[ S C A R S ] -Aqua-

[Alex Blake]

[bg=336666][atrb=width,400,true] Alex Blake The door to the stairwell slammed shut behind him as he stomped up the stairs. His shoes squeeked against the tile floor, and his golden eyes found themselves glaring at the black and white squares beneath him as he continued up the stairs. It was lunchtime, and save for the Cafeteria and a few hallways, the school was otherwise vacant. It was in one of these hallways that Alex had once again found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Three of them, all earless, had stumbled across him reading just outside of the bathroom. In typical Alex fashion he had ignored the arrogant ass's at first, letting them go on about how girly he looked and what a loser he was for reading during lunch- sure it was extensively annoying, but they really weren't worth is time. Then one of them reached for his ears. "Geeze bat-boy, are those ears or wings on your head?" Laughed one as he tugged on an ear roughly. "Yeah, whats up with that?" poked a second. Alex shut his book, rising to his feet in the same movement."Get your hands of me asshole!" he warned as he swatted the older teens hand away before turning to leave. One of them, he wasn't sure who, pulled him into the bathroom before putting a fist to the back of his head."Who do you think your talking to?!" Yelled one of them before Alex tore free and spun around to face his assailants. "You don't even know your name." Golden eyes widened at the sharp coldness the words were spoken with, and suddenly he was furious.He literally leapt at the boy who had spoken, dragging him to the ground while throwing punches at his face. He got about 4 in before the other two boys pulled him off and he was thrown to the ground.Someone got a few kicks in before he grabbed their leg and sharply twisted it, not only knocking them off balance, but dislocating the knee cap as well- he went down screaming. Another fist struck his face, cutting his lip open, and stunning him, but he managed to duck from the second and bolted for the door, leaving them behind. So now, here he was, gritting his teeth to stop from hissing in pain at his aching ribs as he stomped up the stairs."Dammit, I dropped my book.." he muttered as he finally came to the final landing. Slowly he sagged against the wall, the wall cool on his back. He just needed a minute, then he get up and go find his book. They would be gone in a few minutes no doubt, maybe even to find him, but he would deal with that if it happened, Raising his arm to is face he wiped the blood off his chin, cleaning his lip but leaving a streak of red that was startling in contrast to his fine white skin. The small cut on his lip didn't bother im in the slightest, but his ibs, well, he knew from experience that they would be bruised for a while, and he didn't look foreward to the blue and black flowers that would soon bloom there- he had enough scars on his body from his dad. Dropping his head back against the wall he sighed. "What ugly walls."

[Gage Reinhart]

Blinking in surprise, Gage stood only feet away from the boy slumped against the wall. He had only just come around the corner, preparing to take on the stairs, when he noticed that a very feminine-looking male had drooped -- but that wasn't all that was bad. The boy looked like he'd just gotten the shit beaten out of him. People still did that here at the academy? Somewhat taken aback at the actions of the immature people here, he slowly approached the kid. Not really knowing what to do, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly before coming to a stop in front of him.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, holding a hand out for the boy to take. It wouldn't take long for Alex to notice that Gage's fingernails were painted a bright red that matched almost identically to the color of his hair. It wasn't anything new for Gage though; his nails were always painted. If they weren't red, they were probably black or some other dark color. In any case, Gage waited for the kid to respond for he did anything else. He found it hard to be believe that this tiny, fragile-at-the-moment-looking guy could take on whoever did this to him. Maybe Gage could be his body guard or something. Make him look...cool. Like a superhero. A light smirk played across his features as he thought about showing off for the cutie sitting before him.

However, it didn't take long for him to notice the unusual size of Alex's car ears. He wasn't really surprised, considering everyone's cat parts were all of different shapes and sizes, but they still looked almost disproportionate to the rest of him. It was kinda...cute, in a way. Unique, even. Yeah, Gage would be friends with this kid, whether the boy liked it or not. Besides, who in this school didn't want to be friends with Gage? You'd have to be stupid not to. Mentally, he made a winky face.

[Alex Blake]

[bg=336666][atrb=width,400,true] Alex Blake "Hey, you okay?" His eyes had been drifting close, but they opened upon hearing a voice. He growled inwardly, noting that his stupid, oversized ears couldn't even detect someone aproaching, and now he was found out. A soft shade of crimson crossed his cheeks upon being found in such a way- the boy couldn't see his ribs, but hs lip was cracked and his body perspired slightly from the outburst of activity he'd just partaken in. So long as this red head wasn't an idiot, he would know what had happened. Fine." he said softly, his voice hard but not rude. Without meeting the boys eyes he took the arm he offered and hauled himself to his feet, ignoring the ache that came to his side as he did so. "Thanks." He hadn't really wanted to thank him, after all, he hadn't wanted to be found in the first place, but he supposed it was better to make a few allies to go with the enemies if the chance presented itself.Flicking his ears back in a manner of uncertainty a minute of silence went by, and feeling the moment was growing more akward by the second, so he panicked. "I should get going.." he muttered before turning toward the stairwell he'd just climbed- typical Alex; he'd rather fist fight with the jerks downstairs than possibly make a friend. OOC- *whispers* -follow him- *whipserends*

[Gage Reinhart]

Gage's grin didn't fade even as he seemed to be getting blown off. He could tell that the boy was somewhat embarrassed, as seen by the blush that had crossed his features. It was sort of cute, and he almost wanted to force Alex to blush even more -- you know, for the fun of it. In any case, he gave a light chuckle when Alex told him he was fine. "Well, you don't look very fine to me. Something tells me you ran into a little problem somewhere along the line." His voice was meant to be humorous, but it kinda seemed as if he were just making fun of him.

When Alex put his weight onto Gage's outstretched arm, the man tightened his muscles as he helped lift the boy to his feet. Of course, the boy started walking away somewhat nervously after giving what seemed to be a forced 'thanks' and a brief departing message. Raising an eyebrow, Gage stepped in after him, following him to the stairs. "Where do you think you're going, hm? Shouldn't you head to the nurse's office or something?" He cocked his head to the side lightly as he followed, wondering where the kid was planning to go. "Or are you seriously going right back to the people who did this to you?" He gave another chuckle.

[Alex Blake]

[bg=336666][atrb=width,400,true] Alex Blake "Well, you don't look very fine to me. Something tells me you ran into a little problem somewhere along the line." "Nothing I couldn't handle." he said with a small smirk,though it wasn't one of arrogance. Chances are he would have been overwhelmed if he'd stayed, but this kid didn't know that.To his dismay he was followed, but he wasn't truly surprised. This kid seamed the type who wasn't able to take a hint, and so Alex remained silent as they fell in step right beside one another."Where do you think you're going, hm? Shouldn't you head to the nurse's office or something?" Perhaps it was all the attetnion he'd been denied over the years, but along with his annoyance came amusement at this strangers concern. Or are you seriously going right back to the people who did this to you?" "You know thats a bit insultng" he said with a soft chuckle. to just assume I lost. I'm a fighter you know- mabe I started it?" he said this with a small but devious grin, continuing on down the stairs."Besides, what can the nurse do about a bloody lip that I can't?" OOC- *whispers* -follow him- *whipserends*

[Gage Reinhart]

"Oh, is that so?" Gage responded, humor playing into his voice as he spoke in a tone that seemed sarcastic. He honestly didn't believe this fragile looking kid had what it took to take on bullies all by himself. Maybe he just needed backup or something. Gage didn't really fight people, but he did have height over most people, as well as semi-toned muscles. Speaking of which, he should really get to the gym soon.. You know, before he gets fat and whatever. The thought of being fat almost made him frown.

Still following the smaller boy, he smirked. "It's only insulting because you know it's the truth, right?" He seemed to be in the mood today to make fun of people. Although it wasn't uncommon to see him playing tricks on people, Gage was usually nice when it came to things like this. Maybe this was just his way of saying 'dont go back there'. ...Maybe. He smirked down at the kid and rolled his eyes. "Oh please. You don't seem like the type who would just walk up to someone and punch them in the face." He thought about the nurse question. "She'll give you a damn lollipop."

[Alex Blake]

[bg=336666][atrb=width,400,true] Alex Blake "It's only insulting because you know it's the truth, right?" His poking fun didn't irritate Alex half as much as it should have. He was in a horribly embarressing situation in which he could not lose what he was sure thought himself to be a 'savior' of sorts, and here he was chumming it up with the guy. "Who knows- we could go find them and ask if you prefer their word over mine. his subtle smirk was ever present, sending just the corner of his lip up into a look of amusement."Oh please. You don't seem like the type who would just walk up to someone and punch them in the face." Well you dont look the type to stop in an abandoned stairwell to follow around someone you don't know. Looks are deceiving." He said in a matter-of-fact tone."She'll give you a damn lollipop." He actually laughed at this, and finally turned to look at the boy walking with him."I'm not 3, you cant bibe me with candy." Then, almost suddenly, he offered the red head his hand in formal greeting."Names Alex."

[Gage Reinhart]

Gage raised an eyebrow, smirking right back at Alex. "Think I'll pass, thanks." He gave a light shrug and averted his gaze, resting his eyes on the ceiling, which he suddenly seemed to have an interest in. "Im not the type to go looking for trouble. You know how that goes."

The man gave a full-on laugh when Alex said he didn't look like the type of person who followed people around in stairwells. The way he worded it made him sound sort of like a stalker and the idea had him laughing pretty hard. "Oh boy. Well, for your information, kid, I happen to do random things all the time, following people in stairwells included. Looks may be deceiving, sure, but don't judge a book by it's cover, right? Or some shit like that?" he said in a tone that suggested he was asking a question. With another shrug, he stopped as Alex turned around to face him. He rolled his eyes at the bribe comment and took Alex's hand into a firm shake. "Gage. And for the record, anyone can be bribed with candy. Candy is a pretty hard thing to pass up."