Diseases and Remedies (Alexis, then Open)

[Adrian Hanlon]

"Okay, look, we're going to have to reschedule that meeting, Arthur," the regal-looking blond said into his cell phone as he stood on the far end of the PHS 259 courtyard. "That's right, tell the WisCorp guys we'll get in touch with them on Friday." The man paused to listen to the voice on the other end, and nodded, even though he was well aware that Arthur couldn't see it. "The reason?" He asked in affirmation, and before he would answer, he cracked a wry little grin. "Go ahead and tell 'em it's because I'm going back to high school."

With that, he hung up his cell phone and just stood there a moment, gazing at the courtyard he never thought he would return to. Nothing seemed change, everything seemed to be more or less where he had left it. Perhaps, he mused, the supposed earthquakes that made the school unsafe were greatly exaggerated. Something about that niggled at his mind, as he began to feel like there was, in all likelihood, a reason for the earthquakes rumors, followed so closely by a personal invitation to PHS 42. As it stood, though, it no longer mattered. PHS 42 and all its trappings were a thing of the past. Ironic, then, that the place he had previously considered a 'thing of the past' had once again become a piece of his present.

Adrian Hanlon wouldn't be able to muse much further on the matter, as it appeared the welcoming committee was arriving. A rough and tumble looking guy, most likely a member of the football team, came stomping up with an unimpressed look on his face. Adrian, in all his practice, mirrored the look, and in many ways, surpassed it. The football jock's face held a look of disregard, that Adrian's fancy clothes and featured labeled him as some kind of 'fairy' or what-not; whereas Adrian's visual impression of the football player was that he was a football player, but even for exactly who he was, Adrian knew he was made of better stuff.

"Hey, buddy," the jock said with a sneer. "Welcome to two-five-nine," he said, and cocked back a fist. "This is just what comes to any newcomers, 'specially when they look like they need a smirk wiped off their face."

Even while the boy prepared to attack, Adrian just smiled nonchalantly, and tugged at the collar of the green leather jacket, years old and still only barely showing any signs of wear. "Alright," Adrian, said with a shrug. "Suit yourself."

The jock looked on, confused, but decided not to look the gift horse in the mouth and threw a heavy right fist to Adrian's cheek. Instead of Adrian's face moving, the boy's fist caved, and he pulled his hand back and shook it in an attempt to shake the pain out. "Oh what the fuck, man?! What are you made of?!"

Adrian just shook his head and walked past the pained footballer. "Stronger stuff than I'm afraid you'll ever achieve, my friend," he said with a grin, thereafter ignoring the athlete. This wasn't his first day at 259, after all, and he did know how it worked. The only difference was, when he DID step foot on the school grounds his first day, he was treated to a REAL fight. This time, he'd be bringing the fight TO the school, insted.

As Adrian walked, his eyes darted about at all the people milling around before school started. As he did, he wondered who all had found themselves back here. It was, to his understanding, a strange occurrence that seemed to bring the same people to the same places time and time again, and to that end, he wouldn't be surprised at all to see any old acquaintances.

Of course, he never expected the first one he would meet would be her.

He approached the dark-haired girl with a smirk, his straight-forward gait making it quite obvious he was moving towards her specifically. Certainly, his appearance had changed slightly from the previous year, but his facial features were essentially the same, his hair was simply a bit longer. When he spoke, however, if she recognized the voice, she'd remember their chance meeting in English class in what almost felt like a past life.

"Hey, I never got those cookies," he said with a smirk, regarding Ms. Alexis Green with observant eyes as he did. She was no less attractive physically than she had been before; however, whether she was just as bitchy was yet to be seen.

[Alexis Seran]

(OOC: I'mma say this is after "Well, do you?" thread)

Alexis leaned against the school wall. Gabriel was graduated and so she never really had any friends in school. All she could do was watch people walk by. She had a Prime Time between her lips, rare for her to smoke anything that wasn't funny... but she needed a reason to be standing outside. Some people sent side glances towards her and some just plainly ignored her. Though Alexis' sight was on the jock that was approaching someone. Knowing the school she could only assume the guy just wanted to get into a fight. Men here had nothing but pride and it was kind of annoying. Apparently they need to knock each others teeth out to be sexy.

They were from a distance and as she dropped the butt to the ground, she watched as the one male drew his arm back.

Predictable.

Now all she could do was wait for the guy to either dodge it or get hit in the face and think of some other way to tackle the goon to the ground. Instead, she guy was punched and the puncher was harmed. Alexis' brow cocked as she heard the guy scream from the pain. The blond then started walking towards the school and she studied his features as he came closer and closer. No doubt he looked familiar. Though at the same time he didn't... then he was walking right for her. Okay, so he obviously knew her if he was walking to her.

I didn't sleep with him...
I wouldn't dare try and push him down stairs...
Did he deliver me pizza once?

When he approached, she still couldn't get who he was. She wouldn't feel bad if she didn't remember him, but still, it sucks.

"Hey, I never got those cookies,"

Someone that I conned?

His voice played in her head and her eyes squinted up at him, trying to remember. The voice was bloody familiar.

"Cranky! You're that guy that knew what a clique was in English!?" she hoped it was him. It would be awkward saying that to a random, yet again it wasn't much different then him asking her about receiving cookies. "You don't need any cookies." she looked down at is stomach jokingly. He was pretty fit, so it was obvious she was just poking fun. "That and it has been awhile, I'm sure you learned a lot more since I saw you last, so giving you a cookie for explaining what a clique was would be an underachievement." the last little bit was said with a cold tone. Though it was all in good humor...for her any way. Yet again humor to her was being mean to others."What are you doing here? Don't tell me you traveled here just for cookies.. that would be pathetic..."

[Adrian Hanlon]

Much to Adrian's concealed delight, the girl recognized him from that sole English class of some time ago. She tried to tell him that he didn't need cookies, and then that he should have earned more than just a cookie for what he had undoubtedly also learned in that time. Of course, Adrian saw through these words for what the girl was trying to say.

"Hey, don't weasel out on me, now, you're the one who offered cookies! Also, if I recall correctly, I think it was Matrim who knew what a clique was... I was just giving you a headache." Adrian grinned a lopsided smirk as she asked him what it was he had come here for, and that she hoped it wasn't for cookies. On hearing that, Adrian recoiled a little, looking like he was hurt by her statement.

"What? Maybe I really like cookies!" he protested, pulling again at the collar of his green leather jacket. These days, he attempted to dress accordingly to the coat, wearing a darker shade of green button-down shirt and a pair of black slacks and black loafers to school today.

"Nah, truth told, I took a bit of time off school to, well... make some money," Adrian decided on, after a short pause. As much as he enjoyed being fabulously wealthy again, he'd learned from his previous mistakes, and now no longer flaunted it quite as incessantly as he once did. "It was time to go back and get my diploma, I figured. Couldn't hurt in the long run, eh?"

Adrian shrugged, and absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair. He regarded the girl with discerning eyes as he did so. So far, she hadn't really had that same bitchy edge she'd had in English. Maybe she had just been in a bad mood during that time, or maybe she had just gone past that 'bitchy' stage. Either way, she was still gorgeous, and Adrian wasn't exactly opposed to her attitude, anyway.

After all, he always did like them feisty.

"My name's Adrian, by the way," he said, extending a hand for a casual shake. "We never got past snide remarks to introductions back in English class... you were too hung up on that little Asian dude, if I recall. You guys still together?"

[Alexis Seran]

Her brows perked to his joke about the cookies and then was kind enough to listen to his reasons of being here. Well... kind enough didn't suit the situation, after all she asked him the question.

"It doesn't hurt, but who knows..education is overrated," she was joking, but her tone sounded as if she were dead serious. He then introduced himself and she nodded, though a little sting hit her heart when he brought up Li. There was that deep feeling she will always have for him, and they were engaged for a small time... but he left her when she was depressed over her sister's death.

"No... I haven't seem him for quite some time now. I don't even know where he is." her voice was sightly snappy, but she couldn't blame him. After all, he had no clue of the situations she was going through.

"And my name is Heather. And...If I remember... you were way too hung up on that stick that was lodged up your ass. See the stick Frequently?" she looked around and everyone else was gone. Did she miss the bell?

"Well, I'm done learning for the day." even though she hadn't gone to class... "Wanna ditch, mate?"

(ooc:HI!! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THE MOON LOVES THE STARS, RYAN!
I had to because of this:
Tex - "THE BONE WOLF AWWOOOOOO!!!!" says:
Say hi and tell me how much you love me)

[Adrian Hanlon]

When 'Heather' spoke about the Asian dude, Adrian bit his lip and lowered his gaze a bit. She snapped at him, and that clearly meant something wasn't just peaches and cream, and that there was a reason she hadn't spoken to him in a long time. "...sorry," he said, a little more quietly than usual. He wasn't traveling back in time to when he was an arrogant prick who couldn't apologize when he was wrong; Adrian simply felt bad for rubbing salt in old wounds.

When she introduced herself, Adrian's brow furrowed a bit at the name. Now, he couldn't be sure, and damned if we has gonna be ballsy enough to call her on it, but he didn't remember a 'Heather' being called during roll of the English class they shared together, ever. Oh well, he thought, that was a long time ago, there's no reason she'd lie to him, was there?

Brushing the notion aside, he laughed at the mention of the stick. "Oh that thing?" he said with a smile. "I pulled it out and used to beat back some deep-seated narcissism. You'd be amazed the kind of crap you can manage when you stop talking about how awesome you are and start showing it," he finished with a little wink. After that, she mentioned skipping, and Adrian paused, taking a look at the school before him. True, the biggest reason he came back was to investigate the talk of 'Dragons' in the school, but he could have done that without re-enrolling himself. He hadn't lied to the girl moments before, he actually did plan on graduating and getting his degree, but... one day couldn't hurt, could it?

"Sounds like a plan. Wanna go grab a donut? C'mon, I'll drive." he'd say, turning around crossing the courtyard again to head back to his car. After a few steps, he'd look over his shoulder to see if Heather decided to follow or not.

[Alexis Seran]

Alexis listened with amusement about the ass stick. "You took it out? Oh well, I thought you liked having stuff up your ass. Guess I was mistaken.." her eyes glanced up and down in a teasing manner as she bit her lip. "Not that I'm complaining."

He would then offer to drive for donuts and she would comply with no argument. She was single. She was Alexis. Nuff said?

They got to the parking lot and Lexi paused, due to the fact she didn't know what car he drove.

"Which can is yours?" she smiled up at him.

[Adrian Hanlon]

Adrian just shrugged at her comment, a little smirk cropping up the edges of his lips as he blew off the thought of liking the stick up his ass. "Let me just put it this way, Heather," he said, looking back over his shoulder at her, "it's been a long time since we last saw each other."

He had no intention of boring her with his sob story, his fall from grace, his rise to power, because none of it really mattered in the situation. Currently, he was skipping school to take a cute girl out for donuts. He'd long since learned when it was time to talk about oneself, and when not to.

"It's that one," he'd reply to her with a point, his finger aiming towards the 2010 Chevy Camaro in red. It might not have been as prestigious or as fast as the inordinately expensive car he once drove, but, far more importantly, he liked this one for more than simply its price tag. A true gentlemen, he opened the passenger door for 'Heather', after unlocking it electronically via the key fob in his pocket. He smiled at her as she got in the car, and quickly walked around to his side and got in, belting himself up and starting the ignition. Some classic rock started playing over the radio, and his hand went to the dial to lower the volume as he looked over to the girl. "So, uh... you know any good donut places around here? I haven't been in Long Beach in... heh, a couple years, actually." He admitted with a sheepish grin. If not, then it wasn't a problem. He had the GPS, after all.

[Alexis Seran]

Her emerald eyes glanced to where his finger had been pointed. So, his can wasn't so much of a can now was it? It was nicer than her car and she was able to get what ever car she wanted. Yay being a criminal right? They approached the car and she watched as the headlights flashed when he had unlocked the door. Speaking of door, Adrian opened it up for her like a true gentle men. She truly wasn't expecting it due to the fact he was a little arrogant back at 42... yet again she was as well... things tend to change through time.

She hopped in the car and her green hughes followed Adrian who quickly trotted to his side of the car. Before they went off, she would have asked her where a good donut place was. The answer was simple Tim HortonsDunkin' Donuts! "Yeah..." she reached for the GPS, programing the address in it without saying where they were going, though the mechanical voice sure did.

"Dunk-in'- Do-nuts" in its stupid robotic voice!

Once Adrian heard the destination, he took off. Alexis' eyes watched all the passing vehicles and trees as they made their way to the donut place. "Any particular reason why you wanted to get donuts? Some fetish you have with donuts?" her smile she had on when her attention switched over to him from the window was suggestive. She was talking about the hole.. but that was because she was perverted and anything that came out of her mouth tended to be a sexual innuendo.

They got to their destination and then found a parking spot. Alexis got out of the car before he could pull Mr.Knight-in-shining-Armour again. "And we are here! I hate fucking donuts they taste like shit...I might want a Boston Cream... sounds good right about now." Yeah she was trying to be a brat.

[Adrian Hanlon]

She programmed in a nearby Dunkin', and Adrian nodded silently, pleased with the destination, and pulled out of the parking lot. On the way, she bugged him about donuts, and Adrian turned to look at her, shaking his head a bit, his face incredulous. "...what?" he asked, not sure what she was trying to get at. "Yeah, I love stickin' it in their holes. Give me cream filled, baby," he monotoned sarcastically, grinning at her afterward. "Pfft, you wish," he said, raising his eyebrows at her before returning his eyes to the road.

They drove for only a short while longer before he found the Dunkin' Donuts, and pulled into the parking lot. Almost as soon as he had put the thing in 'park', 'Heather' hopped out of the car, causing Adrian to look over at the space where she'd been sitting quizzically. She was, definitely, a strange person. With a little less haste, Adrian unbuckled his safety belt and exited the car before locking it with his fob, just in time to hear the girl bitching about donuts.

"Oh shut up," he said playfully, walking up to the door. "We're here to get donuts, so you can get a freakin' donut, Heather," he opened the door, and, despite her silent protests he didn't notice earlier, held it open for her. "Besides, the fuck is Boston Cream? That sounds like some dirty sex move," he said, matching her pervertedness from earlier.

[Alexis Seran]

She laughed when he told her to shut up as they approached the shop. He opened the door and casually she walked in before he entered. Then he had to question what a Boston Cream was.

"Close... It is a cream filled donut..." she turned to him, giving him a wink. She was referring to his last statement, but at the same time... that was what a Boston Cream donut was. When they approached the till Lexi smiled at the familiar clerk. It was a female and she usually worked here when Alexis stopped by for some coffee or something. Just so happened this girl had a crush on Alexis. Flamin' dyke.

And of course Alexis always played along with that.

"Hey, babe." the girl smiled when she had seen who it was. "It is my birthday in a few days, sweetheart...I was wondering if I can get a few donuts to substitute a cake... Would have settled for Dairy Queen.. but I would rather come here..." she reached over the til and brushed a stray hair that had been sticking out from the girl's visor. She blushed and nodded.

"I can give them to you on the house... well... as a birthday present."

Alexis smiled... just what she wanted. "Aw thank you, babe.. you're such a doll!" Alexis would wait and look over at Adrian as the girl grabbed Alexis' usual picks. "Tell Erin what you want... she can't read minds..."

[Adrian Hanlon]

At her mention of what a Boston Cream was, Adrian couldn't help it, and he laughed out loud. Considering the prior conversation, it was just too good. They walked up to the counter, and Heather took the lead, speaking to the girl behind the register and, as Adrian's trained eye noticed, worked her over pretty well. The smile on the part of the cashier, the touching, the word usage... Adrian was beginning to think he'd need to keep a hand on his wallet when hanging out with this one, yes, but, otherwise, he was very impressed. Heather had just scored them some free donuts.

When he walked up, Erin was ready to get the donuts for him, but clearly wasn't too happy with it. Of course, Adrian was no slouch in the quick-talking department, and shook his head before she could say anything. "I'm her cousin, just flew in from New York, can you believe they only have Krispy Kreme there? Fuckin' disgusting, the first thing I ask anyone when I travel is to take me to Dunkin's," he said with a shrug. Erin lightened up considerably, thanks to Adrian's two-part comment, he didn't know if she was just relieved that he wasn't dating or trying to hook up with Heather, or if she just really liked her job. Either way, crises averted as he ordered a couple chocolate glazed donuts and a Bavarian Creme, as well as a small coffee. Erin fetched his donuts and he thanked her graciously, slipping her a 20 to keep as a 'tip'. As Adrian and Heather were about to sit down to eat, however, Erin spoke up from behind the counter.

"Hey Lexi," she asked, causing Adrian's eyebrow to arch up suspiciously, as the girl was speaking directly to the girl who'd introduced herself as Heather. "Did you want any napkins, babe?"

Adrian pursed his lips for a second before smirking. He was facing away from Erin at the time, so the cashier wouldn't see the incredulous smirk Adrian had on his face as he regarded 'Heather'.

[Alexis Seran]

She started walking towards a table when she heard her nickname being called out. She paused, pursing her lips in a half smile. She spun around on her heels and cocked an eyebrow. Adrian had a similar expression on and Alexis smiled, showing off her pearly whites as her tongue nervous flicked out and glided across her tenth's surface.

"Busted...?"

She giggled slightly. She turned back to Erin and grabbed some napkins, giving the girl a final wink before returning to finding a seat. As she sat down her stared at the table. She could have gone through her whole life with him thinking she was "Heather".. but of course it was bound to bite her in the ass. "G'day... My name is Alexis Green... Nice to meet yeah..?"

Hopefully that would break the ice and help him forgive her for lying to him. She took a bite of her Boston Cream, licking her lips from the cream and chocolate that dripped from the delicious treat.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut coffee COFFEE doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut coffee COFFEE CHEESE, CREAM CHEESE, oooo a bagel with creaam cheeese.....

Matrim's mind was definitely not a complex piece of work. He was hungry for doughnuts, and he had the badger song stuck in his head. So naturally... he replaced the lyrics with what was available to his simple mind as he stood in line looking up at the menu. And then he saw in the corner of his eye someone he thought he'd never see again.

No way.....

Matrim left the line spot he was in to approach the place Alexis had found for them to sit, "Adrian," He said, "Long time no see, last time I saw you, you were Kate's arm candy....." He looked over at Alexis and made a sound that suggested he had looked at a very painful injury taking place, "Ouch..."

Definitely a step down Hanlon..... even I was a better choice...

Immediately remembering that day he quickly repressed the memory of the day everyone ran around 42 naked.

Matrim pulled a chair, sitting in it backwards as he looked over to Adrian, "So what brings you back huh?"

Former reaper, entrusted with the ED coat, definitely Dragon material. So why is his homecoming not as big as it should be....