Morning Afters;There's no pill for this (Cameron)

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Waking up, the morning after the poker game gave leyshell a panic attack. She remembered everything from that vividly, she hadnt gotten to drunk, just enough mixed with the comfort she felt that she spilled her heart. What was left of it anyay, just the thought of that threatend to tip her over the edge, so she had to get away. Shr had never used her gift to change her body that much but a quick levitation chamr on Camerons arm and shrinking her assets just a bit and she slipped from his grasp and got her stuff. If he was awake, he didnt acknowledge her leaving, which was for the best really. It was then that it started, she was going to ignore him at all cost, at least untill she was sure she could keep herself under control.

It was hard to do, she stayed in her dorm, talked to her dormmates and even gossiped about boys, throwning herself into this role of friendliness. It gave her someone to constantly talk to, wheb she left the common room she was always leaving with someone same for walking in. It didnt matter if it was a boy or girl, she made effort to talk to at least every person in her house, a of them except for one Cameron Clarke.

Class was another story, he sat next to her and she was sure it was in purpose but she ignored him. Not like it took much, she was serious about her school work, it was a vaild excuse, but even she wasn't a ravenclaw. It went on like that for a school week, and she could feel the rising tension between them. It was her fault really, she shouldn't hae gotten drunk. Though if she was honest she could just be honest with him and admit that she's scared, no codes or flirting but she cant let her defenses down easily.

The fifth night, her dormmates are having a sleeping over in the common room and she doesn't feel like going. To be honest, she thrived off attention generally from the male populations but she felt guilty about flirting. Not to mention rumors of whatever was goinf on betweeb Cameron and her. She figured she just turn in for the night, though she wasn't all that tired she didnt sleep much anyways.

She felt added weight on the bed and her hand immediately went to the dagger under her pilow, intill a familiar scent filled her nose. Spending time with cats really got to her. "Its the boy, the on you kiss Zar hissed at her from his spot near the wall, gee thanks in her own hiss, though both were cat like and not snake like. She turned around and to see a very...determined Cameron sitting on her bed.

@shava4

[Deleted]

Cameron had become mystified at first and then progressively more irritated at what he saw as a immature and childish trick to try and close him out. As if either of them could avoid what was coming! They had to learn how to deal with this first off, not wait till later. And he had felt like he was finally making progress with her, getting inside her defenses enough to make her open up some and she then pulls this stupid avoidance trick! Well there was a way to deal with that.

Of course her trying to avoid him had merely underlined it for everyone else and at least four people in one day had asked him what was going on between the two. He had said nothing, though at least one had seen the ring and made a comment about it. Damn it Leyshell! So that night when he saw the party forming, he had taken the time to plant himself as far across the room near the girl's hall as possible. When he didn't see her come in, he knew it was his chance and turning into a squirrel behind a curtain, he had managed the hall of the girl's dorm without any visible signs of reaction.

Scaling the wall above the fantastic windows looking into the depths, Cameron had made his way seeking out her scent. In the weeks since he had discovered his new form he had become quite adept at climbing, but flying was proving more challenging then he would have guessed. However the scent of the creatures was bloody amazing and having been asleep with her, he knew her scent very well. Finding her room, therefore, was not a challenge. Leaping from the top of the wall he managed to smack into the opposite wall, slide down and manage a grasp on the stone next to her door and transform as he dropped in through the doorway, landing softly.

Feeling very good about his skills he had then walked towards her bed and slipped into the curtains, sitting beside her and waiting till she woke up more. As she did and hissed at the cat, he remembered she could speak to them and grimaced. Having left the squirrel form in the hall, he hoped that part went unnoticed by the feline at least. "This is your own fault, Leyshell. If you would deal with me like a human being and as someone who needs to work out things between us, then I wouldn't have to use tricks to get you alone."

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell rolled her eyes as she stretched, of course he would do something like this "How did you even get it" She was shre the steps were charmed against such things, as was her door. Sighing she looked at Zar who was staring at Cameron with curiosity "Cam, Zar...Zar, Cam" She said with a sleepy yawn, fully intending to go back to sleep, even though she knew he wouldn't leave. Hopefully he would just say what he wanted to say and leave, it would make this whole sitution better.

"Im not sure if you're telling me to be human being or scolding me for not treating you like one" She couldn't possibly be sure, okay well she could but she was stalling. Logically the only thing he coukd want to talk about was that night err moment where she slippes up. "Anyways, I hardly see how trying to be friendly and branching out warrants this visit," She refused to o acknowledge the fact she was avoiding him, not unless he brought it up, perhaps she could've just avoided the subject. She hadnt thought avoiding him would make that much of a scene. If only she knew how wrong she was.

Using her wand to cast a simple tempus spell, she found was time it was, hmm almost midnight not so bad as far as sleep went. She was a bit unnerved by the quietness, she could feel the tension. Why did her ignoring him bother him so much, techincally he should be happy he could do whatever he wanted, untill the wedding. Technically they didnt need to be happily married or whatever. She was to far in denial and in her own twisted self-preservation instincts to know exactly what his problem is. Did she even know why she was going through hoops to avoid him

"Maybe you should just tell me what you want, so i can back to sleep."

@shava4

[Deleted]

Shaking his head he said softly "Never you mind, I have my ways. I can be a very useful thief, let's just leave it at that for now."His bare feet stretched as he wiggled his toes, enjoying the freedom of movement in the dorms; he had always preferred bare feet. Nodding at the cat he spoke to Zar directly. "Hello, Zar, you've met my Duncan I suspect. I would imagine your fur is much easier to deal with then his." That reminded him to brush Duncan when he got back. Siberians were some of the smartest cats in the world, but their fur needed daily brushing practically.

"I think you know which way, Leyshell. And seriously, if we're going to get any advantage over our parents we have to work together. Heck, if we seek to find a way to make this work at all we need to keep in mind that we each need the other to not make things worse. I'm trying to meet you halfway in this, but if yu avoid me all the time how can that possibly help? Besides, you've now cost us the event of surprise with this behavior it seems..."

He continued without pause, disapproval in his vice over what had happened, not at her specifically. He'd never cared much for gossipers. "In the last week since you've been dodging me, I've had four people come to ask me what's up between us and one of them had already noticed we have the same ring on. Not to mention she had noticed which finger." He said a mumbled curse in Arabic at the girl's eyes and then continued. "I am fairly sure she told a few people as soon as I denied there was anything going on so by now it will be halfway around the dorm about the rings. Expect people to start bugging you for details."

They had agreed neither one of them wanted those sort of details out and known; oh well.

"What I want is to work out where we both stand in this. I'm tired of playing footsie with the subject when everyone is going to be watching us for clues now. So I'll be up front for once which is not something I'm happy about I assure you. What you said the other night goes for both of us. I do think you are smart, independent, and strong willed, something I personally like in a woman, but more so in a partner. There are enough vapid and addled brained women around the school as it is. I am glad to know you are not one of them. " That was nothing but the truth, no matter how she might take it.

"You're also not one of my 'projects,' Leyshell, this is for the big time. While I might love the idea of bedding with you, you aren't the type I try to mess around with in the head so much. I want to make this work since we're stuck with the situation. We each have skills I bet the other would find useful. Why can't we work together on some things, see how that goes?" A mix of truth and lies, but all with a ring of the same point. This playing around was ridiculous and was going to make things harder for them later on.

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell was completely and utterly chastened. She felt like a four year old that stole cookies out the cookie jar, though she couldn't find it her to be embarrassed. Perhaps it's was because even if she was wrong, she would never admit it. Heck, she was certain that at least some of it was his fault, its not like he didn't play mind games, she didn't want to be one of those mind games.

Still has the conversation went on she couldn't help but feel like she eight years old listening to her mother tell her a the things that was wrong her. Sighing she draped her arm over her face hiding in her elbow. They were going to get no where fast, there was no way around this. It had been her way or the highway for so long she didn't know how to compromise. There was never any compromising in her parent's marrriage, either her dad one or her mom did and it was almost always her dad winning. She felt bad becaue she was punishing the general male population for her dad's mistakes. She didnt think she would ever stop, she didn't think there were any exceptions to the rule.

"I like you, im not going to lie and it has nothing to do with looks, or nice words because I have both. I like your drive for power and control becaue it matches my own, but that doesn't mean I trust you. It was easier to flirt and tease because I knew that id have to sleep with you on our wedding night, there was no choice. Im okay with that."

She didnt care if he had some thing else to she had listened and if he stopped her now they'd never get anywhere. Ever, because she wouldn't repeat herself, not ever.

"I told you my biggest fear was being like my mother, she's strong independent and deadly, but subservient to my dad because she loves him. I don't know how much of what you said is true or lies and im pretty sure its a mixture. I don't know how to compromise...its not im personal dictionary...I have a manor for merlin's sake I didnt get it by compromising. Maybe some part if me is hoping that you're being completely honest but I kniw you're not, At the same time your a weakness, a liabilty, and im scared to have anything but a professional relationships with you"

She closed her eyes and turned tiwards the wall, not wanting to face him anymore. She pretended it was because she wanted to give Zar attention...she had been neglecting him for awhile, she made a note to take him to a pet parlor, get him pampered.

@shava4

[Deleted]

As she listened, he saw in her body language that at least something he had said had gotten through to her. Finally. As she spoke he found himself nodding and stopped it; he didn't want to seem that into the conversation. "There are different levels of trust, Leyshell, not all of them are all or nothing. I don't mind starting out with something low level, like, something that gives us both some advantages till we feel out how much we can get away with later from each other. From what you say you already sound smarter then your own mother so I don't think you have to worry much about being that type."

He frowned slightly in the dim light.

"Let me address the sex part. Look, I am good. That's not me needing to be humble, I know it's a fact. And yeah, there is emotion in it and some trust as well, but there is no reason that a person you can feel fine sleeping with is needing trust from you on everything else too. For instance, I'm not a fighter and I avoid it on purpose. I don't want people in a closely confined school to know what I can do till they try tackling me somewhere out side of here with no witnesses." There was a level of trust to it, but it wasn't till marriage you were putting everything on the line really.

And wasn't that really the key? Putting it on the line?

"But I also know that when you get in deep with someone like that, you are making an exchange. Yeah you might see me as a weakness, but you will also know I'm at your back and to some degree you can lean on that, depend on me to be there in the right situations. If you decide to be a partner, you back each other up. Yes, that can mean a weakness, but it also means a different sort of strength." He shook his head at her a moment before he sighed. She needed something more then that really didn't she?

"Leyshell, listen to me. Meet my eyes here." He waited till she did before he continued, still not having made a move to touch her. "I'm a manipulator, I admit that. I'm also a lover and yes, I've used that on people like a weapon. That takes a lot of knowledge to even understand, much less use. There is no advantage for me in using that on you. If I weaken you, I weaken a partner who I will have. I want a strong partner, one who is going to support me as I will support them, us against everyone else sort of. A betrayal of that partnership brings us both down. Maybe your father is a dumbass for not seeing it or maybe he really just doesn't care who knows."

He leaned closer and in a rather intense voice he added "I do care though. I want others to fight for me, sure, I don't mind being in the background, working the sources, finding out the secrets and giving them to the one who makes the big plays. I can be your support team, the one you know can not hurt you without hurting themselves." Sitting back he put his hands behind him so he leaned back slightly, one leg up one flat down. "At least we know in advance we are going to be a team. We can plan this, use it, find the advantages we want and make them ours. What more do you need? You want the ring? You want to hear me ask it on my knee? I can get it and be back over here in five minutes. How's that?"

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell frowned, and sighed and cursed herself in her head. This was the big step, what was she gonna do. She knew she was stopping this thing from working, her and her anger, beliefs and general stubbornness. She didn't even need to see the look from Zar or the nudge he'd given her, when Cameron asked her to meet his eyes. Karma was really getting her, hard here, she was starting to second guess what she wanted.

"Im not making any promises, but ill try to trust you not in the whole mushy love sense just enough to know that you wont beytray my trust because I can and will hurt you if you do."

Maybe theh could've went that route before trust/threats worked sometimes. He better not look a gift horse in the mouth because she was compromising, but felt like she was losing.

"Ive ways equated, sex with love Cameron, or strong feelings, its not that I need to trust you to sleep with you love you or anything. Im just not sure I can handle the attachment or you can handle how that would make me feel, I told you I have jealously issues."

Sighing she turned to face him, he made sense that wasnt good sign, when the "enemy" made sense it was time to wave the white flag and surrender.

"Partners I can do that, I can trust that you wont betray me because it would put you in danger, I can trust your survival instincts, just dont ask me to trust your emotions or words. I can't do that."

She sighed and her eyes went wide, he was bluffing...he had to be, he did know the whole school would know right? Its kind of hard promise rings were different from engagement rings, there was hiding it. Not to mention it would lessen their parents suspicion that they were up to something. "Okay, if you're serious then do it and if you do it and your serious you can have the one thing you've been trying to get from me since that night in your bedroom."

There she compromised, she didn't think he would do it. He was probably testing her, but she needed to know he was serious about this. Some part of her was hoping He'd laugh and say he was joking but he heart was tightening at the thought....maybe he would do it. She wasn't looking for Romance leyshell had enough of guys trying to romance her and she realized in that moment all she wanted from Cameron was straight forward honesty. To know where he stood, if he could give in this once to what she wanted, they could work.

@shava4

[Deleted]

Waving dismissively of the point he seemed to say that wasn't the most important thing they could discuss. "I know we can both hurt each other. I already told you I'm not a fighter, but I've been spending six years not practicing like you and researching much darker magics then the general student could have. So yeah, I know. That's kinda the part where trust comes in, you know? Both of us get screwed if the other hurts the other." As her comment came in and he shook his head again, relaxing more; if that was the worst of her worries...

"Look, Leyshell. I already said that when we started this for real, you wouldn't need to trust in any charm from the contract. I have been prepared to commit for it more then half my life, right? There shouldn't be any jealousy because I've just wrapped up the last of those projects of mine. With that being said if you see me working on someone my age I would expect you to take me aside later and ask me what the plan is I'm running, not breaking in that second and screwing up something which is probably for your benefit eventually. Just like I won't be interrupting anything you do. You'd feel the reaction of the spell otherwise, remember? And me yelling in pain for no reason is a great excuse for showing a victim I'm under control..."

He smirked, knowing that trick was going to be a favorite of his to catch people off guard and trick their minds.

Relief, she was going to go for it, he had picked the right combination with her finally! "Sure thing, be back in five unless I have to dodge someone on the stairs, might take a few minutes longer. I'm hoping the party holds out longer." Sliding his legs off the bed he landed quietly and lightly on the floor and slipped past the curtain. He slipped out the door standing on his tiptoes and closing it behind him so they wouldn't see the transformation. It took nearly eight minutes before he returned with a black velvet box in his hand. Padding across to the bed he slipped back in through the curtain, noticed her face and chuckled.

"Thought I was pulling your leg didn't you?" He held out the box and opened it, showing her a single ring without the other band which was back in his trunk sealed away carefully in a hiding spot. "I picked that out especially and prevented my parents from touching it so they couldn't pull anything. I hope it will do?"

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell nodded, there wasn't much to do, they had reached an agreement and she was going to try and be more reasonable. She raised an eyebrow when he said he needed to get the ring, and she nodded. "Just know, it'll have to be during christmas break, im so not in the room of requirements or dorms, thats just unclassy." She said not beint descriptive as to what she was talking about. Though she did make it clear that she assumed he wanted to bed her since that moment in his room. It was chance to correct her assumption or agree. It wasn't completely unreasonable to want to be somewhere more private was it? She didn't need rose petals and love confessions.

After a few minutes passed,he came back with a box and she froze. He couldn't be serious...but he was. The small velvet box held what she belived to be a ring, though she didnt have xray vision, she hoped it was a pretty ring. Not that Cameron didn't have good taste it was just, an engagement ring reflected the person it was given to. At least that's what she belived. She didn't care for the amount of diamond or the price, it was all about the design...she lived and breathed art though not so much anymore. Perhaps not worrying about Cameron would loosen up her schedual so she could draw more.

"Yes, very much so, obviously" She didn't gasp when the box opened, she more sighed with relief. The ring was beautiful, the red and black gave it a kind of old pureblood gothic theme and she loved the ring. Not that she would admit it, but if he was serious than she would spend hours starint at it. "it's pretty...no its beautiful you have good taste and good I dont want to put on a ring that has unknown emchantments. Im trusting you on this, and the rings harmlessness, but the other ring will come off hiding right because thats tacky" She said in a brief moment of playfulness, because. It was sort if true and she eas sort of freaking out because she didnt think he would be proposing to her semi-willingly.

@shava4

[Deleted]

Ah goodness, another one who thought the dorm wasn't classy. A glance at the curtains knowing the Black Lake with the moon shining through the water and into the gothic styled dorm, with it's fountains... Shaking his head he chuckled and said "That's fine. Most people like to have it in a place they feel secure. I would be expecting a bit more closeness here though." He heard the sigh as he opened it and he took it out, holding it to the light as he turned it. "I had to look to find what I thought would really work and this was clearly the best one."

"From what I heard them say it will soon as I put this one on. I'm stuck with mine for awhile still I believe, though it is nice." He grinned at her expression and then said "Just so you know, I debated on a ruby, but this is a red diamond, very unusual and that seemed to fit the woman it's made for. Never cared much for plain diamonds myself, the ones on the side and on the band are rubies though. Blood rubies." He grinned and then switched from sitting to kneeling on both knees.

"Leyshell, you are fierce and sharp and beautiful. These are all traits I see in you I admire, even if I do not share them. I could see us making a great team eventually, though it will take time to get used to each other's habits and modes. And maybe, if we're both lucky enough, this will turn into something much greater then either of us can imagine! Would you do me the great honor of agreeing to be my wife, to help sow discord amongst our enemies, and to be partners in this great adventure called life?"

He slipped his hand in hers with a tilted head, waiting to see her reaction to his words. The ring he poised at the end of her finger, ready to slide on...

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell was in shock and not because he agreed the dorm rooms were a bit to much. A fountain? What use is a fountain, though her manor was Victorian borderline gothic. Her furniture was vintage and her bed was huge and had a purple canopy, because she loved purple. "yeah, but the gothic type style is what ny manor is based off." She could deal with the closeness, it wasn't so bad, its not like she didn't want the closeness "Yeah I can agree to that, I guess avoiding you doesn't really solve anything. even if it does make me feel slightly better." She was only joking if course, though somthing else crossed her mind

"You're totally gonna tell me how you got in here right...well eventually right? Because its soo not fair that I dont know"

She nodded at the mention of his ring "Well, it's bot red enough tk be mistaken for Gryffindor, and the emerald and Red color matches is the whole opposites atrract kind of way..." She let that thought drift off, as he moved to his knees, he was serious about it and she couldn't help but smile at his words, letting out a small laugh.

"Dude, sow discord amoung our enemies, its like you know me and it sounds like something a warrior would say proposing to another warrior, Yes by the way" She was greatly amused by his words and slight touched but not in the mushy type way. She was keeping her emotions to herself until he was gone at least. "you know if you would've propositioned me with though words sooner, it would've gone more smoothly? Im stilm stuck on the sow discord part, that sounds really fun." Her ego was already big enough without the compliments thought it gave her insight to how he saw her. She was more than excited about this, she was a girl after all.

@shava4

[Deleted]

Cameron raised an eyebrow at her, wondering if she really had picked that up from just a glance across the room. He hadn't said anything about the fountain out loud after all... And the room was more elegant then the other dorms for sure, though he only had rumor of the Ravenclaws rooms. He grinned at the closeness agreement, knowing he had scored at least a few victories that would make this relationship go much better. After all it might be that their parents were being evil, but that didn't mean they couldn't find a way to use it to their own advantage.

She pushed him a bit on his sneakiness and he shrugged, wanting not to tell that one much. "Oh I will, but you will be the only one who hears that one. It's a secret I'm still getting right, refining, but I'll show you when I get better at it. It's unique, I promise you that." He gave her a look as she spoke abut the redness as if to say 'you're a hit witch' though he didn't say it. "So sue me. I see the red it reminds me of you. Fire, blood, fierce, eye-catching, and hotness. Can a ring say much more really?"

Always good to polish up an ego when proposing too.

'Yes by the way' seemed about as perfect an answer as he was going to get. Sliding the ring on her finger, the green one fell onto the bed between them as this one fit home. He picked it up while she admired the new one on her skin and flipped it once, spinning before he caught it again. "It's sort of weird having a ring you don't dare put on again," he said mentioning the fact it might still be enchanted.

Sliding over beside her, her put the ring on the top of her headboard out of the way and slid his hand around her waist pulling her closer. In her ear he said "Yes, discord. Nice word indeed, might have to find a way to gt that added to the service somehow just for your parents." He grinned a very satisfied grin.

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell snorted, she could always guess how he got Into the dorms. Its not like he flew there the window was closed enough that a broom wouldn't get in, and Cameron seemed a bit sneakier than that. "Fine, ill bring it up again eventually though, just know." she said playfully nudging him, she was letting more of her guard down. She hoped her version of closeness and his didnt differ much.

"Im already yours no need to sweet talk me into it, though its doing wonders for my self-esteem, I don't think Zar appreciates the amount of torment he's gonna have to deal with, torment is his word not mine." Zar still groaned at the indignity of shortening his name to Zar and that she used it often. Though She named him King Czar because she was like eight and into the king and queen thing and yeah, she was young.

"Yeah, at least untill professionals can remove the enchantments, and besides I got a better one" Though whether she was talking about the meaning, price, or design was up for grabs. She relaxed against him when he pulled her closer, there was no use in not complying.

"Yeah, it'll be fun to see their faces. On another note, whats the story for the nosey people. I doubt people would believed the whole hopelessly in love boy askes girlfriend the single most important question ever and she shut him out to think and or avoid said question. Its to cliched though...something I would do." She didnt mind being seen as the bad guy in thus situation since it was mostly her fault.

@shava4

[Deleted]

He shrugged and made a face. "I'm not refusing, I just said let me get better first. Give a guy a little ego time at least. I gotta perfect it some more. Won't be too long, besides you are the only one besides Duncan and Zar there who will ever know about it." As she spoke about ego he grinned, finding this was sounding like one to put in the books as a complete success. "See reverse for me, Duncan will probably tease me about it, other way around. I owe him the world and he knows it."

Not often one could contribute their pet to saving their life.

His finger ran across his own a moment before he glanced at her again. "I was just thinking it's be good to have around, maybe on a chain someday and then when our kid is ready to get married he can have that for his bride or for her groom, something like that so we never have to give up our own." Reminding her she had to have a child -- well they would talk about that part some other time, but if he had his way he would convince her getting them out of the way before her career made more sense.

He smirked while holding her, and reached over to hold up her hand with the ring on it. "Hold it up and say to them they will never hear the truth, it's too personal. Which it is, and then make up a new story for every single person who asks so they all spread completely outlandish stuff. It's all about sowing discord." He grinned and kissed her neck, adding "I think I'll start with some story about your dish and plate throwing skills and how I had to sneak off to the infirmary several times for some nasty cuts."

He snorted.

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

"I doubt Duncan will appreciate me letting your ego get bigger but I guess thats fair" She said rolling her eyes she couldn't believe she was actually doing this. Letting him in...like Matt, its not like they were the same. Cameron didnt have the same innocene that Matthew had. Perhaps she was over thinking, perhaps she needed someone to balance her out and Cameron was cam he right person for the job. Maybe her parents knew her better than she thought....she inwardly snorted at that thought...she doubted it.

"Well on that note just know, I want a daughter and there will be no contracts, agreements or anything on her marital status." She said as if she was holding him responsible for the outcome of the gender, she knew about the genetic process the whole chromosome thing. Even if he couldn't control it she wanted a daughter named Elizah and she only wanted one kid. She fogot what the contract mention but oh well, she only wanted one. Or perhaps if they had twins they could have a boy and girl, two birds one stone. It was unfortunately one of those thins nature only had control of.

"Oh? I suppose I can tell them that we were at a party in france and you proposed under the moonlight...and I ran away" she said through barely contained silent laughter. Smirking when he kissed her neck she sorted "Oh? Seems to me like im the abusive boyfriend and your the poor lovesick girlfriend" she said in reply to the dish story.
@shava4