Never Fight Fire With Fire. (Arden)

[Lexi Summers]

I glare down at the homework I was trying to do. I had been struggling for hours, and the once comfortable grass of the grounds had started to get very uncomfortable. I groan, after finding it impossible, and grab my wand, setting the piece of homework on fire. I smirk, watching it, getting entranced by the flames. "That's what you get," I mutter darkly, before standing up and walking away, towards a small area of trees. It wouldn't be long until it got dark. So, until then, I would just wait...

[Arden Patricks]

I walk out of the forest and across the grounds as it's starting to get dark, feeling rather tired but content. Who knew that it could be such fun to practice spells on piles of leaves and small animals? I kick absently at a small bit of ash on the ground before realizing what it is and frowning slightly. That's odd. I shrug and keep on walking, since it isn't quite strange enough to hold my attention.

[Lexi Summers]

Hearing someone walking behind me, my head turns around so I'm looking over my shoulder. I speed up slightly, running up to a tree and climbing up it quickly, hoping the girl who was coming didn't notice me. I sit there, waiting for her to walk past.

[Arden Patricks]

Walking through a group of trees, I happen to glance up at the castle... and suddenly the feeling of contentment just dissolves like a sugar sculpture covered by a wave. I have no idea why, but everything inside just goes hollow, all my energy is gone, and I'm on the verge of tears.
What the fuck? I think miserably, sinking down against a tree. I was fine, damn you demons! I glare up at the sky but then just sit, hoping it will pass. Hoping I'm just tired.

[Lexi Summers]

I watch the girl sit below the tree I was in with curiosity. She didn't seem to be feeling that good. So, being the kind and considerate person that I am... yeah right, I swing upside down from the branch I was sitting in, my face now becoming level with hers. "Something the matter?" I ask her, trying to hold on as best as I could.

[Arden Patricks]

I flinch only slightly as a girl swings into my face... the dull state of mind I'm in doesn't allow for strong reactions. Human contact might help, however....
"Not really," I shrug, listless, glancing up at the tree. "Having fun up there?"

[Lexi Summers]

"Not particularly," I sigh, shrugging as best as I could while hanging from a tree. "Having fun down there?"

[Arden Patricks]

"Loads," I say dryly, looking up. "Would you like some?"

[Lexi Summers]

I smirk at her, before swinging back up into the tree and falling gracefully beside her. "So, how's it hanging?"

[Arden Patricks]

I shrug. "That's one of those not-very-answerable questions, you know," I say thoughtfully. "How about you?"

[Lexi Summers]

I shrug. "Can't complain much. Have nothing in life to achieve. Very relaxed. Not that bad."

[Arden Patricks]

I nod. "Good for you then, I guess."

[Lexi Summers]

"So tell me, why so sad?" I ask her.

[Arden Patricks]

I shrug, hesitating a bit, and then shrug again. "A... a friend of mine died not too long ago. And I felt okay for a bit there, but then it just... popped, I guess." I shake my head and snap my fingers to demonstrate. "Not that big a deal," I mutter quietly, knowing that I'm hardly the first to have lost someone around here recently.

[Lexi Summers]

"You're right. It's not a big deal. Hardly a deal at all, if you ask me. What with the war going on!"

[Arden Patricks]

"True enough," I nod, despite the urge to argue. Then I shake my head. "Or, actually.... Isn't it always a big deal? Even if thousands are dying every day, shouldn't it still be a big deal every time someone loses a friend or family member?"