Welcome {[Asia]} To Vegas

[krueger]

Vegas. Sin City. There were numerous names for it, but all meant a place with mainly two things. Sex and alcohol. So why was a Valkyrie student there if said student had never had either of the two of life's supposed joys? She was there to discover them. Believe it or not, there was still one pure and uncontaminated soul that resided in the Valks. That soul belonged to one Emilia Demtra. With the help of one of Valkyrie's most valuable players (in one way more than the other), Luke Summitt, Emilia found herself with a new wardrobe, and a small amount of new attitude.

But, that couldn't erase a small part of her that had always been important. Books. At the moment, she was walking down the hall of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, where she and her fellow school mates were staying. Even though it seemed like a very nice hotel when they pulled up, Emilia hadn't seen much of the inside. Luke had gone off with Kelsey to his hotel room, and her brother, Ben, had gone up to his own room by the time she'd gotten off the bus. So, she'd pulled out one of her favorite books, To Kill A Mockingbird, flipped it open to her page, and preceeded to read while walking down the hall.

Her clothes were in an old red backpack that she currently wore, instead of a large suitcase that every other girl seemed to drag off the bus. Emilia figured that either the bus was bigger than she thought, or those suitcases shrunk some how because there seemed like a lot of them as they were loaded up. She, however, had kept her bag with her throughout the trip; it had all her travel items in it that she might need. Emilia had used it for many trips in her life, why should Vegas be any different?

That day, she'd decided to keep her outfit fairly simple, the only thing very flashy being a pair of earrings. It actually remained fairly comfortable, even after the long hours on a bus with a lot of other kids. Most people had probably already changed and left the hotel to go clubbing, but Luke had asked her to wait while he went to talk to his girlfriend, so she took her time while strolling down the hall, occaisionally glancing at a room number here and there to see if she'd reached her own yet.

[xmindfreak]

<sub>He still didn’t even have the faintest of ideas about why he had signed up for the Las Vegas experience. Maybe because it was where people could break free and discover their true selves? No. Blake already was pretty sure who he was. For the sex, alcohol and drugs? Ahaha, nice try. He never wanted to hear the word “sex” or “passion” again; it was neither of those. Alcohol, well…he had too many bad experiences with that certain substances, besides being a weak and angry drunk. Drugs. He had too many different little orange prescription bottles to count in his bathroom. So, no. No, Blake Lucas had signed up for the Las Vegas experience to get the experience. Just the experience, nothing else.

He had been one of the first Valkyrie students off the bus that had charted into Sin City, dropping his suitcase off within two steps into his hotel room. Fumbling clumsily in the darkened bathroom of the suite, he quickly dumped out the bottles holding his various prescriptions; for insomnia, depression and seizures. Downing his afternoon dose, the English male had disappeared from the room within twenty minutes of arriving, weaving his way through the many other students, excitedly gossiping and making their ways into the heart of the expensive hotel.

Turning the volume on his black iPod nano up until the angry lyrics were screaming into his ears, he placed his shaking hands into the pockets of the dark jeans adorning his long legs. He had starved himself worse than ever the week leading up to the trip, so much to the point where the anorexic gained the appearance of when he was sixteen and first diagnosed. His ribs rubbing uncomfortably against the black dress shirt covering his torso. His bi-colored eyes shined emotionally through the raccoon circles darkening around his sockets.

His eyes looking all over the crowded hallway, never staying on anything or anyone for more than five seconds, he could feel the sweat beginning to shine maliciously on his forehead. Fuck. Why did this have to be happening now? His breathing growing shallow, Blake sped up his gait, his white and maroon Pumas rubbing against the carpeted flooring softly. It was a wonder he hadn’t bumped into anything, with him being this distracted.</sub>

[krueger]

Emilia found herself completely engrossed by the text in front of her eyes. That was where Emilia had always been most comfortable. Inside books, you could find your own world. Your own world where it didn't matter if you were an anti social freak that no one talked to because you hadn't had even a sip of alcohol or a small taste of drugs. Where drama and embarrasment belonged to someone else, and you were only a bystander. That was the world she preferred best; she didn't have to worry about saying or doing the wrong thing.

However, if you were engrossing yourself in another world where dozens of kids weaved around you in a small hallway, an end to such pleasure could come quickly. Emilia found herself being torn from her own imagination upon smacking into someone who was walking quickly the opposite direction. With a small squeak of surprise, Emilia winced and staggered back a few steps. Not being good at keeping her balance, she promptly fell over, her backpack slipping off her shoulders and to the ground. Next to land was her book, then Emilia herself.

"What in the hell?" She said in surprise, throwing her head back to look at the figure she'd crashed into. It was a guy, she realized, but running into him felt like smacking into a brick wall. No wonder; he didn't seem to have any fat on him at all. "Watch where you're going." She said, her tone a little angry as she picked up her book and snapped it shut. She realized from her ground position that he had headphones on, and probably couldn't hear her anyways, but it made her feel better to say it.

[xmindfreak]

<sub>His own thoughts quickly consuming his concentration on not knocking into anyone, it took Blake a few seconds to realize he, too, was sent sprawling onto the thick carpeting of the crowded hallway. Stumbling briefly on his feet, he crashed harshly onto his knees, a long stream of soft swears coming from his vocal cords. Hearing a faint, angry voice coming from the girl who has smacked right into him, he raised his left, pierced eyebrow and fumbling with his headphones, taking them out of his ears. ”You’re the one who walked into me,” his own tone angry, his thick accent not bothering to cover that, Blake frowned slightly at her.

His mind becoming clear quite quickly, he shoved all of the thoughts out of his head to pushed his tall, willowy frame onto his feet. The angry rap music still blaring out of his headphones, Blake bent over slightly, pushing the leg of his jeans up, revealing his thin, slightly fuzz-covered leg. Bringing the rough material over his knee, he cursed again at the bruise appearing on the pale skin. ”Fuck,” speaking to himself, he let the leg of his jeans fall, finally extending his left hand out to her, offering her assistance.

His left thumb rubbing lightly against his palm, following the long, blistering trails of burns and scars on his dominant hand. Curling his long fingers slightly, he tilted his head to the side, careful not to explode right out at her. Sure, irritation was simmering close to the surface, much too close for comfort, but he kept his face and tone in a forced calm.</sub>

[krueger]

"Bull shit." Emilia said under her breath, not even bothering to smother her irritation. She'd already spotted a few pages in her book that were bent from the fall. She almost winced as she spotted his bruise though. Almost, but not quite. Falling flat on your ass might hurt just a little more than falling on your knee. "You're the one that was walking so fucking fast." Emilia really hadn't meant to cuss at him, but his blaming her was idiotic.

Stubbornly, she got up on her own instead of using his assistance, picking up her backpack and slinging it back over her shoulder. Instead of opening her book and just continuing to walk on, she decided to stand there in front of him. Not that she would ever admit it, but she was waiting for him to apologize. She sure as hell wasn't going to, although it might be her fault that the accident had happened in the first place. Emilia folded one arm over her book, hooking the same arm to the opposite so it stayed in one place and looking up at him expectantly.

[xmindfreak]

<sub>Furrowing his thin eyebrows together, his legs unfolding and straightening into a standing position again. Okay, so maybe she didn’t want to handle this like civilized people. That was just fine with him. His own expression curling into one of annoyance and irritation, he continued to frown slightly at her. Really, this was ridiculous. ”Bull shit, yourself. How many people fucking walk around with a fucking book in front of their faces?” his short, angry temper getting the best of him, Blake spit out his words almost violently, the anger reflecting easily in his glazed eyes.

Letting his shaking hand fall beside his thigh, he watched her simply stand there and watch him. Why couldn’t she just go on her way? Lowering the volume on his iPod considerably, so only the hum of the loud music could be heard, he simply stared at her, eyes watching her every movement. Really, this was incredibly stupid. Why couldn’t they just go on their way?

Seeing her watching him expectantly, Blake still didn’t move, only shimmied over to the wall, leaning his body against it. What did she expect him to do? Apologize? Hah, fat chance.</sub>

[krueger]

"Me. And a fucking ton of other people that I know." Okay, so that was a lie, she was the only one that she knew of that walked around reading books. Most people did it while sitting or something, but he was dealing with a serious book addict. That and a sensitive person. Emilia hated when people were mad at her, but could easilly get mad at someone herself. Hypocritical? Yes. But did it make sense in her head? Hell yeah it did. This guy was being idiotic, and it was her intention to let him know it, even if it meant standing here all night just so he would apologize.

His piercing stare made her a little uneasy, and she shifted a little on her feet, but didn't back down in staring at him right back. Slowly, Emilia set down her backpack. It was almost a sign to show that she would be standing here, waiting, whether he liked it or not. At this point, she definately wasn't going to give him the pleasure of her apologizing first. Hell would have to freeze over before she did that.

"Don't you have something to say to me?" Her tone was still harsh and raw, plainly showing how pissed off she was.

[xmindfreak]

<sub>Smirking slightly at this, Blake raised his left eyebrow. Hah, he couldn’t think of ever seeing anyone at Valkyrie walking around with their nose shoved into the pages of a dusty old book. ”Mmm, alright then,” sarcasm cruelly dripping from his vocal cords, the English magician crossed his arms over his stomach tightly, head turned to look at her. And here she was, dealing with a magic addict and someone who didn’t take kindly to rudeness. Or intolerance. Things like that were up there on the list of things that irked him.

His eyes falling to her feet, watching them shift, he smirked slightly again. He knew he was making her slightly uneasy, and that was what he wanted to do. Sure, he could feel her glare wanting to put him right into the ground, but whatever. It had happened enough times to him to get more used to it. Seeing her dropping her bag onto the ground, he shrugged boredly again. So, what? She was going to stand there with him? Have fun with that, darling.

”Don’t I have something to say to you?” repeating her words softly, he spoke in a voice of forced calmness. Choosing to ignore her anger, he shrugged. ”Well, I could have many things to say to you.”</sub>

[krueger]

If possible, her eyes narrowed more at his obvious sarcasm. Okay, so he probably knew Valkyrie better than she did, and he apparently could see through her lie, so there was a good reason for his sarcasm, but it still irritated her. Emilia sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm herself down enough not to just punch him or something. Although if she did, he could probably kick her ass, even if he was really skinny. She could hold her own in being stubborn, but in an actual fight she was a real wuss.

Emilia could have cursed again as he looked down at her feet. It was an obvious sign for most people of nervousness; a sign she wasn't really thrilled about showing him. Nervousness was weakness in her mind, and weakness, especially emotional, was one of her main flaws, and one of the most frusterating things. She shouldn't be able to show anything remotely like that to a stranger, especially not during a staredown.

"Oh?" She asked, letting an edge of surprise creep into her voice. "Like what?" It was a small challenge, and she leaned back on the wall, preparing further to wait a while. Crossing one foot over the other, it automatically began to tap impatiently. What could he possibly have to say besides an apology?

[xmindfreak]

<sub>His smirk disappearing, his head tilted to the side now, Blake continued to watch her staring him down. Okay, this was growing sillier and sillier, yet he also refused to back down. This was all over a bit of clumsiness and carelessness from two people, nothing more and nothing less. Anger bubbling up in his system, the English male rested his temple against the wall hugging his body. Really, this was getting old and boring.

Raising both of his eyebrows at her reaction, he shrugged. Okay, he couldn’t lie. He had spent seventeen years figuring out what made people tick and what their weak points were. That and looking for what made them nervous. And, apparently, when Emilia was nervous she shifted her feet slightly. Good to know. Closing his eyes slightly, moving the back of his head along the wall, he opened them only to stare at the wall opposite him and simply shrugged. ”Sure. Like what, though? Like, I couldn’t care less if you want me to apologize. I have no reason to.” His tone soft, almost dangerous this time, Blake shrugged yet again.

Taking a few deep breaths, he managed to calm himself down slightly. Enough to the point where he wasn’t spitting out words anymore.</sub>

[krueger]

"Alright. We'll go with that then." Emilia forced herself to make her voice calm and smooth, nothing like it had been the last few things she'd said to him. "And why do you have no reason to apologize to me? I, unlike you, did watch where I was going, but you were walking fast enough that I didn't see you until it was too late." Okay, so it wasn't the entire truth, she'd actually gone a few minutes without looking up when they'd crashed into each other. But everyone else in the hall had found the energy to step a half step to the side to let her by, so why didn't he?

"Not only that, but any normal person would have apologized right away." Emilia let a small smile flicker on her lips for a brief second, before saying what she was sure he might have asked anyways. "I didn't because I'm not a normal person, if you haven't noticed already." She figured he had; after all, she was walking around with a book in her nose while in Vegas. Any regular person would be on their way out to party, ditching books and sanity behind. Even as he turned, she watched him, waiting for even the smallest form of a nervous habit that he hadn't yet showed.

[xmindfreak]

<sub>Turning his head to her again, irritation flickering maliciously in his bi-colored eyes, Blake sighed softly. Why couldn’t she just let this go? ”I said I had no reason to care. Normally, I would have been a good citizen and apologized. But, somehow, I get the impression that I shouldn’t be one to you.” Raising his eyebrows at her again, knowing fuly that she was stretching the truth just a little too much for him to believe it. Blake, on the other hand, didn’t have much respect for people who walked right through a crowd without looking where they were going.

Looking over her face and body for a few minutes, staying quite silent while he did this, Blake finally nodded to himself. ”I did notice that. Besides, I’m not normal either. But, I suggest you just let it go, Sophmore.” Refusing to allow her to see any sign of nervousness on him, Blake turned on his firewall and let his expression become stony and emotionless. Really, this was beginning to irritate him. Besides, she was a year younger than him. Even he wasn’t stupid enough to not know that there was a hierarchy in high schools everywhere.</sub>

[krueger]

"Oh really?" Emilia asked him as he told her he didn't get the impression to be at least remotely kind to her. That was something she'd never heard before. Then again, she was normally a respectable person herself. She might have apologized as well, had he not been able to hear her when she'd said to watch where he was going. She knew in her mind that she was being rediculous, and should just walk away now, but after what he said next, hell no she wasn't.

Emilia couldn't help but shift her feet again as he seemed to examine her. Damn. Having people look at her closely like he was made her self concious. She could feel every muscle in her body tensing as he looked her over, and set her jaw to keep from kicking him in the shins for doing so. "Forget it, Junior." She said evenly, looking him right in the eyes to show her lack of fear just because he was a year older. Her lips formed into a small smirk after she spoke; a small sign of pride. It's not like he would jump her and kick her ass or something. "And your abnormality is as obvious as my own, but thanks for pointing it out for me."

[xmindfreak]

<sub>”Yes, really.” Confirming her question with his simple statement, Blake continues to survey her harshly with his penetrating stare. Of course, he wasn’t the most respectful of people, but he was generally much more polite in these types of situations. Okay, disrespectful was an incorrect word. He had an incredibly high tolerance, most of the time, for different and junk like that. And absolutely no tolerance for prejudicial remarks or racism. So, perhaps open-minded was a better word, for the lack of a better one.

Smirking at her reaction to his words, Blake continued to watch her, head resting against the tope wall he was currently leaning against. Noting her shifting her feet, he let his bi-colored eyes roll to the back of his head briefly. Really, having some magician with an attitude couldn’t make anyone that nervous. Or…maybe it could. No one had ever really reacted that much to his examination stares. Lifting his left hand to wipe from of the sweat from the back of his pale neck, the English male continued to stay wordless. What else could he say? Nothing. Well, until she said that. ”Forget it…why should I when you seem to be having a tough time forgetting about two people accidentally bumping into each other? letting the barbell at the end of his left eyebrow raise with the rest of it as he said this, Blake shrugged. “Hm, really? I don’t walk through the hallways of a hotel in Las Vegas with my nose shoved into some old book.”</sub>

[krueger]

"You know. I really just don't believe you on that." She shrugged simply as she spoke, a small air of confidence coming around her. That's another thing with Emilia. She wore her heart out on her sleeve, whether it be good or bad. A flaw and an advantage. Without trying to explain what she was feeling, there was times when Emilia could just feel whatever and people would know. And now, she had a plan. It was a daring and new plan, yes, but it would be interesting nonetheless.

"You should apologize because of reasons, completely legitimate reasons, I might add, that I've given you before. And just because I walk around reading, doesn't mean that your more normal than I am. This is high school, no one's normal." Shrugging her backpack back onto one shoulder, Emilia took a step towards whoever this guy was and smirked. Standing on tiptoe suddenly, she planted a kiss on his cheek. "See ya later." She said with a small wave, walking the way she had been originally going. After half a second of walking, she couldn't help but throwing in one more comment. "Junior."