It's not so bad. [ Roxanne ]

[VALUS]

Valus stood in the teachers lounge, his eyes looking outside at the students who were outside and having fun. He smiled a bit as he rubbed his neck lightly.

He sighed as he awaited for Roxanne to get back.

He did all he could to help everyone and it ddin't go as planned. He clenched his fist and could only recall the friends and people he couldn't save.

At least he was able to help Roxanne.

He was surprised he was even up and running now. The nurse said he would be out for a week, not three days.

He looked at a table beside him that had a cup of coffee with his name on it as he picked it up and took a sip from it and felt great. He held the coffee cup in his hand and smiled a bit. Watching some of the students and thought he recognized one of them and shook his head.

Losing good teachers weighed heavily on Valus, since it was his job to look after the ones who were trying to get away. Though he realized.. It would have weighed heavily on Roxanne too.

When he opened his eyes he gave some thought to what he was fighting. To what he was..

Would he be targeted too for being half Demon? or spared for being human as well?

Something fishy was going on. All students and teachers were on the run and they were confined, caged like animals. As he shook his head. He could only think of the people he wanted- no.. Needed to protect.

But either way. He was just one man.

He looked around the room and shrugged as he put his cloak on as he was thinking about leaving as he finished his coffee.

[KATSUMIKI]

[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 5px; border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 10px;border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=width,230][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-top-right-radius: 200px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 200px; -webkit-border-radius-topright: 200px; border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 40px; margin-right: 20px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: center; text-transform: lowercase; letter-spacing: -2px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;]spread your wings[/style][style=color: #fe801d; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 11px; letter-spacing: 15px; font-family: times; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;]fly away[/style]
[cs=3][atrb=width,450][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A] [style=margin-top: 10px; width: 430px; border-left: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; padding: 10px; background-color: #292929; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px;]The passed few months had been very rough on the Headmaster. Many wouldn't think that she would be so hard on herself, but she truly was. There had been many moments where she wanted to just leave and never come back. So much death and loss had shrouded the school. It was suffocating almost. And her kids. The female stopped in the hallway and held herself up on the wall. They were gone because of her. If only she had been there to protect them. Sero wasn't around as much for comfort either. He was determined to lead a group to find those that had killed his children. But right now she needed him more than anything. Wiping tears from her eyes, Roxanne stepped into the teacher's lounge. Blinking a bit in surprise, her eyes focused on Valus and she almost started crying again. All those teachers were gone too. Valus was one of the few that had made it out alive. Roxanne opened her mouth to speak but paused when no sound came out. She cleared her throat to try again. "Hey Valus." The words were soft as she headed over to the small kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. The headmaster really looked awful. Instead of her usual attire, she was wearing baggy sweatshirts and jeans. Her hair was messy and today she had it back in a messy ponytail. There were bags under her eyes that she didn't even dare try to cover up. Cup in hand, the female pulled herself up onto the counter and folded her legs under her. "How are you holding up? It's nice to see you still around here and there are even students still coming back to the school." She smiled weakly at him as she stirred her tea and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Though I'm surprised they let you out of the Infirmary so soon. Your injuries were pretty bad." Roxanne trailed off as her gaze grew distant at the memories. Even after all these months it was hard for her to smile all the time.[/style]

[VALUS]

Valus looked at Roxanne as she walked in and he took off his cloak to stay for a while as he tossed it onto the coat rack and smiled a bit. Hopefully trying to reassure her that everything was going to be alright..

To a point.

He knew that she was taking it hard. And so was Valus. He failed his friends and comrades in arms but he wasn't going to try to let it take over himself and become something that wasn't him as he put his hands in his pockets.

"Hey Roxanne, or do you prefer boss-lady. Never did clarify on that."

He chuckled slightly to try and lighten the mood. Roxanne looked terrible. It was almost off setting, but she was taking this whole situation harder than anyone. She loved this school, and Valus did too.

He had heard her asking how he was holding up.

'How are you holding up...'

a voice spoke in Valus's head. The Demonblade Bahamut knew how he felt. It was trying to strengthen him in a way. He should be honest with Roxanne- for giving him a place to call home. He smiled slightly and looked out the window.

He saw someone he knew, but he couldn't put a name to face. Someone from his past? Or just someone from the school? Probably just from the school, that is what he thinks.

"I'm still in one piece."

He said with a small smile on his face as he looked back at Roxanne. He had enough of looking outside for the most part. It put him at ease, looking out a window was like looking at a painting that moves. Tends to do that to a person when that happens.

"There's no where I would rather be. It's also nice to see you up and about as well."

He saw her smile. A weak smile is still good. It showed Strength in pain. It showed a lot.

Smiles could be hope..

Smiles are everything for some people. To show that they are still alright.

"Well, I heal fast, and most of my Minor wounds healed by the time I got to the Infirmary. Plus, at this point it's rest and what better way to relax and rest then the Lounge and my own room?"

He said with a laugh. He crossed his arms and looked at Roxanne. With a smile on his face he started to speak.

"I'm glad I was able to get back in time for who I could.."

Valus wasn't kidding. The Injuries he sustained were from the group he tried to hold off so Roxanne and a good portion of the Teachers could escape. The smell and the sounds never left his skull, as if they were burned in his ears and nose. Eventually he would get over it and live his life the way he needed to.

"Tell me Boss Lady, whats really going on inside that Bird head of yours?"

He said as a joke to try to get her to laugh. But he hasn't tried to cheer Roxanne up at all. Only students and most of the teachers. So, he was going to try his best. With Sero gone and most teachers are still recuperating that Left Valus to keep some form of sanity here.

[KATSUMIKI]

[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 5px; border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 10px;border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=width,230][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-top-right-radius: 200px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 200px; -webkit-border-radius-topright: 200px; border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 40px; margin-right: 20px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: center; text-transform: lowercase; letter-spacing: -2px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;]spread your wings[/style][style=color: #fe801d; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 11px; letter-spacing: 15px; font-family: times; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;]fly away[/style]
[cs=3][atrb=width,450][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A] [style=margin-top: 10px; width: 430px; border-left: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; padding: 10px; background-color: #292929; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px;]"I'm glad. I am really glad that you made it out and are ok." Roxi gave him a sad smile as she sipped her tea and let her gaze go distant. Thoughts and memories swirled in her mind as she listened to him. He had risked his life to make sure she could get back to the academy. "I wanted to thank you for helping me get back to the academy. I just wish I could have gotten back in time to help my kids..." The female muttered pulling her legs up to her chin as the tears started again. It hadn't been so bad when she was alone in her office. But now in front of someone else, it was almost too much to bare. The tears streamed down her face as she looked at Valus. "What am I going to do? Everyone is expecting so much of me lately. I can't even keep my own children alive let alone a school full of kids." The female mumbled as she held her cup of tea and tried to keep from shaking. She wanted Sero here. He knew what to do to make everything better. She shifted a bit and her body ached. There was another reason she wore sweatshirts. When she got back to the school, she had to break through the barrier and it had left her skin scarred and blackened in some spots. The female wiped away her tears and stared into her cup. "Sorry I don't mean to break down like that. It's just been really hard lately and I guess that's a good look inside my head." Roxi smiled to him again trying to make herself happy. It wasn't an easy task but the fact she had even stepped out of her office was a good sign. "Valus we need to do something about this group. Not to mention The barrier needs to be reworked otherwise it can be hacked again." The female muttered as she closed her eyes taking a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down. If she focused on work maybe she could get through this.[/style]

[VALUS]

Valus walked over and put a hand on her shoulder to try and Relax her. It probably wasn't going to work as he didn't know what to say. With a smile on his face. His never fading smile he started to talk.

"I am sure Sero will bring them to justice. If need be I can try to get a hold of my old contacts to give him some information?" He went on. "Plus, with out you this school wouldn't be the same.. I enjoy having you yell at me to wake up during meetings."

After that he took a few steps away and sat on the arm of the chair he sat in earlier. He opened his mouth. He wasn't her Husband, he was friend. Maybe that would be enough to see her through?

"Keep doing what you do best. You lead everyone through thick and thin and I am behind you 100%, I mean look at me." He shook his head "People expect a lot from me too, we are in the same boat. I am sure V-" he stopped mid sentence as he clenched his fist behind his back. Did Vikki die? Or was he going nuts? Something tugged at a heart string when Vikki had told him that she looked up to Roxi as a mother. Was it her that died? Or did she have another family? If she did. He would feel better, but for now. He could only hope.

"I am sure a friend of mine would have hit me for not doing better." He continued "You have me around, you call and I will be around to help in anyway I can."

He said with a thumbs up and a cheerful smile. He was going to make sure that Roxanne wasn't to hard on herself for this. Valus did his best to protect the students and he failed. He even failed his friend.

"I can look after students as well. You aren't alone here Boss Lady! I am here to help! Sure, I am a good looking fighter and a Skilled Marksmen, but I can help out with anything you need me to do Roxanne."

He looked at his coffee- It was empty and started to pour himself another cup promptly after and put in some cream and sugar and took a drink. It tasted better than the first cup. This was as she started to speak about breaking down. He looked over at Roxi and gave her a small smile, almost a smirk as he spoke.

"Hey, whats the use of a friend if you can't open up?" He said looking at the wall. He closed his eyes and took another drink, he couldn't feel the heat... Or taste it.

That was weird for him. Even in the most troubling times he kept his cool but this was weirder than usual. This was threatening his home again. He took the cup away from his mouth.

"I-I... Have an Idea... A friend an I talked about it.." He said almost with a sigh.

Valus put the cup down on the table. He grabbed Gold from his cloak and placed it on the table. With a smile he started to laugh a bit. He shook his head sat down in a chair. This idea was the best that he had for now. Even Valus didn't know if Roxi knew about Bahamut. There was a soul in the blade. A powerful demon soul at best.

"Where does the Barrier rest? I mean.. I can change what powers it from an idea my friend and I cooked up.."

He thought that he could switch the barriers item or spirit with either his own, or Bahamuts. and if it worked, then with his blade as the barrier it could create a barrier Strong enough to keep the barrier going for as long as it can feed off power from it's own dimension which isn't a problem at all, but for a short period of time who knows what could happen. Valus was ready to take that chance.


"I will also train the students."

[KATSUMIKI]

[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 5px; border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 10px;border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=width,230][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-top-right-radius: 200px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 200px; -webkit-border-radius-topright: 200px; border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 40px; margin-right: 20px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: center; text-transform: lowercase; letter-spacing: -2px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;]spread your wings[/style][style=color: #fe801d; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 11px; letter-spacing: 15px; font-family: times; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;]fly away[/style]
[cs=3][atrb=width,450][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A] [style=margin-top: 10px; width: 430px; border-left: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; padding: 10px; background-color: #292929; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px;]Roxi gave him a soft smile as she cradled her cup of tea. It felt a bit cold and with a flash of heat it was suddenly warm again. She kept her knees tucked up to her chest as she listened to him. He wasn't Sero but he was really trying to cheer her up and that was what she needed. A feather floated passed her face and she blew it away annoyed. She had been molting like crazy ever since the event. Something as he spoke caught her attention. Valus had started saying someone's name and stopped. The female sipped her tea and stared at him over her cup. "Vikki is still alive. She got pretty injured while trying to save mine and Sero's children. But don't worry the nurse said she would survive." A soft smile played at her lips again as she watched him. Of course she had known about the two. Vikki was still figuring out who she wanted to be with but Roxi had seen the way the two interacted with each other. There wasn't a thing she missed around here. Or at least that's how it used to be. Her heart sank at the thought and she tried to push those dark thoughts away. Right now she needed to focus on trying to make this place better. "Thank you Valus. I really want to thank you for everything and I am really grateful you made it through ok. You are right though about the students. They need to be trained better to protect themselves. We don't know what Iustus is planning on doing and no more lives will be lost." Roxi spoke the words staring off. That fire of determination seemed to stir behind her eyes. The time for sitting around mourning the loss of her kids and students was over. "Well as far as the barrier goes, I managed to get it back up but this is only a temporary thing. I didn't have enough magic to put up a better and stronger one to protect the school but it'll do for now. What did you have in mind?" Roxi asked him as her feet slid to hang off the edge of the counter. Slowly she would get back to normal, but it would take some time. [/style]

[VALUS]

Valus heard that Vikki was alright. He let out a sigh and smiled. Some times even hearing one person was alright was good enough for him.

To a point he looked at his cloak and laughed a bit as he put his hands on his pockets.

"Well, I guess I am looking forward to the punch in the face later then" He said with a chuckle. He was glad that she would survive more than anything as he walked over to a door and took a hand out to open it as he reached in a grabbed a bottle of water he opened it with his mouth and took a drink out of it to get himself to relax a bit. With a smile he looked over at Roxanne.

"What can I say? I aught to thank you for letting me stay here. I am here to do what I can for the school. I try my best."

Valus rubbed his chin. Iustus did ring something, but he didn't know what. Maybe something to do with his old man? Maybe, it could be something or not. But this would be something he looks into himself outside of the school's and Roxi's eyes. He smiled and gave a small laugh as he decided tospeak.

"Well, I will look into everything and try to get some Training situations up as soon as possible." He was also in a deep thought as he finished. "I don't either, nor do I like this group hunting us. They know we are around, but not where we are for the most part.. I hope."

He shook his head to get out of his thought and looked at Roxi, he saw the determination in her eyes. He liked that. She had almost inspired Valus as it was. With a smile he started to laugh.

"Well, it is good that it is back. I mean, I kind of like looking up at it.. Almost like a big eye watching me all day. Also, makes a good sky to look up at.. Gives me a chance to take a dirt nap between Class and Work."

He said with a big laugh. It's probably what it was and the he heard that she had asked what he had in mind. With his smile he started to talk.

"Well, my Blade, Bahamut. Is a demon remade into a blade. What I can do is place it at the source and he can do the rest. This way you don't need to worry about the shield draining and it takes some of the power off of you, allowing us to focus on other important items."

He went on to make sure it would all be alright. He decided to open his mouth.

That was just speculation. He needed to make sure of a few things. Like a replacement blade. He can do so for a while. He can leave the school and just make sure that he can do so without any big problems happen to make a new one and maybe a shield. but that was just what he knew.

He was just a stage technician.

[KATSUMIKI]

[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 5px; border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=width,110][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 5px; margin-left: 10px;border: 5px solid #fe801d; width: 100px; height: 100px;][/style]	[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=width,230][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-top-right-radius: 200px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 200px; -webkit-border-radius-topright: 200px; border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A][style=margin-top: 40px; margin-right: 20px; color: #4f4f4f; text-align: center; text-transform: lowercase; letter-spacing: -2px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;]spread your wings[/style][style=color: #fe801d; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 11px; letter-spacing: 15px; font-family: times; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;]fly away[/style]
[cs=3][atrb=width,450][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=style,border-right: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; background-color: #1A1A1A] [style=margin-top: 10px; width: 430px; border-left: 1px dotted #fe801d; border-bottom: 1px dotted #fe801d; padding: 10px; background-color: #292929; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 11px;]Hmm. His blade could help with the barrier? But then he would be without a weapon. Roxi sipped her cup of tea finishing it off before she set it on the counter. "While I appreciate the offer, I would prefer that you kept your sword. I'm in the process of making a stronger and better barrier and it shouldn't take me too long to get it up. I just need a few days of good rest and it'll be done. The barrier doesn't take too much power away from me to be honest. My body has grown used to being without for so long that it feels weird having all this extra curled up inside." The female stated smiling a bit. She rubbed her arm without thinking and the magic burns caught against the sweatshirt a bit. There was so much that needed to be done to prevent the school from falling under again. She wouldn't fail this place twice. Next time she would die trying to protect this place. Carefully pushing herself off the counter, Roxi placed an arm against it to steady herself. She wasn't exactly steady on her feet just yet. "Keep your blade. I'll talk to Sero about lending his power to help me weave the new barrier as well. It's about time he started pulling his own weight around here." She laughed lightly making another cup of tea and letting her gaze grow distant. So much to do and she didn't know how much time she had. "We need to find more teachers for the school as well. More combat smart teachers. That way they can help protect the school and students and not to mention help train them as well. We can make this work. No we will make this work. Iustus won't be able to cut through this school for a second time. I can tell you that much." She growled a bit gripping her cup tightly. [/style]

[VALUS]

Valus chuckled a bit. He smiled and looked over at Roxanne. His friend and boss.

"Well, why don't we call my idea plan B. Well, the extra power would be nice to have wouldn't it? I mean this way you could do more. More Magic and stuff."

He had listened and chuckled a bit as he stood up and walked over to the window and peered out it again. He smiled a bit as the school was almost back to normal He looked over at Roxanne with a bright smile on his face.

In the next fight.

Valus wouldn't hold back. Protecting his friends came first.

"Well, talking to Sero does work.. I mean with two people sharing the barrier it would not be too much stress for you both."

He opened his mouth and he laughed a bit as he listened to her last comment on the teachers. He laughed a bit as something hit him. An old friend of his could help, but..

"Well, that would be Ideal. I mean, Iustus does have some interesting means of doing things..But they don't have the kids that we have." He said with a laugh. Some of the students in the school would beat up anyone for just looking at them wrong. "But, I agree. And I will do my part in it all." He noticed the growl and he shook his head.

"Well, I did hear of one teacher who is a good fighter, but he isn't the best teacher ever."

He said with a sigh. He rubbed his chin to remember where he heard the name. He kept trying to think but the current events had him shaken up a bit as he was not all pieced together inside for the most part. He smiled and knew that he could keep going for the most part.