Impatiently Smelling the Virtual Roses

[Grayon Brand]

The clocktower... what a pictureseque scene. It stood alone in the middle of the large opening that was the courtyard. Many wanted to find ways to open the door and get inside, if there was a way. The door not only had a padlock on the outside, but appeared to be locked on the inside as well. As for kicking in the door... well, many had tried and found themselves with broken bones. That door was harder to get through than trying to get some from a nun.

The trickier people had tired other ways to get into the tower, like the one guy that tired to pull a spider man and climb up. He got halfway, until he ran out of steam and nearly fell. He had to stay up there until the teachers could get to him. Then there had been the guy who used a hanglider to get to the tower... and ended up as an adornment on the tower's roof.

But Grayon cared neither for getting in the tower, nor admiring it's beauty and history. He sat in front of the tower on a bench to himself, his laptop in front of him. What was he doing? A myriad of things, really. Checking stocks, his e-mail, and the latest news updates. it was kind of sad really... what was going on in the world at the time.

People rarely stop to smell the roses anymore...

Grayon looked up and turned his head about, just to loosen the muscles in his neck. He then took a sip of his latte, which he had gotten at the local cafe he visited before he came to school. He waited for the bell to ring to signal the start of class, and rather impatiently...

[Zade]

"What's wrong? Can't fight without your Aurora supporting you?"

The upperclassman jeered as he laughed at Zade, who was sitting on the ground, his right hand wiping the blood off the edge of his lips. Zade stood up, letting out a sigh. Keeping his face firm and relaxed, he replied simply. "No. I just don't want to hurt you." He straightened his posture, his hands grabbing the edges of his unzipped jacket and pulling at it, neating up his jacket. He looked up at his senior, only to find himself looking at another fist. WHAM! Zade staggered backwards this time, being more prepared. He reached up to touch his cheek, then remembered the first time he was hit there in this city. It had been when he was trying to protect Aurora. He looked up at the senior, this time a little more furious.

"Last warning. Leave." He said. Of course, the senior didn't listen and threw another fist. This time, though, Zade moved. He leaned backwards, the fist going above him. And then, he swung his his right hand around at the senior's outstretched right arm. He slapped his elbow, pushing the the hand aside. From there, Zade twisted around as he forced himself up from his 'Matrix' position, then backhanded the senior's jaw with his left. He staggered to the side, hitting a tree. It seemed that a tooth or two had been knocked off, considering that the senior had spat out blood.

"You've been warned." Zade spoke once more. "I'll get you for this." He turned and ran off, leaving Zade to celebrate his minor victory. Though, he simple sighed, his right hand brushing his hair back as he closed his eyes. Shaking his head, he turned around and started to walk away. This school seemed like any other school. The upperclassmen beating up their juniors. Only, this time, it had gone the other way round. Zade chuckled at that thought.

[Grayon Brand]

Grayon heard a slight disturbance just a short distance off, and looked up to see what it was. A fight... of sorts. More like bullying, which Grayon could care less about. However, he didn't lower his head, as he saw the freshman get hit, backing up only a short distance. The Senior attacked again, but somehow the freshman was able to dodge it and counter in time... impressive.

Grayon smiled as he saw the senior run off, and looked back down to his laptop and coffee. But something pulled at him. The boy was close by, and he looked ready to fall over because of exhaustion... but that may have just been the angle Grayon was at. Grayon moved his laptop onto his lap, leaving the side of the bench beside him open. He called out to the other freshman as he continued to stare at his screen,

"If you wish for somewhere to sit, you may take the seat next to me."

[Zade]

Zade stopped, looking up as he heard a voice. He turned his head and found himself looking at another kid carrying a laptop. He stood there for a while, trying to make out what he had said earlier. It only took a second or two before he did. He turned his head and looked at the large clock above the entrance to the school building. Well, looks like I have time. Besides, what else can I do? And I seriously need to sit down. He chuckled, noticing that he was getting slightly winded. He srhugged, then walked up, his pace a little... Staggery. He shook his head once, trying to shake off the dizziness. After a while, he finally reached the bench. Turning on his heels, he sat down, letting out a deep breathe.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He looked up for a moment, then sighed, lowering his head so violently that his hair waved in the air. He closed his eyes for a moment. Only then did he remember that there was someone beside him. He opened his eyes and turned his head from where it was. He looked at him for a moment, then broke the silence.

"Uhh... Thanks for the seat."

[Grayon Brand]

"Uhh... Thanks for the seat."

God... if he had wanted someone to talk to, Grayon would have said something... but oh well, the boy was just trying to be nice... he guessed.

"No problem."

Grayon continued to look at his laptop, then closed it and stood up. He turned around to look at the clocltower. He stared up and looked at the clock face, getting the time. He had some time till his first class, and that was business. He could ace that class with his eyes closed. Grayon was struck by something though... a thought that passed through his head.

"So... why exactly did the senior try to attack you?"

His voice didn't contain any emotion, no smpathy or intrigue, and neither did his eyes as he looked to stare at the boy. He was simply trying to figure out why everyone in this school thought the best way to deal with things was to fight. If he could figure that out, he might be able to rise to power more quickly...

[Zade]

Zade sighed and chuckled after hearing his question. It was a funny reason though. Zade didn't even see how it was his fault. He looked up at the clock tower too, his eyes reading the time. Well, a few more minutes before he would make his way towards class. Zade sat up, leaning against the bench. He closed his eyes, letting out another soft chuckle, before opening them.

"Well, apparently, I parked my toes under his foot."

Zade clenched his right fist. And yet, he was the one victimised. Well, not exactly. He had his revenge, after all. Zade looked at his companion for the moment, then took a deep breathe. Time for a long speech, eh? Well, not exactly wrong, but if one knew Zade well, they would consider this a long speech.

"Well, you know how people are. They think that just because they're older, that they're stronger, better and smarter. They're nothing but mindless brutes who talk with they're fists. Well, that's most of them. THere's still a few people here who would rather talk their way rather than use their fists."

[Grayon Brand]

Grayon smiled while turned away from the boy. Perhaps there weren't just idiots at this school. He turned back around to face him.

"So true... so very true. Most of those around here do care to only 'knock some skulls around', and don't care about how things are really done. Strength alone doesn't declare strength, or power. Perhaps I was to get defeated in a fight by someone... but wouldn't they be suprised when they find out I bought the land their home is on and had their home demolished? Not that I would actually do that, but it is a possibilty... And aside from that, talking is so much better. Most of the muscle-bound freaks around here don't even understand the word 'comprehend', much less anything said to them by those having a vocabulary."

Grayon looked at the boy, hoping to get an idea of what he was thinking. The boy seemed rather pleasant to talk to, and Grayon did like the company of smarter people, since most around him seemed rather idiotic or lunatic-ish.