is something wrong?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *voice taking on a higher pitch* No, nothing. I'll just.. leave your clothes outside the door. Ah.. and clean up the table.

<TIAMAT> *We-ell, I don't suspect Teal spends an hour in the bath like Genoa does, so he's out pretty quick -- and, yes, he makes a note of wrapping a towel around himself before hesitantly opening the door. He peers out and makes sure Genoa isn't, er, looking, grabs his clothes, and quickly retreats back to get dressed.

<JETMODE> *Genoa, as promised, was cleaning up the table, but she does go an odd shade of red when the door clicked open and shut again.

<TIAMAT> *And, after a moment, it clicks open again and a fully-clothed Teal walks out -- slowly, as he's still rather sore -- brushing his damp hair back.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *voice still a little high* Finished, are you?

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Ah ... yes. Thank you. ... for the clothes. *he clears his throat a little awkwardly.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Of course. *stands back from the table with a frown* I let it go too long. *sigh* I guess I'll pick up something to finish cleaning it while we're out.

<TIAMAT> *Teal goes over to the table and peers down at the gunk carefully, then sighs. "I'm sorry. If you hadn't been out getting these for me, you could have gotten it sooner --"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *snorts* It's not a problem. But we really should go -- the faster I get it cleaned up, the better. For now -- *she mutters a brief spell, and a globe of light appears around the mess* -- containment field.

<TIAMAT> *Teal arches an eyebrow. "Interesting. *he fastens his cloak around his shoulders, leaving the hood down. "Where're we off to?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> One of the magic classrooms -- one of the larger ones, actually. *grimace* Let's go.

<JETMODE> *She starts out the door, trying not to frown. She's not particularly looking forward to the trip.

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods and follows her out into the hall, limping a little and taking it slow at first, though he seems to get better the farther they go and by the time they're a few floors down, he seems to be going along pretty well. In fact, I imagine he's rather enjoying himself -- he probably doesn't get much time to spend out and about with Genoa, you know? Too bad it takes an injury to get them together each time, hah.

<TIAMAT> *He twines his fingers around Genoa's as they descend another flight of stairs, smiling a bit.

<JETMODE> *Genoa gives his hand a light squeeze, smiling herself.

<JETMODE> *As they round the corner, just approaching the classroom, a voice calls out from behind them, bright and cheerful. "Well, well, well -- if it isn't the Baron's whore."

<JETMODE> *Genoa stumbles in mid-stride, heat flashing across her face, but she tries to keep moving. "They would have to be here today --"

<TIAMAT> *Teal, however, has stopped dead and, assuming their hands are still linked, he pulls her to a stop, too. He turns slowly, a peculiar glint in his eye as he peers at the speaker. "What did you say?

<JETMODE> *The speaker, a wiry young man who looks like he's probably another magic student, grins at him, missing the glint completely. "What, you didn't know who she is?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes a slow step toward him, eyes taking on a rather dangerous, steely fire. "I know that she's the woman I love. And I also know that you're going to be exceptionally sorry unless you apologize immediately."

<JETMODE> *Genoa grips his hand tightly, an expression of panic flitting across her face. She knows that look. "Devan --"

<JETMODE> *The young man clearly hasn't quite figured out what's going on. "Wha -- you nuts?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal stops as Genoa catches his hand, though he's positively glaring at the kid. "I said apologize, you knave, or prepare for the consequences!"

<JETMODE> *The kid backs away, looking a little unnerved, but Genoa steps directly into Teal's path. "Leave him be," she grinds out. "He isn't worth the trouble."

<TIAMAT> *The enraged light seems to leave Teal's eyes as soon as he sees Genoa and he blinks at her, gaze softening slightly. He looks back up at the kid, shooting him a murderous look, then, taking Genoa's hand again, turns around, though doesn't start down the hall. "Dammit, Genoa.."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *snaps* Believe me, that was positively mild.

<TIAMAT> *Teal doesn't say or do anything at first; he seems to be staring at the floor. After a moment, he turns back to Genoa, anger and confusion in his eyes. "Why--!?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> What.. what was I supposed to do?! Go running to you and confirm everything they say?

<TIAMAT> *Teal makes an extremely frustrated noise, turning away again. "I.."

<JETMODE> *Genoa presses her hands to her forehead. "I.. I'm sorry."

<TIAMAT> *Teal glances back at her, anger melting from his features. "Oh, Genoa..." *he pulls her into a tight embrace, holding her close. "You have nothing to apologize for. I just wish there was more I could do..."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *slightly muffled* It's.. enough to have you. I've been through worse than this.

<TIAMAT> *Teal just holds her quietly for a while, gently stroking her hair. After a few moments he pulls away, smiling a little. "I suppose we'd best get those supplies then, or you really will be up all night with that spell."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Yes, er -- blast. We'd better hurry..

<JETMODE> *The kid has been watching this exchange with something between astonishment and disgust. He finally spits a curse at the both of them and takes off running.

<TIAMAT> *Teal glares after him, half looking like he wants to go tear him apart.

<JETMODE> *Genoa, however, has a death grip on his arm. "Supplies."

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs. "Right...lead on, then."