Teasing Out The Truth

[Kira & Lee Norris]

... wh... what?
Really, Kira would rather have kept arguing. She felt her own face immediately colour, and the treacherous eyes that longed to look at Arihant to see his reaction were forced to remain focused on Sally-Lynn.
"Oh... okay."
Now what? You didn't need to see wave patterns to see that Kira's otherwise chalk white cheeks had flushed a delicate pink. It didn't seem fair that the girl should look so triumphant. It felt like she was gloating at Kira- or was she gloating at Arihant? Either way, Kira didn't like it.
What did it mean, though? Why would he be blushing... like...?
Suddenly, Kira noticed again the freckles that decorated Sally-Lynn's face. She really was... pretty, wasn't she, in that cute sort of way? And she had lovely hair. It was a great colour- not this strange kind of white blonde Kira's hair was- it was much darker, and much richer.
Maybe that's why he was blushing.
Maybe the contrast between the two girls had brought it out more, or something.
The colour was draining from her cheeks as steadily as it had risen. Kira felt relief overwhelm her. At least now she wouldn't look so very fitted for the part of the idiot.
"Okay," she repeated, trying to smile.
It seemed necessary. Sally-Lynn's grin demanded a response.

[Arihant]

ooc: Three-person dialogue + Ari-angst = a long post even for me. Sorry XD

Arihant couldn't look at anybody; his eyes were trained on the ground and his cheeks were blazing harder than he could ever recall them being before.
God, he'd known that he blushed more around Kira. Of course he knew that, he wasn't quite that dense. And the heart-beating thing - well, he hadn't known that one, but it made sense, he supposed.
He had thought about why that was before and had come to a tentative conclusion. It was more... awkward for him around Kira because she'd been the first. That was the only explanation there could possibly be. He didn't fully understand it, himself, but then again, what was there that he really did understand? The only answer was a resounding "Not much."
"Lynn," he muttered, still unable to look up, "was that really necessary?"
He'd kind of relied on his blushes being invisible up until now.
"No, I guess not," she laughed. "But you should know how I get about my waves, you've been friends with me for what? Four months?"
Kennedy laughed too. "We're an acquired taste," he said.
"That's true," said Lynn.
There was a brief pause. "Say, Sally," observed Kennedy, and Arihant cringed again as he recognised the tone of voice as one that meant this conversation wasn't ending any time soon. No. Kennedy was having fun. "Why do you suppose he does that?"
"I don't know, Kenny," she said offhandedly. "I don't exactly psychoanalyse the waves."
Maybe there was hope. Maybe she wouldn't pick up on the teasing...
"Oh!" she said, and Arihant sighed inwardly. Of course not. He could tell from the surprised and suddenly-too-knowing tone of voice that Kennedy must have sent her one of their special messages. "You're right, that is interesting. But are you sure? He never talks about her."
"That doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't," said Kennedy. "Arihant's the man of mystery. He doesn't bring up anything without at least a little prompting."
"True," said Lynn. "Maybe he does, then."
Arihant shouldn't have asked.
He knew he shouldn't have asked.
But apparently Sanity had decided to take an impromptu holiday from his brain. "Maybe I what?" he said irritatedly, knowing he had just fallen for their bait, and he raised his head to look at them.
Not Kira, though. He couldn't look at her right now.
"Well..." said Lynn, and she sounded reluctant.
"Maybe you like her," supplied Ken, and when Arihant looked down at him, speechless, all he saw was pure bloody evil.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Oh.
Oh, no.
She'd really gone and done it now. She'd really gone and screwed things up for him. It must be really bad, mustn't it? What did it feel like, she wondered, to have the girl you liked believe you were besotted with someone else? And Sally-Lynn was so convinced... she was obviously blind to... something.
Kira was making assumptions.
So were they.
She was a little annoyed with Kennedy, actually, more so than she was with herself. Kennedy wasn't weighing up the situation properly. Didn't Kennedy think that Arihant mightn't have mentioned Kira before, because of Sally-Lynn? Had that even crossed his mind? Kennedy was ignoring her Training- he was meant to examine every situation from all angles.
When next term commenced, she was so going to boot his butt into gear.
But the current situation was going from mildly awkward, to just plain painful, and Kira knew she'd have to stop it... somehow.
She looked at Arihant, who was avoiding her gaze, and cleared her throat.
"Er... sorry. I just came over because... well, I thought I should say goodbye."

[Arihant]

That woke him up pretty quickly.
He turned to her immediately, no longer thinking about what Kennedy had just said and focusing only on her. And crap, she looked upset. She looked... He couldn't place what it was just now, but she seemed agitated, and if he knew anything he knew that Kira didn't look agitated when she was happy, unlike his other mad friends. Something was wrong.
"What? Why are you going?" he asked quickly, and his voice sounded ridiculously nervous.
And then he remembered his companions again at the sound of muffled laughing. He faced them again, suddenly completely exasperated. "What the hell is it now?" he demanded, his usual patience evaporating fast.
"Nothing," said Kennedy.
"You're not insane enough to be laughing at nothing," he snapped. And then he amended that with, "Not yet, anyway."
"It's just..." said Lynn, and she swallowed another chuckle that threatened to escape. "You sounded so scared, it was adorable. I think you're right, Ken."
"Adorable isn't exactly the word I'd use there," he said, "but aye, I think I'm right too. Obviously."
Arihant stared at him for a second, fighting down a mad urge to punch him in his smug face. He couldn't think of a word to say, but a sudden enlightenment sent him back to Kira.
"Is it because of them?" he asked. "Don't leave because of them, it's OK, I can get them to shut up."
Of course she would want to go now. They were being utterly insane and she was clearly being made just as uncomfortable by this as he was. He didn't blame her. It wasn't exactly flattering to be told that the monster liked you.
Particularly when the monster was suddenly unsure of whether that was true or not.
Lynn's voice came from behind him. "Actually, come to mention it-"
"Lynn, I meant what I just said," he pointed out through gritted teeth, without turning away from Kira. Those demons of friends that he had really knew just how to make his temper flare.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

“No!” Kira was surprised into laughter. “No, no, nothing’s wrong- and it’s nothing to do with Kennedy and…”
Her mind blanked as she looked at Sally-Lynn. What on earth did she call her?
“… and his sister.”
Ooh. That didn’t sound awkward at all.
The twins’ demonic smiles were frustrating her. She wished they didn’t delight so in Arihant’s embarrassment. And he was getting angry. She supposed she was the reason he was so angry, now. She’d sure be frustrated with her, in his position. Sally-Lynn seemed to be getting- if possible- even more enjoyment out of this than her brother.
Whatever… this was.
“I’m going home,” Kira explained, smiling as best she could. “Back to Ireland. For the summer. For… a good month, at least.”
Now, Arihant, wouldn’t that be a relief?
Him and Sally-Lynn had all the time in the world.
All…

[Arihant]

"Oh," said Arihant, barely audible. He didn't really know what else he could say.
Luckily for him, Lynn piped up to Kira. "Sorry, I should have made it clear for you - it's Lynn. Only this cretin calls me Sally." She kicked Kennedy, probably abstaining from the usual cuff around the head that she gave him in deference to their current height difference.
"Ow!" moaned Kennedy, and started rubbing at where her heavy hiking boots had connected with his thigh. "Sally, that's rough."
"That's karma."
He glared up at her. "You know, I could report you for that."
Lynn rolled her eyes. "You ever think you could restore my faith in your masculinity for once; stand up and take it like a man?"
Kennedy scowled and stood up beside her. Arihant didn't know why he bothered anymore. There was never a fight between them that he managed to win.
"I have plenty of masculinity," he muttered.
"You're one step away from being my sister," she laughed. "Literally."
"Look, just because I could - I mean, you don't have to bring that power into everything!"
"Sure I do," she said, winking over at Arihant. She really got more enjoyment out of teasing her brother than she should have - and unfortunately, that wink was her acknowledgement of the fact that she knew Arihant enjoyed it as well.
But right now he wasn't thinking about that. He was thinking about this -
"Ireland," he said stupidly, looking down. Ireland. A month.
So, for him, a month alone. He didn't know why that bothered him - especially seeing as Kennedy and Lynn were only gone for a week of that time.
But he'd...
Well. He'd kind of hoped to see Kira. To make up for all the time they'd lost because of the exams.
He felt sort of empty when he realised that he wouldn't be doing that.
"OK," he said, looking back up at her. "Right, sorry, that makes sense. Sorry. I just assumed - well, it's not exactly out of the bounds of reason to want to get away from the demon-children." He smiled.
Kennedy laughed, having apparently already got over his embarrasment of a few seconds before. His confidence verged on psychopathic. "Demon children my arse. We're just pointing out the truth... teasing out the truth, if you will. You'd be a beautiful couple!"

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Kira was amused by the way the twins (well, Lynn) frequently verbally abused her brother. It was sort of... refreshing, in an odd way. Another reminder of just how little she and Lee saw of each other these days, yes, but...
It was refreshing, all the same.
She was brought promptly back to earth at Kennedy's laughter.
"Demon children my arse. We're just pointing out the truth... teasing out the truth, if you will. You'd be a beautiful couple!"
Oh, for the love of-
Well. He was her Spy. If she wanted, she could shut him the hell up and stop him bothering Arihant, who was looking increasingly awkward.
"Kennedy," Kira said sharply, glancing at him fiercely, "I think that by now, you've made your point perfectly clear, and you do not need to pursue it any further. However, if you do, I'll be forced to take disciplinary action. I think that Training clear-up could be a tad labourious next term with Seamus gone, don't you?"
So there really were perks to being Head, huh?
Her face was a cold, stern mask, but inside, she was chuckling. This was for Arihant.
Their own, private revenge.

[Arihant]

Oh, praise the Lord.
He mouthed Thank you to Kira, a relieved smile pushing its way across his face as he registered the sound that was coming from behind him. Silence. He'd almost become unused to it, having been friends with the twins for the past few months. Really, he couldn't decide whether their behaviour was just... sort of un-self-aware, like excitable puppies, or if it was downright sociopathic.
He turned around to look at Kennedy, and the sight was nearly enough to make even Arihant burst out laughing. Lynn had been wrong; now that was karma. The grin had dropped from his face and he would have looked downright petrified if it hadn't been for the slow pink that was spreading across his cheeks.
Kira had made him blush. She had made Kennedy blush.
Was there anything that girl couldn't do?
"I, uh," said Kennedy, swallowing. "I guess that would make... sense, aye, and I- um. Y'know, I think I probably have to go now, anyway. I have, uh - packing to do. I'll - I'll see you next year, then, Kira," he mumbled, and turned away from them. He walked away briskly, his hands dug deep into the enormous pockets of his black overcoat.
"Wow," Arihant said after a short pause, looking back at Kira, and he laughed. "If you can have that kind of effect on him, I'm going to need to keep you around more often. That could prove extremely useful."
Now there was a good thing to say, wasn't it? He'd got considerably better at this whole upholding-a-conversation thing over the last few months. And he was even able to do it now, when he had just had ideas about her planted into his head that he had to try very very hard not to think about.
"Well, I don't know if it's just Kira," said Lynn, and she still looked like she was trying to stifle laughter. "He's not used to being told off."
"I tell him to stop all the time!"
"Ari, you're hardly a voice of authority, there," she pointed out. "But no," she said to Kira, "you did especially well. I mean, we're not actually leaving for two weeks. I think sending him off to do his packing is particularly impressive."
"And does this whole voice-of-authority thing not apply to you?" asked Arihant. "You're just as bad as he is."
She laughed. "Harsh, Ari."
"True, Lynn."
"Fine," she said. "OK, you both have full permission to turn me in to Madeleine and get me extra battle training for the next year. I get it, I deserve it. But I don't know how effective that would be as a punishment... I mean, unlike my slack-a-lot brother, I do actually enjoy training sessions." She smiled. "Even if that means I have to clean up after. God knows someone should."

[Kira & Lee Norris]

With Kennedy gone, Kira was feeling positively buoyant. Somehow, it lightened the atmosphere, and although Lynn still remained, and Lynn had been the one responsible for most of the teasing, Kira had successfully managed to shut her up. It felt kind of good actually; having power. Really, she didn't excercise it half as much as she should.
"Seamus always volunteered," Kira told Lynn, smiling a little sadly at the loss next year would bring her. "He was great... God knows what it'll be like next year. I think I may have to give Ailith a promotion. She won't be too happy about it... but that's what she gets for being good."
Looking back at Arihant, she felt her heart skip, seeing the smile on his face. Yes, it must be a relief to be alone with Lynn again.
Well. Nearly.
"I'd best be going, guys," Kira smiled politely, "it's just... well... Lee's not going to help me pack, and I usually take ages. I'm leaving tomorrow morning- we've gotta be up at the crack of dawn." She shook her head, with the lightest of laughs. "That's what we get for living across the ocean."

[Arihant]

"Aye, I should be going too," said Lynn. "Or, at least, someone should probably stop Kennedy from hanging himself."
"There's that melodrama again, Lynn," Arihant pointed out. "I hardly think Ken is suicidal."
"Ken feels like a right idiot, I shall have you know," she said, tapping her temple meaningfully. She turned to Kira. "He's too used to teasing Arihant to remember to restrain himself in public - and, for that matter, I am too. So, on behalf of us both, we are very sorry."
The apology would have been better if she'd not still been grinning madly while she gave it, Arihant reflected, but better than no apology at all. He knew that what they said was true. When the twins started, they almost acted as if they were drunk - any social misgivings (which were admittedly small in the first place) were driven away completely.
But she'd done an OK job of it, hadn't -
Oh God. She was speaking again.
"And don't worry," she said, tapping Arihant's leg with her foot, "if he does have a crush on you. Seriously. He'll never bother you with it, our little Ari's much too shy for that."
She grinned wickedly at Arihant's stricken face, and then the grin was frozen in place as she transformed into a metal sculpture before their eyes. The silver-Lynn was only visible for a second before melting into a puddle of glinting liquid on the ground, which folded in on itself, disappearing rapidly.
He stared at the empty spot on the ground where she had been standing a little longer than was completely necessary. The full meaning of what they'd said was only really sinking in just now, and a familiar panicky buzz that he hadn't felt for months was starting to well up in his chest once more.
Luckily for him, he'd got better at hiding it.
He cleared his throat, looked over at Kira, smiled tentatively, and pushed what Lynn had just said from his mind. He'd think about it later.
He wasn't exactly looking forward to that, but it had to be done.
"If -" he started, then swallowed again. "If Lee's not going to help you pack - I could help, if you want. It wouldn't be any trouble. I mean, it's not like I'm going anywhere."
He was talking too quickly. Far too quickly.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Gosh.
Really?
Arihant was clearly more of a gentleman than her cousin would ever be- in fact, he was even more more so, because he was under no obligation by blood to help her out. Extraordinarily elated by this one small gesture on his part, Kira was seriously considering taking him up on his offer, when a sudden, terrible image flashed before her eyes-
All her dirty laundry, sitting in an ugly, smelly mess at the end of her bed, and Arihant's tight-lipped expression when he saw through her door.
Sometimes, her imagination could be too vivid.
Eager to avoid turning this vision into a reality, Kira gulped and was forced to make her excuses.
"I asked Lee because he's a Conjurer, you see," she explained. "He can make these special bottomless pit suitcases, so I can be lazy and just shove everything in any old way. My problem with normal suitcases is that I never quite got the knack of folding."
Anyway, Arihant was bound to have better things to do than help her out. He was just too polite to say so- and far too polite to melt into a metal pool and leave her on her own.
Feeling it best to remind him of his lack of obligation to her, Kira cleared her voice and continued quickly.
Much too quickly.
"Anyway, you don't have to. I- I wouldn't want to... bother you."
Hating to leave things like that, Kira couldn't help but soften things with a smile, but it was a wan effort, at best.
"So, I guess... I'll see you, Arihant," Kira took an unwilling step backwards, "in a month- or, well, 34 days and 33 nights to be exact, unless Mother decides to extend the summer even further."
Which her mother was- unfortunately- not above doing.

[Arihant]

The panic was spreading so fast that it wasn't even funny, to coin one of the many expressions he'd picked up from the twins.
"OK," he said lamely, his voice sounding strange to his own ears. "That's... that's OK."
They couldn't be right. They just couldn't. It made no sense whatsoe-
Suddenly, Arihant found his eyes being trained away from Kira's as a slight breeze lifted her hair. The almost-white strands danced feather-like in the wind for a moment, some catching the rays of the sun and glowing golden.
The movement ceased quickly, and he looked back at her face.
He'd always known that she was pretty, of course. He could remember that even from the first day he had thought that. But how long had it been since he had started thinking of her as beautiful?
Stop it. Stop thinking about that right now.
He knew what he should do, but it was hard. After all, now he was looking into her eyes, and it felt near impossible to look into that expanse of blue without thinking about how -
Stop it.
He probably wouldn't have been able to drop his gaze if he hadn't realised that he had just been standing staring at her like an idiot. He needed to say something. Something else.
But what did he say now?
"I know friends are supposed to hug when they say goodbye," he blurted out.
OK.
What the hell was that?
His cheeks so hot that he could probably have easily cooked a three-course meal on them, he continued, knowing that he had probably irredeemably labelled himself as a freak in Kira's eyes. "Or they seem to do it a lot here, I'm not sure if they would have done it back in - I mean - No, what I meant to say was that... Well, I would if I could."
And a veritable wave of embarrassment just flowed over him. Quickly, he added, "I'm sorry, that was pointless, I - I shouldn't have - Just... Just have a good time, OK?"

[Kira & Lee Norris]

ooc: I know this shouldn't need a reply, but...

Kira found it difficult to smile back.
She wouldn’t, of course. It was such a stupid thing; and such a ridiculous to talk about with Arihant of all people. At this stage in life, Kira was approaching the point where she considered it impossible that anyone really did have a good domestic life. A happy family life. Goodness- where they real? The best relationship she had in her whole family was Lee and Lee was-
Never mind.
She was happy.
She just complained.
A lot.
She nodded slowly as Arihant’s babble drew to a close, and at his final, breathless syllable, the smile she was wearing dropped completely.
“I wish I didn’t have to go, Ari,” she sighed. “I wish I could say goodbye properly… tell you what…” She stepped forward, and raised her hand. “You’re wearing gloves, yeah?”

[Arihant]

I wish I didn't have to go.
Why was he so surprised that she had said that? They were friends. They were. Why did it feel so...
He didn't know.
It felt like she meant it, and that was the main part he didn't understand. Like... maybe she really didn't want to go home.
The idea was alien to him.
"I wish I could say goodbye properly... tell you what..."
And as she took a step forward and raised her hand, he didn't step back. He didn't even try. His eyes just widened, and his heart sped up, and he could feel the burning in his cheeks again...
But that wasn't because he was scared of hurting her, was it?
Oh Jesus.
"Of course," he said. Softly, quietly, low; because he knew that his voice couldn't really stand up to a lot right now. It felt like someone had wrapped his throat in an uncomfortable knot that was resting at the base of his neck, and he didn't want to think why that was.
He couldn't cope just now.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"It'd be just like giving me a high-five," Kira said slowly, after a short pause. "But, y'know, don't hit me too hard. I saw what you did to Deron!"
It was something she'd thought about before. Technically, there was no real harm in it. Their skin would never make contact. It was just... a symbol, y'know, of their friendship.
It would make a lasting impression.
... that... and...
Kira was willing to admit there were selfish motives hovering behind the gesture too. She'd always been upfront- at least to herself- in admitting that she could be terribly, terribly selfish.
She took a further step forward, inhaling to steady herself.
"Okay?"