Jacen took a few seconds to reply... trying to figure out whether Kira was being serious or not before speaking. 'Yeah... least I think so... everything happened so fast.'

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"Understood," Kira responded, balancing her wait on her heels, "But, if we are going to find this book of yours, we should ask someone who actually knows the library, and, I would bet your friend Matt over here would not be one of those people." Kira stopped talking for a moment and have a since sarcastic smile to Matt and then proceed in dialogue, "But seriously, like ask a librarian or someone if they have seen a freaky, old looking red book."

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<center>

'Yeah... I guess you're right.' Jacen was beginning to calm down a little. He began to accredit it to Kira. Her assertiveness although it would usually infuriate Jacen, was enough to give him much needed direction. He looked over to the main desk, situated square in the middle of the library, it too was made of age old oak and had the sense of majesty and antiquity. Sitting at a computer screen behind the desk was the head librarian Miss Cook. The kids of Aldridge joke that Miss Cook is as old as the school itself. Her hair was almost white and completely unkept, small ovular glasses restest on the tip of a hooked beak-like nose. She wore a permanent frown of someone who would not stand for any foolishness and little more than complete silence and impeccible obedience from the children.

Jacen sighed at the sight of Miss Cook, taking one more look at Kira, he squared his shoulders and loosened his collar. 'Ok... i'll go talk to the witch Cook. You guys have a look around, just don't attract too much attention. The last thing I want is everyone knowing i'm a complete screwball. If i'm not back to you guys in 5 minutes it most likely means i've been boiled in a stew and fed to her rats!' He took two steps toward the desk before turning back to face Kira. 'Oh and Kira, Matt... Thanks guys.' He said before apprehensively continuing toward the desk.

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Matt ignored Kira earlier remark and saluted Jacen as he took his heels over to Cook's desk. With a face of 'do-you-know-see-what's-wrong-with-my-friend' he turned to Kira. "Definately a bad trip.." he said because that, he thought, could be wrong with his friend. But Matt would play along.. everything was better than English literature class.

His fingers dug in his pockets to find his bag of shag to roll another cigarette. "Hmm" he mused. "Now I don't think his visit to Cook would be highly effective.. if one is to find a book unread, than asking has not much use." He offered a cigarette to Kira and continued. "Of course.. it's always fun to watch Jacen being slain by Cook because he doesn't come to the Libraray more often."

Matt's eyes, again, went over the shelves and the maze of corridors. "Never thought I would ever go in there.." he muttered.

"Lets start our inconspicious search then.." he poked Kira in the ribbs, excited like a toddler. "Now I do think you are the inconspicious part of the team 'cause Matt Sommer in the Library is a sight that has never been seen and never shall be seen again."

"Now Ma'am..if you were a book not wanting to be read.. where would you be?"

(Oef.. had to catch up with you guys )

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

"I would be in your dorm room," Kira sarcastically responded to Matt, arms crossed, and looked back to see how Jacen was handling the situation.

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<center>

(wow... got behind, but finally caught up! *takes awhile to think about what she's gonna post... mostly to figure out what class Larain should have next...*)

Larain walked toward the library to study for a test she had later today. In the hall, her and Don bumped into each other. He just smiled at her and handed her a piece of paper before walking off. Larain watches after him for a minute, before coninuing on.

Don went off to his math class. He was pretty good at it, and to him it was alright. He didn't hate math. And if sports didn't work out, Don figured he needed something to fall back on. So, why not be a math teacher?

With a sigh, Don slid into his seat by the far wall, and took out his note book.

~~~~~~

Larain put her books down on a table on the second floor of the library, and unfolded the piece of paper given to her by Don.
Can you find me an old red leather bound book? I think it's somewhere on the first floor of the library.
Don, the note read. He wanted a book? Okay, something was wrong with him.

Larain left her stuff there and trotted back to the first level and scanned the shelves as she walked.
"Don must be crazy, if he thinks I can find the book he wants. There has to be hundreds of books in here that fit the description," she mumbled to herself...

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

"If you would be in my dorm room than I would be sure to be there.." Matt grinned and he rolled his eyes while puffing out some smook.

"No.. I would be there." he pointed into the air behind Kira's back. They first had to ascend a stone staircase before climbing up a wooden ladder. The second floor was barely crowded and dimly lightened by a few lamps.

"No one ever comes there I'm sure.. "

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

'...look I-' Jacen tried once more to try and soothe over the librarian and somewhat quash the tirade that was flowing from her mouth.

'No Mr. Bradshaw... you listen to me!' Miss Cook prodded Jacen in the chest, her boney finger stabbing at his ribs. 'I've had all but enough of you ruffians coming and going in this school. The last time I saw you, you... well you know EXACTLY what you did. I'll be dead before I ever help you get your way boy! Get out of my sight... GET OUT!' The pupils in the surrounding tables sat instunned silence as Miss Cook literally quivered in anger. Jacen seemed to the point of exploding too.
He leaned forward over the counter to face the woman, although not particularly tall, Jacen was still a good few inches taller then Miss Cook and his sheer physical attributes seemed to dwarf the old woman. Jacen snarled through his teeth. 'Thank you ever so much for your help Miss Cook.' He slammed his fists down on the desk. 'I don't know where this school would be without people like... you.' The last word out his mouth seemed to be fired at Miss Cook like a dart. Jacen turned to walk away.
'I'm going to find my book now Miss Cook... Just try and stop me!' With that he stormed off toward Kira and Matt who were ascending to the second floor.

What Jacen failed to notice was two adults hidden in the shadows of one of the dark alcoves of the library who were paying particular attention to him from the moment he mentioned the book. After Jacen was out of sight, one of the men slid out of the side exit of the library whilst the other stayed... his gaze fixed on Jacen, Kira and Matt...

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Larain's attention couldn't help but be pulled over to Jacen and his encounter with Ms. Cook. He said he was looking for a book, well, maybe they could help each other. When Jacen and the librarian were finnished with each other, Larain came over to him.

"Hey, Jacen, you said you were looking for a book. Does it happen to match this description," she said, pushing the piece of paper from her brother into his hands. She knew she was being a little pushy, but when her brother asked for a book, it had to be something important.

And if both of the two top gym students needed the same book, then it must be something worth investigating. Larain never knew Don to be the kind to go to books for anything, and she meant it...

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Jacen almost walked right over Larain before he noticed the girl was talking to him.
'What!? What do you want!?' He snapped at her before taking in what she said. He all but snatched the note from her hand and upon reading what was on it his eyes turned to an icy rage.
'Is this some kind of joke?' He glanced up at Kira and Matt before returning his gaze to Larain. 'Did they put you up to this? Because if they did then you should be a little more careful who you try to wind up. I am NOT in the mood!' With that he began to stalk past Larain, a lion could be described as looking less menacing...

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Larain was expecting to get snapped back, and was stunned for a moment, and just stood there. When Jacen tried to walk past her, but she stopped him.
"Listen, Jacen, I don't know what you're talking about. But, that I know of, this has nothing to do wiht them. I bumped into Don on my way here to the library, and he just handed me this note. I don't know, but you and Don are acting really weird lately. If this is a joke, then I'm not the one playing it, I don't know who is," Larain snapped at him, hoping to put sence in the boy. She almost never talked like that, but things were starting to get weird...

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Juliet turned and playfully nudged Kathryn in the shoulder.

“So where were you?” she asked her friend. “I don’t think I have ever seen you late to class.”

“I was…uhhh…busy, and just for the record I was not late.” she whispered back.

“Yeah, but you would have been in like two seconds. So what were you doing-studying?”

“Something like that…” Kathryn replied, remembering the finger-football game that she had with Don.

“Ladies. Would you like the enlighten the rest of the class about on your discussion?” Mrs. Alford’s broke into their conversion as she gave each girl an admonishing look, as both teens shook their heads.

“ Then let me remind you, this room is a sanctuary for music, not mindless babble. I would suggest you keep the chatting to a minimum.”

“Yes, Mrs. Alford. We only aim to please you, ” Juliet replied in a sing-song voice that drew snickers from the students, Kathryn included. Mrs. Alford glowered at her, but ignored the comment as the girl winked over at Kathryn.

“Alright, class. Time for warm-ups.” she announced a little too cheerily before leading the group on vocal exercises.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Skye cursed uncharacteristicly. Shew wasn't going through <i>that</i> again... that maths exam was a disaster. Things didn't usually bother her like this, but she felt faint with the equations and numbers running marathns in her head. She was a scientist, someone who messed around with chemicals and tried not to get blow to pieces; not someone who sat at a desk fiddling with the laws and rules of number. They were all to unfamilliar to her, and she wasn't exactly best friends with her teacher either.
Glaring at the floor she made her way first to her dorm, then to the library to find a book on something that she could actualkly understand. Muttering, she practically threw the door open and sat down at the far end of the room; not caring for the raised eyebrows and odd looks people gave her. Once again she cursed numbers and all they stood for, and sat down, not taking in anything she was reading.

"..237..238..239..240" Matt glanced at his watch and then closed his eyes, carefully listening to the echoes of Cook's delicate voice and the sinister silence that followed. A peaceful and satisfied smile lay on his lips as if he'd just awakened from a nice dream. "4 minutes" he said and he inhaled deeply from the smook from his cigarette. "God, let me just take in this moment. It must be Cook's longest rant ever."

Matt however did not notice the reaction of two unknown men. If he did, he'd perhaps realised this wasn't a game at all.

No Matt was currently more occupied with, how suprising, the encounter of Jacen with an unfamiliar girl. His friend's smile had turned into a grimace and he looked quite pale, as if he was about to explode. "Uh-oh.. not good."

"Be right back" he muttered to Kira, who was already on the first floor. "I think Jacen is going to break the code of unconspicuousness." His hand brushed over the smooh surface of polished wood of the staircase railing.

Suddenly his eyes started to glint and he smiled mischievously. He propped his cigarette between his lips and climbed onto the railing. His Converse shoes almost slipped for the rail was slippery and Matt cursed when he tried to keep balance but when his feet were in the right position he immediately started sliding down the staircase railing.

Adrenaline pumped through his body as he gathered more speed. It was going fast. Even quicker than Matt had thought he'd reached the end of the railing so he bent his knees and prepared to make a huge leap. With the cry of an Indian Matt was launched in the air, loosing his cigarette half-way. The floor came nearer and nearer and with a loud thump he landed next to Jacen on his butt.

His grimace quickly turned in to a smile. "I should go to the Library more often." He looked from Jacen to Larain and started to drag his friend away. "Sorry, my friend is currently really busy if you wish to make an appointment his secretary is on the first floor." he pointed to Kira. And with a low voice he whispered to Jacen. "I think that fighting in the middle of the Library can't be counted as 'not attracting too much attention' mate"

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Jacen was taken aback by Larain's rebuke. Not many people had the nerve to stand in his way when his notorious temper was getting the better of him. However it was more what she said that had him stunned.

Don too? He thought to himself... at least this went someway to proving he wasn't losing his mind... or perhaps he was but at least he wasn't the only one. Still holding the note in his hand he was about to try and apologise to Larain when seemingly out of this air crashed Matt. Still in a half trance Jacen stared dumly as his friend sprang to his feet and began ushering him away. More than once he looked back at Larain, trying to weight up the girl's motives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Reid walked briskly from the library toward the west wing of the School which contained among other things the school faculty office. He wore a scowl that indicated to the student to keep a very wide berth. Before he reached the building, he ran into Mrs. Allan, one of the English teachers in the school.
'Ah, Margaret... I'm glad i've caught you... it seems we have a bit of a situation.' Mr. Reid spoke softly, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no-one could hear. 'The boy Bradshaw... I think he's looking for the book, him and his two friends.'
'Mrs Allan slowly rubbed her pimpled cheek, she was a heavy woman who seem to do everything slowly, including come to decisions. 'Who were the other two?'
'Kira Marshall and Matt Sommer.' Mr. Reid hissed through his teeth. 'They must be dealt with before they know too much.'
Mrs. Allan nodded half to herself... 'They will be... they will be. You better to go Mr. Turnbull... he'll want to know about this.'
With that Mr. Reid bowed his head slightly before turning and heading off toward the principals office.
Mrs. Allan stood there for a moment thinking to herself before slowly heading off in the direction of the library...

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Aubin let out a laugh and hugged Mary and patted John's shoulder before skipping off towards the library. "Let me know if you want in, you two!" She called over her shoulder giving them a white and toothy grin. She hurried across the quadrangle towards her hammock, ignoring the fact that her brother was left with Mary and John. She chuckled at the thought of her brother left with the two, she could not wait for the stories that were spawned from it. She hummed a tune from "Little Shop of Horrors" as she resumed her lounging spot on the hammock. She dug through her booksack once more to retrieve a well worn copy of "Pride and Predjudice" and began reading, waiting for something of interest to spring up.

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Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me