Pride and Prejudice

[morg]

--open

Rainy weather always forced people indoors. Usually it forced the students of the Academy to lounge around near their dormitories and play video games. Perhaps they'd blog, or listen to music, or serve YouTube videos. A handful would actually read books, propped up in various places. Some would head for the Training Center, and work out indoors.

Morgan had actually already done that today. Her morning workout had been completed hours ago, she'd gone to lessons, and now had the afternoon open to her. So she'd showered, grabbed a book, and headed for the quietest place in the entire Academy: the library.

There were a handful of other students mulling about. Some had papers to work on. Others were typing away at keyboards, using the stillness of the library to enable them to write more coherently. A smaller group imitated Morgan: curled up in a chair with a good book.

Morgan smiled as she lost herself in Jane Austen's fanciful world, diving into one of her favorite tomes. Some people might be surprised to see the highly active Almasian tackling Pride and Prejudice. But those people clearly didn't actually think about the title, and knew little about the actual heroine.

Shifting in her seat once again, Morgan absentmindedly played with her brunette curls as she read through Darcy's letter to Elizabeth. If only...

[Kaylen Valieth]

Kaylen Valieth had also found himself in the library on this rather gloomy afternoon, though his choice of activity was very different to Morgan's. He wasn't reading a book, or using one of the computers, or studying; the young man was just taking the opportunity to lounge in one of the super comfortable library chairs, and enjoy the warmth from the heater a few metres in front of him, while he played the racing game Need For Speed on his PSP. He had the sound turned down quite low, though anyone close to him would still hear a few squeals and crashes coming from the console, as the boy excitedly unlocked new challenges and participated in new, increasingly difficult races.

"Fuck yeah," he said to himself a little loudly, as his car skidded over the finish line, and the screen flashed with, 'new accessories unlocked!' He was hoping for some new, brighter neons, so he could 'pimp' up his vehicle even more. One day he'd have his own awesome car, and it'd be metallic green, with white neons, and him and Eiji would drive around and pick up girls and buy takeout, and just generally be awesome...

"Oh, damnit!"
Glaring at the screen, and the girlie, completely not-awesome car it turned out he'd just made available, a disappointed Kaylen found himself saving, then switching off the game for a while. He yawned, leaned back into his chair, and ignored the dark looks some of the more studious students were giving him.

[morg]

Someone would have to make noise whenever the book just got interesting. Morgan was willing to overlook some minor interruptions though, and she thought she recognized the voice. Sliding a finger between the pages, she looked around.

It didn't take her long to locate Kaylen, sitting some distance from her. Unlike most of the studious students, Morgan just grinned at seeing his thumbs dance over a PSP. She'd probably have done something like that herself, had she actually owned a game system. Books could be loaned out, PSPs generally couldn't.

At the "da**it," Morgan's eyebrows perked up, and she couldn't help but chuckle a little. It sounded like someone's character just died, or they crashed and burned, whichever. Kaylen's turning off the system only confirmed her guess.

I've seen him before, somewhere... Oh yeah! Eiji's friend! We talked briefly at the party that one time.

Morgan waved at Kaylen, rolling her eyes at the studious groups and sticking her tongue out.

[Kaylen Valieth]

"Oh, hey," Kaylen smiled over at the girl, noticing her wave. He recognised her too, what was her name again? He swore that Eiji had told him once...

Deciding he had nothing better to do, and because he'd obviously already interrupted Morgan from her book anyway, the boy hopped out of his chair and approached the pretty young woman, slipping the gaming console into one of the pockets of his black Adidas jacket as he walked. As he did, he tried his absolute best to remember her name, but no luck. Hopefully she'd realise that Eiji introduced his best friend to millions of different girls, and that the fact that he remembered her face at least was a good thing, right?

"What are you reading?"

Kaylen smiled his usual charming smile, dark green eyes looking at the unfamiliar book she held. It didn't look like his kind of thing, but then again, not many books were. He wished he was a better reader, but his short attention span seemed far more suited to comics and video games.

[morg]

Honestly, Morgan couldn't remember Kaylen's name either. She knew he was a friend of Eiji's. A really close friend, if memory served. Possibly that best friend he kept talking about. Who had a name that started with a "K."

Yeah, because that was going to help Morgan.

"Pride and Prejudice," offered Morgan, turning the spine of the book so that Kaylen could see the title. "Though I'd seriously love to take a crack at a game like that."

She nodded at the pocket where he'd slid the gaming device. "I've played one or two before, but I can't afford to actually buy one for myself. Bad economy and all that."

Yes, blame the economy. Certainly not her overlarge, underpaid family. Someone could probably get her something like that for, say, a holiday present. Morgan made a mental note to ask for something like that for Christmas. Beat getting dresses or something silly like that.

Though she could use a new pair of shoes...

"We've met before, right?" Morgan finally asked. "At a party, I think. I really can't remember your name, so I'm betting you don't remember mine."

She extended a hand. "Morgan."

[Kaylen Valieth]

"Kaylen," he smiled, shaking her hand.

To her comment about taking a crack at his game, the young man offered, as if it were nothing at all,
"You can borrow mine if you want. I'll just steal Eiji's for the night."

When some people made offers like this, they weren't actually willing to go through with them. But Kaylen Valieth definitely wasn't that kind of person; he was kind, generous, and perhaps a little too trusting, choosing to expect the best from others rather than the worst. Unzipping his jacket pocket, and removing the PSP once more, he held it out to the girl.

"I have more games up in my room, if Need for Speed isn't really your thing," the Almasian added with an amused smirk. It was true; coming from a wealthy family, Kaylen could afford all of the games he wanted, and with his very short attention span he had built up quite a large collection. And if that wasn't enough, all of the games he didn't own Eiji probably did.

[morg]

Clearly being Eiji's friend did not mean sharing Eiji's values. Then again, Morgan could say more or less the same about herself. Still, she found that she immediately liked Kaylen in a decidedly different fashion then she had Eiji.

"Hey, thanks!" she exclaimed, popping up. she took the PSP and studied it closely. Fortunately she'd seen quite a few people play with things like this, and had just watched Kaylen closely. Besides, she really did like video games, whenever she actually got a chance to play one.

"Oh yeah, because clearly I'd rather play Barbie's rescue or one of those dumba** dog games," Morgan snorted. "Trust me, Need for Speed is right up my alley. I played one of the old PS2 versions before."

She smirked at Kaylen, raising an eyebrow, "And I'm not the kind of girl who just goes up to a strange boy's room just because he loans me some video games."

Of course Morgan knew better. After all, she'd met Eve before. But she just couldn't let something this easy pass. Besides, it would be fun to see how Kaylen reacted.

[Kaylen Valieth]

"Hey, I'm not a strange boy," he replied to her comment with a smirk, placing his now empty hands on his hips in mock offense, though his voice gave way that he may have been just a little hurt by that accusation. "And what makes you think I'd own Barbie's rescue?"

A teasing grin crept onto the handsome young mans face, as he added, motioning carelessly with his right hand;
"That's totally Eiji's game."

"Anyway, who said you had to come up to my room? I could always bring them to yours." Kaylen grinned again, this time with far more flirtatious intent, though anyone who did know either Kaylen or Eve would know that it was all harmless. As much as the boy liked to flirt with pretty girls, he was far too loyal to his girl to do anything else.

The young man shrugged, "Just sayin', if you don't like this game, I have plenty of others you could try. And none of those lame girlie games either!"

[morg]

"You're Eiji's friend, that makes you strange," insisted Morgan. She accompanied the comment with a huge grin and her eyes twinkled in jest. After all, she happened to be one of Eiji's friends as well, awkward though that relationship was.

Her smile easily evolved into laughter at Kaylen's joke. It also eliminated whatever doubts she might have had about the other boy. This was definitely someone she could be friends with, no doubt about it.

"You'd be repulsed by the mess," said Morgan, rolling her eyes. "There's probably a week's worth of dirty laundry on my floor. You'd get two steps and want to take off running."

She chuckled at that. Chances were that they weren't all that far apart from each other, living quarters-wise. Both Almasians and all that.

"You seriously don't know what you're getting into," Morgan insisted. "I'll get addicted to games and have to beat your high score. This?" She held up the PSP. "Yeah, you ain't seeing this again till Christmas, guaranteed."

She smirked and slid the device into her pockets. In reality, Morgan would either play with it till she got bored, or Kaylen asked for it back. No reason to punish someone who was willing to be this friendly with her.

"Racing games are the best though," she commented. "I like it better when there's a lot going on. None of that waiting around stuff."

[Kaylen Valieth]

He laughed warmly, enjoying Morgan's friendliness towards him. "Well, looks like Eiji wont be getting his back until Christmas then, either."

"Nah, one of the boys just got the new Guitar Hero game on Wii, so I've been spending most of my time hanging around his room playing that anyway," Kaylen added, shaking his head slightly, with an amused smirk. "So if most of the males in the school seem to have temporarily disappeared, that's probably where they are. That game is damn addictive! I'm gonna master Everlong, I swear..."

The Italian boy had to stop himself before he began talking too much about the game, and how last night had been extra exciting when Kaylen managed to unlock Vicarious, and how one of the other guys had then almost gotten 100% in Freak On A Leash. He was pretty sure Morgan wouldn't want to hear about all of that, but then again...
"Most girls don't seem to like video games that much. It's wierd."

Did Eve like games? She better like games! Kaylen wanted a girlfriend who shared his love of video games, that was for sure.

"I have a few more racing games up in my room, anyway, if that's what you like. Though I think you might like Tomb Raider too, it's pretty awesome. Ha, I could always slide them under your door, if your room really is that bad..."

[morg]

"You know, I never really liked Guitar Hero as much as Dance, Dance," mused Morgan. "Probably because I'm much more into active stuff. Drumming was cool and all that though."

She shrugged. "I'm not obsessed with games. You know," she smirked, "like you. But I like to play them every once in a while. Didn't know someone had gotten a hold of Guitar Hero. Was totally playing Dance, Dance in the Cavan common room the other day."

That had been fun. It was great when she could show off her Gift and actually do something entertaining and nonviolent. As much as Morgan enjoyed beating up other people and competing in sports events, she also didn't particularly like actually hurting most people. Some deserved it, yes, but most were tolerable.

"There's several reasons not to like games," argued Morgan . "For one thing, it steals attention away from girls and onto games. Besides that, have you actually looked at some of the games lately? Seriously, apparently to actually fight with a sword I have to wear a chainmail bikini. News flash, Kaylen."

Morgan raised her eyebrows and smiled, "I've fought with a sword, and I sure as hell didn't do it while dressed like a cheap hooker. Besides, most girls really do like some games, when they actually get to play them."

She crossed her arms at that, daring him to argue with her. She did have one last thing to add though. "Tomb Raider? For real? It's not that bad, but c'mon. I'm more of a sports and racing person. Last thing I want to do is be a bimbo running around with a handgun."

[Kaylen Valieth]

"I've never played Dance, Dance. I...don't think I'd be very good at it."

Kaylen did not dance, it was a fact. The only dancing the boy ever, ever, ever did was if they were at an official dance or event, and he had a date, and he had to dance with her for a slow song. Then, he'd just hold the girl close, and she could guide him, and since slow dancing only really consisted of swaying and slowly spinning around, and there was also the consolation of being very, very close to a pretty girl, and sometimes it'd even end in a kiss, he supposed he could manage it. But that was it.

Dance, Dance, Revolution? He wouldn't be caught dead.

"Anyway, I think you'd look good in a chainmail bikini," the Almasian smirked, and it was a little hard to tell whether he was joking or serious. Of course, he was serious. Morgan obviously would look good in a chainmail bikini. But if she knew he was serious, Kaylen didn't quite trust that she wouldn't hit him, so it was probably best to keep his attractive company guessing.

"And Lara Croft's not a bimbo! She's hot!"

[morg]

"Monkeys can manage dance, dance with enough practice," protested Morgan. "Next time I hear someone's got it set up, I'm so looking for you."

Yes, Kaylen was certainly the type of person Morgan could see herself befriending. Slightly charming, but more goofy than anything else. Truthfully, she couldn't help but actually like him a little, though she knew full well it would never go anywhere.

"Of course I'd look good in one," lied Morgan. the comment had flattered her greatly. Boys were doing that more and more lately. Made her wonder if she hadn't picked up pheromone production or something. It certainly hadn't been this good back in Pickneyville. "But the point isn't whether or not I'd look good, but why I'd bother. I'm not baring my legs for a weapon, and there's no way I'm giving a boy a peepshow mid-fight. Not unless I'm going to sock him afterwards."

She couldn't help but be slightly pragmatic. Still, the advantages just didn't outweigh the benefits.

"And Croft is so a bimbo. No one explores lost temples and slides through caves in short-shorts and a halter top, I'm sorry. Not unless they want to get all scratched up. Totally unrealistic," she smirked though. "I'll give you hot though."

[Kaylen Valieth]

"No way! If I hear that someones got it set up again, I'm going into hiding."

He couldn't help but grin, even if he was a little worried now. Morgan seemed like the type of person who wouldn't give up until she'd seen him thoroughly embarrass himself at the stupid dancing game. Maybe he'd find whoever had the game, and force them to hand it over, and then burn it....

"You kinda remind me of Lara Croft, you know."

Was that a bad thing to say? Because he sure as hell didn't see being compared to the sexy Tomb Raider heroine as insulting, but Morgan seemed to have a different opinion. She just seemed to have that whole attitude... Plus, she was a very attractive brunette young woman, not unlike Ms Croft.

"Not saying you're a bimbo or anything," he decided it was probably best to add, just incase she got the completely wrong idea. That probably wouldn't go down too well.

[morg]

"Hiding won't help you: I know where you live," teased Morgan. She could actually see herself hunting through the Almasy dorms, looking for Kaylen to force him to dance himself into embarrassment.

"Wait, I remind you of Lara Croft?" Morgan crossed her arms and arched her brows, "I just explained exactly what made her a bimbo, and how very unappealing she was, and you compare me to her? Yeah, yeah, I'm not a bimbo," she waved off his protest, "you've still got some explaining to do."

She looked at him, expectantly. "Seriously, I don't even have an English accent. I'm going to love to hear this."

And he certainly wasn't getting rid of her until he explained himself. You don't go around comparing girls to people they'd just systematically destroyed without offering at least a cursory explanation.

Particularly when said girl happens to be Morgan Cavan.