The noise level considerably drops when a red-headed cellist walks into the auditorium. She looks very nice today, thank-you very much. She's wearing a long flowing skirt (green) that she'd gotten from a friend at a summer music camp a couple years ago. Brown flip flops are on small feet, and her torso is covered with shimmery spaghetti-strapped tank top. It has sequins on it and makes her feel pretty. She has a heart-shaped face, dark green eyes and smooth, pale skin. Her hair is pinned up in various places, accentuating her neck and finishing the look nicely.

A few dark glares are cast her way when she enters, but they're shaken off. They seem like that way, but no one in the orchestra really knows what Joellie thinks, so they can only guess at the workings of her mind. For the most part, anyway. I don't know how they did it, but one of the more vicious violists now knows Joellie's greatest weakness, snakes, and now has a rubber one hidden in his bag. He's only waiting for the oportune moment to drop it somewhere effective.

The director isn't here yet, probably won't be for another ten minutes. That gives the students ample time to warm up and enough time not to be late. Joellie hadn't been late, just not fifteen minutes early like everyone else, so it's natural that a few eyes turn her way. But not twenty-seven pairs at once. Both the Viola and Cello sections. All of them. Joellie doesn't acknowledge them, though, simply strides to an empty seat on the floor of the auditorium and opens up her case. Mistake number one. She takes out her music folder and walks up the stairs to put it on the first stand. She's first chair this semester, too. Mistake number two: leaving the case unattended. Inside the case are pockets for things such as rockstops, rosin and cleaning rags. The second chair cellist gets the snake from Vicious Viola Player and slips it into one of these pockets for an unsuspecting Joellie to find when getting her supplies.

The violas and cellos all watch as she jumps down from stage and saunters to finish unpacking. She carefully releases the restraints on her Baby Cello, making sure to have a firm grip on it so that it doesn't fall into the bass sitting next to her. She's being especially careful because the stupid bass player has his very sharp end pin out for no apparent reason. The instrument is completely unattended. Cello secure in left hand, the right reaches into a pocket to retrieve the rosin. Two sections draw in a collective breath, waiting. Not in that pocket. A second later, though, they are gratified with a terrified scream.

The cello is briefly lifted into the air before it falls, the back of it landing harshly on the outsuck end-pin, recieving an ugly gash and splintered wood. It continues its journey to the floor and lands with a crack, two strings breaking and the bridge shattering into pieces and strewn about the floor. It's nearly destroyed and she spent so much time and effort into getting it just right. But the cello isn't why the girl is in near hysterics against the nearest wall, in violent tears. She'd touched it, in her mind it leapt at her and too many memories were dredged up for her to stay silent.

Now everyone is looking at her. Some in confused shock, others in pleasure, but none of them doing anything to try and abate her fears.

Oh these stupid humans.

Poor, poor, poor darling.

The doors to the orchestra open and who is it that steps through? Why Alice of course, one of the most eligible bachelors on campus. Most of the people are staring at Joellie but all eyes eventually fall upon him because well, he's like a magnet. A frowning magnet.

His shoes are clicking against the floor as he makes his way across it, expensive designer shoes, black leather. He's dressed nicely today. He was planning on surprising Joellie after her practice today with a visit, watching her perform too of course. Nice fitting pants that show off his legs and ass, no wrinkles, black of course, rather like the ones worn with expensive 'preppy' tops. Which is exactly what he was wearing. He calls it a man-blouse, white with black pin stripes, and it goes down to just about where his hair reaches, top unbottoned to show off his graceful neck. If fit close to his body, but wasn't as tight as nylon.

His hair isn't put back today just let loose becuase it is fun to watch women (or men), who want to have blonde hair so they dye it, stare at him enviously. His hair has gotten even paler since he and Joellie met, but it still is the shimmerin platinum-gold that it always has been. A small, feminine gold watch on one wrist, a thin pretty gold chain around his neck, and a gold ring that sported a very large diamond on the other hand.

He was looking very, very nice today. But wasn't he always?

It didn't take him long to walk across the room and over to Joellie, his long legs taking him far quickly. And when he got to her, he bent over and pulled her into his arms, holding her easilly with his face in the crook of her neck. He was whispering condolances, mainly of 'I'm here' but at least that helps a little, right? While one arms and hand is helping to hold her against his body, the other is on her back, stroking it and her hair. Poor, poor darling. It made him rather, annoyed, to think someone would cause one of his pretties such a fright.

His face lifted slight from the crook of her neck and the expression proably made a few people wet themselves becuase of the intense, frigid expression. His eyes were on the one who put the snake in the bag. Alice had seen that. Dick head. He needs to put more effort into improving his skills than trying to frighten this darling who has better skills than he probably will ever have. Nasty idea coming to mind. Alice turned his face back into the crook of Joellie's neck to stop himself from smirking.

Don't worry Joellie, Alice will get revenge for your beautiful baby cello. He did his best to comfort her, leaning his head back and kissing her tear stained face, not on the mouth yet. There will be much gossip, many of the girls look jealous, that Alice is now dating the lead celloist of the orchestra. Oh, this will be most fun.

But main priority is to comfort Joellie, other things can be taken care of later. Isn't he a sweetheart? More kissing and hugging. Alice is doing his best.

It's not so much that Alice is taken (boys and girls alike have long since given up on getting him) but that it is Joellie who managed to get him off of the market. The girl has next to no friends that anyone can recall and is probably the best musician in the school. The perfect target for dislike and jeers, which is why no one bothers to stop the rumors that are spreading from section to section. 'What, she's with Alice?' 'Yeah, but you know she slept with him. There's no way she could get him otherwise,' 'I bet. The skank.' And so it went, whispering over heads and behind hands.

Pure fear, however, had struck a certain cellist. He is standing stock still, his cello gripped tightly in white knuckles. His motive was thus: he believes the he is God's gift to cellists everywhere. Truth be told, there are quite a few chairs between the head of the section and his sad seat at the back. He almost does piss himself, but manages not to. A few people shy away from him, being unsettled enough though they didn't recieve the full effect of Alice's glare, they wanted no association with the boy. Who knows what an irate man like that would do?

When Alice first puts his arms around Joellie, she very nearly jerks away from his hold. There is a visible flinch but then she notices that what she's touching is skin and not rough scales. At that point she buries herself as far into his embrace as she can go. She doesn't know that it's Alice--she's never been held by him before. She does, however, recognize the voice, and begins to calm down with his reassurances. His best is all she needs.

"Alice?"

"It's alright Joellie...it's alright."

A whispered croon comes from his mouth, only for her to hear, it's amazing really. A being, who most would think to only be cold and cruel could be so warm. His hold on her is protective and warm, his poor darling, yes, his. He is breathing in her scent, his own smell was of some expensive cologne that reminded one of the mountain air, fresh and startling, intoxicating but you can never get enough.

He heard the whispers and sent another frigid glare across the room, a few of the students managed to /shut-up/. All of them are dispicable. But that one, who did this to his Joellie, will pay, oh...in so many ways. No one, and he means no one, messes withone of his pets, no, none at all. And especially this one, she's special. She looks so much like mother too. But Joellie is so much more pleasant to be around.

He was stroking her hair and went on to kiss her face once more before looking her in the eyes. His thumb was stroking her cheek ever so softly.

"What do you want me to do right now? Kill the person who did this in front of the students as a warning? Help you gather your things and then leave? Or carry you to someplace nice and force the other's to pick up everything with threats to follow them if they don't?"

His voice was still so quiet, a murmur that was pleasant to the ears. this voice happened to be saved for Joellie. He was always gentle with women. Or at least this one and a spare few others that he highly favored. But mainly this one.

She can't hear them. Their whispers are too soft for her ears to pick up. But she does hear him. Every word. She's soaking his shirt through, too, but his tone of voice doesn't suggest that he minds.

Joellie barely manages to stanch her sobs when her tear washed eyes are focused on his. She's so glad to see him. So relieved that he'd been there exactly as she'd needed him. It brings more tears welling up. What would have happened if he hadn't been there? Would she be ridiculed or simply left in her corner crying and alone?

Hiding her face to his chest once more, she grips his shirt and tries to disappear.

"I d-don't want t'be...here," she whispers between breaths. So she really doesn't care what he does so long as he doesn't leave her.

"Okay then, let's leave."

And with one last icey glare at the classroom, Alice pulled Joellie completely against his body and stood up, holding her bridal style. He gave another kiss on the head and graced her, and her alone, with a look of adoration, sure to spark some jealousy. Oh yes, most definetly. But they wouldn't dare do anymore damage, no one would want to be the enemy of someone like Alice who knows everyone and can turn everyone against you. Which is one of the things that will be happening to that boy very quickly. If Alice is lucky, he won't get dirty and the boy'll kill himself.

He was swift but gentle, carrying her carefully but quickly out of the room. The whispers in turn got louder, stopped when he kicked the door shut, then started up again. As he walked down the hallway, several people as the pair passed by looked or stopped and stared. It was an odd sight really. But for the romantics, it was a touching thing, as if Joellie had been some distressed modern Princess and Alice was the Knight in the Pinstiped shirt who saved her.

He was going to the garden area, it's nice there, and not too far. He should be passing the Director sometime soon too. Maybe he'd stop him and give him a piece of his mind.

((Want to play the Director, Tor dear?))

(( Of course!))

And there he goes. The director is a round man. One who might have been skinny and muscular at one time, but seems to have had too much beer (or some other high calorie food) for even a brief glimmer of the past to show through. He's bald. He's ugly. And he's full of himself.

Passing in the hallway:

"Joellie, why aren't you in the auditorium?"

Nevermind that she's huddled in the arms of a very good looking man, in tears and flinching at every sound.

Meanwhile, back in the aforementioned room, students were looking around wondering just what was going on.

A certain cellist looks uncertainly about the room and wonders if he should go hide somewhere.

Is anyone doing anything about that broken cello? That other very expensive equipment she left in the room?

"She's in shock, I'm taking her to get treated."

Sorta true, Alice's version of treatment is snuggling (since he hasn't done it in so long) and resting in the garden area.

"Your students should really learn some manners, they frightened Joellie and she broke her cello too."

Alice looked down at the man. It was hard to, he wanted to turn away and throw up somewhere. He cannot stand ugly people, he can't help it really, but he's unnacostumed to see or be near ugly things. At mother's, there never were ugly things, the ugliest things were always in armor and outside guarding the manor and going through the forest.

He stopped his lip from curling. This man would have been something they ate. He gave a shudder, but it was unnoticable to humans. This man. Ugh gods. Alice is not going to be able to stay much longer.

As for the cello, no one was going to touch it sometime soon, that glare Alice had sent, ne! They were avoiding Joellie's seat and huddled together in little masses, gossiping and such.

So they are definitely in for the orchestra director's wrath when he comes in to find them not warmed up and tuned.

But at the moment, his attention is all focused on a dashing young man holding his prized musician (and only one week before the first concert of the year, I might add).

"Shock? What for?"

Wait for the brain to process information....ah yes, there it goes.

"Broke her cello? But she has a solo to perform! And what do my students have to do with her neglecting her equiptment?"

As for Joellie and Alice's shudder, the girl isn't human and has a body very susceptable to feeling vibrations. Therefore, when he shudders, the naga tries to hide away from her conductor, though it hasn't worked so far, perhaps now it will. When her director speaks she only wants to leave. She doesn't want Alice to converse with him or even to give him reasons for why they're leaving. She wants to be gone already.

Alice twitched.

He already hadn't liked him when he saw him, now he simply despised him. His arms tightened, this time possessively, around Joellie and he frowned at the man. Maybe he could kill him too. A moment thought. Nah, he'll just ask someone to cause an 'accident'. Alice wondered breifly whether or not there were any Voodoo doctors around here but cleared his mind of that.

He'll take care of this near hairless ape later. All that mattered was Joellie.

"You can ask your students yourself."

And off he went, silky, pale hair trailing behind him. He didn't care about the other, he was getting Joellie out of here as soon as possible. Poor thing, practically in shock. He ditched his first plan, no use giong outside. It's a little chilly.

They're going to his apartment.

He walked over to a car that a friend had given him as a thank-you gift for a...favor. A sleek, silver Italian sports car. An nearly half-a-million sleek, silver Italian sports car. The favor might have been really messy, and Alice had to get rid of a favorite pair of shoes becuase the blood wouldn't get out, but this cherished beauty was worth it.

Keys out of nowhere and he clicked the mobile thinger that unlocks the car with a beep. He slipped Joellie in the passenger side, making sure she was comfy (even getting a blanket he kept in the back!) and did her seat belt for her. Then quickly he shut the door and hopped over the small car, climbing in on his side.

It's amazing he can even fit in it.

Turned it on, radio was playing some pretty cd of his. A nature disk that had rain and soft thunder storms with a piano and cello playing. Very lovely, especially since it happens to be one of this authoress's favorite CDs. He pulled out and then shifted gear, going forward, heading towards home.

It's no skin off the director's back, he'll only throw another piece the orchestra's way and expect them to have it perfect in time for the concert.

Stupid arse...

Joellie hadn't wanted to let go of Alice, even to get in the car. Her only consolation was the blanket that smelled faintly of him and the way he tucked her in so nicely. Being so far away from the Orchestra Director From Hell and secure in the knowledge that anywhere Alice was taking her couldn't be bad, Joellie relaxed some. She still curled into herself as much as she could and kept her eyes firmly shut, but the atmosphere had improved considerably.

The cello music. It triggered a very recent memory. In the haze that had been her panic, she faintly recalled letting go of something...and hearing the resounding sound of cracking wood and twanging strings.

No, it couldn't have happened, could it? Not her cello, not her Baby Cello.

More tears threatened to spill, her breathing became just a bit more labored.

"....Alice?" a small voice, "..what happened to..where's my...?" she couldn't even ask about it.

Alice slowly looked at her, then turned off the radio as he listened to her. Poor dear. He was feeling sympathetic. He put his hand against her cheek, thumb brushing away the tears gently. He couldn't take his eyes off the road but he was doing the best to comfort her.

"Yes darling, I'm honestly very sorry...but it did happen..."

He thought of the one who caused this. He will pay dearly.

Very dearly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop it in time..."

He sighed deeply, hand still stroking her face as he turned the wheel, heading to the very nice part of the city, fancy buildings and really lovely apartments. His should be coming up soon.

Her head unconciously leaned toward the warmth and comfort of his hand. His words brought a sob that was choked back, and a flash of rough skin and red stripes that went from the roots of Joellie's hair to her toes. She shuddered when she felt the instincts fighting to rise and coil into a protective stance cried a little harder. She hated what she was, she hated the fear, she hated the dispicable feel that washed over her every time it happened.

A small hand reached up and held his to her cheek. Would it anchor her in that shape? Would the feel and presence of his wonderfully warm skin keep her calm? Her lips brushed his palm and she desperately hoped it would.