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Lilith

A quick glance at my watch confirms that Wednesday should be leaving for her court appointed therapy about now. If I set off for Jericho soon I should be able to catch up with her before she plans her escape. She did imply she was just going to scout out a plan incase I couldn't get away from class but if she wants to leave and I'm holding her back-

"Are you okay?" I whip around in surprise at the sound of Xavier's voice. He stares down at me in concern, brows furrowed and I fight the urge to smooth out the worry line. "You said you felt ill... from the- meat."

He makes a face at the last word and I smother my giggles in response. Why must he look so adorable?

"I'm fine." I give him a soft smile, indicating down the hallway for him to join me. The walk is silent, almost awkward, as we both sneak glances at each other.

"How-"

"I wanted-"

I embarrassedly chuckle, glancing down at the floor before looking up at Xavier who is staring down at me with a soft expression.

"You first." He murmurs.

"I wanted to thank you for helping me." I give him a small smile, knowing that my cheeks are no doubt heating up. "You didn't have to and after everything-"

"I wanted to." He states before faltering slighting at his own forwardness. He clears his throat, "You're my friend. Nothing is going to change that."

"And I know friendship is somewhat foreign to you-" He teases and I roll my eyes. "-but friends look out for each other."

"Okay." I whisper, smiling at the slight blush that adorns his face. "What were you going to say?"

He pauses, a look of confusion flashing over his face before-

"Oh, right. Yeah." He nods hastily, rummaging through his pockets. "Here. I thought it might help."

I stare down at the biscuit packed in his open palm.

"Ginger biscuit. Helps with the nausea." Xavier tries to smile but it's as though he's suddenly questioning his actions. "Ajax has them. Most of the stoners do. Apparently it can be quite sickening come out from a statue state. Something about your internal organs being turned to stone, and then back to mush and they being frozen in place before being able to move again- and anyway, it's all just a sickening experience so most of them carry around anti-sickness pills or biscuits or-"

"Xavier." I interrupt, and he forces a quick smile before nibbling at his lip.

"You don't have to, it's probably stale and-

"It's perfect."

"Oh."

"Thank you."

I gently take the ginger biscuit packet from his hand, stepping forward slightly to make it less suspicious when I 'accidentally' nudge Xavier's wrist and scent mark him. You can't blame me for it, he was being so caring and nice. Pack like in his mentality.

"I almost forgot you did that." He whispers as I freeze. Oh shi-. "Quit looking like a bambi in headlights. Do you really think I would forget all your little quirks so easily? Especially that one."

I blush, mouthing opening and closing as I try to come up with an explanation. Or an excuse. Xavier's laughter has my thoughts pausing and I fight the urge to scowl at him. But his laughter has always been contagious and I could never stop my joy at seeing a packmate so happy.

My own laughter soon joins Xavier's until we're both stood in the hallway, laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of our own actions. How strange for something as simple as a ginger biscuit to have become awkward for us. We slowly calm down, taking out time to straighten up. We gaze at each other for a long moment, smiles still in place and it feels as though nothing has changed.

The bell rining through the corridor has me flinching back in surprise, hands instinctively reaching up to cover my ears. Xavier steps forward. Crowding me against his chest as he glares at the speakers on the wall. I relish being held so close to him. Despite the pain ringing through my head at the bell, I can't help but want the moment to last longer.

All too soon the bell stops and we're once again left standing together in the hallway. We make awkward noise of goodbye, shuffling away from each other in opposite directions.

"I should go find Wednesday." I mutter, eyes shifting from place to place as I avoid Xavier's gaze. I'll no doubt be blushing like a damn firetruck.

"Yeah, yeah. I need to get to class." Xavier answers but makes no move to leave. "I'll.. i'll-um, see you around. Yeah?"

Xavier quickly nods to himself before spinning on his heel and walking off. I stare after him for a moment. Wondering when it became so strange and different between us.

You need to leave. A silken voice whispers and I glance to the small flame in the candelabra on the windowsill next to me. You're going to be late.

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Jericho is much more... sweet than I was expecting. Aesthetically pleasing in it's matching pastel shade houses and rustic brickwork with white window frames and trimming. There's a few art deco style shops, those suburban coffee shops and middle class boutiques and dressmakers dotting the highstreet. I walk through the town, gratefully stretching my legs after having cramped muscles from my- excursion last night.

It takes me minutes to find the therapist's office, seeing Dr. Kinbott's name embossed on the glass. There's a family car parked out front and a glance to the front seat has me confirming Principle Weem's presence. Wednesday must have hated having her as an escort.

My sister is no doubt seething as she sits in that poor woman's office. She has no doubt begun plotting her escape, taking note of the windows and exits. I shake my head slightly at the thought of my sister. She can never admit defeat or being wrong, let alone when something might actually be useful for her.

I turn away, choosing to walk through the fruit and veg market out in the grassy section of the cul-de-sac. There's a coffee shop on a corner of the street, the Weathervane,it looks quite sweet and most importantly it sells coffee. I think Enid mentioned this place in a ramble this morning when she was trying to encourage Wednesday to enjoy her impromptu trip to Jericho.

The bell rings overhead when I enter the rustic shop. Booths line one of the window edge of the cafe, the other has a row of barstools and there's groups of tables in various seating numbers in the middle of the lively Cafe.

A burst of steam catches the attention of the customers and I look to the serving counter to see a nervous boy trying to tackle with a clearly broken espresso machine. He reminds me of Remus Lupin. Cafe AU wolfstar, 5000 words. I snigger at my thoughts, quickly striding to the counter in time for another burst of steam to obscure me from the boy's view.

"Holy crap." He snaps, scowling down at me as he jerks back. There's something off in his expression. "Do you make a habit out of scaring people?"

"Not particularly." I smile, "that's more of my sister's hobby."

He eyes me up and down, taking in my appearance with a soft frown. He can tell I'm not a normie, it's an instinct with me. I have too many animalistic tendencies for them to go unnoticed.

"Are you- new here?" He questions, still staring at me with slight confusion but his frustrated hostility has cooled down. "I've not seen you before."

"First week at Nevermore." I answer, gaze fixed on every minute expression of his to gage a reaction but he only makes a noise of understanding with a quick nod.

There's a second of hesitance, uncertainty, but then he shakes himself and gives me a welcoming smile.

"Well welcome to Jericho and the wondrous Weathervane, I hope you weren't wanting a coffee. The machine has decided to throw a tantrum." He glares down at the equipment before him and I can't help but laugh at his expression. He immediately perks up at the noise, an unconscious smile flickering across his face as he takes in mine. "Don't laugh, this is a serious problem and the damn instructions are in italian."

"I'll make you a deal Mr- ?" I arch and eyebrow and he quickly steps forward, reaching over the counter between us to shake my hand.

"Tyler Galpin."

"Lillian Dray, a pleasure to meet you." I smile politely, remembering the few lessons my birth mother had given me on etiquette during my various attempts at living with her. "I'll make you a deal Tyler Gaphin. I will fix your machine and in return you will make me ice latte. Deal?"

"Deal." 

A/N: Should Lilith work out that Tyler is a Hyde, and if so what should she do?