Fourth Floor Common Room, Friday Evening

[furnaceface]

Well, this was it, then, wasn't it? Once again, they'd reached the last relative day of peace and quiet before the new students shuffled in and workshops got back into full swing. Jono's week had been an eventful one already, between his impromptu jam session with the slightly insane girl who had tried to smash her guitar on the floor on Tuesday,

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[angelo_wings]

The angel on Rinoa's shoulder -- which went nicely with the wings on the back of her duster -- was telling her that she should visit people and spread cheer and be congenial.

The devil -- who was scantily clad and had a fairly impressive rack -- said that she should poke her head in and annoy the crap out of Jono some more.

It was really nice when the two got along like that.

"What are you playing?" Rinoa asked.

Shame she hadn't brought nail polish.

[angelo_wings]

When she finished, she was blushing, but she bowed her head solemnly all the same.

"Thank you," she said. "I ... like remembering her, like this. I think she would have liked you."

[furnaceface]

//You suppose so...?//

Actually, that flattered Jono far more than he was willing to admit. Though it probably showed well enough on what was left of his face.

//It really is a beautiful song,// he decided. //I can see why she'd want to hold it dear.//

[angelo_wings]

"But maybe you're right," she said, seating herself in the chair again with a reflective smile. "Maybe it was popular because it spoke to other people, too. Maybe it could mean as much to them as it did to her, so it was right to share."

Not that that would have made it any easier.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "My father can out-grump you any day of the week."

[furnaceface]

//Fortunately, I've never met him. And so I can proudly hold on to my title as grouchiest bastard I know.//

He was proud of that title, too. He put a lot of work into being an unapproachable arsehole.

[angelo_wings]

"You and Squall both," she said, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation. "Remember, the meaner you are, the less likely anyone will try to be friends with you, and then you can be miserable and lonely without any chance of rejection."

Call it a hunch.

[furnaceface]

... Oh, there was a painful bullseye. Jono only winced a little at that, turning his eyes toward his guitar again. Picking at the strings and coming up with mostly just dissonance to show for it.

//Tell me, luv, do you get rejected often?//

[angelo_wings]

"I don't take no for an answer," Rinoa replied simply. "I mean, Squall's been rejecting me for months. I just ignore him."

She hesitated before adding, "He's more afraid of people leaving. Not them not wanting to get close at all."

[furnaceface]

Jono nodded a bit, realizing that whatever it was that he was playing now, it sounded awful, and he was going to stop playing at all, now.

//That's not what I'm afraid of. Not... quite so simply.//

[nimeni]

"Hullo, Rinoa," said Bod, giving her a little wave. "I haven't seen you in awhile. I hope you've been well."

[angelo_wings]

"I have, thanks," Rinoa said brightly. "I can't believe first term is over. Do they all fly that quickly? And how are you?"

[nimeni]

"It did seem to pass by very quickly," he agreed with a nod. "I've been good though. I seem to be in possession of one cat who used to be a Kate but that's the most unusual thing that's happened to me as of late."

[angelo_wings]

Rinoa tilted her head, glancing around to spot the orange fluffball that had followed Bod into the common room.

"Awww, she's so cute!" Rinoa giggled. "Does she do that often? She isn't stuck or anything, is she?"

[nimeni]

"It's happened to her before," he said, unable to resist laughing at bit at Kate's predicament. "This is the...third time, I think? So, I'm fairly certain she's not stuck like that but I don't know how long she might be like that. The past few times, Bobby's taken care of her."

[angelo_wings]

"Maybe it's a power she's manifesting," Rinoa suggested, with no small amount of amusement of her own. "Once she gets it under control, she'll turn whenever she wants, and change back just as easily. That would be cool."

[nimeni]

"It would be," Bod said, watching Kate flit around the small kitchen area in the common room. "I don't know how happy she is right now but she's eating and sleeping so she can't be deprived. She almost bit me yesterday."