Late Celebrations (Xander)

[Cassie Clark]

Life in Providence had been hectic since the revelation of her brother. Cassie often found that she needed to take long walks during to day to gather her stormy thoughts. Things were strange at times, what with her meeting all manner of creatures here at the school. The deputy headmistress was a fairy and she had recently met a shapeshifter named Jacob who she found rather amusing. She had even made a trip to greens to meet her brother but that was a bit frustrating.

Here she was taking a walk again down the way of the academy. She needed time to gather her thoughts, time to shift into a form she was finding more soothing. Shifting into the animal was easy, well minus the pain that came with the animagus spell. Her birthday had been three days ago and she had not even bothered to let anyone know. Being alone was like that, no one to wish her a happy birthday or watch her turn 17. She did not feel any older nor did she feel any wiser. Finding a quite spot near the exterior wall of the Academy, Cassie sat down for a moment. She needed quiet, needed someone to talk to. Her mind was a jumble of mixed ideas, light and dark, pain and joy. Her body slipped from the human form, taking the shape of her panther as she felt the confusion ease.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Walking around the grounds of the Academy seemed like such a great idea. Xander had only been at Providence now for a few days. Life here was so much different than life back at home. He wasn't use to the cold weather. This was one of the many things he had to adjust to. Not only was the weather much cooler, eh no, flat out colder, but there were a ton more people than back home.

Taking a moment to stop and take a deep breath, Xander looked around. So many people but everyone here were strangers to him. How odd was it to be surrounded by so many people but yet still be so very lonely. Guess that was something he had taken for granted. Home was always full of people. Often crowded beyond belief. Many times he had wanted to be alone. Now he craved the interaction of someone.

As Xander walked around the last corner before walking back into the building, movement caught his attention. At first he didn't know what it was. Of course his curiosity made him turn toward the movement. It took a few seconds for Xander to realize that what he was looking at was a panther. He stopped and watched it for a few moments. What was a panther doing this close to a school? Crossing his arms across his chest he stared at the great cat.

[Cassie Clark]

The much needed reprieve from the chaos of her thoughts helped center Cassie for a moment. She knew that she could not stay in this form for long, a panther was bound to draw attention. Looking around her to see if she had been spotted she noticed a young man standing there staring at her with his arms crossed over his chest. Realizing that things could get dangerous, Cassie focused on returning to her human form. It was painful but the transformation was always exhilarating at the same time.

Stroking a hand through her blond curls, Cassie looked timid as she wondered what was about to happen. If there was about to be a fight she did not want to stick around, yet if her being in her cat form was what was bothering him she could easily make sure he was no longer around when she transformed. Speaking softly she whispered, Hi. as she looked scared a moment.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Standing there in the open, Xander kept his eyes on the panther in front of him. From his experience he made very sure to keep a close eye on any cat or animal for that matter. It made him in some ways very wary of them. But in others also intrigued. It was always nice meeting others. Even if they were still different.

As he stood watching the cat, the oddest thing happened. It changed in front of him. One moment it was a cat and next it was a human. Of course this made him even more curious. Was she like him? But if so, why was she able to change at will like that? Xander had heard of some werecats that had the ability to change at will. It was a genetic difference. At least that was what Derek had told him.

The voice that came from the girl didn't match the animal she had been. It was so soft. All she said was one simple word. That brought a smile to his face. He took a small step forward. "Hello yourself." Turning his head to one side, a habit he seemed to keep in his human form. "Nice cat." He said with a smile.

[Cassie Clark]

Approaching with caution Cassie smiled at the man in front of her. He looked new, she was certain she had not seen him around the school before. Shaking her head a moment, she brushed her hands through her hair once more making sure she had no lingering traces of her transformation. Hearing the deep voice of the person in front of her she smiled as she nodded. I always thought that she was the prettier side of me. I am Cassie by the way. Sorry if I scared you. Her voice was still so soft afraid that she might disrupt the calm that was there.

Rocking back and forth on her feet a moment, Cassie was nervous. She never spent much time around boys, never knew what to say that would not make her look like an idiot. Here was another situation that would probably end up embarrassing for her if she let it continue. There was something about the guy standing there that kept her rooted into the spot she had been in, though she was about a foot closer.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Watching the girl closely, Xander could tell she seemed to be somewhat nervous. He was a little unsure about the reasons why she felt that way. But then again maybe it was just that he was new. He liked the way she played with her hair. It made him want to reach up to his own. He wasn't use to wearing it up so much. But since he had arrived at Providence, he kept it up in a ponytail a lot.

"She is very nice looking. I will give you that. But this side here is also very nice to look at." Xander said with reaching up to brush a strand of her blonde hair back. "Oh, sorry about that." He quickly pulled his hand back and shoved it into his pocket. He really shouldn't have done that but he had that urge to touch her. Almost like she still wasn't real.

So the girl's name was Cassie. "Nice name. Well hello Cassie. My name is Alexander but please call me Xander. It's nice to meet you." Xander continued to watched Cassie. He didn't know what to say. So he guessed he would just comment on her statement. "You didn't really scare me. More like surprised me. I wasn't expecting to see a great cat this close to the Academy. That's all. But it was nice to see it still." He didn't add that it made him feel a little more comfortable.

[Cassie Clark]

She was nervous, very nervous, afraid that her every move would end up getting back to Karlis. She still did not know her brother well enough to know how he would react to a situation like this. As she stood there talking to the boy in front of her. Cassie started to relax. He seemed to be at ease right now and that made her want to relax. It was weird to be talking about her cat form in third person, even weirder for a guy to say she was pretty. Really? she asked almost hoping that he had not been lying to her.

Xander was his named and it seemed to fit him from what she could see of him. Here was a guy that instead of running from her frightened as a few others had. You are the first person to not be afraid of me. It's hard being able to turn at such a young age, painful too because I loose my focus halfway through. Its nice to know that at least one person will not run screaming. The more she looked at him the more she found him fascinating. He wore his hair back and she wondered what it would feel like to touch it. He had touched hers and she froze a moment. It felt strange to have someone reach out and touch her but she was not about to complain.

[Xander Kavanagh]

He watched Cassie. The longer they stood together the more she seemed to become nervous. "Am I interrupting anything?" He finally decided to ask, hoping that he wasn't being to forward. "I mean I wouldn't want to keep you if you need to go." Xander hoped that she wouldn't leave. But also knew that he if made her feel this uncomfortable then he wanted to least give her a way out if she needed it.

Cassie didn't seem to believe him when he told her that she was just as pretty in human form as in cat. "Yes you are. I don't know why you would think otherwise." He told her with a warm smile. That was something he never understood. Why so many girls or females always thought they were not pretty. "It anyone tells you different, ignore them."

Xander couldn't help but smile again when Cassie said he was the first person not to be afraid of her. But he could understand why some would be scared. "Can't be scared of something that I am very partial to myself." Xander took a moment to think. Would he go ahead and tell her what he was or should he wait. He always feared peoples reaction to this. But if she was similar to him, she would understand right. "I think you will find I am very understandable when it comes to great cats." That was very close to telling her what he was. But once again he kept that to himself, afraid that it would cause her to leave.

[Cassie Clark]

Smiling up at Xander, Cassie relaxed more though she still looked a bit nervous. She knew that the chances of her big brother finding out were slim so she decided to forget abou0t him for a while. Not at all. My big brother is a bit overprotective and I was briefly thinking about his reaction to me talking to a guy. He would not take it very well, then again he did not take to finding out about me very well either. she was trying to make Xander feel like she was not uncomfortable with him.

She knew she was pretty but no one had told her that to her face before. No one has really told me I was pretty before. was all she said on the subject before letting the topic drop. There was something strange and curious about the young man and she hoped to find out more. He told her he was partial to big cats, that the understood them. Perhaps he is a shapeshifter or another animagus like I am she though to herself. Looking up at himshe smiled, Are you a shapeshifter? No perhaps you are an animagus like me? Either way it would be nice to see something other than wolves at this school.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Keeping his hands in his pockets, Xander stood really close to Cassie. But he made sure that his hands remain in his pockets. If she had been someone from home it would be different. A causal touch between friends was nothing there. Here, with strangers. Now that is something else all together. Didn't need anyone thinking he was a freak or anything from the beginning.

"Sounds like your brother is mighty protective." Xander told Cassie when she told him about her brother. "But I can't say that I blame him. Not really. If you were my little sister, I would be very protective of you." A smile came to his face before he looked back down at the ground. "Oh. You didn't know you had siblings either." That thought took him by surprise. "Sounds like that goes around a lot." Realizing that he was talking out loud instead of to himself he shook his head and looked back at Cassie. "All we are doing is talking. He can't possibly get to mad at that." At least Xander hoped that he wouldn't.

Then the conversation turned to the part that Xander had been dreading. So she was an animagus. That's interesting. "Your an animagus. That's good. But why a cat? Do you know?" He didn't quite understand how animagus were chosen so he thought he could at least ask. He took a deep breath and looked away. "Well. I am actually neither. I survived an attack a few years back and ever since I become a large cat once a month." Xander kept his story short. He didn't want to go into too many details. Not at first at least. If she wanted to know more, he would tell her.

[Cassie Clark]

For the first time a true genuine smile made itself known on Cassie's face. She felt herself relaxing to the point where nothing was going to bother her. As she thought about her brother, Cassie frowned a moment. He is a bit scary. My brother is older by at least 20 years and I hear he is a dragon animagus. He seems to get mad at guys even talking to me but I think we are safe. He is in Greens.

Xander had asked her a question that she had never really thought about. When she had learned the magic from her aunt she never questioned why her form was that of a panther. I really do not know why I am a panther when I change. My aunt, who taught me the magic, said that the form we take has something to do with an aspect of our personality, that it usually matches the form of our patronus. I do not know what a patronus is but oh well. She was looking at Xander a moment as she heard him talk about being bitten. She wanted to cry out for the pain that he had been hurt. Is your transformation painful? I always loose focus during the spell and so it always hurts. My aunt gets mad at me.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Kicking a small rock nearby, Xander looked down at the ground for a few moments. It seemed that Cassie was starting to relax. That made him happy. There was something about this girl. Something that drawn him to her. He couldn't put his finger on it. But there was something. At least he thought so.

Glancing up at Cassie, Xander could see a smile creeping up to her face. It was such a wonderful smile. "You should smile more. It lights up your face." But just as he said that, she seemed to frown again. He hoped that it wasn't because of anything he had said. Almost as if she read the question in his mind she explained. She had been thinking on her brother. "A dragon animagus. Wow. Now I think I need to be worried." After a second Xander shook his head. "Nope. Not running. I'm going to talk with you." This came with another smile.

"I've heard that patronus' represent something about a person. Some charactistic. What do you think that is? I mean what about the panther is also like you?" Xander was very curious about this now. It was always very interesting listening to people explain something about themselves.

Xander could see the reaction Cassie had had when he said that he had survived an attack. "Oh don't worry it happened many years ago now. But the scars are always with me." Almost as a sub thought he stretched the muscles of his back. Under his shirt laid the scars of that dreadful night. "At first I thought I was dying. When it was new. But after a few months of the change. It became more normal. Almost like second nature. Now it's just a part of me. Of course if I lose my tempter, it's a different story all together."

[Cassie Clark]

There were things about her that she was not sure she wanted to divulge. Xander was making her feel a lot better about the situation, what with him saying he was not afraid of her brother. Karlis had a way about him that seemed to set everyone on edge, she just said it was because he was cranky. She was glad that he was far away right now and would not be interfering in her business. Her thoughts were once again starting to jumble as she tried to think about why the panther was her form. Scrunching her nose up in a cute little gesture she looked contemplative. I guess it is that panthers are regal creatures. Silent but deadly hunters who stand their ground when challenged. They are loving and warm to their families but can be cold and calculating when need be.

As she was describing the panther she realized also that she was describing a portion of herself. The portion that tied her to the Demarius bloodline, the one she had fought against for a long time. Sixteen years worth of practice and teachings were almost lost when she found her brother. She had changed soon after, gone for a three day run. She was feeling that same need to run, to be free of the confines of this world if only for a moment, creeping up on her. Looking up, Cassie allowed another true smile to grace her features as she asked a question that would probably having him hurt her. Can you change at will? I mean can you change whenever you want to? I would love to see your cat form. She felt stupid for asking but was curious.

[Xander Kavanagh]

The school grounds were actually pretty empty. Something about that made him really wonder. Where were the others? There had to be more people around than just them to. But that was also good. He could stand there and talk with Cassie and not be intrupted.

Standing there with Cassie he noticed that she went quiet suddenly. It was almost as if she was tryin to think of something. Or maybe just about something.

The silence gave him time to think as well. Should he be worried. Cassie said her brother didn't like her talking to guys. It didn't take Xander long before he realized that he didn't care what he brother thought. If Xander wanted to spend time or talk to Cassie, he would and he did. There was something about her. Xander was unable to put his finger on it, at least not yet.

Cassie's voice brought his attention back to her. Watching her wrinkle her nose made Xander smile. That small movement made her even cuter. Standing there listening to her explan why she felt her patronus was a panter was very intresting. This allowed him insight on who she was. Well, only a little. Tiliting his head to one side, "So your warm and loving but can be cold too. Intresting. But I don't think I want to find out about the cold part." Shaking his head. "Nope that doesn't sound to fun. Not at all."

Watching Cassie, Xander could tell that she had just disclosed a little more about herself then she might have wanted. He could only hope that she wouldn't regret it.

Could he change at will? "No. I wish I could. But my change is different. I change during a new moon. Of course if I loose control I change early." Taking a moment and looking down at the ground. "I would be to afraid to show you my cat. I might hurt you."

[Cassie Clark]

Relaxing to the point that she was comfortable in Xander's presence. Twirling a small strand of her hair, Cassie looked up at him with eyes full of trust and curiosity. Her life was her own and she was not going to let her brother's or anyone else tell her what she had to do. It was easy for her to keep her smile on her face as she kept her attention on the boy. Pulling out her wand she transfigured some of the grass into a blanket and sat down. The trees around provided good shade and the stone of the wall was cool. Sometimes being able to change when I want to is a pain. I do not think that your cat would hurt me if I also was in cat form at the time. At least you would have someone to run with for a while.

Cassie was trying to make Xander feel somewhat comfortable around her. She patted a spot on the blanket near here and she hoped he would sit. He was fun to talk to and Cassie had never opened up so much. Are you new? Granted I have not met everyone here yet as I imagine more will come when school starts up again but it is still nice to meet new people/

[Xander Kavanagh]

Keeping his eyes away from Cassie, Xander had many thoughts go though his head. He was worried about many thing but also really didn't want to worry with them now.

Watching Cassie was actually a little entertaining. He never really understood girls that much. They had always really confused him. Must be something on that other leg that he didn't get with his DNA.

He watched as she conjured a blanket and then sat down. It looked like she was actually starting to relax a little around him. That was good at least. He didn't want her all that uptight or nervous. He could only hope that she would relax around him. If she did she would be the first. At least the first here.

"I don't think your cat will hurt me. Not if I'm in cat form too." This made Xander look back at Cassie. "You know. I have never really thought about that. You have a point." Cassie had made a very good point. His cat would probably actually be real calm with her. "You know you are the first person that I've met that is a female that can also become a cat. I think it would be interesting." Looking back down at the ground. "But I'm also worried."

Xander watched as Cassie patted the blanket beside her. Did she really want him to sit with her? Maybe so. After a few moments, Xander took a seat beside her on the blanket. "Yea, I'm new. Just got into town like a few days ago. Actually you are the first person, other than the people who registered me and stuff, that I've actually talked to.

[Cassie Clark]

Cassie flipped her blond hair off of her shoulders and away from her neck. Sometimes the strands would make her think that there was something crawling on her. Her eyes were shining with joy as she looked around her, talking with Xander was great and she realized that she should open up more. When Xander sat down next to her Cassie grew happier. She wanted to make him feel comfortable as he was making her. He admitted to being new and an idea formed in her head. I have only been here about a week. Perhaps we could find our way together? Have you been sorted yet? I am in Pingouin though I have some trouble pronouncing it. French is not a strength of mine.

Laughing nervously Cassie waited for him to speak. She had met a few people here but with it being summer she knew that there was room for more students to show up and more friends. Things were still so new and raw, the hidden death of her aunt who was her adoptive parents, her parents deaths. She had refused to let Karlis in on the death of their aunt, afraid he would not allow her to continue with schooling. While she was here she planned to make the most of it, to live as vicariously as she could. Giggling at some random thought that popped into her head, Cassie looked over at Xander.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Sitting beside Cassie, Xander watched her with a new found interest. She was different than a lot of other girls he had been around. But this was a good difference. A difference that made him want to figure it out, and in time he would. Right now he would enjoy her presence. A smile found its way to his face as he watched Cassie play with her hair. Moving it from her face. That was both a good thing and bad. It helped Xander see her face but it also made him want to reach out and touch her that much more. He knew that there was no way he would be able to explain it so he fought everything he could to keep his hands to himself.

So it seemed that he wasn't the only new person around. That was good at least. As Xander sat and listened to Cassie she told him that she had been sorted into Pingouin. This made him look at her a little closer. "Really. You were sorted into Pingouin. That is so interesting because so was I. It seems we have a lot in common. Even down to our houses." Looking back up at her. "I think I would really enjoy finding our way around together." He really did. Sitting here with Cassie, Xander felt at ease and peace. Talking with her was so natural and easy.

As he sat on the blanket beside Cassie, Xander let out a small breath he hadn't really realized he had been holding. Slowly he stretched out his long legs in front of him. Placing his hands behind him, he reclined a little, totally relaxing. Just feeling that he was actually able to do this was something for Xander. Silence seemed to fall between them. Only until Cassie started giggling. Tilting his head to one side, "Whats so funny?"

[Cassie Clark]

Laughter filled the quietness as Cassie thought about her last birthday. Things were going great for her so far and she hated to change that. Looking over at Xander she knew that she was glad that he had agreed to finding his way around with her. She hated being new, being so lost and all alone so having someone to hang out with would be great. She had made attempts to find people she related too but no one had clicked with her yet.

Looking up into Xander's eyes she kept her smile on her face as she spoke. Sorry about that. I just had a random memory of being in my animagus form and falling into a pile of snow. There is so much snow around here and I hate it really. I am not a fan of the cold but since the accident I have been stuck here. She did not want t divulge the the reason behind what she was talking about. Cassie was afraid that if they found out she would be forced to leave Providence and live with her brother.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Sitting there on the blanket, Xander let his mind wonder. It didn't take long before it had found is way back home. Home where it was warm. Home where you could lay out under the stars no matter what time of the year it was. He was really beginning to miss the warmth of home. What he wouldn't give for a trip there now.

Things here in Providence had been interesting to say the least. Every where Xander turned someone was staring at him. Those who where not staring where commenting. Some of the comments he had heard, but most he hadn't. Did he really care what they where saying. Not really. That thought made him wonder what Cassie was thinking. Why had she laughed?

Xander sat watching Cassie as she giggled. It was a very nice sound and he couldn't help but smile. He listened to her as she told him about the memory. About the snow. "Snow. Not my favorite thing." He said with a shiver. It was almost as if he was cold and he wasn't not really. It was only the thought of snow.

It took Xander a few seconds to process Cassie's last comment. An accident. What kind of accident? Looking at Cassie as she seemed to withdraw herself with that comment. "There was an accident. What kind?" He asked it anyway. He could only hope that she didn't get to defensive or think he was being to intrusive.

[Cassie Clark]

Taking a deep shuttering breath Cassie started to speak about the accident. She wondered just how much she could tell him, or how much she should tell. My parents were killed not to long after I was born, so I went to live with my aunt. Aunt Lunia was a great woman and she raised me by herself in hopes that I would not end up like my brother. It's weird to spend sixteen years with someone that you think of as a mom but she is really your aunt. Anyways I am rambling let me get to the point.

About three months ago we packed up our things and moved here to Providence. Aunt Lunia thought it might be good for us to get out of England, to change the area that we were in. So here we are in Providence Montana in the US. We had barely unpacked the house when a guest came by. You see my aunt was a sweet woman, always helping others that needed it, a talent she passed to me. So when this stranger happened by, saying they needed help she decided to help. Cassie took another breath as she tried to steady her shaking voice. This would be the first time she had spoken out loud about what had happened and she hoped it would help her deal.

Things were going good for a few weeks. The visitor was there for two weeks before he struck. Aunt Lunia was a powerful witch do not mistake that but she was no match for someone that used a combination of non-magical techniques and magical ones. This stranger did terrible things to her before finally killing her. He did not know that I was still in the house, that I could see everything he did from my hidden darkroom. I think it is easier for me to refer to the situation as an accident. You know your the first person I have told since it happened. Cassie shivered, it was easier to tell everyone that her aunt was hurt in an accident than what really happened. She was truly just hoping to forget the whole situation.

She was afraid that they would force her to leave Providence and she hated that. She had just turned seventeen, and knew she did not have many years left to still be young. I found the gift she had saved for me a few days ago. See my birthday was yesterday, I turned 17 and well, my aunt was great. She got me a car but she also put money away for my college. She wanted me to continue to study magic and to be the healer that I dream of being. I am just so afraid that if someone found out that I have no legal guardian they will force me on my brother. I like Karlis but he can be a bit overbearing and I would hate to impose.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Sitting on the blanket with Cassie, Xander pulled his legs up closer to him. Crossing them indian-styled so that he was closer to her. Something told him that if she felt up to sharing it might comfort her a little more if he was closer. Ok, well maybe it would just comfort him. Being so isolated here was really taking a toll on him. He glance back at Cassie, showing with his eyes that he was ready if she was for the story.

Xander sat listening to her as she began her story. She had lost her parents at an extremely early age. He knew a little about that. After all his father had left before he was born. It wasn't the same but the loss is still there. At least he still had his mother. Xander didn't want to know what it would be like to lose her. One day he knew that he would but he wasn't ready to face that.

Xander almost smiled when Cassie said she was rambling. She might be but it was still cute. But he was stopped short when he noticed her voice became shaky as she talked about their moving to Providence and a stranger coming by for a visit. Without thinking, Xander reached out and took Cassie's hand in his. He hoped that this would help calm her. He could tell that this story was hard for her to tell.

Listening to Cassie talk about the end of her Aunt's life was something that Xander hadn't expected. He tried to fight back a ping of anger he felt at the knowledge that someone would take advantage of someone like that. He also knew that Cassie might still be endanger. What if the person who had done this came after her? Xander shook his head trying to get the thought out of his head. Transferring her hand that he held to his other, Xander took his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. In hopes of comforting her.

Xander let the silence fill for a few moments. He wanted to give Cassie a moment to relax a little after her story. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I am so sorry about what happened to your Aunt. It shouldn't have happened." He let the comment fall and the silence rise again.

"So yesterday was your birthday." Xander said looking down sideways toward Cassie. "Sorry that I'm late but Happy Birthday. Since I don't have anything to give you let me give you this instead." He pulled her closer to him in a hug. It was all he had to give. It had to be better than nothing. "You won't have to worry. I won't say anything to anyone. I'm going to be selfish, I don't want you to leave." Xander said before he had realized.

[Cassie Clark]

Cassie hated to be sad or depressed, to know that others felt sorry for her because of events that had taken place. Looking over at Xander she wondered if he felt pity for her or if he was just saying the platitudes that were expected in this type of situation. He seemed genuine in his concern but then again she had only known him for a few hours so how could she be certain. His voice was soothing to her as he spoke and she almost laughed at him mentioning he wanted to be selfish. She would hate to leave this place, even though it was cold and wet and entirely too far away from her family home.

When Xander pulled her into a hug she simply rested her head on his shoulder. He was strong and she felt safe and secure in his arms. No one had ever made her feel like this before, like her world would be ok instead of crashing in around her. Thank you Xander. It means a lot to me to know that you also wish me to stay. I love it here even though it is so much different than my home. I am sorry for the crying, I was not trying to make you uncomfortable. He seemed like the type of guy that could handle things with ease.I guess the scary thing is they have not yet found the man. I know that if I saw him again I could identify him, so I guess its a good thing he doesn't know I was there. She was shivering in fear at the idea that she could easily be killed and no one would find out the person responsible.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Xander felt that he should have said more about Cassie's loss of her aunt. But he didn't have the words. It wasn't something he had experienced. The only person he had really lost in his entire life was his father but that was before he was born. All he could do was try to be supportive. After all he was sure that anything he could say has already been said to her. So why should he be redundant.

Holding Cassie close to him, Xander hoped that this was comforting for her. He knew that it helped him. She was the first person that had gotten close to him since leaving home. Even if it was just physical proximity. That was still more than what he had. For some reason everyone tended to keep their distance from him. He never understood that. It was like they refused to give him even a chance.

Absent-mindly, Xander raised his hand to Cassie's hair. Playing with the ends of it. After a few moments she rested her head on his shoulder. This helped him to relax a bit. At least it wasn't an unwelcomed move. That made him feel a little better. "It's ok, Cassie." Slowly he raised his hand to cup her cheek. "It's the truth. I know we just met but I still don't want you to go." There's something about this that he was drawn to. The only problem was Xander had no idea what it was.

Xander could feel Cassie as she shivered, he pulled her closer into the hug. He had a feeling that the shiver didn't have anything to do with the cold that it was from being in fear that the guy might back after her. "It is very good that he doesn't know who you are. It wouldn't be good if he came looking for you." The very idea that she might be in danger like that made him quite mad.

[Cassie Clark]

Safety and strangely love filled Cassie as she sat there with her head on Xander's shoulder. He was such a nice man, so different than the others she had seen at the school. Cassie was at first intimidated but now she was rather glad she was getting to know him. Closing her eyes for a moment she thought about what she wanted to do in her current situation. She was more than happy to sit and just enjoy the day with Xander.

Smiling softly she looked up at him without moving her head. I don't mind if you are selfish. I rather like it here and I would be selfish with you as well. I don't want you to go. So what should we do now? I know! Tell me a bit about where you come from. She was truly curious, wondering if he would share anything about him. She wanted to learn as much as she could about her new friend and wondered for a moment if she could sneak him into her dorm room for conversation.

[Xander Kavanagh]

Contentment filled Xander. He was behind happy at the moment. It was the first time he could honestly say that since he had come to this place. What was it about this one girl that gave him that feeling? That was one question he was completely and totally unable to answer. But he was willing to figure it out. Maybe being in the place wouldn't be so bad after all.

Letting the silence fall around them, Xander sat with Cassie in his arms playing with her hair as they just sat there, enjoying the time together. He felt her move a little. Xander tilted his head so that he was facing her as she looked up at him. Looking down into her beautiful green eyes. He could have been lost in them forever.

It took him a few minutes to realize that she had said something. When she said that she would be a little selfish with him as well he couldn't help but smile. It was nice to know that he wasn't alone in that feeling. Her next question was true what did they do now? It was something he didn't know.

Cassie asked about his home. Where would he begin? "Well I am from the Amazon. Do you know where that is?" He started taking in a deep breath. "It's a good distance from here and a whole lot warmer. Well we don't really live in a village. It's kind of on the outskirt of one. Mom and my stepfather always kept us away from the village in fear that someone would find out what we were and try to kill us." Xander stopped his story there, he wasn't sure what else she wanted to know. He was surprised at how easy it was to talk to her.

[Cassie Clark]

Cassie sat quiet as she listened to Xander talk. He seemed so much different when he was opening up and she wanted to know more. She was surprised to hear that he was from the Amazon, she had learned about that place, knew it was great for healing herbs. The Amazon is so the opposite of here. So much more warm and such amazing foliage. I hear its the best place to find healing herbs, and other potion ingredients. What is it like? Her excitement over learning about a new place was something she rarely felt bad about.

If she were too look at herself int he mirror she knew she would see curiosity and a something else quite not so identifiable. She felt at peace and it was so wonderful for her that she did not want to see the day end. So are you staying in the dorms or did your whole family move here? Some students live out of the dorms but that is because their parents live in town. If he lived in the dorms she would able to see him more frequently as she did not get to venture into town too much.

Sighing a moment she snuggled into Xander a bit more wondered what she should do next. There were only so many questions she could ask before she grew bored with that. Sometimes her attention waned on a topic, allowing her to shift from topic to topic with ease.

[Xander Kavanagh]

The sudden interest in Xander's home made him smile. He couldn't help himself. It was nice to finally have someone he could talk to about it. Ok, maybe not all of his thoughts and feeling about home but he could talk about most of it at least. Cassie's knowledge of the Amazon surprised him. "Wow. That surprises me. Not many people know that much about my home. Not that I'm complaining mind you. It's nice to find someone that might have a small idea of what home was like."

Taking in a deep breath, Xander could smell the sweet scent of Cassie's hair. It was a nice smell, a very comforting smell. "What is home like? Well, try and imagine if you can. A place full of trees. Everywhere you turn are trees. The most beautiful forest ever seen. Then think of the rivers. Warm, boy its warm there. But we always fixed that with swimming. People stayed to themselves there. Not because they didn't want to interact with each other, but because we lived so far apart." He hoped he had described it well enough. The images that floated in his head didn't always come out his month when he tried.

Watching the curiosity flitter across Cassie's face made him smile again. It was very cute to say the least. Sitting there together in the peace of it all made Xander feel calm and very happy. Her next question brought his attention back to her. Part of him had wished that his mother had moved with him but sadly she refused to leave home. "No it's just me. Some days I wish they had moved up with me. But sadly no. I stay in the dorms without a roommate. Which is also very interesting. Seeing how I grew up with siblings. Not having to share my bed or room has taken some getting used to. What about you?"

Sitting there on the grounds, holding Cassie close to his chest, Xander smiled. He was comfortable, comfortable in more than one way. There was something about this girl that made him feel like this. Of course it still worried him but that was a feeling for another day.