The Ghoul and The Coward (Nova/Open)

[Arthur Ð]

Arthur would stand in front of the school. It was still dark. The horizon far off to the distance would only just be turning pink. He was unmoving. His eyes unfocused, but pointed in the direction of the road. He had been thinking of how to set up a notification system between himself and a certain someone. He was still unsure of how to enact it but as it stood, a girl of that age surely would inhabit this school...

These bastard halls that turned him into the maggot infested burn freak he was now. He would bare his teeth at the thought, but he had no lips to peel back. And it was because of that, Arthur stood in the chill night air, before this hated place. He had checked the day before, Nova sounded like a unique name afterall. And he was rewarded, there was indeed a Nova in the school. The likihood of that Nova being the Nova he sought, was high.

As the sun rose in the sky, the ghoul stayed still. Waiting for students to start arriving, to try and find Nova in the throng of arrivals. But as he waited, he got a mix of horrified expressions and tough guys making taunting gestures. A few even tried to start a fight but Arthur ignited discharge, making it extremely undesirable to touch him... save for one persons brick. Blood caked over his burns as he waited. Unmoving. Watching. Waiting. The Ghoul had decided, he would not let the Coward become like him.

[Nova Bryant]

It was early, she was tired. The night hadn't been kind to her, tossing and turning... The night was to say rough, the stomping from the people above her, the loud talking and thumping from the people in the apartment beside her... It was unsettling, leaving her with next to no sleep. Not wishing to miss out on school, not wanting for the suspicion of family to be brought forward.. Nova deemed it necessary to go to school... No matter how much didn't wish to go. Sighing a little the dark haired girl closed the door to her apartment, locking it soon after. She'd walk the long tiresome journey to school.

She was sleepy, yawning every now and then, although enjoying the morning to its fullest. Her road was barely taken, many would rather take public transit, walking was so out of date to those too lazy to bother. Pulling her coat close to zip it up, the girl adjusted her scarf before continuing the walk... A disoriented appearance leads to stares from others. She didn't want to be seen...AT ALL!...

But all good mornings meet with disaster....at least for her.

"Hey there cutie...Where are you off too?" A young man spoke in a strange tone, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. Following with a chuckle, it was obvious...

He was trying to pick her up.

Silence.

"Oh come on girly, don't be that way..My friend is only trying to be nice." Another added in.

More silence.

There was feeling of fear that lingered in her, she wanted to run, would they chase her? A trembling lip and eyes that focused on the cement below her feet... Nova didn't wish to get involved with strangers, they were....THEY WERE SCARY!

"Don't be like this!!"

They seemed to be getting mad...

Thankfully, she had just reached the front of the school, nothing more than a path and grass that separated her from the building. Would it be enough? Pushed forward, the girl stumbled a little, but she didn't fall.

"DON'T ACT SO PROUD!"

"Yeah, yer not even that cute...."

Wahhhhh....Why won't they just go away.....

She'd try to walk faster, ignoring them to the best of her abilities, trying to stay calm. She'd stare at nothing but the ground, she knew it well enough to navigate to the building. Well, not before she was pushed to the ground.

Her eyes filled with tears, sitting up, only to be pushed down once again. The cruel laughter of the young men echoed in her mind as they poked fun and laughed at her. It wasn't nice, but it could be worse....right? Perhaps they'd get bored....

[Arthur Ð]

Arthur watched. He waited. He saw her. The coward. There were those harrying her. A guttural growl issued forth from his throat when he saw them push her down. Finally, after standing there for hours, he began to move. One foot, after another. The swarm of flies billowing out from his sleeves. He wasn't going to run. Wasn't his thing. Not anymore. But that didn't stop his assault from begining imeadiately.

The swarm flew out in an angry buzz, thick and black. The first of the young crowd would turn their head, and be met with an undesirable taste in his mouth. He would fall to his knees, hacking and coughing as part of the swarm crawled down his throat. Into the other two, the swarm continued on. Attacking their faces, crawling all over trying to get inside but now that the swarm had been seperated, they weren't as badly effected. Arthur himself would soon reach the group.

Standing over the one on his hands and knees, Arthur would kneel down, having never stopped the flow of discharge, he would drag that one to a standing position. His electrical current obviously causing the guy pain, from the expression of his wide open, insect infested mouth. The other two began to run away, and the flies assailing them returned to Arthur. Flying around him like some sickening halo. And here he stood, the Ghoul, his gaze no longer fixed on the male he was dumping electricity into, that was sputtering as he coughed up flies. No, he was staring down at the girl before him.

"No. Va." That was all he would say as he stared down at her.

[Nova Bryant]

It wasn't happening...IT WASN'T HAPPENING RIGHT?!

Those sorts of things didn't happen in real life, right? Flies crawling all over people, did that really happen? Looking up at Arthur, she watched his actions; they were strange. Something was happening to the one. What was he doing to him? Fearful of what had come to her side, terrified of what could happen if she chose to make him unhappy somehow. Nova looked up in horror at her so called guardian Ghoul.

Sitting on the ground, legs to shaky and at a loss for strength. He spoke her name in his normal and rather odd fashion, looking down at her whilst his victim writhed in pain.. What could be said at a time? What could she do? Fearful... Scared... Longing to run away, so many things she couldn't act on.

"Y....yes?"

Nova was afraid, but there wasn't much she could do. After all, she didn't want to make him unhappy...right? Not wishing to be subjected to the same things as them.

[[OOC: FMM]]

[Arthur Ð]

Arthur released the final student, an evident burn mark surrounding his neck, as the flies began to leave him and return to Arthur. Cutting discharge, he stared in silence at Nova for a moment, the most obvious noise is the hacking and coughing of the victim, as he tried to crawl away. He was completely oblivious to how much he was scaring Nova at that moment.

"I. Have. Come. You. Are. Safe." Arthur would state. A small tone of matter-of-factness slipped into the otherwise halted and rigid way of speaking Arthur used so much. Ignoring the student he almost killed, Arthur would extend a hand to assist Nova in standing up. His swarm still flowed around him, having yet to settle back down on his body whilst the maggots still squirmed their way across Arthurs body, keeping it clear of infection.

[Nova Bryant]

Ghoul had let go of the students, it was obvious the guy was in pain. All because of her, had she just gone home, he would have been safe. Guilt, consumed her as she remained trembling on the ground. Dark green eyes looked down at the ground quickly, trying her best to stabilize her current mind set. Guilt, fear, despair, dread. The creature spoke, always in a strange fashion. A little weird. Regardless, Nova couldn't get it out of her mind. The strange flies and whatever had caused the young man so much pain. Magic of the dead?

The offering of a hand up.

Was he being nice to her? Or was he only baiting her to take his hand, so he could hurt her the same way. For a short period of time, she forgot about his words, the feelings that seemed sincere when he spoke to her. Just for a moment whilst fear won control over her. Bringing her hand up slowly, she hesitated for a moment before accepting his help.

She didn't want to seem rude.

and at the same time, there was something that always lead her to believe he wouldn't harm her. Even with the fact she was a horrible judge of character, Nova couldn't help but trust Ghoul. Not out of fear, but the belief he would not do anything intentionally to hurt her.

"Th-th-th-thanks..Ghoul.."

Wait, did he ever say that was his name?

Tilting her head to the side, the dark haired girl would look at him for a moment. Never thinking of his burns, but feeling guilty she never asked his name. "That is your name, right? Or do you have another?" There was a gentle smile on her face as she spoke to him. No staring, no pointing out his pain. Just knowing there was something there, something that had happened. It was rude to ask, so she didn't. Merely smile and ask his name.

[Arthur Ð]

Arthur stared at the girl, a deathly stare. Whilst he had inadvertantly fashioned himself after one of the undead, and claimed it, it pained him deeply to hear her name him so. But he was what he was. And so after a long silence he finally spoke.

"Ghoul. Is. Fine." Arthur responded, finally letting his hand drop back to his side. Conflict did arise within him though as he spoke. A moments rage at that name, the image flashed in her mind of his mottled hands around her throat. He could almost feel the soft skin against his palm, despite the leather gloves he wore. No... NO! What the hell was he thinking?

Letting out a barking coughing as he shook his head. His hand rose once more, this time making a grab for Novas shoulder, to force her to turn and face the school. If she did so, he would also give her a small push, to get her moving towards it, as he fell in line behind her. Death staring everything around him. Banishing ill-wanted thoughts from his mind.

[Nova Bryant]

"Are you sure? I feel bad calling you such a thing. Don't you have a name?" Nova felt bad for prying and for the name, since it wasn't befitting of anyone. Especially someone kind enough to look out for a waste of space like her. She'd look away from Ghoul for a moment and think on her words and actions. He probably had a reason for calling himself such a thing. "Sorry."

His hand upon her shoulder, forcing her to look forwards and giving her a bit of a push. The girl took that as a signal to start walking, so she did so. Not questioning much, but she felt really bad for her words. For a short period of time, her feel seemed to resolve as she spoke with... Ghoul? It resurfaced once faced with the school and the fact she had t sit through a day of classes still.

Many strangers in a small room of uncomfortable desks, sitting in the middle, completely surrounded for a good hour. It was the same every day, people's movements scared her, she was paranoid. Trying her best to swallow her fear, trying to be brave. Normally leaving before the day was out..... Would it change with her undead hero?

"Do you attend this school? Did you?" Speaking quietly, voice almost lost to the passing cars and the distant chatter of a incoming group of a group of students.

[Arthur Ð]

Arthur ignored her first question, simply following behind the young girl as she walked. His mind still played on but he ignored it as much as he could. Just marching along, his fists clenched as his eyes drifted across the crowds. He wanted to work out some of his infernal thoughts but now was not the time. His teeth ground, obvious iritation before his eyes refocused on the girl at her second question.

"I. Attend. As. Required." Arthur responded despondantly. Though truth be told, he had avoided most of his classes since his accident, focused so intently on his... other plans. "Though. I. Must. Remark. Your. Attending. Here. Is. Most. Unfortunate." Arthur continued, as he stared at her.

[Nova Bryant]

It was weird to talk to someone who stood behind her, the dark haired girl shrugged it off to the best of her abilities. There was part of her that was nervous about not looking back and having a stranger so close... Yet at the same time, another part thought it was best to trust Ghoul. Maybe there was always apart of Nova that would be far too trusting. Especially when so many she places trust into cause trouble late. Regardless, he didn't seem.... too bad! A worried green gaze drifted down towards the ground as the girl held tightly to the strap of her bag. Emotions and thoughts thrown all over the place. Behind her and to those around her.

Fear.

Even with her guardian, there was always something to fear. Nova was left drowning in a sea of terror and worry. Afraid of what people said, their actions, and thoughts. Weakness consumed a girl once so strong minded and willed.

She wished to turn back, if only to question Ghoul. "Why is it unfortunate? I mean...." She'd pause for a moment, thinking about the people. They were kind, or at least the few she had met... They were okay... The odd person was rude.. "It doesn't seem that bad... Then again, I recently transfered here.." Looking down, the girl would turn and continue down the hall on her way to her locker. "But... I guess I couldn't know as much compared to you... Sorry for talking back..."

The entire time she spoke softly, hoping he could hear her. Wishing to never to be consumed by the sounds of the school, yet at the same time... She wished to disappear. The eyes of the others always seemed to find their way to her. For her clothes, her hair, or now the company she kept. After all, maybe could have seen the incident on the front lawn. Shrinking into the darkness, the girl spaced out a little.

Tripping over a stray book, the dark haired girl would fly forward and hit the ground with a thud.

[Arthur Ð]

"I. Spoke. Of. It. Briefly. Before. There. Was. Another. A. Young. Student. Here. He. Was. Killed. For. Lack. Of. Strength. Snivelling. Pitiful. Thing." Arthur responded, and though he made a distinction, he was in truth talking about himself. "You. Are. Much. Like. Him. Perhaps. It. Is. His. Will. That. I. Walk. In. This. Undeathly. State. It. Would. Be. Fairer. To. You. To. Fry. Your. Mind. Sear. Your. Flesh. In. One. Simple. Moment. Your. Life. Could. Be. Free. Of. This. Shameful. State." Arthur spoke, not particularly concentrating on the effects his words might have. He was walking within arms reach of her, he very well could carry out what he spoke about if he chose.

His thoughts mused over it for a moment. Always an option, to free her from this life. His hands were already bloody and would only continue to soak more and more. His right hand rose slightly, in a open grasp. Though it never rose above his waist, combining his words and that small action probably would've been enough to make Nova crumble.

[Nova Bryant]

Scary words, spoke by someone who said to protect her. Turning quickly, the girl would see his slowly raise his hand, although she didn't wait around long enough. There was never space for the feeling of safety... She felt what comfort she had slowly slip away, leaving her at the bottom of the well. Drowning in fear and dread, the tanned girl ran from Arthur, never looking back once as she raced away. Tears welling up in her eyes as she pushed open the front doors, weaving through the people as they rushed the front doors for class.

She had felt safe and within a blink of an eye it was gone again.

At least she knew when she made a mistake, feeling a little bit at ease with the stranger was a bad idea. Perhaps trusting and talking with people was a bad idea... Maybe she was just better off on her own, without anyone. Nothing could stop her, she'd run across the front lawn of the school and slow down. Once there was distance between her and the school, the dark haired girl would start walking. There was no need to run, right? She would be safe.... Right.

..why..

Her hands were shaking and she couldn't stop the tears from streaming down her face. It's not that she was physically harmed.... Nova was weak. She could only hope he didn't know where she lived.

[Arthur Ð]

Arthurs hand dropped as he watched Nova begin to flee. His face was impassive yet his mind was conflicted, one voice shouted to kill her, the other to chase her, and a third yet to leave her be. She was not one of his, there was no need for any such thoughts yet they possessed him still. Arthur looked down at his own body, watching the maggots squirm over him, the dull sensation of flies settling under his sleeves. He was the ghoul, the undead personification of his crimes... But just by being the personification, does not mean one has to be doomed to commit them.

Growling, Arthur gave pursuit after Nova. Shoving people violently out of his way, shouldering people down, even applying a few nasty electric shocks to more troublesome individuals as he tried to catch up to the girl. He had no intention of doing anything other than simply standing in front of her. He would say nothing, he would do nothing, just stand.

[Nova Bryant]

Of course, when you think you are safe, there's no way you are. No matter how much you run away from something, it somehow seems to find you again. Or at least that's how she thought. Nova had prayed for safety, for something to keep her from harms way. Allow her to exist without fear of those around her and the things they could do. Of course, silly wishes can't always come true. Sometimes, no matter how much you want something, you just can't have it. Nova was always falling victim to certain things. Chasing, a person reappearing... It seemed like she was always in fear or trying to wish people away.

Assuming she had escaped him, leaving the creature standing in the hallway, amongst the masses of strangers... Looking down for a moment and then up again would prove her wrong once again. Girls had passed her by, no longer caring about the fact she was crying. Marking her as self-centered. Nova had ignored them after all....

Looking in shock, staring at Ghoul once more.

He was standing in front of her. Merely looking across at her.

She longed for an escape, to be free, to go somewhere far away. She'd never get them. Fate just didn't like her that way, since it would seem she would always be running from something... Even if it was just her own shadow.

"What!? What do you want? Why are you following me?" She spoke quickly, trying to keep herself calm.... It wasn't working. Courage had run away, leaving the girl with a sense of worthlessness.

Legs trembling, tears still streaming down her face, Nova took a step backwards.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Her voice quivered as she chocked back tears, trying to keep herself from crying. She didn't need to cause a scene....any more so. She was weak, there was no doubt about it; she knew it. "What do you want from me?" Spoken softer, Nova had lost what fit of fight she had. Left to dread and fear all that would follow.

[OOC: Sorry D: ]]

[Arthur Ð]

Arthur would not respond right away, he would continue to stare at her. His breath hissing as he exhaled. Truth be told, he was contemplating what she said. What did he want from her? That was something that he hadn't contemplated. Not in its entirety. He said he wanted to stop her from becoming like himself... but... the easiest way to protect her would be to kill her.... The compulsions returning again. His right hand shot to his face, grasping at it as if he was experiencing a severe migraine as he lurched forward. His left hand stretching out, palm up to Nova.

His breath hissed again as he exhaled before he began to speak "No. Va." He staggered forwards, towards the girl. "I. Want. No. Va.!" He didn't know why, he was just compelled. One way or another, he wanted Nova. Dead. Alive. Whole. Broken. Who knew which it was but he wanted her.