<JETMODE> *Genoa, since her admittedly chaotic return to the Arena, has spent much of it slowly getting back into the rhythm of normal life -- a task made more difficult by her extended stay in the dungeons.

<JETMODE> *Though she's doing fairly well in her classes, she often finds herself wandering the halls, and she frequently ends up in places she does not intend to -- most often near the guard compound, though she generally hurries away as soon as she realizes it. She has, in fact, wandered there yet again, a vacant and idle expression on her face as she comes to a halt in front of the hallway to the offices.

<TIAMAT> *She may be a little surprised, then, when that very same door opens abruptly, and a tall, black-haired figure steps quickly out, talking to someone over his shoulder. "The cafe on the roof is open again, if you don't mind the climb--" He stumbles to a hurried hault, nearly running into Genoa. "Ah, sorry, excuse... *sees who it is, blinks in surprise* ...me..."

<JETMODE> *Genoa stumbles back, looking up at him blankly as she regains awareness of the outside world. Then, upon realizing who stumbled into her, she takes another sharp step backward, looking around her in utter confusion -- and a little bit of panic.

<JETMODE> *From behind him, a cheery voice responds. "Sure thing -- if you can bring yourself to take a break from your busy schedule -- hello." None other than Jack Blake peers around Teal, looking curious.

<TIAMAT> *Teal stares at Genoa for several moments -- Jack is apparently forgotten -- mouth slightly open as if to say something, but nothing comes out. He clears his throat once or twice, then tries again. "Ah .. ... h-hello."

<JETMODE> *At the sound of his voice, Genoa jumps again, jerking her gaze away from him. "I -- hello -- I took a wrong turn -- going to be late for class." As she speaks, she sidles slowly away, finally turning quickly and breaking into a hurried trot.

<TIAMAT> *Teal blinks, hesitating for a split second before suddenly lurching forward and reaching for her arm. "Ah -- I -- w-wait -- wait, please--"

<JETMODE> *At his touch, she freezes in place, shaking a little and very decidedly not looking back at him.

<TIAMAT> *He quickly draws his hand back, looking terribly self-conscious. "I -- I just -- I mean -- I wanted -- I wanted to ... see you."

<JETMODE> *Jack leans lazily against the wall, watching the interplay with amused fascination.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *swallows hard, a strange, shrill note in her voice* I.. can't -- class -- got to -- *gives up on talking and takes off running instead*

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Hey -- no, wait -- wait! *He starts after her, but stumbles over his own feet before he gets more than a step or two ahead, just managing to catch the wall with his hand before falling over.

<JETMODE> *Jack glances at Genoa's fleeing figure and gives a faint cough. "Well."

<TIAMAT> *Teal suddenly seems to remember he's not alone and straightens quickly, spinning sharply around. "... Jack."

<JETMODE> <Jack> Yeah, did ya miss me? *grins, folding his hands behind his head* So, who was she? *glances up the hall again, even though Genoa is most decidedly gone* No bad-looking at all -- wouldn't mind having her out to dinner sometime, myself.

<TIAMAT> *Teal suddenly flushes a little, looking something between annoyed and embarrassed. "She -- she was just -- she was -- no one!" He turns around again and starts up the hall at a slightly faster pace than they were going before. "Let's go, then, or there won't be any tables left!"

<JETMODE> *Jack trots after him, grin brightening. "So if she's no one -- you wouldn't mind me tracking her down and asking her out to dinner, right? I mean, she obviously turned you down --"

<TIAMAT> *Teal stumbles -- again -- flushing a little deeper. "Yes! No! NO! Don't -- don't do that! You -- she -- she isn't for you, Jack -- you wouldn't like her!" He pauses very briefly, then scowls and quickens his step even more.

<JETMODE> *Jack catches up to him, grinning almost fiendishly. "I wouldn't like her why, old buddy? She's not for me because she's for you? Heh?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal shoots him a look of deep disgust. "She -- she just -- she's -- she's very -- *scowls* Fine! Fine, go find her if you want, I hope you two live happily ever after -- I'm not telling you how to find her, though!!"

<JETMODE> <Jack> *jumps back a little* Touchy.. *glances at him, sobering up a little* I guess there's a story there.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Yes, there is.

<JETMODE> <Jack> *rolls eyes heavenward* I guess you're not going to tell me, either.

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives him a faintly irritated look. "If you must know -- she saved my life."

<JETMODE> <Jack> *blinks* Well.. that wasn't the answer I expected. *scratches chin* Odd reaction, though, if you ask me.

<TIAMAT> *Teal, a little sourly: Even odder circumstances, I assure you. Here...we're almost there. *He steps out into the open air of the roof, pausing to take a deep breath and glance around.

<JETMODE> <Jack> *claps him lightly on the shoulder* Hey, we can just forget about women for a while, right? Half the time they're more trouble than they're worth anyway!

<TIAMAT> *Teal casts him a sideways look, smiling a little weakly. "Right...more trouble than they're worth..." He sighs faintly and starts for the cafe.

<JETMODE> *Genoa, following her flight from the guard offices, runs up several flights of stairs and stops, panting, in front of the last stairwell. She pauses, looking around blankly, then realizes she's walked all the way back to her home floor. Heaving a sigh, she walks over to the Blue Heron and her room, pushing the door open distractedly.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, in the kitchen making herself some lunch, sticks her head around the corner when she hears the door open. "Back so soon, dearest? I thought you were going to class early to study?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa jumps sideways, narrowly missing the doorframe, and nearly drops the books she forgot she was holding. "I.. was?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper grins. "Yes, you were. Or you said you were. Decided to rethink skipping lunch? I'll make you a sandwich, if you like."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *looks at her warily, then walks quickly over to the shelf, putting her books away* Ah.. go ahead.. if you like.. I don't think I'm hungry.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper arches an eyebrow, grabbing her own sandwich and ambling back into the main room. "Is that a yes or a no?" She pauses, taking a bite of her sandwhich and studying Genoa closely. "Are you feeling quite all right, dearest? You look a little...I dunno...lost."

<JETMODE> *Genoa jumps again. "I -- I'm not lost! I know exactly.. where I am."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Uh-huh. *She takes another bite of sandwich, then sets the plate down on the table and walks up to Genoa. "Ever since you came back, you've been ... different. I know your little ordeal with the dragon wasn't something that'd just go away overnight, but I never thought it'd leave you absent-minded."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *scowls* I'm not.. I'm not absent-minded. Just.. I have a lot to think about.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Yeah? *small grin* Like what?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *a hint of red rises into her cheeks* N..nothing. Things changed very fast.. after I got back.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Ah yes... *nods slowly* So they did...the undead stopped...you came back...and then you were free. *thoughtful pause* You know, you never really told me how that happened ... and some of the stories they're telling are a little hard to believe, really--

<JETMODE> *Genoa looks up sharply. "Stories? What stories?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper waves a hand, wandering back over to the table to take another bite of sandwich. "Oh, you know, stories as to the how and the why Teal let you out! I mean, I've heard everything from him being threatened by you to you putting a spell on him to the two of you having some...intimate relations...while you were away--"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *face goes very hot* Are you MAD!? Inti--idiots! *sits down very hard on her bed* It was nothing -- NOTHING -- like that!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper jumps a little, then smiles slyly. "Of COURSE it wasn't -- I mean, considering it was you, dearest -- that's why I asked. Wanted to get the story straight, for once."

<JETMODE> *Genoa scowls at her. "We fought -- HE fought -- the dragon. Jajara called me down to him, and.. and the Baron got dragged along."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper arches an eyebrow, looking faintly amused as she takes another bite of sandwich and chews thoughtfully. "And that's why he was in the infirmary for two weeks?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Yes. *dully* He was nearly killed. I stopped Jajara from finishing him off.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: ... Fascinating. *thoughtful pause, mouth twitches slightly* Really, though, dearest, I'm...almost surprised you did, considering your ... strong opinion of the man ... very strong ...

<JETMODE> *Genoa looks at her blankly for a split second, then an almost unreadable string of emotions flashes across her features and she stares down at her lap again. "I like the dragon.. a good deal less."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, absently: Of course, of course. *half to herself, though purposely loud enough for Genoa to hear* And that's why he let you out ... you saved the Baron's life. Very fascinating indeed. He must be grateful...

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *gives her a hard look* Yes. That's all.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper shrugs. "If you say so! I suppose that would cause you a good deal of distraction..."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> If it bothers you so much, I'll go!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: I never said that! *smiles sweetly* I was mostly just wondering why you came back here in such a hurry.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *irritably* I took -- I forgot something. *stands up* So, if you don't mind -- *goes back to the shelf and grabs the exact same books she just put away*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Oh. All right, then. I thought maybe it was that... *motions toward a roll of parchment on the table* ...since you said it was important and you needed it later today...but you'd know best! *She finishes off her sandwich and trots back into the kitchen with her plate. "Sure you don't want something to eat?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I'm fine! *stalks over to the table and snatches the parchment up* And I'm going!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: No need to get huffy, dearest, I was just offering! *trills* Do take care, then, I'll see you tonight!

<JETMODE> *Genoa growls something incomprehensible and stomps out the door, shutting it hard behind her.