Cookies and Hair Dye(Open)

[Aureolin Sky Meadows]

Music Room/Mr. Jester's classroom
Open to all- preferably Chorus/Music Students or Mr. Jester

Aureolin Meadows was, by far, the sweetest boy in his class.

He didn't really know why he was here. He knew it had something to do with his hanging attempt, but he really didn't know the details. All he knew was that he was deemed a misfit- and that weighed heavily on him. Everyone treated him like such a child, guiding him to classes, taking away some of his belongings. It still embarrassed him when he had to explain the pleasure item under his bed to the staff a few weeks ago. 

Even though it was past his block for Chamber Choir, the blonde-haired boy was sitting in the corner of the music room, absently fiddling with the tie to the bag of cookies he held. They were tempting- the publix brand cookies, which were always good. Aureolin would have made some himself, but he wasn't exactly allowed near any ovens. It was a shame- the boy knew how to bake pretty darn well. 

But these cookies were for his favorite teacher- Mr. Jester. The reason? Well, one does not simply ask to have a supervisor(/friend to have fun with) to go shopping. Aureolin wanted to dye his hair again- the last time he did it it had been a dark indigo, and that turned out nicely. But he never used permanent dye, and by now, his Platnium blonde hair was once again prominent. Hair dye was fun. 

He was dressed in a simple white button-up and a pair of jeans today, nothing really special. He had been down from about a week now after a bad Strep infection, and now that he could actually swallow his own saliva without flinching, was beginning to get his voice back. Of all things, he had to loose his voice(Aureolin? Missing Choir!? Are you sure you're not touched in the head!?). Aureolin sang mainly light Tenor, though he could go up to Alto if he wanted. The guilt was crushing him, though it wasn't his fall he couldn't sing. Hopefully, it was nearing it's end.  He looked around with curious brown eyes, brushing a few strands of hair from his face. He perked up as he thought he heard something creak.

"Hello?"

The boy's light, honey-sweet tone was returning slowly, though he could only speak in a loud whisper. His voice was even a bit cracked at that volume.

[Alaric Tomas Jester]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]tonight i wanna turn my head off

AND LET THE MADNESS OUT CAN I GET THE GATES UP I FEEL IT COMING ROUND I'M IN A COLD WAR WITH MYSELF AND MY NERVES OH HURRY LIKE A HOUND DOG I'LL COCK MY HEAD JUST RIGHT AND COME OFF DYSFUNCTIONALLY IN LOVE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Alaric had actually been in a therapy session during the class that Auerolin had decided to sit in on. Damon had taken over and was at the front of the classroom, going over scales. Ric did not really pay much attention when he slipped in. He was not the one in control at the moment, anyway. He went to finish cleaning up the mess left at the back of the room and once it was done, he went over to where Aureo was just as the class was ending. The music teacher smiled at his student and said, "Hello, Aureo. Are you feeling any better?" It was rare for the boy to miss one of his classes, but knew that if he did, it was for a pretty good reason. Alaric was still getting to know the boy, but treated him like he did all the other students that let him: more as a friend than a patient. Ricky always believed he got through to the students easier if they did not see him so much as an authority figure and more just as someone to talk to. "Got your texts about needing more hair dye and stuff." The teacher arched an eyebrow slightly and chuckled a little as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, I'd say it's been plenty of time to fix that color of yours." Alaric was one of the teachers that honestly had no problem buying hair dye for the students and monitoring them as they dyed their hair. He was all about self-expression, especially in a school as dull as St. Helena's. He, himself, had to go ages with his brown roots showing before he finally convinced his counselor to go with him when he was at the school, and that only happened once he got clean. It had been one perk, at least, of getting sober again. He might use that with one of his students at some point, if it might actually help any. "I've no more classes or sessions today, so it's a free slate. We can get what stuff you want, maybe chill at the park a bit so you're not cooped up in here all day." Alaric shrugged a little, flicking the fringe of hair out of his eyes. It was not uncommon for Ric to take a walk around the park with one of the students, turning their little outing into a therapy session without boundaries. There were no enclosed spaces, no notes being taken, no folders, nothing. There was just two people talking. It was, in Alaric's personal opinion, a much better way to have a session than to be sitting in a dingy little office staring at the same four walls.

tag; open/aureo word count; 456 notes; ohai.

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Aureolin Sky Meadows]

Aureolin had been playing with the shiny tie, easily entertaining himself with the simple thing. He was used to being a loner and doing his own thing, which made it easier and easier for him to just sit back and melt away from the spotlight. Of course, that didn't mean he wouldn't mind a solo in Choir, as that was his passion, but he didn't do it for the attention. Aureolin would be fine without attention, anyways. 

Hearing the familiar tap of boots across the floor, Aureolin looked up and smiled as he saw his fellow hair-dye-fanatic walking towards him. He got to his feet, and slipped his phone back into his own boot(He had so many things stolen from his pockets, he didn't trust anything anywhere but his shoes now). "Alot better." He was still whispering,  "I really want to start coming to class again. It's not fun just sitting somewhere. Though, I did get yelled at for climbing that tree in the courtyard." Aureolin was a country boy, through and through, even if he didn't look it. He was looking forward to winter break- he was racing in the Derby this year. Not the Kentucky Derby, of course. But there was one in Washington he was planning to go to. His own mount, Angel's Lament, was a beautiful stallion. Well muscled, a great coat, he was a real looker. Aureolin still needed to ask his teacher if he wanted to come, but found it a bit hard. After all, he knew Mr. Jester probably had family to see too...

Getting back to the present, he smiled and handed the man the bag of cookies, as he had promised. He brushed a few locks of hair from his face and grinned, "You look like you could use some too. Your blue's a bit faded at the roots." he joked lightly, before shrugging on his backpack. He remembered that he would have to have it checked before leaving campus and took it back off, looking at Alaric with a roll of his eyes. It wasn't disrespect at all- the whole idea of checking everything he owned was silly to him. He unzipped every pocket and held it out for him. It was mainly empty; holding about thirty dollars is bills and change in the smallest pocket, a gift card for Petsmart his mother had sent him for Cleo, his notebook, a few pencils, and a folded-up letter from his little sister. "To carry Cleo's bag of food in." he explained. 

Leaving the backpack obediently on the ground at the Musician's feet so he could check himself if he wanted, the pretty boy smiled once more, "That sounds great! I've been stuck in the medical wing all week." He pouted, "Poor Cleo. The boy I asked to feed her forgot about doing it a few times. Besides-" he blushed lightly, "I need to talk to you anyways."

[Alaric Tomas Jester]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]tonight i wanna turn my head off

AND LET THE MADNESS OUT CAN I GET THE GATES UP I FEEL IT COMING ROUND I'M IN A COLD WAR WITH MYSELF AND MY NERVES OH HURRY LIKE A HOUND DOG I'LL COCK MY HEAD JUST RIGHT AND COME OFF DYSFUNCTIONALLY IN LOVE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"I really want to start coming to class again. It's not fun just sitting somewhere. Though, I did get yelled at for climbing that tree in the courtyard." Alaric laughed softly at that bit of information, arching one of his eyebrows slightly as he tried to figure out who would yell at the kid for that. It did not make much sense to him, but he guessed there were staff members that would get all bent out of shape about it. As long as the kid was not doing anything to harm the tree or someone else, he personally saw no harm in it. "I rather thought trees were meant for climbing," he replied with a soft, rolling his shoulder in a shrug before smiling softly as Aureo gave him the cookies that the teen had brought. Ric was not personally a big fan of cookies, but he never turned them down, nor did he let the kid know that he did not really like the snacks. After all, it was something the teen did to be nice, so why turn it down? Alaric just generally ended up giving them to his dog at home. Maybe it was the wrong way to handle things, but he did not want Aureolin thinking the gesture was unappreciated. "Thanks, Aureo." He took the cookies over to his desk to put them with the bags he would grab before he left campus for home later that evening and made sure he had the keys he would need and his soda. He, personally, did not have many plans over the winter break. Alaric would be, predictably, spending most of it on campus with the students that did not leave campus for break. His sister, brother-in-law, and niece would come in to see him around New Year's, but beyond that, he had no family that would talk to him, so he did not have much of that to worry about. Alaric did a quick check of Auerolin's bag, not actually bothering to look too intensively because he trusted the kid enough that he did not think Auero would have anything he shouldn't. "I need to talk to you anyways." Alaric could not hide a wince at the boy's word choice as the words of the English teacher that was at the school when he was a student rang through his ears. "Anyway, Auero. 'Anyways' is not a word," he corrected with a soft laugh before nodding toward the door. "C'mon, then. We can head out and you can tell me what it is you want to." The teacher smiled kindly at the teen and waited for Auero before heading out of the room as well, starting the walk toward town, which was really just down the road. He was willing to hear whatever it was that the teen needed to tell him.

tag; open/aureo word count; 476 notes; ohai.

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Aureolin Sky Meadows]

Aureolin shrugged with a good-natured grin. "That's what I tried to tell them. I said that Trees were definitely meant for climbing. And tying up rope swings. And reading." He cut himself off. He knew he would ramble on, because rambling on about his old lifestyle in Canada was how he remembered. And if he didn't remember who he was, how could he expect to do anything? He had told Mr. Jester once that life was like a Derby Stallion. How you treated it would influence on how fast it carried you, and how long. How you cared for it would influence how pretty it was. And most importantly, it could easily determine your fate in the blink of an eye. One wrong step at a gallop, and you could potentially be killed instantly. Aureolin Meadows, of all people, Would know. 

After zipping up his pack and slinging it over his shoulders, he looked up with a blink to the man. "Huh? Oh- Anyway. Right." He nodded. English was not his first language. He had learned it when he was seven, yes, but he still had trouble with some words and grammar. It was why he had switched to Creative Writing rather than English II. He didn't want to go another year with horrible grades and papers covered in red pen. French was much easier to write. 

As he walked out the door with Alaric, quite pleased to be outside again, he paused a moment. Did he really want to talk about what he needed to? No, he decided. He would rather face the consequences than ask for it back. Switching thoughts immediately, he caught up to the blue-haired teacher, and continued keeping step with him. He wondered if now would be a good time to ask about the Derby. "Mr. Jester, have you ever ridden a horse?" it was a question that he always asked, but never gave the same background to it. Aureolin, unlike most students, loved to talk about his past. He loved his past. Every bit of it. Except for... That night. The night that sent him here. 

He brushed a few locks of hair from his eyes as he walked along, listening to the leaves crunching beneath his feet. "It's like flying, you know. Father used to take me out when I was little to ride on Prince while he was still a yearling. If you ever keep track of the scoreboards- Prince's alias is Tyrant of Nothing." Another thing that popped up in his talks a lot. Where the scores were, who the top jockey teams were... The boy sure knew his horses and teams. And why wouldn't he? He nodded, speaking partially to himself, "I raced him once, in my brother's place. It was a few weeks before Father died." He looked at the ground, "He's a gorgeous boy. Well-muscled, pure silver coat. But, Man, can he race. We finished fourth that round, and second in the Pre-limms'. It would've been first if I didn't panic." He sighed, "I held him back. I wasn't used to how he rode. I mean, sure, I raced him back in the field, but I never galloped him this hard. He could have taken it. We could have taken the gold. But, it's too late now." 

He continued walking and turned around so he was walking backwards in front of Alaric, looking at him. "But, this year... I'm definitely going to take it." he nodded, "I won't be staying here this winter- so you don't have to be bothered by my boring stories." He smiled crookedly, "I'm not going back home, but... Mama and Maria are bringing down Spirit for me." Spirit was his own horse- a great thoroughbred, with a painted coat. He had brought him to the school last year(After much persuasion to the Principle) over winter break, and rode him around in the giant fields they had. He always cleaned up after him, of course, as that was part of the deal. He had been breaking in the stallion at the time- and while some students laughed when he was bucked off, there were always those few who were in awe. Spirit was a silly horse, he had explained, and wasn't used to a rider yet. So, he just got back on each time, and tried again. 

He looked up to the man once more, "I was wondering if you---- Oof!" 

Aureolin stumbled a few steps forward, after running into a tree. He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "There's a tree there, by the way." he grinned. Going back to walking alongside Alaric, he shook his head and continued. "Well..." He tilted his head, "I was wondering... Of course you don't have to, but... Um... I'd... Really like it if you came out to the Derby this year." he shuffled his feet, "It's local, at least... And you could come as my supervisor, of course... They'd let you in for free." He said quietly, "But if you have other plans, that's really okay too, I know you have other things to do, I don't want to waste your time..."

[Alaric Tomas Jester]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]tonight i wanna turn my head off

AND LET THE MADNESS OUT CAN I GET THE GATES UP I FEEL IT COMING ROUND I'M IN A COLD WAR WITH MYSELF AND MY NERVES OH HURRY LIKE A HOUND DOG I'LL COCK MY HEAD JUST RIGHT AND COME OFF DYSFUNCTIONALLY IN LOVE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Had he ever ridden a horse? Alaric honestly could not remember. After high school he never did; however, a lot of his memories of junior high and high school were a jumbled mess. He did not know what memories were real, and what ones were created. He knew the ones from the moment he had learned of his friend's death on were real. Everything from that moment on was too real and there for a long while, his eating disorder and self harm were a bit more of an issue. Those were resolved by the time he graduated, however, pushed away by his desire to continue on as long as possible since his friend could not. Anyway, he did not ride a horse as a child, either. Ric was pretty sure he just had not. After all, he never had been much of an outdoors type. He spent more time holed up inside with his guitar or piano to really enjoy the outdoors. Plus, he was a bit too uncoordinated to really do much else. There were many times that Ric was surprised that he could even play a musical instrument. "No," he answered after a moment with a shake of his head. "Can't say that I have.

[/color]" Alaric only partially listened to Auero as the teen went on about the horses and stuff. Ric felt slightly bad, but he honestly had no attention span for things like that. It was hard enough to focus on things he wanted to with the things that went on in his head. The teacher really had focus issues and very few things could keep his attention for too long. Though Salizar and Ben proved to not have any trouble keeping his attention. The music teacher had to stop from laughing when the teen next to him ran into a tree and commented on the fact that there was one there. Obviously. It had not moved since the day before. "You alright?" he asked the boy, concerned though he knew full well if the teen had not been a student, he probably would have laughed more than questioned whether or not that he was okay. After all, he was still walking and there was not any blood or anything. Ric had no idea what he was expecting Auerolin to ask him, but whatever it was was not what he heard from the other boy. Honestly, Ric did not know exactly what to say. "But if you have other plans, that's really okay too, I know you have other things to do, I don't want to waste your time..." Alaric was still unsure as just how to handle the situation. He had no problems hanging out with his students, going in to town with them and the like. He'd even actually pay for the hair dye they picked up if that was why he went with the student, feeling that the students needed at least one way to express their individuality. However, that was still different than traveling somewhere out of town to be a part of something he really had no part in. It was slightly awkward. Or maybe that was just Ric in general. He felt slightly awkward at the question though. He never let it show, however, and smiled warmly at Auero. "I volunteered to stay on campus over the holidays, to help with the students who aren't going home. I'm probably going to be really busy doing that since there won't be many of us." He was not lying in the slightest with his response, though he felt like it was an easy out. Alaric did not know how else to respond to the request, however. He felt a bit bad leaving the kid on his own; but, what was he supposed to do? Maybe it would not have felt so awkward if it was one of his choir students doing something with music considering, well, he was their choir instructor and it was something he was actually involved with.
tag; open/aureo word count; 669 notes; ohai. [/div]

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Aureolin Sky Meadows]

Aureolin kept smiling as they walked, but it was clear he was not only disappointed, but saddened by the answer. He understood, however, and simply walked along, watching his feet with a newfound interest. "It's alright... I thought you'd have plans." He cracked a weak grin, "Everyone seems to like you a lot. I sometimes wish I had as many friends as you." He admitted, kicking a pine cone in his path absently. The boy looked up to the sky, "I know horse races aren't... Very interesting." That went against everything he had to say that, "It's okay, Mr. Jester." he didn't know why he repeated himself. Maybe to cover up the hollow feeling in his heart. He had nobody to cheer him on. Hs mother was going to Maria's dance recital, too scared of watching her son die, just like her husband. But nothing was going to stop Aureolin, and she knew it.

As they walked, Aureolin found the urge to just flat out run. Hs hand tapped on the side, and he began thinking of the upcoming race. If he took the gold, he would be the youngest jockey to win that competition. He began to turn his steps into strides, and was soon murmuring to himself. He got like this sometimes, lost in his own little world, but the words were very real. "Twenty three feet..." His eyes went back to the ground, "Twilight Runner taking the lead. Animal Kingdom. Three- It's Twilight- Two- It's Kingdom---" Aureolin didn't say one. He didn't get to see 'one'. He got to see a beautiful stallion fall and crush a cherished rider. His hands began to shake. He was scared. What if he raced Angel's Lament too hard? What if he died? Aureolin closed his eyes and let out a breath. Without warning, he took off.

He didn't break his gait, at a dead sprint, before jogging back to Alaric. He hadn't gone too far, just a few meters. "I'm sorry." he shook his head as he resumed his leisurely pace, "I know I'm annoying you." he looked back to the ground. He was constantly made fun of for being a 'pony boy'. Very few knew the real dangers of racing. 

He stopped in his tracts, not daring to look up to his companion. "I... Don't... Need Hair dye right now..." what had provoked his change of mood? His hands were trembling. God, he was thinking of him. Larkin would have been in the crowd to cheer him on. Larkin would be flying the blue and white of his colors proudly. Larkin would wrap him in a hug and shower him with kisses and roses whether he won or not. He looked up at Alaric, and the pain in his brown eyes was very real. He simply stood where he was,  looking horribly distressed. He shook his head, letting his backpack slip from his shoulders. His gaze trailed to the ground. It was the one thing he felt he needed to speak of, but never found the words. He swallowed roughly and bent down almost as if he were in a daze to pick up the bag, and sling it back over a shoulder. 

He shook his head again, 'N-No- never mind. I've already made you come this far." He felt more and more like a burden each day. Aureolin continued walking beside the man, and for a few minutes, he was silent. He couldn't take it anymore.

"Mr. Jester, I miss him." he whispered, "I miss him so much...." he couldn't bring himself to look back up to the man. He never wanted to be a burden, and he knew he bored the man with his pointless stories of horses, but he just couldn't help it. Right now, after the long year, Aureolin finally felt ready to tell Alaric about Larkin. How sweet he was, how supportive, how caring... But he didn't want to burden him with another story. "I wish he were here..." his voice never rose from a whisper, "I wouldn't be so alone..." he blinked to try and stop the tears that were welling in his eyes, "Is that... Bad?" he looked up slowly, "I-I should just forget him... That's what everyone else seems to want to do here. Forget. But I... I can't." he shook his head and continued on, "I can't."