All's well that begins...(open)

[Pine]

Pine had moved into his room only a few days ago. It seemed the court was keen on getting him moved over into his new place and into his new school as quickly as possible. It seemed they did not want to deal with the young redhead anymore. It wasn't like Pine put up any type struggle while he was in the detention center or in the court room. He spent most of his time just laying in his cell staring at the ceiling praying he would wake up from this nightmare known as reality. If he didn't wake up then he prayed someone would come into his cell and shank him. Sadly neither had happened and after a meeting with two different social workers he was sent to St. Mary's group home.

He lay in his bed staring at the ceiling looking up at the quote he had placed just above the bed. It was a quote from a book he read in the detention center. The book was called way of the wolf and the series itself was pretty good. The quote was on the very first page of the book before the first chapter.

"Have you ever dealt with people who have lost everything in an hour? In The Morning you leave the house where your wife, your children, your parents live. You return to find only a smoking pit. Something in you snaps - to a certain extent you stop being human. You have no need for money or glory, revenge is your only joy. And because you no longer cling to life, Death avoids you, The bullets fly past. You become a WOLF...."
- Russian General Aleksander Lebed, Veteran Of Afghanistan


Pine could relate to this quote. He had lost everything in an hour. In one hour he had lost his best friend, the man who saved his life, his gang, his freedom, and his family. Pine had nothing left to lose. He had nothing to live for and because of it death ignored his pleas. Pine was stuck living a very plain and boring life.

Looking at the clock he decided it was time to exercise. Yes exercise always made him feel better. The pain he inflicted on his muscles brought him a comfort nothing else could. He had too much pride to kill himself but that did not mean hurting himself was out of the question. He pushed his muscles to the point of collapse and lay face down on the floor for a good 10 minutes before making his way to the bathroom. In the hall he ran into the same girl that had gone out of her way bother him the past few days.

"Hi there...Pine was it?" She said with a sleepy grin. Pine nodded at her and tossed his towel over his bare left shoulder. He then continued on his way to the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" She inquired again rubbing her eyes.

Pine took a deep breath and turned around. "Shower." He said and looked directly at her with the same glare he did everyone else. "You?"

She looked at him fully awake this time, astonished at the fact he actually said something to her. "Oh...I was um...going to the washroom..." She replied in somewhat of a broken fashion.

Pine rolled his eyes. "Got a name?" he inquired almost nicely.

"Ginni" She replied again with a big smile on her face.

"Ginni. Female washrooms are the opposite way." Pine said and turned around and continued to walk toward the male washrooms. Leaving Ginni there standing watching the shirtless Pine enter the bathroom.

Pine walked to school that morning by himself. It took him 15 minutes to dodge Ginni and get out of the house undetected. It took Pine a little to get into the grounds himself. He looked around the grounds at the other students milling around. He walked past them and up into the main hall. Looking around Pine realized she should have waited for Ginni. There was no way he was going to find his way around the school alone.

Pine looked around to see if he could find a person sitting alone. He could approach a person that was alone, a group could not work. Pine lacked the social skills to talk to a group of people . He found one just sitting on a bench by themselves. Approaching the person he pushed his bangs further in front of his face hiding his eyes.

"Excuse me? Could you tell me where the office is, I'm lost."

[bix]

Lost
Wandering Soul

It was. A cloudy day. Her umbrella. Normally covering. her pale skin. Shading it. From the bright. Painful sunlight. Hung softly. Off her bag. Clasped there. Gently so that. She would not lose. That which. She loved. It was not her favorite. By no means. Would she waste. Such a beauty here. Where something of beauty. Such as that. Such delicacy. Would be lost. To violence. So easily. Bix was dressed. Much as she normally did. A plaid black skirt. Grey plaid. Criss crossing. Over it. Cut on the bias. So it moved. Easily. Around her form. The tights. Underneath. Were blue. A simple color. And her favorite. They showed. Definition. Of her legs. And yet. Did not show. any skin. In fact. The only skin. On Bix. That showed. Was from her neck. And up. The rest of her. Was completely. Covered by. Her clothing. Even her hands. Covered in delicate lace gloves.

Her shirt. Was black. Of course. It clung to her. She had some curves. But not many. She was a girl. But she was skinny. Her eyes watched. The area. Where she stood. Nothing special. Happening. She stood there. Sipping coffee. Fresh bought. At the machine. In the cafeteria. She liked this stuff. And was growing more. Addicted to it. By the cup. It was liquid. Crack. But such was. What made it. So interesting. The day once again. Was boring. But then. When wasn't it. It was rare. That her day. Actually had. something interested. The young blue headed. Woman. She was hard to please. Most of the time. And found. That she was growing. With an afinity. For violence. And yet. She was not. The strong type. She was more. The intelligent type.

A voice. Made her turn. Her head. Gently. to the side. To see a boy. Hair of red. A good color. Pale skin. Stocky. Not tall. Not short. About the same. Height as she. Her blue eyes. The same color. AS her hair. almost. Though her hair. A shade darker. Looked him. Up and down. Simple of dress. Pissy of mood. Scar on the face. Was the only thing. That caught her eyes. Her fingers. Itched. But no. Bix was not big. On touching. Especially. When she knew not. The person. To touch. Perhaps. If they were. More acquainted. But scars. Were so interesting. Stories behind each other. The rough texture. The tingling. Sensations. They were. Most fun to enjoy.

Lost apparently. This one was. Bix's face. Was impassive. Of course. Watching him. Her mind working. At a hundred. Miles an hour. But her face. Showed nothing. Her eyes blank. Almost like. A dolls' eyes.

"Hallway three, door two, right side."

Her voice. A heady whisper. Her face. Did not come to life. As she spoke. But maintained. The normalcy. The plain way. That she was. That she projected. As her eyes shifted. Back to. The hallway again. Before once more. Landing on the boy. Lost. Meant he was new. Not that she. Herself. Was a veteran. Only had she. Been here a few days. And luckily. Had gotten a tour. From a willing member. Of the alumni.

[Pine]

"Hallway three, door two, right side."

Pine cocked an eyebrow and looked around the main foyer. He rolled her eyes and turned back to look at the girl with the ambiguous answer. The hallways were not numbered here. That meant that depending on how she viewed it any one of these hallways could have been hallway three. The only thing he got out of her that made sense was that the office was the second door on the right side of the unknown hallway.

The question now formulating in Pine's mind was if he could trust her directions. He looked her over. She wore only dark clothing. A grey skirt, a black shirt, tights, very reserved in dress. Her hair was blue but he noticed that in the beginning, her eyes were blue and distant. Her skin as pale as a ghosts yet for some reason he almost liked what he saw. He allowed a small grin to cross his lips. Pine then took his left hand and moved the hair out of his eyes so his blues were focused on hers.

~Well that's a little uncharacteristic of you now isn't it?~ The little voice in his head mocked.

~Piss off I'm busy~ Pine countered.

~You can tell much about a person by thier eyes let's see what I can see in her's~

Pine focused on her eyes and saw nothing. That meant one of two things, she was either really smart or really dumb. The question was which was it. Either way she was missing something, something was off with her. Just what Pine needed, another broken soul. If he was even correct on his assumption. The only way Pine would find out was to talk to her. The problem he had was the whole concept of small talk. After shutting yourself off for a year talking was not exactly easy.

Pine allowed his bangs to fall back infront of his eyes. This way she could not see the struggle and frustration that would show in his own. If she could not see the weakness perhaps she would not pick up on it. Of course if she was actually really smart he could run into a problem.

"May I...Ask your name? I would like to...to...properly thank the person trying to help me."

[bix]

Interests
Lay Within

His hand. Seemed to move. Up to his hair. The bangs. That blocked his eyes. They too. Apparently. Were blue. But a lighter shade. Than her own. Deep hued ones. While modestly dressed. Her clothing. Still gave away. Something of her figure. She just. Did not deal much. With skin exposure. Nor with contact. His eyes. Seemed to study her own. And Bix wondered. What he was searching for. Probably. Signs of life. Bix was very skilled. At keeping her face. Unresponsive. As well as unemotional. Making her eyes. Seem vacant. Had taken a long time. But she had gotten it. Down finally. And it was this. That made people. Look over her easily. She never seemed. As though. She was all there. But she was. She studied everything. Took in everything. And stored it. For whenever it. May be used again. At some point. You never knew. When some things. Might be needed.

It seemed. That the answer. He sought. he could not find. And Bix. Inwardly grinned. At her own. Prowess. When it came. To such things. Still though. As his hair. Covered his eyes. She could almost sense. The Frustration. Of not getting. The answer he sought. Still though. She was unsure. It was just. An inkling that she got. She could. Be totally wrong. But her eyes. Watched him. As he watched her. It was an interesting. Meeting. Between two people. She could almost. Sense in him. The fact that. He much like her. Was not one. For conversation. For connection. For any. Of the sort. They merely. Lived. Waiting. For perhaps. Something right. To come along. Something that said. This. Was what they were meant for. However Bix. Was not holding her breath. Her name. He asked for. Curious about her. It seemed.

"Earned thus, you have not. Payment first, recieved must be." her voice said. Again. In the whisper. That she used. "A kiss, think I, should be sufficient. Good, a tour, you will recieve. Average, a name you will recieve."

Her eyes watched him. A brief flash. Of curiosity. In her eyes. She wondered. What would happen. Was he the kind. That would take. A challenge. That he would. Go ahead. With the risk. And enjoy a kiss. To get the answer. That he wanted. Or would he. Rebuke her. With the intent. To find someone. that would help him. Afterall. They would just. Kick his ass. For asking for help. Oh. Lost? Come this way.

[Pine]

"Earned thus, you have not. Payment first, recieved must be. A kiss, think I, should be sufficient. Good, a tour, you will recieve. Average, a name you will recieve."

Pine was happy, happy she could not see his eyes go wide in shock. It seemed she was a really smart one. Then again what else could you expect from someone that talks like Yoda? Pine had been banking on her being stupid, if she was stupid then the conversation would probably have been over by now. He would have had a name, given a thank you, gotten the right hallway, and been on his way. No, instead he gets the girl that seems to like to play with him. First she gives him ambiguous directions and now she demands a kiss for a name and a tour.

~The force is strong with this one, it is. Messes with you well she does. Screwed you are padawan.~

Without fail the moment Pine's nerves were shot the little voice came back again. It came to belittle him but perhaps it might be of some help in this situation. Perhaps it will give him a good answer.

~Oh so now you want my help eh? Kiss her~

Pine flintched noticibly on the outside and took a half step back. There was no doubt he looked like he was going to turn her down and find his own way but the voice would have nothing of it.

~Where the hell are you going?~ The voice asked quizzically.

~To find someone else to help me~ Pine responed confidently.

~Like hell you are stop moving back and kiss her.~ The voice shot back as if insulted.

~NO!~ Pine retorted as if panicked by the thought of doing such a thing.

~Why not? She isn't bad looking...she isn't great looking either but she isn't bad looking. Kind of reminds me of a china doll. What's the harm, if you do it you'll get both her name and a tour.~ For once the voice used something that sounded like logic and it even made sense to Pine. What did he have to lose by kissing her? He only stood to gain, if she didn't want it then he had called her bluff and if she did want it then he snatched his kiss and a tour of the school.

~I can't I'm...~ Pine stammered for some reason unknown to even him. The plan was good but whatever part was in control of him now would not do it.

~Scared. I fail to see what there is to be scared of. It's not like this girl could be interested in a coward like yourself after only a couple of minutes.~ The voice shot back in an attempt to rial Pine up.

~Shut up~ He mentally snapped at the voice.

~Oh muffin, did I hurt your feelings?~ The voice taunted.

~Shut it~ Pine fired back.

~You know the old you would do it. The demon that took out a few S.W.A.T. members in their own fog of tear gas.~ The voice replied in an honest yet mocking tone.

~I am not him anymore.~ Pine replied in honesty.

~Your right because if you were him you'd have either kissed her or strangled her. You think because you have nothing left that is an excuse to become weak?~ The voice shot back gaining momentum as the battle of thoughts continued.

~I...I...~ His mind stammered in an attempt to find a counter to the painful words

~I am a weak and pathetic little shadow of myself. You know if Rayne saw you now he'd probably roll in his-~ The little voice never got the chance to finish what it was going to say. Something in Pine snapped and cut the voice off. Something that felt familiar, something that felt natural.

~DON'T YOU EVER TRY AND USE THAT AGAINST ME YOU PATHETIC LITTLE FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL END YOU!!!! I WILL BURY YOU SO FAR IN THE BACK OF MY MIND YOU'LL NEVER FIND YOUR WAY OUT!!!!!~ Pine's narrowed on the girl and his jaw tightened. For just a moment his old self had returned and it felt great. No fear, no worries, no pain just power and it was intoxicating.

~Welcome back Demon now do yourself a favor and KISS THE DAMN GIRL!!!~

Pine covered the ground between him and the girl in no time flat. His left hand cupper her cheek and his lips locked onto hers. She had gotten what she wanted out of the bargain and as soon as the kiss broke Pine wanted his.

"You owe me a name and a tour...I...Hope your good on your word." Pine's hand slipped off her cheek and down her neck to her shoulder.

[bix]

Anger
Passion

It seemed. That he was afraid. She looked up. And she was shocked. Was she repulsive. Or was he just. So weak. So shy. So unworthy. That he wished. Not to kiss her. Which very well. Could be. She was not. Afraid of him. It was not. That she felt. As though he. Was capable. Or incapable. Of taking her out. It was merely that. She wanted. More. She wanted. To see. What he would do. Would he kiss her. It was a test. A challenge. To see what would happen. What he might do. Say. React. She was curious. About him. And what he thought. How his mind worked. She could already tell. That inner turmoil. Was part of his thing. It was hard to miss it. Hard to really worry about it. She waited. As he fought. With himself. It wasn't long though. Before. He finally. Swung into action.

Shooting forward. He cupped her cheek. Her head. Tilted slightly. To the right. His. To the right. And he moved in. His lips. On her own. There was anger. There was passion. And she loved it. So very much. her lips kissed him back. Kissing him. With as much. anger. Passion. As he kissed her. Her body. Came alive. Electricity. Flying down. Her body. As her hand. Reached up. Clasping his hair. Softly. Within her gloved. Fingers. She loved this kiss. It was hot. It was tainted. It was perfect. As it broke. He mentioned. That he had. Kept up his part. Of the bargain. And he hoped. She too. Intended. To keep her deal. Bix grinned, Her fingers. STill. Up in his hair. She brushed. His bangs. Out of his eyes. So that she. Could see. The fiesty man. That lay behind them.

"Indeed, hold up, to the bargain, I will."

"Bix." she answered. Her name. But he owed her. For the tour.

Her eyes. Looked up. In his. They were still. So very close. And she. Stepped closer. Bix normally. Was not one. For touching strangers. But. She had brought this. Upon herself. And so. She could not. PUll back now. Instead. She leaned forward. And she caught his lips again. In another. Passionate. Hungry kiss. She was interested. She was curious. He had caught. Her attention. Which though. He did not know. Was not easy. To do. At least. Not normally. As this kiss broke. Bix. Slightly panting. For breath. As she looked. Up at him. A grin. An unusual grin. Crossed her face. A bit of sparkle. Within her eyes. For only a moment. For only a flash.

"Go, we now may."

Her arm. Hooked with his. and began. To lead him. to the hallway. That was the third. From where they had. Been standing. Taking a left. She continued on. But she did not. Let him see the office. No, that would be too easy. He would get rid of her. And she wasn't. Going to swing with that. Not now. No. the tour was first. They would end at the office. Which was three halls. From the left. Of where they had been. Standing before. As they walked. She explained. In her own. Crazy weird speech. Where they were. Her arm. Still locked. With his own.

[Pine]

Pine could feel her hand in his hair. He wondered what it would still be doing there after the kiss finished. Pine knew his hand was on her shoulder to keep her from running out on the bargain but why was hers in his hair. He felt the hand slide down to his bangs and push the hair out of the way. His eyes showed confusion relating to her actions. Pine stood there like a deer in the headlights, unable to speak or move. He was unsure of what was about to happen. For all he knew she was going to mesmerize him and then bite his neck or something. The little voice thought China Doll and Pine thought Vampire.

She stepped closer to Pine and he was confused as to what was going on. Was this another game? She had already played two little ones with him and lost what could she hope for with a third? Odds were Pine would either call her bluff or find the flaw. Either way he was confident he could win. Yet his mind kept coming back to the fact she was basically standing against him. Bix is what he presumed her name was, or at least what she called herself. It sounded strange but coming from a guy named Pinefresh the argument held little merit. As such he would not push the matter further. Before he could yet again ask for directions he was silenced by a kiss.

~WOW...I never saw that one coming. Right out of left field it was. Good thing I'm not sitting in a chair or I would have fallen off of it.~ The little voice sounded just as confused as Pine felt.

Pine stood there awkwardly as her lips pressed hungrily into his. Eyes went wide as the rest of the body stood rigid. It seemed she was upping the ante for the trade. He supposed his first kiss wasn't good enough for her. This one would not be half as good as the first though. By the end, just before it broke, did he calm down enough to kiss back. It was clear she wanted more and who was he to deny her. At least for a moment he felt wanted again.

The kiss broke and she grinned at him, her eyes looked alive. Pine was yet again confused but with his bangs covering his eyes she would not see it. Bix locked her arm around his much larger arm and began to pull him along down the hallways. Pine quickly adjusted to her pace and spent much of his time trying to piece together what she was saying. It wasn't that she was a bad guide, she was just unable to communicate in a manner that was considered normal. Pine was forced to use his Jedi skills to work out the most important information and put everything together in his mind. It took a little while before he realized they were not on their way to the office.

"Ummmm...Don't you think we should go to the office first? I mean wouldn't it be easier to give me a tour if-if we knew where I needed to go first?" Pine said in a confused tone with a hint of a plea behind it.

All the while his little voice was screaming for help. It was maintaining it was being kidnapped and needed to be saved. Pine allowed a small smirk to appear for just a second as he basked in the voices fear. He did greatly enjoy how the voice wasn't even trying to belittle him for this. If nothing else, Pine made a useful friend when it came to dealing with the hated voice.

[bix]

Wanted?
Definatly

He was handsome. To her. The scar. The blue eyes. Red hair. Red was. Not her favorite color. But it was. The color of blood. And though his. Was a natural red. And not the red. Of blood. The symbology was there. He was built. Not that. She was. It was merely. Something she noticed. And something. She was surprised to find. Herself enjoying. When her body. Was pressed against. His own. She could not. Feel the specifics. But she could feel. The strength. In his arms. Against his chest. In the way. That she could feel. Him holding back. So as. Not to hurt her.

At first. The kiss was. One sided. But this. Did not detour Bix. Because she. Wanted the kiss. And that. Was what she. Was going to get. She did not. Expect him. To be prepared. For another kiss. That would. Have made. The curiosity. And excitment die. But the fact. That he was shocked. Made him. Interesting. Made her want. To know more. Want more. Want to learn. And devour. She felt him finally. Start. To kiss her back. Making the kiss. Send that. Now familiar. Electricity. Down her spine. And through her limbs. As it broke. Her eyes. Looked up at him. For only a moment. Before. Her slender thin. Arm took his. Much larger one.

The tour began. The school was. Rather large. And she wanted. To show him. All of it. Bix was. Normally not big. On company. Normally. She would have. Told him the answer. Vaguely of course. And gone on her way. But for some reason. Toying with him. Was fun. And then now. Well now, she wanted. to know more. Experience more. And did not. Want to let him. Leave her presence. So easily. As they walked. She spoke. In her strange way. And she did not. Miss the smirk. That crossed his lips. After the plea. To go to the office. Before the tour. A knowing look. Crossed her own face. As her eyes shifted. From the hall. To look up. At her company.

"Obtaining your goal, allow you to depart, it would. Tour first, then office, retour, better suffice, it would."

Bix explained. Her voice. Was the same. But she felt. Different. Inside. She felt as though. Something were changing. In the presence. Of this person.

"Your name, however, achieved, I have not. Share this knowledge, I plead."

[Pine]

Bix's logic at why he could not go to the office was flawed. It was true that as soon as she took Pine to the office he was free. The fact remained he had paid for a tour and expected to get his worth. That kiss came at a good amount of mental struggle for Pine and allowing it to go to waste would be simply unexceptable. Pine was owed a name, he got the name, he was owed a tour starting with the office. So far Bix was not doing a very good job of keeping to her terms. In fact she even changed the deal to get a second kiss out of him. Chances are she just toying with him. It was strange to get toyed by a girl who went by a strange name, with blue hair and refused to speak in proper English.

Pine could feel the demon inside begin to make it's way to the surface again. It was getting tired of laying dormant when it could so easily use his body to exact the information from her by other means. The demon stopped moving when Bix asked for his name. No, asking would not be accurate, she was basically pleading for his name. At least that is what she said. Pine continued to walk beside her in silence for a few more feet. He could feel his old self come to the surface to say hello in the answer to her question.

"No..." The answer was simply and plainly stated. There was no reason to stutter or hold back. It was a simple one word answer but Pine knew an explanation was needed.

"No. You tell me you will take give me your name and a tour for a kiss. Instead you give me the name and take a second kiss without reason or permission. You then deny my request to start at the office and instead basically tell me you are kidnapping me. The way I see it is I paid for my tour and your name but you have done nothing to merit mine. So since you seem to like to play games we'll play one of mine. You may have my name when you take me to the office." Pine did not look at her as he spoke but merely kept walking down the hall. His tone was that of an person in control of the situation and did not show any of his original hesitant traits. In truth, this took Pine great effort to pull off but was necessary to get the point across. Now it was time for the game.

"Oh and there is...a catch I am not tell you. S-something you need to take into account...Without it... you will never get my name." Pine pulled out his cellphone as if he was looking at the amount of service he get inside the school. The actual fact was he was interested in the time. The catch was simple. Bix had five minutes to get him to the office or he would refuse to give her his name.

[bix]

Turning Tables
A Challenge

Bix looked up. No. No? Ah. The glint. The grin. The look. Of his face. It told her all. That she needed. To know. He was challenging her. Toying with her. Right back. Something that. She was enjoying. Even more. Never. Had she met. such a fun person. To be around. Toying with. Each other this way. It was certainly. Something. She would. Remember. She wanted. To know more. to know him. To understand him. But thus. That would take time. Though time. She was willing. To spend. To sacrifice. To him. For what knowledge. She could gain. About him. And for him. She walked with him. Undetoured. By his speech. That was. Until he went on. to tell her about. How she would. Earn his name. Ah the bait. The trap. It was set. And expertly so. Though he wanted. Something she had. Already guessed. Before he spoke.

The office.

A grin. slowly spread. Across. Her normally. Blank face. A chuckle. Eliciting from. Her lungs and throat. Bix startled. Hearing herself chuckle. Pausing. For a moment. But he went on. Not looking at her. As he told her. There was a catch. Though. He would not inform her. Of this catch. Her brow rose. A determined grin. On her face. As she paused. In their walking. There were many ways. To get. to the office. So they did not. Have to go back. The way they came. But, she was curious. As to this catch. But to earn his name. She supposed. She could give him. What he wanted. He reached. Into his pocket. And took out his cell. And looked. At the small screen. Millions of thoughts. Went through her mind. In an instant. She wondered. If this. Had anything to do. With the catch.

Cell phone...
..numbers...
..names...
..clock...
..games...

So many things. Numbers she could rule out. Afterall. He was knew. He would not. Have her number. Nor the number. Of anyone. She knew. Nor could she imagine. That numbers. Would have anything. To do. With a catch. For learning his name. A name. Yes. Perhaps it was on. The screen of his phone. Some people. Did that. But with a peek. Her thought. Was crushed again. The clock. Read the correct time. And he was not. Playing any. Of the lame. Games that came. In a cell phone. Trumped. Her eyes looked up.

"Shall we then?"

Bix began. To walk again. Leading him. down the hall. Her mind. Still racing. Trying. To figure out. What the catch was. She was eager. To know. To learn. What he had. Decided. She did not. Know him. Well enough. To know. What his ideas. May be. So she could only. Do her best. To complete. The one thing. She definatly knew. So she veered them. Down a hall. That would lead them. Back towards. The office. Where the hallway. Would be. That contained. The office. It wsn't far. They were actually. Somewhat close. But she walked. At a leisurely pace. Her skirt. Brushing his leg. Her hand. Clasping. The muscle. Of his arm. They took. A right. And there. In the center. Was the office. That he sought.

"Destination. Achieved." she said. Softly. As she came. To a stop. In front of the door. Looking up at him. To see if. This time. She had earned. His name. Enjoying. This day.

[Pine]

Bix seemed to enjoy the challenge. Her eyes were bright, she smiled, she even giggled. At the mention of a catch she stopped walking and looked at his phone. Perhaps Bix was smart enough to guess that this was a time related thing and that time was not exactly on her side. When they continued walking Pine made note of the time.

For some reason the pace was slow. Her arm was no longer locked around his but was reduced to a hand resting on his bicep. He could faintly hear the sound of her skirt brushing against his pants. Still, Pine had no idea why she was so close to him. Perhaps Bix was taken so far off guard by the kiss that she was in shock. That or the idea of someone actually getting that close changed something in her. Pine had no real idea of what to think of it while they walked down the hallways. What he did know was that time was not on her side and he wasn't sure he wanted her to lose.

They reached the office and Pine looked at his cellphone and sighed.

Only four minutes....You win." He said and removed her hand from his arm.

"Pine...My name...is Pine. Like the tree. Wait...h-here I'll be back in a minute. You still owe me a tour. I plan on collecting."

Pine walked into the office and talked with the secretary at the desk. She was a nice old lady with pictures of her grandchildren on her desk. Looking at the pictures made his eyes glassy. It wasn't too long ago he had a family. Now, he had nothing but a room. Pine received his timetable and shyly thanked the secretary.

He looked at Bix as he exited the office and held up the timetable for her to look at. These...These are the places I-I need to go. Please show me where they are...No more games...for now."

[bix]

Unknowing
Winner

Bix stopped, In front of the office. There it ws. The woman. Behind the counter. The one that would. Have the information. That he sought. What seemed. Precious to him. This day. Perhaps he. Really wanted. To get. His schedule. Move on with his day. She could. In a way. Understand that feeling. Bix was not. The kind of girl. That stood still. She was constantly doing. something even if. It seemed she was. Doing nothing. Observing. Watching. Enjoying. Walking. Creating. Casting. Always something. her mind. Never seemed to cease. Her mother. Had once said. That she doubted. Her mind. Even rested. In sleep. But Bix. Was sure that it did. Sure that her mind. Slept quite well. For it was very. Active during the day. And would tire itself out. By the end. However. How was one. REally to know.

He told her. To wait. where she was. That he would return. In a moment. She nodded. And leaned. Once more. On the walls. Her eyes. Falling to a couple. Making out. Just slightly. Away from the doors. Disgusting. How their saliva mixed. Did she know. Where his tongue had been. Or he. Know her own. For that matter. It was easy to see. They had likely. Been intimate. His hand. Up her shirt. As though. She were his property. It was disgusting. Was she some toy. Some tart to enjoy. For the time being. Bix rolled. Her large. Emotionless eyes. And waited. Crossing her arms. Accenting. The chest. That she had. Waiting for. The one named Pine. To come back. Pine. His name. Given to her. Before he went. Into the door. Like the tree. Poor child. Hippie parents. For sure. At least he. Didn't wear bright colors. Otherwise. She wouldn't. have waisted her time. Or her eye sight.

He was interesting. He had certainly. Caught her interest. She never. Spent much time. With people. Bix. Was not a people person. But for some reason. She enjoyed. What she was. Doing with Pine. This game. It was interesting. But she knew. That it could not. Go on long forever. Besides. She didn't. Intend the games. To continue. Forever. She merely. Wanted to. Enjoy today. And Pine. Just happened to be. Her target. For the moment. Later someone else. But for now. He was. The one. She wanted to get to know. For the first time. In years. she actually. Wanted to know about someone. If he had known her. Before hand. He might have. Realized. Just how hard. It was. For her to open. Up like this. To anyone. But. That was for. Another time. For him to understand. How cold she was. To the world. But those eyes. She could see them now. His eyes. The ones. So confused. So shocked. And yet. So interesting. Full of emotion. Unlike her own. Most eyes did. Show emotion. Most that weren't Bix's. perhaps. If she. Showed emotion to him. Perhaps then. They might. Could spend time. Again. More another time.

The door opened. And her attention shifted. From her thoughts. And back to him. Her eyes. Following him. As he made his way. Over to her. He handed. Her his schedule. And her gloved hand. Took it. From his. her eyes shifting. From him. to the schedule. REading over it. He told her. To help him. But no games. This time.

"Didn't intend on such."

Her eyes. Looked up at him. Once more. And her hand. One with the schedule. The other free. The free one moved. Clasping his own. Her gloved fingers. The soft lace. Sliding between. His own fingers. Clasping his hand. With her own. And she turned. Rereading. The first class. She began to lead. Him through the halls.

"Hail from, where, you do?" she asked. As they walked.

[Pine]

Pine watched her look at the schedule and then move to hold his hand. Yeah, like Pine was going to allow that to happen. Instead of allowing her finger to link with his, Pine grabbed her wrist and moved her hand back to his arm. He had no over all problem allowing her to cling to him but he was not up for hand holding. Pine, was not a hand holder. He might make the exception for a girlfriend if he had one but not for a stranger. Especially one that seemed to enjoy playing games with him.

~Awwww isn't that just adorable, she wanted to hold your hand.~ The little voice mocked in baby talk.

~I didn't let her so what does that tell you?~ Pine replied to the voices mocking.

~That you are just a big tool and not a complete tool~ The voice replied without missing a beat.

~Ha! You're so funny I could stab you with a pencil now shut up.~


Pine turned his attention back to the girl that was yet asking him a question. Pine had to maul the question over for a while to make sure he understood what Bix was asking. She seemed to want to know about where he was from. At least that is what he assumed she wanted to know. The better question is why should he tell her. For all he knew, Bix could have been playing a game when she agreed not to play one. The irony of the situation was not lost on the boy. She wanted to know about something that probably interested her. What Bix did not know was that Pine was not interested in sharing anything about his past. In fact he was not interested in sharing with the girl period.

The question on his mind was 'what reason do I have to play nice?' The answer was simply that there was no reason to play nice. Had the original conversation started on fair terms he would consider giving his tour guide a straight answer but there was no justification to do so.

"That...depends on who you ask. Apparently I do...don't, hail from any one place. " Pine replied plainly to her question. If she was really interested the questioning could continue but to no real avail. Pine had told Bix she was not allowed to play games but that did not mean he could not. So if Bix wanted an answer she would have to give him something of value for it. Those were the original circumstances under which they met and the circumstances they would talk under.