Breaking Strength ( Open )

[Kevala Badoer]

(OOC: I am bored. Nothing better to do. If you wanna join then fine, if not, I do not think my little world will shatter down around me. Hehe xD )

She had tried to go home and take care of the wounds she had received from Sky's little torture session herself, but problem with having stairs and a broken leg was that in the wrong instance, you could fall. Which she had. And it hurt. BAD!

Obviously rebreaking it, if not fucking it up worse. Not to mention she did have some serious bruises and cuts covering her wrists and ankles where the restraints had cut into her.

Plus she had a really bad cough from being locked away in that dark, cold room at night.

Yes, the fever she kept running was not a good sign either. For once, she was in pain and not liking it.

So when she had fallen down the stairs, her maid had flipped and called for the security staff to take her to the hospital. Which was where she was now.

Laid up in bed, curled up as best as the broken leg and IV would allow her to be, and letting out soft whimpers here and there as the pain would come and go.

She was in a state alright. The likes of which she rarely if ever was. And to her, that was scary. Though she did well to try and hide it. Trying to seem like she was tougher than she really was. Never one to want to show weakness to others.

[Adrian Kreever]

"Well Mr... Kreever?" "Yes" An awkward pause as the nurse looked at him weird, but with a last name like that, what could you expect? "Well, uhh... It seems that we have no further reason to keep you here. The infection seems to have stopped spreading, and if you continue your medication at home you should be just peachy" Adrian smiled, signed the slip of paper she offered him and prepared to leave. He had contracted an infection a few days ago that, because he had not tended it properly, had grown and caused his doctor to throw a fit and send him off to the CH. Thankfully, it had looked a lot worse than it actually was.

Tugging absentmindedly at the bandage around his hand, the whole thing had been blown out of proportion by his doctor, but it was to be expected. She had lost a patient a few years ago, and though the malpratice charges hadn't stuck the incident had scarred her for life. Which was why Adrian had chosen her, he knew she would take the health of her patients very seriously, though having him restrained to a hospital bed for two days was a bit much. But he would rather be safe than sorry.

Walking through the patient corridors he noticed something out of the corner of his eye, something familiar. He stopped a few steps past the door to consider leaving anyway, he had built up a lot of tension in his days trapped here and he was dying to take it out on someone, but in the end he decided against it. He needed to push his limits of restraint anyway, and it might have been important. Walking back he peeked through the door and found himself rather surprised. There was Kevala, the first of his fellow student to approach him without trying to hurt or bully him, the writer, the photographer and, most importantly, one of the very people he'd met so far who seemed to have her brains and heart in roughly the right places. She looked awful, whatever she was in here for it didn't look pleasant.

She was whimpering, her leg in a cast she was trying to curl up into fetal position as best she could, which wasn't much. She looked pitiful, weak, defenseless. Adrian felt his fists tighten, but reminded himself of their conversation. She might be a Pillar, the very fact that she held a title made him want to hurt her, to tear her down from whatever pedistal she was upon, but he remembered hearing her speak her truth, clearly, not loudly, with conviction, but without fanaticism. She was weak right now, but not the kind of weak he allowed himself to lash out at. He took a few steps closer to her, cocking his head to the side. He wasn't sure what he was doing. "Kevala?" He took another few steps, leaning in over her, placing his hand on her shoulder. Was he actually trying to comfort her? Are you mad?! Don't you remember what happened last time you spoke with her? You almost let your guard down! She's strong, she's made the right choices. I can't just let her lie here. Why not? What's with you?! "Hey Kevala, it's me" He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his healthy hand. "Adrian"

[Kevala Badoer]

(OOC: Wow..somebody is here. -blink- Yayness!! )

She was laying there, still trying to curl up when she heard the sound of a voice she recognized slightly. Only because she had only heard it one other time. Her eyes shifting upward toward him. Adrian? He was the last person she expected to see here. Hell she did not really think anyone would come see her here.

She tried to straighten herself, but another whimper came forth, the pain killers wearing off and her leg starting to throb heavily. Not to mention her lungs were on fire from the cold she currently had.

As his hand rested upon her shoulder, she would whimper out a bit more. She hated being this weak, hated being seen in this state. But before she could try and pretend to be strong again, another cough hit her, her hand moving to cover her mouth as she did so.

GODS THAT HURT!

Her throat in pain with each rough breath that was forced out of her lungs.

He would be able to tell from touching her that her fever was running high once more. The meds only working to a point thus far. She was certainly in a state, though she wished she could hide it.

As she finally was sure she would not start coughing anymore she would again let those eyes look up to him. A light layer of tears filling them from the pain that occurred from coughing and from her leg.

"A..Adrian. W.What are you doing here?"

Her tone weak and hoarse from the cold that she currently suffered from.

She was a bit confused. Granted their first meeting had gone well, it was not one where she walked away thinking that this guy would ever really talk to her again. But yet here he was. It was surprising to say the least, not to mention the fact that his tone and that hand were offered as though he meant to try and comfort her.

She appreciated the gesture, and in truth it did make her feel slightly better knowing that somebody cared enough to at least speak to her and see if she was okay.

A weak little smile curling onto her lips as she let her eyes fall over him. Surely though he was not here just for her so that meant he was here for another reason.

Trying to push herself up to sit some now she would speak once more, this time that hoarse little tone coming forth with a hint of worry.

"Are you alright? Not hurt are you?"

[Adrian Kreever]

(OOC: You sound like me with all glyocogin drop. So I have to agree with you. -throat clear- Yayness! ;D)

She coughed, deeply, it was bad, Adrian could hear the slime in her breathing. He was confused, what was he supposed to do now? He wasn't used to being in this position. Last time he had been in the hospital, when fater had had a bad fall two years ago, he remembered being so upset he had verbally assaulted a nurse for speaking baby-language to him and nearly physically assaulted a doctor who had shown too much callousness. But now he was on the other side of callousness, though he still felt the rage. But what should he do with it?

She spoke, asking him what he was doing there, whish is a fair question, and if he was allright.

Query of one's condition when own condition worse --> Absurdity --> Appropriate response: Mildly Ironic.


"Are you sure I'm not the one who should be asking that question?" He smiled slightly, that had been a little too close. "You don't sound to good? Bug got you?" Where were the nurses, the orderlies. Hell, where the fuck where the girls parents?! You don't just leave your child in a pickle like this, not unless you were... Weak? Could weak parents produce a strong child? Many artists claim to have had bad childhoods. But- Look alive! You haven't answered her question yet! Adrian blinked, his eyes regaining focus. "I, uhh... I got a cut on my hand and my doctor thought it might've been infected. It was nothing, though." He looked absentmindedly at the bandage on his hand. "How about you? How're you holding up? You don't look so hot."

[Kevala Badoer]

Perhaps it was just in her nature, or perhaps she was just as crazy as people seemed to think that she was. But either way, she was actually more worried about the fact that he was hurt than herself.

But then she would say nothing more on the matter. Feeling as though to do such would be to pry. No, she would leave the matter as is. To his question she would speak softly, letting out another soft and raspy sigh.

"I...I have been better. My last training session got a bit....intense."

She tried to laugh at that comment, but instead it just made her cough. Gods she needed to get over this and get home. She did not like being here, did not like being helpless and unable to care for herself.

Now she got why the men in her life were so freaking stubborn. But that did not mean she would let up on them when they got hurt. Heh. No she would still be telling them they needed to take it easy. Cause even though she may not be liking it she was indeed, doing as told and not moving too much. Hell, she was here, and that was a big step for her.

Letting her eyes move up to look at him once more she would force a weak smile upon her lips. Drawing in a deep breath as she did such.

"Hopefully, I wont have another training session like that again. Not sure my little body can hold up to it. But thank you so much for asking."

She nodded softly and let her small hand come up to touch lightly upon his own which was still touching her. Only a brief touch before she would drop her hand away and let those icy hues settle upon him once more.

[Adrian Kreever]

(OOC: Sorry for the wait, I haven't been eating/sleeping or really recovering much in this last half week. But I'll get right back on it)

Training session? Looks like we're not the only ones trying to push our limits. Or she's a masochist, or she's got a case of algolagnia, like us. Regardless, your thoughts are required somewhere else. He smiled with a hint of irony, looking her over. She didn't look too well. "Just a little! I've seen people being mauled by bears and taking it better" You're being rude. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to be rude but you look pretty... rough. Can I get you anything? I think I saw a coffee machine down the ha-" A gentle, warm touch on his hand, a strange, warm and fuzzy feeling. It was strange, disarming and most, most unwelcome. His hand was quickly withdrawn, safely away from that... feeling. Tight bonds of control on his demons had all quivered simultaneously. Note to self: Remember to wear gloves in public.

He scratched absentmindedly at his hand, thinking desperately of what to say next. "So, erhh... Come here often?" It was meant to be a joke, but it didn't quite come out the way he had hoped it would. Instead he moved on quickly. "I'll go grab a cup coffee or something. Want anything?" He left to get himself something hot to drink, it always took his mind off things like this. He returned a few minutes later with a cup of hot chocolate and whatever she had asked for, or as close as the machine had allowed him to get it. Positioning a chair in front of Kevala he would sit down and place her drink on within her reach, but make sure that he was out of her's. Part of him wanted to leave, a big part, but he knew he could not afford to leave that sort of impression. It would be too great a crack in the masque. He also knew he needed to be around other people once in a while, and he had to admit that this Kevala, though he had only spoken to her once before, intrigued. "So, errhh... This training session. Where you forced to fend for yourself in the frozen wilderness Spartan style or what?" He asked, taking a sip from his cup. "Or let me guess, you were sent out to take on the Wendigo on its own terms? Baaad for your health that"

[Kevala Badoer]

(ooc: It is okay!! )

She noted the way he pulled away, the emotions coming from him a series of ups and down. A battle raging within himself? She really did not know. Her ability to read others emotions was off since she had gotten sick.

Her hand would withdraw as well, biting her lip as she listened to him. His words coming in a variety of insults then attempts to redeem himself. She could tell he was unsure how to handle this situation and she was sorry she had made it worse on him. She was just a creature that sought to comfort others. Though most of the time nobody wanted her help.

She would wait, and then as he asked if she wanted anything she would shrug softly.

"Coffee is fine thank you."

Another cough as he turned to leave. She half expected him not to come back. It was the feeling she got from him. So when he did return she was surprised. To say the least.

Watching as he sat down she would reach out to take the cup he had brought. Smiling weakly as she nodded in thanks.

Then came the question as she took a drink of the hot liquid. GODS! That was good.

Setting the cup down she would speak weakly in reply.

"I was held captive, beaten, broken and locked away in a small cold cell for days.

All in an attempt to be rid of my other personality which would destroy me if she could."

It was a simple and basic answer which she felt was the best way to describe the event between Sky and herself.

[Adrian Kreever]

She is... aware. It was clear she had noticed his awkwardness, but it wasn't the biggest breach and there was still time to take the edge off it. Adrian listened as she described her ordeal, his brow lifted in acknowledgement. That sounded pretty rough. Multiple personalities? Makes sense really. Whatever. "You're... pretty open about it. That's a good start." He took a sip from his plastic cup, tossing a few ideas over in his head.

Multiple Personality Disorder was a toughie, usually the result of early trauma growing more... rigid over the years. Isn't that nearly always the case regardless? Of course, but MPD is hardly ever found in any other connection. MPD was usually a case of guilt taken to extremes, when one had done something so terrible, or had been told it was so terrible that their minds could not bear the weight of the shame and self-loathing. They instead blamed them on 'someone else', like a boy raised to hate all things violent who projected his violent urges into 'Andy', or a girl raised to loathe all things sensual and created 'Bonnie' as an outlet. You're analyzing again, wake up!

Adrian blinked, his eyes coming into focus. He had lost himself in thought, he always did that when psychological issues came up. He chuckled at the idea of him of himself as a shrink, and that was good. Irony was an important milestone in emotional development. There could still be hope. Allow me to repeat myself, WAKE THE FUCK UP! "I, uhh... No offense, but are you sure you're going at that from the right angle? It sounds more than a little... self-destructive, to me. I don't know much about alternate methods, but that doesn't sound like the... traditional approach." He sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his temple. He was thinking too hard, thinking instead of doing. He should just let the sentence speak itself. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be judgemental. It's just... it's nothing like anything I've heard before, in way of treatment. But I guess what's more important is... Did it work?"

[Kevala Badoer]

She would note the way he seemed to get lost in thought. Her own mind running over the stuff she had said and the other things she had been through that she had not mentioned. Then he spoke and once again her attention was pulled to him.

She nodded. Yes, it was a bit of a strange method. She would not deny that, but Gabriel was very.....persuasive you could say. In other words, there had not been much of a choice in the matter. She had been knocked out, and when she came awake she had already been chained up. Or at least that was what bits and pieces she could gather from the scrambled memories.

"I do not know honestly. I have never had control of when my other side comes out to play. So I suppose I will not know until I cease to have black outs. Even then I will always wonder if she is there. Jut waiting."

She did not see it as selfdestructive. Only because of the fact that Sasha would kill her if she ever got the chance. It was more an act of self preservation.

She did not say this though, merely continued to watch him. His emotions continuing to battle back and forth. Though not as badly as they had in the beginning. Still however, she was keeping track, waiting for make sure that no emotions of anger or rage came forth. In this place one could never be too sure you know?

[Adrian Kreever]

Adrian nodded thoughtfully at her words, it made sense she didn't know, didn't have control, that was the way it usually was. The only 'scientific' cures where long sessions of therapy or being drugged out of your mind for the rest of your life and, Adrian found, neither would work on her. Drugs that rendered you practically comatose were a definite 'no', he'd save that for pranking people, keeping them comatose for long enough that when they woke up, all they knew, job, property, friends and family would be gone, destroyed or dead. The second, well, it could work, in theory, but chances where that at some stage the other personality would surface and, given Kevala's title as pillar, it was unlikely the poor sod of a shrink would survive the session. You know, you're acting like this is actually your problem. Whatever.

He looked at her and noticed the variness in her eyes. Watch it, you're letting the masque slip! His face remained calm, though rater than thoughtful it now appeared more... amused. "What?" He smiled in a disarming way, cocking his head to side slightly. "Do I have something on my face?" It was one of the few things he was good at, pretending he felt things and acting out these pseudo-emotions. He didn't feel much, but the acting put a bottom at the hole in his gut, allowed him to find refuge. From what, exactly, he wasn't sure, but he had felt it's jaws around his neck, smelt its rotten breath and heard its grunts one time too many. He wasn't going to let it have another go. "No seriously, what is it?" He was still smiling, smiling helped, laughter helped even more. He needed both to keep the beast at bay.

[Kevala Badoer]

His actions spoke of one thing, but his true emotions were something completely different. She raised her brow. It was strange. This mixture she felt coming from him. It was unlike anything she had ever felt and well....that was saying something given the fact that she spent most of her time with Gabriel.

"It is nothing."

She would shake her head slightly. She could tell that calling him on the falsehood of his emotions might not be the best thing to do at the moment. No, she would let him carry of his pseudo emotions and pretend to believe him. She really did not want to have to explain that deep down she felt what everyone else felt. Like great waves crashing onto the shore, their emotions rolled over her until sometimes she thought she would lose her mind.

Smiling weakly she would cover her mouth as another cough raked her. Letting herself settle before she would speak once more.

"So how are you liking it here so far? I mean at the school and everything?"

She was trying to make conversation that did not involve anything that would make his emotions go nuts again. She was not sure how long she could handle it without saying anything.

[Adrian Kreever]

She said it was nothing, obviously a lie, there was no such thing as 'nothing', but as curious as Adrian was, he decided to let it lie. He knew, they both knew that pursuing that subject would rip the fine film of calm that lay over the room now, and he wasn't intent on seeing that happen. At least, not yet. You know, I think it's about time you get your God damned priorities straight! You're not like those, you're nothing like them. By all means, continue to fool them, but for fuck's sake, STOP TRYING TO FOOL YOURSE- Adrian reached inward with his mind, grabbed the voice by the short hears and flung it into the void in his gut. He could feel it writhing in the pit of his stomach. Digestion, Adrian knew, wasn't just a physical process, nor merely a way of processing information. It covered... other areas as well. It would give him a little window of peace, with luck a little more. Noisy git...

He realized he had spaced out again, his mind replaying the question for him as his attention returned to the little room in the hospital. "I, uhh... It's alright, I guess. Most everyone here are assholes or trying to be, but what're you gonna do? I guess too many kids these days are raised to load off their shit on those they envy and the different, but hey, that's the American way, right?" He chuckled briefly, a sad pull at the corner of his mouth. It was all too true or, at least, so he believed it to be. "It's hard to make friends here, people are too focused on finding out who's the enemy to worry about things like friendship. They're all much too weak to face the enemy within, too busy drawing his image on everyone else. Oh dear" He put his head in his hands, chuckling heartidly. "Why do I always rant like this when we talk? I'm really sorry, I'll save it for my blog" He laughed shortly, mostly because he had just given up his own private joke. His 'blog' was his journal, he had kept that since before he was seven, in which he recorded all things, in code of course. He thought it imprudent to leave such things in notoriously unreliable technological devices, that could break down or be accessed for a good word. It felt good, he hadn't laughed in a while.

"So, erhh..." He chuckled again, briefly, lifting his hand to wipe away a tear at corner of his eye. "How do you like it here? Being a big bad pillar's gotta have some upside to it, dunnit? I mean, it can't be all bastards trying to kick your head in or the other pillars being snobby pricks. What's the good side of being one of the elite few?"

[Kevala Badoer]

It was surprising to hear him laugh, but it was not unwelcome. It was nice. She was starting to worry the guy had nothing but seriousness in him. A soft, weak smile curled on her lips as she shook her head.

"I do not mind if you rant. It is nice to have a conversation with somebody. Normally people just wish to kick your ass and keep moving. I have to agree, it is hard to make friends here. I am lucky to have made what few I have."

Then as he continued to speak she would shrug softly. Thinking over the whole pillar thing and letting a little sigh pass from her.

"It is not all that great. I did it mostly for the way it will look on my forms for college next year. It does not help that all my friends are against those who hold the titles. Most of them having held the title at one time or another themselves.

As for people wishing to kick my head in. It is sad to say, they do that for other reasons than trying to take my title. So far, nobody has shown any interest in taking it from me.

The only thing I like about it, is that it gives me full access to every area of the school. Full pass you could say."

[Adrian Kreever]

Adrian listened in silence and, for once, without internal commentary. He would have to do that more often. He nodded, what she said was true. It was one of the few things that really, truly gnawed at him, a whole school system teeming with vermin, and yet he risk couldn't touching them, any of them, not again. He couldn't risk the attention.

Apparently, holding the title wasn't all that great, as one might expect considering the obvious complications of carrying around a giant bullseye wherever you went. The extra credit, he could sympathize that. It was hard enough to keep your grades up when most of the subjects where as boring as they were, but when you, like Adrian, spent most of your spare time skulking around in the shadows near the world's lost sheep, waiting for one to wander from the flock, you had to do everything you could to keep up appearances. He had even 'found' a teacher's dog once in order to keep his grades from slipping too badly. Here, such tricks didn't seem to be such a good idea.

"Oh, don't be sad" He patted her gently on her shoulder, grinning mischievously with mock sympathy in his voice. "I'd kick your head in for your title any day of the week." Humor wasn't his strong side, but he made it a point to at least make an effort. He hadn't laughed at much in a while, and when he did, well... He mostly laughed at things rather different from what other people found funny.

He looked around a bit, looking for inspiration for something to say. He found none. "So, erhh... You're sure it's okay I'm here? You don't need to rest or something? I don't want to keep you up or anything" The beast was gnawing. He had silenced its voice, but its voracity was another matter. He had to think of something, unless he wanted to let the mask slip, and that was a choice to make another time. "I, uhh, I'd hate to interrupt your recovery with my endless complaints." It was beginning to hurt, badly.

[Kevala Badoer]

She smiled lightly and would shake her head.

"Well I am sure that you could manage a good and clean victory over me at this moment."

She laughed weakly, feeling that hand on her shoulder though not really reacting to it. She could still feel such strange emotions rolling off of him and was in the process of trying to figure them out.

"No, you are not bothering me. It is nice to not be alone here. I was starting to get a bit depressed sitting here all alone."

She sighed softly, running her tongue over her lips as she fought back another cough. Her small hand reaching down to brush over her leg.

Gods that thing hurt! Gabriel had really done a number on her and though she knew she should hate him, she didnt. UGH!! Seriously. Had he done some soft of mental damage to her while she was there?

She was starting to believe that he had. Why else would she keep letting him get away with such things?

Turning those icy blue eyes toward him, she would offer her best smile and would sigh softly.

"So, have you met anyone of any interest in your time here?"

She was just trying to make conversation, still trying to figure him out.