the sunlight burns my sleepless eyes. {open}

[arizona cassaway.]

<sub>The first day of school always sucked. Easy as that. And what sucked more for the Junior who now sat perched atop the stone wall of the courtyard, drum sticks in one hand and phone in the other, was the fact that it was her Junior year, and she was at a new school where she knew no one. This totally won on the 'why I hate my family' list. She'd been fine at Proclivity, she had the two greatest friends, and now, she was carted out of Texas to Chicago! God! If they'd wanted to punish her for something, yank her out of band, not put her in a fine arts highschool that was in just a windy a place as the last. Rolling her green eyes, she looked down at her phone, the text message icon popped up on the screen only moments before the ring tone erupted. Some Nickelback song that Sky had been obsessed with the year prior. Tuna's was something even funnier. Flipping open the quickfire, she looked at the screen and typed out a quick reply, basically a 20 word complaint.

Placing her earbud for her iPod in her ear, she listened apathetically to the song, it held no interest for her, so without even bothering to drum out a single note, she tossed her sticks back down onto her bag, and almost immediately as they landed, Buckcherry started playing out of her phone. Looking down at it, she saw the text from Jace, her wonderful brother. Hey, just checking on you, how is your first day of school going? Typing out a swift reply, she flicked her foot forward, snagging her bag and pulling it up to her, reaching into it, she pulled out her book. Looking down at the cover, she couldn't help but laugh, Voice of a Distant Star, a manga. Different from some of the other's she'd read recently, she figured Jace had stuck it into the bag right as he'd been seeing her off as she'd boarded the plane headed back to the states. One of these days, she was traveling back by boat, but that meant going back to France.

So, here she was, on the first day of school, sitting on top of a wall reading manga behind a maple tree. She wasn't really wanting to go sit down in the cafeteria alone, she would be the total topic of all the gossip, not that she cared, she'd gotten into a fair amount of fights at Proclivity, usually backed by Sky, because one of the three of them had been the source of some form of gossip. It was just one of those things that she couldn't stand. So, she'd wait a few days, at least until she knew someone, and then she'd head to the caf.

With a sigh, she put her phone back in her pocket and opened her book, just wanting to dissolve into the world Noboro and Mikaku. But, it was only by page five, when she had already forgotten that she was perched five feet above the ground, sitting on a wall, and she leaned to the side, thinking the maple tree was closer than it was. Immediately, she felt her lack of balance and a few seconds later she was falling. Oof! She hit the grass below, muttering some curse words that would have earned a clap from Sky and lay sprawled out somewhat on her side. Rolling onto her back, she looked up, but immediately closed her eyes, the world was spinning to fast. The iPod was still playing, but she was focusing now on just making sure she could breathe again.</sub>

[/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

The first day of school sucked for just about everyone. Even teachers had their dreads about the whole first week. It meant new names and faces to learn and the whines an groans about the what would be covered that semester. Not a whole lot of fun. But slowly it would become easier as the week went on and everyone fell back into the rut of school. The dark hair male that walked through the courtyard, could have easily passed for a student. Nothing about him screamed teacher. He still looked young enough to be perhaps a senior in the place. But such was far from the case. He was in fact in his second year of teaching. But most looked at his 'young' way of dressing and didn't see it. The baggy often fraied torn jeans and the black muscle shirts he always seemed to wear. Not to mention the many necklaces he wore. Besides his way of dress he could relate in other wise to the 'kids' he taught. He too was new to the state. The "states" as well. He was born and raised in Russia. Though he'd been in the States since he was eight-teen his accent still lingered heavily in his voice. He and his little sister were out of place in a country they didn't know much about. He in fact had just come from taking her to class and was heading across the court yard to his next to face yet another sea of new faces.

Criss hummed a tune softly in his native tongue, the words and his voice hardly carried at all to be heard. Adjusting his black leather bag on his shoulder he moved across the yard with little attention payed to anyone here. He was off in his mind for the moment. On what couldn't be said really. It was a mix, partly on his sister how she fared her first day of a new year and of himself and his students. He took the gig to help support them. But teaching wasn't his passion. His passion was music and magic. Cards and illusions slight of hand and a trick or two mixed in. With some heavy metal playing in the background, that was Viktor Criss Smirnov, but this teaching? He was lucky enough that there wasn't a written rule that stated he had to wear a suit and tie. If such were the case he would "not" be here. He'd be on a street corner somewhere playing and doing tricks for money on the park. Though to all respect due. He could have made enough to support himself and his sister doing that. But some part of him wanted something a little more 'stable' and respectful than some backstreet musician. So he was hear with a teaching certificate he'd worked for and at least some desire to introduce a little rhythm and magic to an otherwise boring place as school.

Suddenly his cell rang startling him for a moment. Stuffing his hand in his pocket he already knew who it was by the ring tone. It was 'His song' the one his sister had written for him a few years back, he'd put it to music. He slid open his blue an' black rumor looking at the text within. Chuckling lightly he sent a reply back, then slipped his cell back into his pocket hardly missing as step texting quickly and walking at the same time.

Another text came back. Criss fished out his cell again, to reply but out of the corner of his eye he something made him turn. He blinked as he saw a young girl falling from the wall. Quickly shoving the cell back in his pocket he made stride towards her. He reached her just as she had managed to right herself and was clearly focusing mainly on breathing. She looked fine but being a teacher it was part of his job to check. "You okay?" He asked kneeling down beside her. Before she could answer the question he added, "I've done that before too. Not fun." His accent heavy in his voice as he eyed her with concern.

[/size]

[arizona cassaway.]

<sub>The darkness even felt like it was moving, damn, she must have hit her head hard this time. Shit that hurts. She muttered to herself, her eyes still closed tight, reaching with one hand, she yanked her ear bud out of her ear, the music was giving her a headache. Wow, that was how she knew she'd hit her head, she couldn't listen to music. That was a first. She tried to pick her head up, but the world spun even behind her closed eyes, so she just let it fall back onto the grass, apathetic to the looks she was getting. That had hurt like hell.

You okay?</sub>

[/i] It took her a moment to realise that someone was talking to her. I've done that before too. Not fun.[/i] She babbled off a few curse words in French and one or two in Italian, and then finally switched back to English. I think so... In her pocket, she could hear her phone ringing, the tone that was going off was one for Sky calling, pulling it out, she hit the button without even thinking about it. Call you, shit that hurts, call you back later Sky.[/b] Clicking the phone shut without waiting for a reply, she attempted to open her eyes again, this time, the world stayed in place. She then realised that she was looking at a teacher, much less, one of her own teachers. Music was her thing, so of course she knew which teachers were music teachers, not that you couldn't tell just by looking at this guy.

How the hell did I manage that?[/b] She asked, mostly to herself as she propped herself up on her elbow, looking at the wall, and then the distance between it and her. Yeah... I think I'll be fine... as far as I can tell I don't have any broken bones... concussion, maybe... She dragged herself into a sitting position, rubbing the back of her head and her wrist somehow at the same time. I'm `zona by the way, Arizona Cassaway. I think you're one of my teachers... She had to think about this for a second, but, she just knew she recognized him from somewhere. She heard her phone start to ring again, but this time, she simply tossed it at her bag, praying it hit the fabric and not the wall. Finally, she turned to look back at the one person who'd noticed her all day, he was eccentric to say the least, but, she wasn't really sure if that was a bad thing or not. Definitely not like any of her teachers at Proclivity. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

Criss remembered the times he'd fallen of that very wall. Though in all due respect his sister had pushed him. Luckily enough no-one had been around to take notice. Lamia had been a lil cross about something he'd said. Little sisters, honestly he loved her but she was a handful as most siblings where. They soon made up with each other and were back to being 'best friends' an siblings again. He ran his fingers absently through his hair as he kept an eye on the teen before him. Her cursing didn't see to bother him at all. Being Russian he knew quite a few himself. Ones he often let slip when his anger or frustration get the better of him. But he tried his best to keep such words in check around students. The last thing he needed was to curse around them an have a smart student go off and find the meaning to some of his harsh curses words and get him in trouble. Criss was honestly beginning to like this gig after nearly two years. It was certainly never a dull moment. Plus it above all else, kept him near his sister so that he could keep an watchful eye over her as he had always done.

His brow raised at her continued cursing. At least she hadn't totally knocked herself senseless. He knew the words not the meaning, but just enough to assume they were anything but curses. "I know a few Russian curses words if you'd like to add to that vocabulary." He offered with a laugh. Then added. "Good, I was honestly wondering for a bit." He said in his thick accent. As her phone rang, he raised an eye brow at the reply she told this 'Sky' as if that wouldn't make her worry. If he ever left a message like that to his sister she'd about have a cat an come searching for him. He didn't speak on it though he just extending a hand to her offering help up if she wanted it. It was very true he looked nothing like the average teacher, but he wasn't the average 'American' male either. Her face, to him wasn't one he'd learned yet, though he was pretty sure he'd at least seen her around the halls.

"Books do that to us.." He said glancing to the book beside her. He knew enough to know it was, Manga, but didn't know anything else beyond that. "Good, just watch yourself next time. Those walls are dangerous." He told her with a light nod as he knelt there before her in case she blackout. As she told him her name he thought a moment. "Aha, yea, Music Composition. Can't forget your name, very unique." He nodded in recognition then added, "Criss Smirnov." He wasn't one for formal titles. So he had no preference really what the students called him, be it Mr. Smirnov or just Criss. He had know a teacher in his early college years who was Doctor. Norris. He demanded they call him by the Doctor title. His cell rang 'his sisters' tone again, putting a hand to his pocket he touched a button on the side silencing it. "Where are you headed?" He asked her when she let her gaze drift back to him as he absently ran his hand again through his dark brown, an' red streaked hair.

[/size]

[arizona cassaway.]

_{I know a few Russian curse words if you'd like to add a bit to your vocabulary.}

[/i][/color] She laughed, and this was a teacher? Definitely band. Drummer... possibly. Good, I was honestly wondering for a bit. She nodded, but immediately regretted it, it just sent the whole world spinning again. Putting her head in her hands, she just tried to breath again; ever since some of the... funner pranks at school the past two years, she hadn't been able to handle falling on her head, or even spinning. She'd fallen the last three feet when they'd climbed up the band tower, that had been fun... No. Focus.

She eyed the man critically, he had red streaks through his hair, a cool accent, and wasn't wearing the normal teachery garb. This could be her favourite teacher yet. Books do that to us...[/b] She looked at him, confusion evident on her face and the she noticed her book, laughing, she picked it up and checked to make sure it wasn't damaged in any way. Yeah, normally, I'm safest when I'm reading. She laughed slightly and then set the book down again. Good, just watch yourself next time. Those walls are dangerous She nodded, turning to not really glare at the walls, but study them. She already could feel the plots whirling through her head, and only one of them involved air clearance. She could grow to like these walls. But, she still nodded at him, assuring him of whatever it was he needed assuring of.

Aha, yea, Music Composition. Can't forget your name, very unique. She nodded, smiling slightly, Criss Smirnov.[/i] So she did have him as a teacher. Hm. Little warning, I'd butcher that name in an instant, so... pleasure to meet you Criss. She laughed, she had had one teacher at Proclivity, damn she'd butchered it. So much so where she had to get the director to bail her out of Detention, not that she would have gone otherwise, but the teacher had escorted her down there. She watched as he silenced his phone and felt kinda' guilty for actually answering hers. But, Sky wouldn't have stopped calling her otherwise. Where are you headed? She had to think about her day, and finally gave up and pulled the piece of paper that had it written out on out of her pocket. Heh, you'll get a kick out of this. Health. Skipping. Had she really just told a teacher she was skipping? Oh well, she had a right to skip with the killer headache she'd have after that fall. Looking at the music teacher, she just set her head back on her knees, not wanting to get up.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

At her laugh he let a light one escape his lips as well. It was an honest offer. He wasn't the typical teacher by an stretch. He was never one for authority and the teachers who were 'old' and boring demanding such made him growly. So when he decided to take on the role as a teacher he vowed to be a 'cool' teacher an not the boring drowns he'd known. Arizona was very right too on the band bit. Not so much, that he was in one, but he did play the drums and electric guitar. He watched her put her head in her hands, he raised a brow. Criss was honestly beginning to wonder just how hard she had smacked herself. Having been with his sister and her medical issues all his life, he knew enough to tell that the young girl before him wasn't seriously hurt. At the most she had a mild concussion as far as he could guess from the fall and how she'd hit. Giving her a quick once over, trying not to be obvious as he silently wondered where the nurse was this year. He never really kept up as there hadn't been a need. Now though he wished he'd payed a little more attention.

As she eyed him he, he let her, as he spoke as if reading her, "I'm not the typical teacher by an stretch." His accent heavy as he let it linger more on his lips and voice. He nodded towards the book at her apparent confusion, when she caught on he chuckled. "My sister would say the same. I don't read much for me it's music." He replied as he saw her gaze drift to the wall. He looked away letting her as he clinched his fist cracking his knuckles. He had wanted to kick at the wall when he'd ended up on the ground. But for him it wasn't the wall to blame.

Criss nodded, "That's part of why I let the students call me Criss. Though really it's like vodka. I've had my first name butchered too, V..i..k..t..o..r." He said spelling out his first, "A pleasure to meet you to Arizona. Good to know a face or two before class. Makes memorizing names and faces easier to have one less to have on my mind." He said with a smile a little because she had laughed, he wouldn't have been upset if she'd tried and pronounced his name wrong. Odds are he'd heard it before anyway. She had not reason to feel guilty she'd fall off a wall and knocked herself around. His sister would understand. When she finally answered his question he chuckled lightly. "That was never my favorite subject either. I won't say anything." He told her lightly. Pulling his bag around in front of him he balanced easily on the balls of his feet as he unzipped the smaller front pocket out a white pill bottle. Holding it out to her, "Advil? If you're interested, I carry a bottle around for my lil sis." He offered. "Or I can just leave you to your head and your thoughts.." He couldn't blame her for not wanting to get up. After he'd 'been shoved' all the wall he hadn't wanted to move either, but he had to get up lest anyone take notice of a student harassing a teacher. Though most who saw the pair it was plan to see they were related. As they certainly looked alike.

[/size]

[arizona cassaway.]

_{Listening through the conversation, she glanced up at him out of the corner of her eye, I'm not the typical teacher by an stretch.}

[/i] She nodded at this, barely a jostle of her head, not enough to send it into a spasm. You got that right, but, we students get sick of all the Doctor this, and Professor that.[/b] She commented, sarcasm dusting her tone. My sister would say the same. I don't read much for me it's music. Sister? But she quickly put it out of her mind, focusing on the last part. The part about music. You're a drummer, aren't you.[/b] It wasn't a question really, she'd confirmed it basically, with all of what he had said, and the way he said it. She flinched slightly when he cracked his knuckles, but not very noticeably, it just bugged her a little. Not much, just a little.

That's part of why I let the students call me Criss. Though really it's like vodka. I've had my first name butchered too, V..i..k..t..o..r. She followed along with a nod every now and then. Yeah, I'd recommend just introduce yourself as Criss, few will butcher that.[/b] She told him, trying to figure out all the posible ways to butcher it already, simply to use them in class. A pleasure to meet you too Arizona. Good to know a face or two before class. Makes memorizing names and faces easier to have one less to have on my mind. She smiled easily, nodding. Then I just have to make it a little harder on you, Arizona makes me feel like I'm in trouble, I respond to `zona more often than not... you're a teacher, you'll see why eventually. She laughed, the way she said it was almost like a threat and a promise mixed together. She zoned out a lot of times, hence the nickname.

That was never my favorite subject either. I won't say anything. She studied him, even having to tap into her 'talent' to make sure that she wouldn't hear a knock on her dorm room door from a teacher. Closing her eyes, she focused, but she didn't hear a knock, so she took that as a good sign. Thanks, and it's not so much that it's not my favourite subject, though it's not... it's more that I think the teacher would probably use me as the living diagram for head injuries on the first day... She explained, trying to get him to see her point. Advil? If you're interested, I carry a bottle around for my lil sis.[/i] She looked at the pill bottle and then shrugged, holding out her hand, Heh, if you don't mind.[/b] Her voice was a little softer, she felt as though she was admitting a weakness. Something she never did. Or I can just leave you to your head and your thoughts.. She shook her head, this time, the world didn't spin out of focus. She took that as a good sign. No, I- She heard her phone start to ring again, same tone. Sky. Pulling her bag over with her foot, she snagged her phone before the third ring. I'm sorry, she won't stop calling unless she knows what's going on. Hitting speaker without even thinking about she sighed. Arizona Nicole Marioette Cassaway, how dare you hang up on me. Now, what the hell did you do, and how long do I have to wait before I call your father to bail you out of jail?[/i] Rubbing the back of her head, `zona shook her head, despite the fact Sky couldn't see her. Fell off a wall, what else is new. Hey, can I call you back, I'm in the middle of something. She heard Sky mutter, You know th.... fine.[/b][/i] She heard the click of the line go dead. Turning back to Criss, she shrugged and sighed apologetically. She's practically my sister, she worries about me when I don't answer.[/b] She explained, but she figured that there would be questions that followed.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

Criss smiled lightly at her as she looked at him. He nodded in agreement, "I got tried of it too. Plus I was never one to follow the crowd." He smirked, he was serious but there was a underlying tone of sarcasm in his voice as well. Nodding again, "Yes, drums and a lil' bit electric guitar. I likely play to much, hence why I crack my knuckles. The tend to get stiff from playing to much." He replied, he hadn't seen her flinch but knew the sound of bones cracking sometimes made people squirm. Old habits died hard though, he picked up somewhere, no clue where or from who by now. Though he vaguely remembered his dad cracking his neck when he lived at home. That made him squirm as the cracking of the vertebra there then the old man could roll his shoulders and crack down his back in the same movement. At least one good was they could always find him. the need only follow the sound him cracking the joints in his back and neck.

Criss chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind. An very true Criss is hard to butcher at least in pronouncing it. But how I spell it is another story." He told her. He could think of a few ways just of the top of his head to butcher her name, an his he truly had heard it all so very little would have been new to him. "Zona it is then, not hard at all. As long as you come to class and are respectful there's nothing that would get you in trouble with me. So no worries there. And I'm up for the challenge." He told her with a wink to say he understood the laugh an tone to her voice. He too had a few nicknames, ones he prayed his sister didn't repeat. And ones he probably didn't remember, and for good reason too.

As he was studied he just knelt there unmoving. His words were true, he wouldn't say anything it wasn't his place. Heaven knows he'd skipped classes more than in his years as well. So he'd have been a hypocrite to call her out on something he was just as guilty of himself. "Welcome." Criss laughed, "Yea, not a bad idea. Nothing like being called out in front of a class on the first day." He agreed, then added. "My freshmen year my voice started to change, and it was noticeable. The teacher singled me out along with a senior. Made us both read a paragraph out of the book. It was torture, my voice kept breaking." Criss told her, having no concern or embarrassment now to tell the story, then would have been quite another thing all together. As she held out her hand, he put the bottle in her hand. She was perfectly capable of getting it herself, he had a pretty good feeling by her lowered voice that she didn't like the idea of accepting help, so he figured it might make her feel a little better to do it herself. "If I minded I wouldn't have offered." He told her. She started to say something else, clearly, but her cell rang. Which remind him, of his cell. "No worries, answer her I don't mind." He replied shifting to retrieve his cell from his pocket. He'd only just slid it open when the voice came over the speaker. He raised his brow lightly, he hadn't expected her to put it on speaker, but said nothing as he looked at his own cell quickly sending a reply back to his sister. Bitting his tongue lightly in an effort not to growl. His pet peeve was people yelling and being disrespectful. Though he gathered the woman yelling was likely her mother, he still found it rude. He kept his opinion and his eyes to himself, focusing on his cell as if it was more interesting. When the line went dead Criss glanced back up at her nodding lightly as she spoke. "I can understand that. My sister is the same way. But she kind of needs me, an I'm just as over-protective of her." He said. Otherwise didn't question her, it wasn't his business and besides, she likely wasn't in the mood for open ended questions if it were. "Love your name by the way, very pretty. The second middle name. I like, I won't try to say it as like you with my last I'm sure to butcher it." He added with a chuckle.

[/size]

[arizona cassaway.]

<sub>Watching as he smiled, she waited an answer. I got tried of it too. Plus I was never one to follow the crowd. She nodded, agreeing, but dropping the subject. Yes, drums and a lil' bit electric guitar. I likely play to much, hence why I crack my knuckles. The tend to get stiff from playing to much. She nodded, agreeing to this as well. Nice, what kind of guitar? I don't play much electric, but acoustic is pretty much my passion. She admitted to him. Although yeah, you look like you'd be a drummer. The school I went to for the past two years was known for it's band... My friend was the center snare and drum captain, I was one of the DI's. She missed Proclivity, so it felt nice to talk about it.

I'll keep that in mind. An very true Criss is hard to butcher at least in pronouncing it. But how I spell it is another story. She pondered this and then nodded. I'll figure out a way.</sub>

[/b] It was somewhat of a threat, but, she said it with humour in her tone. Zona it is then, not hard at all. As long as you come to class and are respectful there's nothing that would get you in trouble with me. So no worries there. And I'm up for the challenge. She mocked a sigh and pretended to mutter. If band weren't my favourite class, you'd be out of luck. She told him, her bright green eyes flashing.

Welcome. Yea, not a bad idea. Nothing like being called out in front of a class on the first day. She nodded, but didn't say anything. My freshmen year my voice started to change, and it was noticeable. The teacher singled me out along with a senior. Made us both read a paragraph out of the book. It was torture, my voice kept breaking. She tried to conceal her laugh, he thought that was bad? Hah! Although it wasn't technically the first day of school, last year me and my two best friends got escorted out of one of our classes by the CIA... That was pretty cool though.[/b] She sighed as her head throbbed again. If I minded I wouldn't have offered. She tilted her head back and popped the pill into her mouth and swallowed it without a second thought.

No worries, answer her I don't mind. She listened absentmindedly to her friend rant on about how she'd hung up earlier. She had her eyes closed as she listened to her, her chin still resting on her knees. When she finally hit the end button, she opened one eye and looked up at Criss. I can understand that. My sister is the same way. But she kind of needs me, an I'm just as over-protective of her.[/b] She smiled and laughed a little, nodding slightly at the word overprotective, her whole little circle was overprotective of eachother. Love your name by the way, very pretty. The second middle name. I like, I won't try to say it as like you with my last I'm sure to butcher it.[/b] She smiled slightly and shrugged, a little half nod as well. It's how I know when she's really mad, she attempts to say it... But thanks. She pondered this for a minute and then looked over at her bag again. Her drumsticks were still in the same place they'd been dropped, and her iPod was still blaring out it's music, but she didn't move. She hadn't had a real conversation with anyone in way too long.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

Criss nodded lightly then answered her of his guitar. "A green an white Vigier Excalibur Surfreter. My sister jokes with me and says I love it more than I do her and our dog." He told her then smiled, "Yea I'm big on drums too. Awesome on your friend, an DJ? That'd be an awesome gig." He said sounding impressed.

He laughed, "I warn you I've probably heard it all. But go ahead and try" Criss said of her butchering his name. He caught the 'threat' but heard the humor in her tone so he didn't take it as any form of disrespect. In fact he saw it as a bit of a challenge. He already liked this teen she would be interesting to have in class. He chuckled at her mocked sigh and mutterings, a smirk on his own lips. "Luck be with me then." He smiled his icy blue eyes dancing lightly. "As hard as it is to imagine, I use to hate music, piano more so. It wasn't the sound that was nice I'd seen people rock out on one but it was that word..pianist at fifteen that word made me laugh." He told her, as his accent laced heavily into his voice. It often did as he became more at ease around someone. He wasn't quite like his sister, she often let Russian words drift from her tongue. He didn't so much only when royally pissed or taken by surprise. But his accent always stayed just more noticeable at times in his speech.

Criss blinked, looking surprised by her story. "Seriously? He asked though didn't really doubt her. Though it could have been for shock value, though he didn't quite think the teen would have made something up quite that far fetched. He glanced away for a second as she swallowed the pill. It always made him choke if anyone looked at him as he took meds. Looking back to her only when she'd swallowed the pills. His hand went out, resting on his knee held open for the bottle.

As the one-sided conversation went on before him, it didn't take long for Lamia to text back. He slid open his Rumor in his hands reading the reply. He chuckled lightly and replied back hitting send. Watching the 'flying' envelope to occupy his mind as he ignored the conversation near him. Closing his cell he looked up at 'Zona as she spoke to him. "Welcome, I understand totally. Sisters, real and 'like' are a handful. Mine is my little sister, a whole another story in itself." He quipped, as cell tone sounded again. "We're suppose to meet for lunch after her last class. We're trying to figure out where to eat. I told her I wanted native food. She laughed and said to fly across seas. Neither of us think the food here is half as good as back home. And we've both been here almost four years." He told 'Zona as he slid his cell open. He laughed, replying back quickly then shoved his cell back into his pocket. "Sorry she, just said a few of those 'Russian curse words' I offered you earlier. Clearly didn't like what I told her about flying back to Russia." He told her amusement in his eyes at his sister.

He glanced to her iPod he'd only just noticed it was playing, the conversation had been far more intriguing than the music from the headphones. He saw too her drumsticks. "You play too." He said more a statement than a question as he eyed her sticks. "Nice pair too." Criss added with a nod. He had a pair in his bag as well, solid black handles one with with his name carved into the wood in his heavy calligraphy type hand-writing. The other had his sister's she'd written in her lighter 'girly' hand writing.

[/size]

[arizona cassaway.]

_{A green an white Vigier Excalibur Surfreter. My sister jokes with me and says I love it more than I do her and our dog.}

[/b] She nodded approvingly, she still spoke guitar, I brought my two guitars with me from France. . . My electric; Dean MAB1 Michael Batio, and then my Acoustic, the love of my life; Seagull S6 Cedar Original. . . Now the question is, do you love it more than her and the dog?[/b] She joked, Yea I'm big on drums too. Awesome on your friend, an DJ? That'd be an awesome gig. She nodded, and then shook her head with a laugh. I'm sorry, I forget not everyone knows our terminology. DI Drill Instructor. Marching band? But yeah, we got offers to play a few gigs, not be the DJ, but play. She explained, she was used to it a little, she would go back to France during the summers and be ranting on and on and by the end of the story, she was the only one who still knew what she was talking about.

Luck be with me then. As hard as it is to imagine, I use to hate music, piano more so. It wasn't the sound that was nice I'd seen people rock out on one but it was that word..pianist at fifteen that word made me laugh.[/color][/b] She tilted her head, people rocking out on a piano? But, the one thing she noticed was that, similar to her own, his accent seemed to get heavier as he spoke, her's just became more and more mixed, French, Italian, and Texan. Twas an odd mixture that ended up sounding more British than anything. She was glad she wasn't the only one that happened to. But, she nodded to his comment, he would need luck, eventually she would figure some way to butcher his name.

Welcome, I understand totally. Sisters, real and 'like' are a handful. Mine is my little sister, a whole another story in itself. She nodded, she had two 'sisters' and then she had Kris, but, she also had Jace, her strong hold through everything. We're suppose to meet for lunch after her last class. We're trying to figure out where to eat. I told her I wanted native food. She laughed and said to fly across seas. Neither of us think the food here is half as good as back home. And we've both been here almost four years.[/i] Now she felt a little bad. If I'm keeping you from something. . . She let the last part just kind of hang in the air. Watching as he pulled his phone out, he typed out a quick text and made to put it back away. Wow, a teacher who texts, impressive.[/b] Already her headache felt better. Sorry she, just said a few of those 'Russian curse words' I offered you earlier. Clearly didn't like what I told her about flying back to Russia.[/i] She waved off his apology and laughed. What grade is your sister in, she sounds pretty cool.[/b] She laughed.

She watched as he glanced over at her iPod, finally causing her to reach over and grab her bag, pulling it towards her. Turning off her iPod, she looked over at him when she heard his voice. You play too. She nodded, her Pro-Mark: Phil Collins, she had gotten them when they'd started a band back at Proclivity, she'd been fiddling around on the drums. Nice pair too.[/i] She nodded her thanks, before tucking them into her bag and tossing her iPod in after them before kicking it back towards the wall with her Lit book. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

It was true Criss loved his guitar but not more than his sister or his dog. "Both sound nice, really good. Your acoustic sounds like beatuy. .." Criss laughed, "No, I love my sister and dog more. They're tied though." He added with a smiled. "Aha, DI, don't know why I thought DJ, if I'd have thought DI I wouldn't have known it. But now that you say it I know it. We didn't have that sort of thing in Russia." He replied. Marching bad wasn't something he'd likely have been in, Russia didn't have anything like it, an he wasn't into athletics when he was in school though it was hard to tell now. He didn't mind it as much he was often out walking his dog, Lamia came along sometimes he liked that both that he cared for at his side.

At the tilt of her head he raised a brow. "Rock out might have been the wrong wording. But I've seen some people who can really play. Some of the greats you'll be hearing in class." He told her. His accent did grow thicker as he grew more comfortable it slipped out more. It was always there but sometimes he surpressed it, because when it got to heavy he was harder to understand. Her accent didn't escape him either, though he couldn't place what it was. A few of her curse words he recognized sounded French he thought, but other than that he didn't have a clue. As to luck, Criss had heard it all likely, but all power to her if she thought she could come up with a butchered version of his name that he hadn't heard of. Who knows she might get lucky. He was all to willing to hear something new, if only for amusement.

Criss only had one that was all he needed. He adored Lamia, but couldn't imagine having another. He shook his head in a 'no'. "You're not she's in class, an' you're giving me an excuse not to sitting alone outside her class texting back and forth." He told her with a light smile. He was quick at texting, since he did so often. "Yea, I'd rather text than talk. I don't like the way my voice echoes back in my ears. Besides, as I said she's in class. Bad enough as a teacher I'm breaking rules by texting her." He chuckled lightly, he was to laied back for his own good sometimes. As she laughed he smiled and answered her, "Sophmore. An' she is diffenatly something else." Came his answer he clearly spoke with love and and adored her it was heard in his voice.

"It wasn't bothing me, I only just heard it. That was a good song." Criss said as she'd turned it off. As she nodded of her drumsticks and playing he smiled lightly, "If you fail my class there's something wrong. Marching band, your guitars.." He told her clearly impressed by her, he could tell she had a a thing for music if she failed it wouldn't be his doing. But he had no doubts already, that she would do well. He hated to see anyone fail, no-one to date had failed, but there was a first time for everything. He would try his best though to help the student out if they wanted it. Just as he helped those who needed it. Even if it was just a magic trick to make someone smile with a deeper lesson in it somewhere.

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[arizona cassaway.]

<sub>Both sound nice, really good. Your acoustic sounds like beatuy. .. She smiled and nodded, thinking back to the fact that she'd yet to unpack either of them, or at least take them out of their cases ever since she'd gotten here. Kinda' the whole, 'maybe if I don't unpack, I can just go back' kinda thing. No, I love my sister and dog more. They're tied though. She laughed slightly at this, smooth, was all she could think. Aha, DI, don't know why I thought DJ, if I'd have thought DI I wouldn't have known it. But now that you say it I know it. We didn't have that sort of thing in Russia. She nodded. Yeah, but don't feel left out, no one out of marching band knows what the hell any of us are talking about when band people start talking. It makes us feel special. She laughed at the last part.

Rock out might have been the wrong wording. But I've seen some people who can really play. Some of the greats you'll be hearing in class. She clapped sarcastically, 'applauding the greats' as the director at Proclivity would have put it. Ever heard of dueling pianos? Now that's kinda' fun to watch, horrible to listen to at times, but amusing.</sub>

[/b] She sighed, she'd heard some dueling pianos in a bar back in France, she and Sky had snuck in one night, sneaking past the bouncer pretty easily. You're not she's in class, an' you're giving me an excuse not to sitting alone outside her class texting back and forth.[/i] This made her feel better, she hated keeping anyone from somewhere they'd probably rather be. Glad to be sparing you that task. She joked, wow, she hadn't expected a conversation like this when she'd been longing for a conversation all day. Yea, I'd rather text than talk. I don't like the way my voice echoes back in my ears. Besides, as I said she's in class. Bad enough as a teacher I'm breaking rules by texting her.[/i] She nodded at this. Amen to that. And I've had teachers text me asking me where I am if I'm late to their class or was supposed to be there for a class instead of going to another.[/b] She remembered her choir director doing that one time, she was supposed to be in there instead of in Science, so she'd just texted her. It was odd though. But, I'm hoping that the fact that you're texting your sister in class means that we can have ours out during class?[/b] Her subtle hint made her want to laugh again, but she didn't, her green eyes flashing slightly as she plotted. Sophmore. An' she is diffenatly something else.[/i] Was the answer she got when she questioned what grade she was in. That'd explain why I've never heard of her. But her easy smile told him that she'd heard the tone in his voice. He really cared about his sister. . . that was really nice to see.

t wasn't bothing me, I only just heard it. That was a good song. She shrugged, I have just about every song that's even remotely known, and then loads that have barely ever been heard of on my iPod, but thanks. She wrapped the headphones around the body of her iPod before she stowed it away again. If you fail my class there's something wrong. Marching band, your guitars.. She decided to surprise him a little. You got two, now can you guess the others?[/b] She dared, waiting for a moment and then began to list them. Try cello, violin, flute, piccolo, guitar, drums, oboe, sax, harmonica, and. . . piano if I really want to try.[/b] She looked up at him, an easy grin on her face. She loved music, way too much at times, yes, but she still loved it. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Viktor Criss Smirnov]

Criss had his guitar in a leather guitar case slid under his bed. He had Ludwig drum set in one corner of his room. His room was of good size for an apartment so his drum set fit easily enough without being in the way. Criss had things he hadn't really unpacked either and he'd been in the states for going heavy on five years. But being stuff he didn't need really it wasn't a huge loss. "I've seen marching bands in the the states. It is neat to watch all moving together, the music is good too." He said with a smile, he could understand the special part. "They should find away to have an electric guitar into a band like that, then they'd have it made." He added with a laugh though he was a little serious it would be fun.

Nodding in a 'yes' as he spoke. "I have, never in person but on tv. It was pretty interesting. How they play like that. As much my mother wished it, I never picked up piano. After hearing that I kind wish I had applied myself more to it. Even if the duel was a bit hard to hear at times." He smirked lightly as the word 'pianist' came to his mind again. Bars Criss was in them more often than he should be. Even here, with them not having the "good" stuff. Vodka here was far to weak compared to that back home. "I don't mind it, except the floor gets hard." He told her though there was an air of humor to his voice. He was rather enjoying the conversation as well. Chuckling lightly he nodded. "Wow, teachers had your cell number? Never heard of that before." He replied, then added as an after thought, " Though one professor in college did have our e-mails."

He gave her a look at that comment, but quickly answered, "Yes you may. Just so long as they're on silent and you don't answer phone calls in class. And if any other faculty walks in you put them away." His accent holding heavily in his voice as it came out sounding more 'teacher' like. When it came to teaching for the most part he was laid back. If it wasn’t totally obvious by his clothing, it was defiantly apparent in his teaching style. Nodding lightly, "Old rules apply everywhere eh? Never talk to the lower classmen." He joked. He was never one for the freshmen or 'fresh meat' when he was in the upper levels. It wasn't out right mean to them, just didn't exactly call them over to sit at his table. He tended more to sit with just him and his sister. "What about you, does my theory hold true, you're higher up grade wise than my lil sis?" He asked her. Criss really truly did care. Lamia needed an extra pair of eyes watching over her, since she couldn't see to watch over herself in that way.

"That's a lot then. My iPod mostly Russian bands anything rock I can get my hands on." He told her with a nod, "Can't deny good music," He chuckled, "And you're welcome." His head tilted to the side a bit at her question. Not sure he understood what she was getting at, but as she began to list other instruments he nodded. "Wow, I'm beyond impressed now." He told her. His expression holding the amusement and shock at her talent. "Of all that, I can play only two, you already know which. Piano, I can play 'Chopsticks'." He laughed a little. Though he was well aware that, that hardly counted as playing.

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