Light reading, anyone? [open]

[mason]

MASON

It was not uncommon for Mason to spend most of his time in the one, extravagant library that Silas Academy housed within its delicately aging walls. Either he was there working, or more commonly, delving into one of his exotic novels. He enjoyed the atmosphere in the library, mostly quiet with the odd shuffle of students reading themselves, or grabbing a book they needed to help their studies along. Occasionally the bookshelves would groan, soft symphonies straining under the weight of so many books. Too many to name, and too many to read. This was one of the biggest library's Mason had ever seen, his excitement was hard to contain the first time he had walked in and laid his emerald orbs upon rows and rows of written artwork.

Currently, his book of choice was The Bridges Of Madison County, by Robert James Waller. One of the best romantic novels he had ever had the pleasure to read. And only one of a few, that he'd actually read. This evening however, he was alone, his dress shirt lay slightly unbuttoned, revealing a patch of rough hair that hugged his chest. His jeans, one leg rolled up and his belt slightly loosened for more comfort. He had meant to go and shower before his little nightly read, but as soon as he had found the book, he couldn't resist the temptation to open it and read the first paragraph. How silly was he, to think he would have made it to the shower.

Even if anything were going on around the Professor, he was far too focused on the story in front of him, his mind picturing the elegant words much like a movie. One rugged hand caressed his chin, an unmistakable habit of his when reading. He was doing it sub-consciously, only the best of the best of books drew him into this state. When he would finally realize what he was doing, he'd mentally note it, locking the name of the book and little snippets away into his memory for future use.

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[The Headmistress]

The room was dimly lit. A single lamp sitting on an oak desk served as the only light source in the room. In the light a hand skittered across a piece of paper with precision and grace. The hand was old and decorated lightly with a few pale age spots. The way the hand delicately danced across the paper showed a route-like pattern. This hand had written this name many times and many times more. Once the signature was complete, the woman sat back with an exhausted expression and surveyed her handiwork. “That’s the last one. For now.” She said to herself in a soft British accent. The irritation in her voice couldn’t be missed. However, it was complacent irritation. There was always paperwork needing to be done when you one was the Headmistress of an academy.

Rising from her chair with poise and grace, the Headmistress crossed her thick red carpeted floor and pulled back the window’s curtain letting in a flood of light. She closed her eyes briefly to save them from the excruciating pain of the sunlight, but opened them once more willing them to adjust to the sudden change in luminosity. It was a brilliantly sunny weekday. The last afternoon classes were nearly at an end now. Students were milling around the grounds passing to and from buildings. The Headmistress peered down at them with a small smile of sorts. There was a proud expression set into her aged blue eyes as she watched her children.

The creaking of old wood signaled to the woman that someone had entered her office. “Headmistress, pardon my intrusion. There is a fight in the library.” A mousy sort of a girl peek in, her glasses slipping gently down the bridge of her nose.

“Ah, what a welcome break from paperwork,” the Headmistress replied. Her voice dripped with sarcasm. In truth, it was a welcomed break. The never ending load of paperwork was so dreadfully droll that even a bout between two students was relief. Although… It did result in more paperwork. Heaving a dreading sigh, the grey haired woman exited her office and immediately headed for the library. It was an uncommon area to have a fight, but they were known to happen just about anywhere more than one student gathered.

Chanting voices rung out loudly as soon as she opened the door. Her face set to a displeased grimace, the Headmistress stalked forward following the sound of the children chanting Fight, fight, fight, fight! It did not take long to locate the two brawling boys. As she approached, an orb of shimmering green energy sailed over her should. Unphased, the Headmistress pressed on and grabbed one kid by the collar while keeping the other at bay. “Stop this nonsense at once!” Her voice instantly silenced the crazed crowd causing most to flinch or slowly creep away. The boy held in her grasp bellowed angrily and made for another lunge at the other student. His collar ripped from her grip and the two students tumbled into each other entertwingning and relocating the battle. Its relocation? Straight into the path of the preoccupied and absorbed Professor Wilde.

[mason]

MASON

The summer afternoon was warm and sultry, the long grasses that occupied the river bed swayed harmoniously in the slight breeze, hopelessly attempting to caress its forbidden lover in the sky. Birds would chirp, and the weeping willows cracked softly against an old wooden bridge.

A woman stood on there, her dainty summer dress dancing around her, locks of a golden hue threatening to cover her flustered face. She smiled briefly as something moved in front of her, the movement justified by a soft clicking of a camera shutter. The man behind the camera peered out of the lens for a moment, flashing his own shy smile. With one hand he gestured her to relax, but to no avail. Her body remained stiff, her arms sheltering, hiding her body from view. The man stepped forward, one surprisingly soft hand touching her bare arm in reassurance. The scene was beautiful. Everything was perfect, why couldn't she relax? Perhaps it was those darn kids shouting... Wait?

Mason jumped in the armchair he was draped over, kicking his book onto the floor in the process. With a confused clear of his throat, his green eye's fell on the commotion before him. Silly bugger had fallen asleep amidst his reading. Fixing his collar hastily, he stood up to help the Headmistress quell the rather pathetic fight in front of them. Before he could however, the boys had begun rolling toward him, and he blinked heavily, unamused.

Before he could react however, the boys rolled right into the chair he had just been sitting on. With a short cry of surprise from one, and the other seizing the opportunity, the Professor decided to seize his own. Grabbing the one on top by his collar, Mason lifted him with ease, planting him firmly on the floor beside him. "What's the problem, eh boys?" It was more of a remark than a question, his green eyes glowing with a different light. Not only had they woken him, Mason hated fighting. And more-so, they had the audacity to do it in the Library. The library of all places. "Best we all get a move on and get ready for supper, yes?" He eyed the rest of the crowd suspiciously, suppressing a smile. "Or Headmistress here will lock you up in the dungeon she will."

He couldn't help but let his lips tug into a little smile, offering the Headmistress a quick wink. It was so much fun being an educated, qualified adult at school. It made teasing so much more fun.

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[kane]

Kane had been sauntering happily out of the kitchen, bowl of pudding in hand, when he heard the noises from the library. Given the chanting and periodic bangs, someone was fighting. With a heavy sigh and mournful glance at his pudding, he changed course and headed instead for the library.

He was met with quite the sight. The headmistress was standing within a broken ring of students, a piece of cloth clutched in one hand and a very angry look on her face. Not far off was the cause of her look - two students rolling across the wood floor and aimed directly for the chair of a sleeping Mason Wilde.

In the time it took Kane to find a likely student, shove his pudding into said student's hands, and warn him what would happen if he touched it, the boys had crashed into the vacated chair. Mason had a hold of one boy's shirt, but the other had leapt unhindered to his feet and was making a move toward his opponent. It was the second one that Kane grabbed, keeping a hand on the boy's shoulder while Mason spoke.

"If she sends you to the dungeon, she gives me the keys. And then I usually forget where I put them, and you'll never get out." He managed to deliver his threat with a straight face, glancing over at the headmistresses for confirmation. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Mason's smile and wink, and he wondered at the headmistress's reaction.

[The Headmistress]

As the boys rolled off in their epic battle, the Headmistress’ eyes went wide expecting them to crash dead on into the sleeping Professor Wilde. However, the man realized the ‘danger’ and jumped out of his chair just in time for the two went crashing into it knocking it over with a bang. In a swift movement the professor had one boy in his grasps. Another professor had the other boy restrained just as he made another lunge. “Dear heavens what has gotten into the both of you!” the bemused woman exclaimed with her eyes darting between the two young lads. Professor Wilde gave the boys a warning telling them she would lock them in the dungeon. Silas Academy didn’t actually have a dungeon, but the boys didn’t k now that. They also didn’t see Professor Wilde’s quick and subtle wink.

With the skills of a great actor, Lillian threw on a stern and merciless look. Her hands crossed in front of her clasping at her abdomen while her lips pressed together in a tight line. Her grey eyes grew cold and hard. These boys would think she meant serious business. Professor Kane, the other to help stop the fight, offered up his two cents worth to further caution the boys. Unblinking, the Headmistress continued to show her disapproval at the boy’s actions. “I’ll see the both of you in my office after supper. If I hear of another incident such as this between now and then, so help you both, I’ll make use on that dungeon threat! Now off with you both,” she scolded and shooed them off. The two left with some hesitance and worry. Would they really throw them in the dungeons?

Turning to the two professors, the Headmistress nodded to each, “Thank you, professors, for your quick actions,” to herself she said, “It’s always a shame to see the students fighting one another.” The crowd of on lookers was slowly beginning to dissipate. In order to know the full details of the fight, she would need to see if anyone would offer up any information. Students rarely told on each other, though. It was like some unspoken bond between them all. “Can anyone tell me what happened here?” Her stern expression had returned as she looked through the students catching several by the eyes. Immediately, they looked down or away not wanting to be caught up in such a fierce gaze. “Very well. Be off, the lot of you.” With that dismissal, the rest of the kids shuffled off glad to walk away unscathed.

“Ah, Professors Wilde and Kane. It’s unfortunate that we should meet under such circumstances. How do your classes go? I trust none of the students are giving you a hard time.” Her demeanor completely changed then and there. From stern to friendly, she smiled softly at the two handsome young men with a twinkle in her eyes. Had she not been the age of their mother, she might have pursued one… or both. Keeping that to herself, she inwardly smirked with amusement.

[mason]

MASON

Mason loosened his grip on the boys collar as another Professor subdued the other culprit. His smile grew wider at his comment, a small nod of appreciation the only form of greeting he could give at this point. Being the beginning of a new year, it was always a little harder to meet your fellow employee's. When the awkward rush of settling down was over, it would be easier.

Mason's attention then turned back to the headmistress, her firm voice, pouring with authority wasn't hard to be missed, or reckoned with. She had all the style and elegance of a graceful aging lady, and with that- came experience and of course, wisdom. His green eye's danced with admiration, and perhaps one day, he too could accomplish what she had when the time came for it.

Letting go of his grip completely, Mason let the embarrassed young man escape the quickly clearing room with what pride he had left. Nobody liked being told off, especially in front of a few peers. Buttoning up his loose collar properly, the Professor extended a hand toward his fellow teacher. "Mason, Geology professor, pleasure." Ah, introductions. Such awkward but necessary things.

With that out of the way, Mason leaned over to correct the upturned chair, and retrieve his book from the floor. Classes are well, Headmistress, full of eager kids, ready to learn. Ask me the same thing at mid term- and we'll see just how many are so enthusiastic." He chuckled softly at his own joke. It was true, however. He could remember his college days, it was all so fun and exciting at the start of every year. With new books, new classes, new everything. As the middle of the year approached, that excitement was replaced by habit, and the dawning of exams creeping ever closer.

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[kane]

Kane kept a good grip on the boy's shoulder – though he wasn’t sure it was entirely necessary anymore, since the boy’s shoulder and head had slumped when he was caught – as the Headmistress spoke. The woman’s ability to keep a straight face was astounding, and Kane hid an appreciative smile behind his own stern frown. Lillian delivered her verdict – punishment to be delivered later - and dismissed the boys, signaling the teachers to release their captives. Kane did so, seeing the other professor doing the same out of the corner of his eye, and watched the two boys skulk from the room. He didn't like when kids were punks like that, and he would have been even more irritated had Lillian's look not promised the boys would get their just desserts.

The Headmistress turned briefly to thank them for their help, to which Kane nodded and smiled, and then turned to question the remaining students before they could escape. Her brief lapse of attention gave the other professor time to proffer a hand and an introduction. Mason, a geology professor. Kane took the hand and smiled, trying absently to remember if he had seen the other many around. "Kane. Gabriel Kane, actually, but nobody calls me that. I teach English, with a focus on mythology."

The return of the Headmistress’s attention stalled any further introductions, and Kane turned his attention back to her. He matched her smile with one of his own, and a shrug. "It's good to see you again, Headmistress. And, hey, I'm always up for a good fight." He smiled to show that the comment - which easily could be a step too far - was only a joke. After Mason delivered his verdict on his own class, Kane nodded in agreement. "Mine's pretty much the same. Only, there's a little less enthusiasm, and a little more griping. They seem to enjoy it, even so."