The Campfire Song [pg13] [event]

[Iƪƪia]

Finally managing to stop trembling, Hendrix set about straightening out his jacket, though his actions were very listless. So he managed to get out of this unharmed for the most part. Big deal. For the next month his life was going to suck. No rape, not even one murder. Awesome.

Well, at least this was over.

With that thought he looked back at Coyle, supposing that he should feel angry with the guy if he wasn't so depressed. But then he caught his attention by doing something... weird. He conjured up a pair of scissors.

Confused, Hendrix only stared at him as he waved them in front of his face before stepping behind him. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late.

He heard the quick snipping sounds the scissors were making, and he... He could just about... Feel them... Cutting... His hair. His hair... His hair!? No! Not his goddamn hair!

His breath caught in his throat and he doubled over as if he were in physical pain. Falling to the ground, both of his hands grasping at his mutilated hair, he let out cry after strangled cry of despair.

No one... No one even touched his hair. Hell, he'd killed people for getting too close to it! But now it was ruined! His perfect hair! Ruined! And what could he do about it? Nothing! Nothing but lay there and cry about it... Which is just what he intended to do.

Hugging his knees close to his chest, his entire body was being shaken by the force of his sobs. All the while he was continually muttering something unintelligible, something that sounded like a strange, foreign language. So only a few weeks at this place and he had been reduced to this? It was just... So wrong.

... Okay, maybe we should have gone with suicide.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Now that this whole Trial thing was over, Crane decided to disperse the crowd. The barrier was down, and there wasn't much reason for this trip to continue.

He needed to leave anyways, but not before clearing a few more things up.

"And that concludes the lesson." Crane shrugged, speaking more to himself than to the crowd around him.

Coyle had gotten quite carried away this time. Well, at least it wasn't as bad as the first century Crane opened the school. Those were some interesting kids...

Scanning the crowd briefly, Crane immediately found the one specific person he was looking for. He sent out a line of communication.

"Kendryk. A word?"[/i]

There was a knot in Crane's chest about the size of a fist.

The centaurs were not happy at all with this business... Perhaps Mike was right? A fruit basket.

"What calms an angry horse-man, Mike?" Crane asked whimsically.

"A few hundred years of peace and quiet." Mike muttered. "But I doubt they'll get it."

Noodding in agreement, Crane could only wait for Kendryek's response. Coyle bounded up to him in the meantime, clutching a pile of disheveled-looking hair.

"Look what I caught!"

Crane touched the hair and it vanished, much to the beast's displeasure.

"You're keeping something from me, Coyle, but we will talk about that later. I have to speak to someone first."

The beast spluttered incredulously, but Crane could tell it was only out of mock concern.

"Me? Never! You have your little conference, but you won't get anything outta me!"

With that the beast skittered off. Crane barely noticed. He may need to speak with White again soon too...
[/color]

[Oren]

Kendryek watched everything from the side. Because he wasn't the tallest person on the block, he had to stand where he could see. After all, he was curious this time around. What a pitiful creature Hendrix truly was. Only pity aroused in the dragon as he saw just how messed up the Nocturne had allowed circumstances to make him. Also, something else seemed wrong. No, not wrong, but unnatural, out of place. He couldn't put his finger on it, but Hendrix wasn't just some powerful pervert. There was someone, something, else behind what he was doing. Kendryek didn't like it.

But he still didn't speak up. There was no reason to. Crane was preoccupied so Coyle had the floor. Unlike Crane, Coyle had no respect for logic and a certain amount of leniency. That creature only wanted to make people miserable. That and protect his anchor, but right now he was sure that was the last thing on Coyle's mind.

The 'trial' was over very soon and the barrier was taken down. He assumed it was because of the centaurs. They never liked riff raft like this. It was bothersome to them and they would rather have nothing to do with the likes of Crane, White, or anyone else from the school. At least, that's what he assumed. It was possible he was wrong, but it wasn't probable.

Just then, as he silently watched the students begin to disperse, the majority of them still watching Hendrix and mumbling to themselves about the events that had just happened, Professor Crane spoke to him. It wasn't verbal, of course. The headmaster tended to dislike talking almost as much as Kendryek did.

He was slightly confused as to why Crane wished to speak with him, but it wasn't something he wasn't willing to comply with. As we walked over to the chimera he smiled to himself, thinking of how others would probably run away at full speed if Crane asked to speak with them after such an event. But Kendryek wasn't one to be grouped with 'others'. He was a stand alone, typically. He'd stay that way forever. He knew and accepted the fact readily.

"A little far with the hair, don't you think, Coyle?" he asked, giving Coyle a quizaical look. The man really had gone to far with cutting the Hendrix's hair. Being Japanese, Kendryek knew how important hair could be for people. He himself had once been protective over his hair, but now he couldn't care less what happened to it. Even still, he could sympathize.

He watched Hendrix a few moments before turning to Crane. "You wish to speak with me?"

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Yama almost couldn't believe what was happening! Hendrix was never caught in what he did. This was a very strange first! And he was even being punished for it! Because he had been around Hendrix for a while, he'd seen the submissive side to his friend before, but this time it was to the extreme. These creatures could hurt Hendrix, even kill him.

And everyone knew it.

Even though he hated every minute of this 'trial', he hated even more his inability to help! Why did he have to be thrust into a situation where he could do absolutely nothing?! It was infuriating him! Even more so than what was happening to Hendrix, odds were.

He paced at the back of the crowd. This outcome wasn't good. He had much faith in Hendrix, but how long could the Nocturne go without his daily activities? It was akin to a drug for Hendrix. It was an obsession, for sure, and those types of activities aren't ever easy to stop doing. What exactly was Hendrix planning to do to keep himself occupied for one whole month?

Then Yama remembered the voices. Oh no... he thought. After a lot of time that he had spent with the insane creature, he had figured out what drove him mad. It didn't take a genius. Well, yes it kind of did, but Yama wasn't an everyday ordinary chip of wood. It took brains to do what he did, and he did it quite well, if he did say so himself. But that was beside the point. His main concern right now was much bigger.

What would Hendrix do about the voices?

Pushing all doubt and concern to the back of his mind, he slowly approached Hendrix. They needed to leave. The Nocturne needed to be alone, and the only way for that to happen was for Yama to mess with him for a bit to get him back to their suite.

"Come one, let's leave. I'll find a way to fix your hair, but we need to leave this godforsaken place." He didn't touch Hendrix. That would have resulted in getting his arms cut off or something of similar nature. He, instead, knelt by his friend, ready to wait until Hendrix was fit to travel for a short time.[/color]

[ωΘĿƒ]

Coyle, still pleasantly pleased with how his life was going and how wonderful it was to tear apart someone bit by bit, barely noticed what that dragon had said. But Coyle wasn't a mortal. He heard everything - had to hear everything. Not only was it his job, but it was also a hobby of his.

Sneering at this creature in front of him now, Coyle let out a little breathless chuckle, his red eyes flashing.

"Do we have a problem with that now?"

Scanning the dragon up and down, Coyle tried to remember a name. Ah yes! Kendryek. Coyle knew about Kendryek. Something about a charity case with a mutt? And how Kendryek was an old, old dragon and a wise one at that. One of those mac daddies that you didn't push around much and probably worshiped in the dragon community...

But Coyle wasn't a dragon. And he wasn't a charity case. He was something much bigger than Kendryek with all his knowledge and wisdom, and that meant the dragon shouldn't be so rudely righteous with his comments. It ****ed Coyle off.

After a long pause, and a moment to scan though the surface feelings of the dragon, Coyle simply flicked one of his tentacles and let them dissipate into his back.

"Careful who you judge in this school, Kendryek. Not all of us are weaklings like that little lost puppy of yours."

After his skin had retained its full composure, Coyle ambled off.

He wanted to see if there was still any cream left at the castle for him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After the small moment of Coyle's wrath had subsided, Crane let the beast walk away freely. He no longer needed him, and it was probably a good idea to let him be for a while. Coyle was causing a slight stir on Crane's attention, but it was nothing too much to worry about. Although there was something... off about that feeling, it was best to simply ignore it.

Yes. It would all work out.

He should have probably told the dragon that Coyle was nothing to worry about, but then he may be lying. Who could tell with Coyle? He could be harmless, or he could be, in Mike's words, "plotting our destruction."

Either way, what good would it do to say anything? Crane focused his attention on Kendryek, speaking in a soft, even near-whisper.

"This was not just about Hendrix. The classes this year are quite energetic. Partly, this was a demonstration for them to see that measures can be taken to stop their antics."

He paused, then added something almost absent-mindedly.

"If you hadn't noticed though, I'm in no position to do anything about it. I never intend to be."

Looking up through the sparse branches, Crane's eyes wandered among the now appearing stars. It had grown dark during the trial, and now the blanket of the shimmering cosmos was lain out through the jagged edges of the forest clearing.

"I've had precautions for this kind of thing in the past, but they die, or they grow old and leave with their respective classes. Still, there is always someone fitted perfectly for the task."

His gaze moving to Coyle now, Crane remembered his decision to propose a deal with the demonic creature. It had went exactly as planned, but Coyle was hardly an option for anything so delicate as what Crane had in mind.

Coyle was a blunt instrument, to be used in moderation and not on the finer points of life.

"I have decided it should be you. As poignant as Coyle is, he is also extremely perceptive. I trust his judgment, and therefore I trust yours. This "charity case" is compelling you towards your natural inclination for order. Now I'm giving you free reign to use it."

This, as many words and as hard to spill out as it was, consisted not of any explanation but a simple offer. Kendryek could decline it if he wished. He could also accept it and learn the details.

But it was his choice, and his choice would affect many people within the academy. Crane did not have to use any sort of magic to see that.

[Iƪƪia]

All the fear and anguish was finally subsiding, replaced instead by a clear understanding. The understanding that he wasn't about to last for 1 month. He didn't want to last for 1 month. Didn't want to have to deal with - to have to ignore them again. He had spent 300 years blindly following them and he wasn't sure if he could go back to the way he was without their influence.

Staring off into the distance, Hendrix let his mind go blank, thus giving them free range of his mind. They spoke words of comfort at first, sympathising with him before stating the need for revenge, attempting to goad him into taking that revenge on someone smaller and weaker and more easily killed. As was habit, he immediately accepted this idea. After all, no one just did... That to him! No, he had to do something... Needed to kill... Someone...

With this, his anger flared up, though it disappeared just as quickly. What was he thinking? He couldn't do this; he had to ignore them. Had to at least try! He wasn't ready to die just yet. However, he still couldn't stop that feeling, that urge to-

With that, he jolted upright into a sitting position, rubbing his eyes as he tried to clear his mind of these thoughts. His gaze then turned to Yama, regarding him with a look of confusion, as if he were trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. Then there was realization as he turned, nervously scanning the area. He had to get away... Get away now or he was going to lose this game just moments after it had started.

Scrambling to his feet, he stumbled away, effectively ignoring the fact that shadow travel would have been much faster and easier. If he stayed around them- around anyone for much longer he was going to kill someone, that much he knew. He just really needed to be alone for awhile... He needed to calm down... And not kill someone.

[Oren]

Kendyrek shook his head slightly as Coyle walked off. The creature was simply assuming too much, exactly what he had been warning against. Ironic.

He listened to Crane, his ear pointed toward the chimera, his eyes staring blankly at the ground. He listened, his mind working through everything being said. So, Crane wished to use him. Of course, many that the headmaster used were using him in return. There were those that Crane could, and would, use that held no ulterior motives. Too bad for him that Kendyrek was not one of those people. He would never allow himself to be strung on strings and played like a puppet.

More so when Crane would be the puppeteer.

Even still, the man knew how to reel people in. He was making an offer than most would jump on in a matter of seconds. He was practically handing Kendryek the power to do almost anything he wanted inside the school as long as it was 'in the name of justice'. The only reason he was doing this was because he believed the dragon wouldn't abuse the power. He was right, too.

There was one reason for that: Kendryrek wasn't one to long for power. He had power, and he knew it. He could do anything he wanted, presently. This was because he didnt' want to do things like Coyle, Ivan, or Hendrix. He was a man of simple needs that never asked for much. If one thought about it, maybe that's why he was given much.

Either way, he had no reason to tell the headmaster 'no'. His dealings with Le Cyll were definitely sometimes time consuming, but not so much that he couldn't do other things. His plate was definitely not too full. Nor was his spare time in want. In fact, he would welcome the oportunity to do more.

Now looking Crane in the eye, he spoke. "I can do this." After a short pause he added, "Though, I would like you to understand one thing before officially signing me on to this. No matter what, this duty will come second to any personal dealings I have with people like my 'little charity case', as you call it."

In all actuality, he wasn't exactly thrilled with his mentoring Le Cyll being called a charity case. Charity was typially given to people in need of finance and substance like food and water and homes. Many times it was thought of as a largescale thing, helping many. But helping many left no time to be very personal. Le Cyll needed personal. Kendryek was more than willing to give that. In fact, he enjoyed being personal, but only with a few. It would be no good to have too many people knowing quite a bit about him.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Crane nodded, without hesitation accepting Kendryek's proposal.

Of all the fine details that filtered through life, one troubled wolf was not going to be the end of Crane's intentions. Nor did he ever have much doubt that Kendryek would endanger the better good for a simple wolf. And if he did..? Well, then it was not any of Crane's business, was it? Very little of any of this was. That is why he did not bother with most if it. Chaff for the wind, you might call it. Not that Crane did not take an interest in every single one of his students, but he did not dwell. It was a hard concept to manage for the old chimera to fathom.

If there are too many grains of sand, you tend to just see the beach instead.

"Then it's settled." Crane gave a small verbal approval, just to be sure. Then, pausing a second, he chuckled slightly.

"Oh, and don't worry about me, Kendryek. I don't puppet people like you. Now people like Coyle? White? Even the centaurs that guard these forests with their very noble lives... They practically use themselves, but still they take a bit of pushing. Usually it's always the illusion of power that makes them do what they should. But no, people like you? They do their own puppetting. It makes things a lot easier for people like me."

This was probably the most Crane had said in a very long time, and it was also one of the only things that could make him speak so liberally.

It was very important that no one assumes the wrong thing of him.

His still, almost dully silent features retained their mask of serenity as he said one last thing.

"Now who assumes too much?"

Crane motioned for Mike as he turned to leave. It would have been nice to fill Kendryek in properly. The old dragon and he had much in common, and then again very little in common too. It was interesting, to talk to him. Like it was rarely interesting to talk these days.

But Crane had things to attend to, and for once he was headed towards both a little counseling and an answer.

White knew what was happening... And he was one of the conspirators too.


Mike skittered up to fill Kendryek in on the details as Cane drifted off.