From the Causeway to the Dorms, Monday Morning-Ish

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante would've liked to say it was early when he got back to Fandom, but frankly, it was closer to noon when he made it across the causeway. Clothes more or less undamaged this time, the long tail of his coat flicking idly behind him as he went.

He kept Rebellion manifested all the way up to the dorms. It was a safety blanket, not that he'd call it that; the weight of the sword across his back was just... comforting.

He'd had a shitty week but a great Sunday night. He didn't even know why he was feeling kinda-- down or something right now. Maybe he needed to stop over by the Perk before he got home, grab something with sugar in it, or something.

"Shoulda stopped by the cat," he muttered to himself, shoving his hands into his pockets.

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[rebelseekspizza]

Dante shrugged. "I feel like I get paid more than my fair share," he said, grinning.

[boneyard_girl]

"You're both terrible," Ada said (fondly), making a face. "What did these teachers do to deserve such detailed attention?"

[rebelseekspizza]

"I don't know," Dante admitted. "Isabela seems really invested, though."

[boneyard_girl]

"They probably told her 'no' for something," Ada pointed out. Because really, as much as she liked Isabela, telling her 'no' was the best way to get her to do something. "Though if they really are denying their True Love, 'm almost sad I'm not in the class to watch it."

"My teachers think it's funny to set demons on us," she continued, disgruntled. "I'd rather watch the unfulfilled romance."

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante's easygoing expression fell immediately. "Demons?" he said flatly. "Seriously? What kind?"

[boneyard_girl]

"It was a test for my 'Defense Against Magic' class," Ada said, scowling. "So, fake-Danger-Shop-demons probably based on real demons, but they looked like they were made out of dark, if that makes sense. Dark with mean teeth."

"Too fast to outrun, so I got outta the way and lit any on fire that came near me."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Fuckin' scum," Dante said, a hint of a growl in his voice. "Never seen one made out of dark, but fuck 'em anyway."

[boneyard_girl]

Oh, that wasn't good.

"Hey, 'm fine," Ada promised, pillowing her head on her arms so she could watch him. "Creeped out and maybe gonna sleep with a nightlight for a week, but fine. Just...reinforced how happy I am that my world ain't got magic."

[rebelseekspizza]

With the way Dante had made friends - and 'friends' - at Fandom, he'd relaxed some over the past few months. Didn't mean the anger wasn't still there, bubbling, waiting for an excuse to come out.

"Maybe the teachers shouldn't be screwing around with shit like that," he said. "'Specially when you're not used to it."

[boneyard_girl]

"Might not have it at home, but it happens here. I gotta get used to it eventually," Ada pointed out.

"I been abducted by aliens an' had Christmas demons try to drive me crazy. I signed up for th' class 'cause I'm tired of being defenseless an' needing other people to protect me." She gave a tired half-shrug. "Now I know this type of demon doesn't like fire, and that's something I didn't know before."

[rebelseekspizza]

"I guess," Dante said.

He dragged his legs up onto the branch with him, stretching out like Ada had, sort of. He was a little too tall to manage it in full. "Just don't go picking fights if they actually show up, okay? You got me on speed dial?"

[boneyard_girl]

Ada laughed. "Me? Pick a fight I know I can't win? Hell no. If I see something before it sees me, I'm runnin' like hell and calling you from a nice cozy bolt-hole," she promised, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "If'n I got a choice, I will always stick to cards and cons, and leave the dangerous stuff to you."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Good."

Dante's tone in no way matched her joking, laughing one; he was dead freaking serious, here.

[boneyard_girl]

"Hey." It was soft, without any of her usual bombast behind it. "'M fine, Dante. Got a little freaked out, but not a scratch on me. Promise. An' I plan to stay that way."

But vulnerable honesty was hard and not a look that Ada liked to wear, so she was already reaching for the brown bag with her lunch. "You eaten yet, Mr. 'Long Night/Early Morning?'"

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante shrugged. "Had some potato chips at the bus station," he said. "I'll live."

He looked at her, maybe finally realizing he should lighten the mood. "You come here often?"

[boneyard_girl]

"Bus station chips ain't food," Ada sighed, pulling a banana out of her bag. "They ain't nothin' but empty calories that taste like cardboard."

Bananas, on the other hand, were a good source of potassium, and Ada had a hunch that Dante's muscles could use it. Even if he had only been out 'dancing.' Which she doubted, since he'd been wearing the sword.

"This tree in particular? Nah. I just like being up high," she said, wrapping her legs around the branch and then hanging upside-down to offer him the banana. "'N sometimes I like being around people without being around people, if that makes sense."

[rebelseekspizza]

"You like to monkey around?" Dante said, taking the banana from her because he wasn't going to argue with food, here.

"Not that big on people."

Yes, you were. You just didn't acknowledge know it yet.

[boneyard_girl]

"Ooo ooo ooo," she retorted, crossing her eyes. "Aw, is it that you ain't a lotsa people-person, or just don't like Townies? I mean, anyone with sense don't like Townies."

MEAN, Ada.

[rebelseekspizza]

"Depends on who's a Townie and who's not," Dante said. He shrugged. "Most people I've met are idiots that don't give a shit about anything."