(RC.Room) Relaxing

[thatsace]

Acelin stretched out on her stomach on the floor in front of the hearth, the fire crackling loudly next to her. She had a book in front of her propped up on a pillow and propped herself up on her elbows. She had decided to not go to the library as she may usually do on a particularly chilly day but the common room was the perfect place to go.

She laughed heartily as she turned to page. How silly people in love can be, she thought before continuing her read. She bent her knees and slowly kicked her feet up and down thoughtfully. She was only a hundred pages into the book but was already captivated by its vivid imagery and colourful characters. This is how you do it, she thought, this is how you relax!

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis knew that she should be studying or at least reading some of her textbooks but for some reason her mind wasn't really on work. She had been sitting in the library for quite some time and nothing at all to show for it, she was pretty much just taking up space. As she noticed a few others waiting for a place to open up Alexis decided that she would be nice and give up the prime table space she wasn't making use of. Getting up she smiled and walked out figuring that she'd go back to the common room.

Once she entered she noticed that it was so quiet, there was barely anyone around, but she did notice one girl that seemed to be enthralled in a book. Alexis not sure if she wanted to be completely left alone she took a seat not too close yet not too far from the reading girl. Smiling she said politely, 'Seems like a good book,' she figured the simple statement was enough to gauge whether or not her fellow Claw was interested in being left alone.

[thatsace]

Acelin giggled again, Jeff, you're so funny! she thought as she turned another page. She heard someone come in but didn't stop reading, it was getting too exciting. But when she heard someone talk to her, Ace turned around to see someone looking at her. Ace was always happy for the company and so turned away from the book that she was captivated by it; it was easy enough to put it down.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Acelin giggled, her thick accent coming through, "I was slightly caught up in me book. D'ya say something?" She sat up straight and crossed her legs. She shook her hair to her back and held her crossed legs by her ankles. She smiled happily and looked expectantly at the girl, wondering if she had even spoken to her.

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis felt relief that the other girl even answered her. Granted the other girl hadn't heard what she said but well that was to be expected since she had been busy reading her book. A wide smile played across her lips as she turned her head and looked at her fellow Claw properly.
'I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you or anything I was just...I guess I was just trying to make small talk. I asked you if you were enjoying your book,' she finished kind of awkwardly.

Moving her chair a bit closer she was glad that she didn't have to sit down here in the common room alone since she did that often enough since she still hadn't made many new friends yet. 'Um what was that book you had there if you don't mind me asking you seemed like you were really into it,' she said politely as could be.

[thatsace]

Acelin laughed as she picked up her book. "What?" she giggled, clapping the book onto her open free hand, "this ol' thing? Not really. It's my favourite book in all the world. It's a silly romance novel, gives me butterflies." She laughed again as she patted her stomach. “It’s called ‘My Love and Yours’ by CJ Coughman, I really enjoy it.” She looked at the cover of the old book like she might after finding a pendant that was very important to her.

Ace loved people and was happy to put a book aside to make new friends. So she did, she set the book back on the pillow before turning back to the other raven. "I'm Acelin," she said happily, "good ta meet ya." She loved saying her name, Acelin rolled so nicely off her tongue with her heavy Irish accent. She loved to say it but she didn't like it much, she preferred Ace really so told that to the girl too.

[Alexis Heart]

A girl after her own heart, Alexis thought since she too was a huge fan of romance novels. Though she had never heard the title of that particular book she had heard of its author. Perhaps she would try to find it and take a look for herself. 'I've heard of the author, nothing but good things I have to see if I can find that book sometime,' she said smiling at her house mate.

After that she finally got a name, from her companion. Albeit an unusual name Acelin. Wondering about it she held out her hand to the other girl, 'It's really nice to meet you, I'm Alexis. Acelin what an interesting name where's it from?' she asked thoughtfully.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Just as Alexis held out her hand, Russell walked into the common room from his dorm and heard introductions. He looked over to the fire place and saw two girls. The one he knew, Ace held true to her name, but unfortunately he didn't know the other. Alexis, she said her name was, Alexis.

Rus walked to Acelin, saying all surprised, "Acelin! How unexpected!" He pulled her up from the floor, hugged her and then helped her back down again. They always had a forceful relationship and he knew that she was the only girl he could do that with that wouldn't slap him.

He now turned to Alexis and said, "Alexis," and grasped her extended hand, "I'm Russell, pleased to meet you." He had intruded on girl talk, he soon realised, something he seemed to do quite often. Shrugging and smiling, Rus sat on a high backed seater a little away from the others. "Sorry for interrupting," he said, once seated.

[thatsace]

Acelin lit up when she realised that this girl also liked these kinds of books. She picked up he book and offered it to her, "you're welcome to borrow it, if you'd like. I've read it a million times already. Go on!" She put the book on the girls lap and sat back down on the floor, smiling happily.

Acelin happily shook the girl’s hand. "It's good to meet ya too," she said cheerfully and she was about to tell her where her name came from when Ace was hoisted to her feet and hugged. Slightly shocked, Ace barely had time to hug back when she was pushed down again. Now she could see it was Russell, oh dear! Here we go again!

He sat down, but a bit away from them, and Ace frowned from him to Alexis. Well, never mind then! she thought. Shaking it off, Ace said, "me name comes from me great great grand father. It means 'little noble one' and Great Grandpappi had it in his will to name the third daughter of the fourth son Acelin but he never had four sons so I ended up being it." It was all rather confusing but nevertheless, great to tell and she loved doing it.

[Alexis Heart]

Acelin was actually offering to lend her the book and Alexis couldn't help but flash that dazzling smile of hers. The book did look like it could be good and Alexis could gage that from the fact that Acelin said she had read it more than once, always a good sign in her opinion. 'Well, if you wouldn't mind I'd love to, I'm almost finished the one I've been reading and was having trouble trying to figure out what to read next.' Looking down at the book she couldn't wait to read it now.

As the two girls were about to continue talking there was a disturbance in the form of a male fellow Claw. Alexis didn't know him but from the way he picked up Acelin the two seemed to be well acquainted. Watching the exchange she tried to remember if she had seen him around but couldn't think of any. The hand that she was still holding out was shook by the newcomer, so Alexis trying to recover from her little shock at the intrusion shook her head slightly clearing her head and then she smiled at him, 'It's nice to meet you Russell.' Crossing one leg over the other she figured this was turning into a little bit of a gathering. Not that she minded she had just met two new people which was always a good thing.

After Russell made himself comfortable Acelin continued telling Alexis where her name came from, the story was most interesting you didn't always meet people whose name meant something to their family, like her for instance her mom just saw the name Alexis somewhere and thought it was nice. 'Wow that's really cool, do you get asked that a lot?'

[thatsace]

Acelin had never thought about it. She frowned up, thinking for a moment, then she looked back at Alexis and smiled. "Ya know," she said with a wistful giggle, "I've never thought about it before but yes, I do get asked often. And I never get tired of telling!" She laughed and looked at Russell, "I've even told Russell a few times. He's so forgetful."

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell had gotten very comfortable in the single couch he had picked for himself. He was resting his arms on the arm rests and drumming his fingers distractedly. He was staring into the fire and he wasn't really paying much attention to the two girls. His sister was still on his mind and all else seemed foolish.

But when he heard Alexis say his name, he looked up and smiled at her. Then Ace butted in and Rus returned to staring into oblivion. Upon hearing his name again, Rus pushed himself out of the chair and sat closer to the two girls. "So what are two beautiful things like you doing inside on a day like today?" he asked, looking dreamily from the one beauty to the other.

[Alexis Heart]

Being referred to as a beautiful had Alexis blushing furiously. She had to admit it wasn't something that she heard very often that was for sure not to mention having it said by a boy she thought was oh so very cute. Alexis chanced a quick glance over at Russell and bit her lip lightly.

This was one of those moments when Alexis became very shy. Her face was practically on fire and she knew that she looked like a cherry tomato right at that moment. Her head was down her eyes on the threadbare carpet looking at it as if it was the most interesting thing she had ever seen before.

Boys always had that effect on her and it always mortified her. Hoping that Acelin would jump in and give her some time to calm herself down Alexis stayed silent hoping that no one took her silence for rudeness and praying that Russell couldn't see her face.

[thatsace]

Acelin grinned a toothy smile at Russell. He was always sweet-talking girls and Ace often saw how uncomfortable it made them. She looked at Alexis and saw the red on her cheeks, see! she thought. She winked at Alexis, and sat up a little straighter, rocking on her bottom.

"Well, we were just admiring the lovely fire," Ace grinned and indicated the fire with an open hand, "and books and the lake just don't go together." She put her hand down and looked to Alexis, hoping she had gotten over her Russell moment.

"And what are you ding indoors on a day like today?" she mimicked mockingly, playfully. She wanted to keep Russell's attention on her to save Alexis, she knew how mortifying it was.

[Russell Parkhurst]

Russell looked at Alexis. She had suddenly gone very quiet and Russell couldn't figure out why. He wasn't given the chance to either because Acelin answered. He looked at the fire Acelin had spoken of. It was nothing impressive, just another fire on another day but obviously he was missing something that the girls hadn't.

She turned the tables on him now and asked the same question, doing a terrible impersonation of him. He laughed quietly and shrugged, "outside is just not where I want to be right now." His answer was said reflectively and he was staring into the fire, just seeing Ace out of the corner of his eye. In truth he wanted to get away from his infernal brother but he wasn't about to tell these two that.

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis was so thrilled that Acelin took over talking, if she could have she would have jumped up and hugged the girl but that would just make her look silly, so when she thought she could chance it she sneaked a look at her catching her eye and winking. While those two talked Alexis took a few deep, calming breaths allowing herself to calm down a bit. After about two minutes she placed the palm of her left hand on her right cheek very quickly and she could feel that it was much cooler than it had been before. Thanking goodness she that little embarrassment was over she now looked up at the two.

She heard Russell telling Acelin that he didn't want to be outside just then. Looking out the window she thought it was a nice out but she figured he had his own reasons for not wanting to be outdoors, so she said nothing about it, she just said, 'Well it's fun in here we're having a good time talking right guys?'