Back In Black (Jayr)

[Kazuya Hikari]

Worn down black Converse shoes slapped against the pavement as Jasper walked up the path to the school. It was his "first" day here, having flown from Long Beach, California after studying there for a couple years. But he was here, and he was going to leave his past life behind... for good. He wore the Student Body President's jacket and casual attire underneath, his blue eyes staring straight ahead. He pushed open the front door, and stepped in, his backpack slung over his shoulder. The door closed behind him, as he walked through the hallways, his footsteps making dull echoing thumps against the floor. Since he was the "new" Student Body President, he felt it was only right to introduce himself, starting with the Cheer Squad.

Heading down the hallway, he stopped in front of a locker, and slipped a folded note inside it, before heading towards the meeting spot. Walking out into the courtyard, his footsteps made dull thumps as he walked across the courtyard before stopping underneath a tree with a stone bench located underneath it. He looked down at his cellphone, and saw he had come out just as first period had ended. He heard the sound of voices, and saw students stream out of the school, mostly in groups. Jasper was mostly ignored by the students who walked past him, some saw him, and began to ask their friends who he was, though he wasn't surprised, he was a "new" student after all. He paid no attention to them, if they left him alone, he would leave them alone, mess with him, and he'd mess with them. His hands in his jeans pockets, he waited patiently for the captain of the Cheer Squad to arrive, having "learned" from the office which locker belonged to her. Once she opened her locker, she'd see the note lying inside, which said:

If possible, could you come meet me in the courtyard?

- Jasper Wesley, the Student Body President.

P.S. I probably won't be hard to spot, how many people are there that wear the Student Body President's jacket?

[Jayr Byrne]

The Curse of the Student Body Presidents

Jayr hadn't been long for this school, while only starting up a few weeks ago it was starting to feel a bit more comfortable, a few friends here a few friends there though she'd not come into contact with much clicheness aside from the Pillars who seemed in a league of there own. They were the types she tended to avoid, not just because of her disagreements with one, but rather her disapproval of the lot. Their methods undermined the power of the student body rather than made use of them. A heroic leader who put others before himself was respected, these kids were simply thugs with the might of strength behind them who only stepped into the political light to save their own skins.

A small fret as she huffed and puffed over her English essay over the Pillar system. As you could tell she had a lackluster belief in such a code, but it was the way things were lived here in this time and generation there was no changing things unless of course they were from within.

As the bell rang and Jayr passed by the teachers desk with a small tap on his desk leaving the paper in her wake, she'd take large enough steps to position herself by her locker playing with the jumbled combination for a time before the folded letter fell loose and unto the floor.

If possible, could you come meet me in the courtyard?

- Jasper Wesley, the Student Body President.

P.S. I probably won't be hard to spot, how many people are there that wear the Student Body President's jacket?

Hmmm.

Her lips pursed up in a speculative fashion, she was ultimately distressed over the entire ordeal. Another Student Body President looking for something in all the wrong places. A bit of a tempered sigh before she marched on out to the courtyard stopping short of the long yard before plopping down. It'd been a long day and this ordeal was truly hard to stomach. Something good was to come of it though, at the very least Kevala got her mind on straight not to be represented by rapists, attempted or otherwise.

[Kazuya Hikari]

The sound of footsteps coming up from behind him made Jasper turn around, having been staring up at the sky while he waited patiently for the Cheer Squad captain, as he saw her plop down on the stone bench. Lifting his sunglasses up, he rested them on his forehead as he moved towards her and stopped in front of her, but he had left enough space in between the both of them that it wouldn't turn awkward. "I'm sorry for making you come out here just to meet my sorry ass." He said, smiling slightly sheepishly as he bent down slightly, now the same height as her, making direct eye contact with her. "But I'd probably make a terrible new Student Body President if I didn't at least introduce myself. It's nice to meet you um...?" He trailed off, as he held his hand out to her, a slightly confused look on his face.

Although he did "learn" which locker belonged to the Cheer Squad captain, he wasn't "told" her name, which made sense, he didn't need to know her name to request her to meet him in the courtyard. Despite his cunning nature, Jasper had the tendency to act polite when meeting someone for the first time. Hopefully her first impression of him was a lot better than his "predecessor" though he wasn't going to hold his breath on it. "I'm going to do whatever I can to help the students... and this institute... become a better place..." He said, not realizing he had spoken out loud. Hopefully, as the "new" Student Body President, he could actually help, but when you're a Pillar at one of the most violent institutes in the state, the majority of the students tended to resist any kind of change. Still, he wouldn't give up, and would try no matter what.

[Jayr Byrne]

Step One, Two, Three, four.

Jayr had taken the spot on the edge of the stone ledge to the entryway of the school grounds sitting there pleasantly with a sollemn look on her face. She wasn't sad or mellow, just worn out. If anything she needed to have a blast, something exciteing and Donnie's party was just the thing to pick her spirits up. Just gotta make it through till friday. She'd reherse the thought in her head over and over before a new face plopped in beside her with a bit of room but still she could feel the weight of a heavy glance upon her.

"I'm sorry for making you come out here just to meet my sorry ass."

A brow would cock curiously as though introductions were generally in the order of events before they could share a joke with one another but then again she was quite the stickler for the rule system. Regardless she held something less than a contemptable grin trying to be the stereotype of a cheerleader as she'd so been told over and over at this school. It was a role she fit into and yet stood out. In alot of reguards she saw herself as a better leader and role model as opposed to the standerdized disrespecting notions thrown about.

"But I'd probably make a terrible new Student Body President if I didn't at least introduce myself. It's nice to meet you um...?"

Jayr remained at a distance looking down at the hand with a bit of caution still on edge from the last student body president as she'd extend the light touch of the tips of her fingers to match his grip with a bit of light reguard. "I'm sorry, you are?" Openly she'd boldly pronounce as she asked the simple question of who he was.

"I'm going to do whatever I can to help the students... and this institute... become a better place..."

Jayr would retract as if set back upon the defensive, well that was nice of him to say but he sounded much like a politicion looking for votes in his next election. A weird suspicion tingling through her as she suspected foul play on his behalf. For starters who asked for the Cheer Captain without knowing her name much less even incline to ask, and secondly who addressed themselves through a title as opposed to their name. Pursing her lips Jayr would still remain upright yet her poise would be leaning aback showing her body language that he'd already made a misstep.

[Kazuya Hikari]

Jasper blinked, a blank look on his face as he saw the girl in front of him cock her brow curiously, making him wonder if it was something he said, though the contemptible grin on her face, far from putting him at ease, placed him on edge, he really didn't want to make a bad first impression on his "first" day here. Holding his hand out to her in a friendly gesture as he politely asked for her name, he saw her look down at his hand, looking just on edge as he was, but to his relief, she returned his handshake, well, more like the tips of her fingers reaching out and brushing against his, but he wasn't picky, he'd take what he get. ... My name was on the note, and she's asking for it again? My name must be really hard to remember... Resisting the urge to palm his own face, he instead settled for grinning sheepishly. "My apologies, I'm Jasper Wesley. It's nice to meet you...?" He trailed off once more, as he casually shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. ... It's a nice day today, I'd forgotten how nice... Oh crap, did I just talk out loud!? Wincing slightly as he saw the girl retract almost defensively, he really did palm his own face this time.

"Gaah, me and my big mouth. I really have to learn to just shut up and keep quiet." He said, sounding slightly defeated. This was turning into a great day already. I can already tell this is going FA-BU-LOUS. Rubbing the back of his head, to make matters worse, he saw her purse her lips as she continued to stay sitting upright, but even an idiot could tell from the way she was leaning back that the situation was not going well. "I'm sorry, I didn't really know anyone else here aside from Kevala, and I overheard some students talking about the Cheer Squad captain, so I thought introducing myself would help a little, at the very least, I would then know someone else. I didn't mean to drag you all the way out here just for something as petty as this." He sighed sadly, looking more than a little defeated.

[Jayr Byrne]

Rudimentaries

"My apologies, I'm Jasper Wesley. It's nice to meet you...?"

"Jayr, Jayr Byrne." Much like the most noteable refrence to a 007 film she could enact though with a less manly voice but she could match the considering stare still sizing him up enough. He wasn't that same Student Body President that last took up this spot but he showed much of the same mannerisms. At least in one way or another, he was quick to the defense and was obviously insecure about something, something she didn't know and probably wouldn't know without going into more depth but his body language spoke novels. When you beat yourself over one mistake it was only too obvious.

"Gaah, me and my big mouth. I really have to learn to just shut up and keep quiet."

Like so....

Jayr kept her respective distance not wanting to offened by backing herself away and knowing well enough not to step up into a possibly harmful scenario herself.


"I'm sorry, I didn't really know anyone else here aside from Kevala, and I overheard some students talking about the Cheer Squad captain, so I thought introducing myself would help a little, at the very least, I would then know someone else. I didn't mean to drag you all the way out here just for something as petty as this."

"And that is?"

Jayr had a sharp tongue and was short, too the point and often times bitter. The things were starting to give her the reputation of being a bitch, however in her defense she felt she was a powerful woman, strong enough to stand on her own. As far as her question, the new student body had come to her for whatever reason and had some semblance of a plan it was perhaps in her best interests to at least hear him out, if she didn't like it there was always walking out and planning one better.

[Kazuya Hikari]

"Jayr, Jayr Byrne." ... Next she's going to tell me she has a license to kill and drives an Aston Martin... "It's nice to meet you Ms. Byrne." He replied, imitating a British accent. Resisting the urge to call her 007, he instead settled for looking back at her with a look of polite curiosity, a respective distance between the both of them, and Jasper had no desire to close the distance between them any time soon, lest he repeat the same mistake his "predecessor" had committed in the past. Peering up at the blue sky, the edges of his jacket fluttered slightly as he looked straight at Jayr, unfazed by her sharp and to the point question, if anything, he found it rather refreshing, despite the outward appearance she projected as some carefree cheerleader captain, based on her response, she sounded anything but that, though he wasn't completely sure.

"Find out directly from those that make up the student body what they want done at this school." He replied calmly, getting straight to the point. "It doesn't matter what I want done, in the end, it's the collective that matters." That, and maybe actually get to know someone else besides Kevala... He honestly didn't care if she acted bitchy towards him, he rarely lost his cool under any circumstances, regardless of whether she liked him or not, it didn't matter to him. He wasn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy either, he was calculating and cunning, and was very straightforward at times. Popularity was the least of his concerns, but seeing as he was the "new" guy in town, he didn't exactly have a reputation to begin with. "What exactly is it that you want to happen at this institution, Jayr?"

[Jayr Byrne]

Starting down the right path.

"Find out directly from those that make up the student body what they want done at this school. It doesn't matter what I want done, in the end, it's the collective that matters."

It was just bland enough to still keep her at a distance, though he knew the right words to say no doubt through trial and error he lacked the passion of what true leaders bore which was both good and bad. Good because Jayr wouldn't need to feel obligated towards someone and bad for the very same reason, she had plans of her own. None so shortsighted as needing a title to spur them nor the respect of others to follow through.

"What exactly is it that you want to happen at this institution, Jayr?"

Jayr would settle herself back for a second, good he wasn't entirely an idiot and now sought the advice of others. Asking was the first step towards learning, of course unless you'd taken your first step to fall on your face.

"Why ask me? I'm just one person. Why not ask the others around you thats what a student body president is supposed to be, the representative of the people."

In truth she wanted something far more ambitious, the desolution of the Pillars.

[Kazuya Hikari]

Actually, it was called "learn from the past and don't do what the last Student Body President did," but that was besides the point. A small bit of hope gleamed in Jasper's mind as he saw Jayr settle back down for a second, at least he done something right... right? RIGHT? "Every plan has to start somewhere. Sure, you're just one person among the vast crowd of students, but if I don't start somewhere, I'll never get anywhere and end up going nowhere, fast. Baby steps Jayr, baby steps." Jasper wasn't an idiot, he knew that if he didn't ask the students themselves what it was they wanted, it would be completely and utterly pointless trying to do anything. But the bigger obstacle to this was the School Captain herself, Kevala. He knew when he received the title that if any change was to take place, it was because Kevala herself wished for it to be so, not because of his own independent agenda.

And she had really emphasized that if he went out on his own and did his own thing, he would have his title revoked and be fired faster than you can say "bye bye bye." "You're right though. The Student Body President is the representative of the students, the single voice speaking out for all of them. That was the mistake of the former Student Body President, my 'predecessor.' He never bothered to ask the students themselves what they wanted to get done in the institute. I don't want to repeat his mistake, instead learn from it so that it won't happen again, and do what should've been done in the first place. So I'm starting with you first, Jayr, before I move on and ask the other students. What do you REALLY want changed in the school?" Everyone wanted something changed, no matter where they were. But Jasper wasn't a mind reader, he had to ask and find out on his own just what those changes the students desired were. Even if it affected him directly...

[Jayr Byrne]

Baby Steps

Now he was moving too fast, like he'd won some kind of title again, sure she'd relaxed a little but the boy was all too quick to run in all headlong, perhaps because he was insecure about the past mistakes and kept them recurring in his head just begging to let them die in the past however Jayr had an all too good memory.

"Okay now, you can stop talking to me like a child."

She'd be direct with him raising an open handed palm and patting it downwards in the air a body language to suggest a settling of nerves perhaps somewhere along the lines he was getting anxious or maybe impatient with the little court behavior of small talk but the was understandable not many people could manage the complexities of it.

"Well for starters how about you give me a block schedule with the Captain or even the Dean and let me try and think something up here in the next few days and you'll have yourself and answer."

Jayr would manage out sweetly her body inclining towards him slightly with lips pursed satisfied with her little retort. She had something of a creative spark on the mind but it was something she'd like keeping to herself till all her cards were in order.

"You see Jasper, I don't exactly like crawling, I prefer the run." A wry smile as the corners of her lips peeled up a bit of caution thrown to the wind as her mind went to play.

[Kazuya Hikari]

"... Okay, and you can stop treating me like a child." He retorted back somewhat teasingly, cocking an eyebrow at her after she had raised her hand and patted it downwards in the air, making it seem like she had been dealing with some little kid that was getting bored and impatient and on the verge of throwing a tantrum, as he casually shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. "... Alright." I guess? But what's so fascinating about Kevala that you'd need her block schedule? And not just her, why the Dean, of all people? Ah whatever, why the hell would I care? It doesn't concern me in any way, shape, or form. Jasper replied, not drawn in by her sweet tone of voice or that she was inclining towards him slightly with her lips pursed, instead causing him to cock his eyebrow even more at her teasingly.

"... Huh, you don't say. Oh I'm sure there's other things you prefer besides running alright. I prefer running myself, but only if I'm playing soccer... or football... or whatever the hell it is they call it here." He replied nonchalantly, a bemused look on his face as he continued to cock his eyebrow at her, returning her wry smile with a small smirk of his own as it tugged at the corners of his mouth. Stretching his arms high above his head, he casually folded his arms across his chest, his body looking a bit relaxed and at ease. He had absolutely no idea what it was she had in mind, but he would just roll with it, whatever the hell it was. Peering down at his watch, he saw that second period had already begun. Oh great, just what he was looking forward to after, Chemistry class. YAY... NOT. "You don't have a class right now?"

[Jayr Byrne]

Like talking to a wall...

"... Okay, and you can stop treating me like a child."

Was he trying to flirt with her with a response like that? If so he'd been seriously getting the wrong impression from this meeting and probably wasn't all there. You earned respect through deserving it and treating someone as though they were a small contingency was no way to go about things. And if he was being serious he had a strange disillusion from reality, not once had she spoken down to him at least not yet. Though when you acted like a child you'd earn teh same report.

Her body would reverse its motion now backing away from him, bad move deserved a bad result by effect. Biting on her lower lip she'd resist retorting with vulgarities that'd only build another poor confrontation.

"... Alright. I guess?"

"Well I only need one or the other, I don't suppose this school would need double authority otherwise things would get tangled up."

Jayr was something of a natural lawyer knowing well enough the ties that bound. She could see here and there cause and effect like the signs to an impending thunderstorm. Dark clouds no doubt ominous on the horizen.

"... Huh, you don't say. Oh I'm sure there's other things you prefer besides running alright. I prefer running myself, but only if I'm playing soccer... or football... or whatever the hell it is they call it here."

*smack*

Her hand would contact with her forehead forming a facepalm. Well at least she knew how to deal with him now if he was really dumb enough not to catch that her last comment was a symbolic phrase and not quite so literal. Shaking her head behind a hand she took an even breath trying again not to belittle him verbally but in her head the insults ran freely.

"You don't have a class right now?"

"No, not right now I have to prepare for Cheer Practice so I'd like to know as soon as possible when I could organize this thing."

Jayr would stand up slowly switching the weight of her books into her left arm in between her chest and the nook of her left arm. "I'm a bit of a dork that way."

[Kazuya Hikari]

If only that were the case. Just like his "predecessor", in actuality, Jasper was neither interested in Jayr nor would he ever be. It simply sounded like he was flirting with her due to the fact he didn't care what others thought of him and simply say whatever he felt like, much like his "predecessor." In a way, Jasper was much like Kazuya, though he would never be like his "predecessor" and risk his Pillar title just to prove a point, especially if it involves a student of the opposite sex. Casually shoving his hands into his jeans pockets, he knew Jayr had not once talked down to him in their entire conversation, though he wouldn't hold his breath on this, everyone had a limit to their patience and could only hold it back for so long before it snapped like a brittle twig, she would eventually let loose on him, and if not now, later down the road. Not exactly broken up that she backed away from him once more, he continued to keep his hands in his pockets, he could already tell she was close to let loose on him, as evident by her biting her lower lip, but he could be wrong.

He wasn't even fazed when she palmed her own face, he knew the symbolic meaning behind her words, but he wasn't about to run headlong down a path of possible impending doom. Okay, maybe he was exaggerating a little bit, but it happened before to the last Student Body President, he wasn't going to take the risk, no matter how much it made him look like a complete idiot. "... Alright. I'll let you know as soon as possible." He replied coolly, as he saw her stand up and switch her books over into her left arm. Turning around, his back facing Jayr, he began to walk away from her, before stopping, his hands in his pockets. "... I know I'm not exactly the easiest person to talk to. I can be frustrating to talk to, and I act like a complete idiot at times. I don't expect you to respect me, especially not after my response to your last comment, which was, by all standards, a completely idiotic answer." He said, turning his body slightly and looking directly at her. "But I know that I'm much more of a dork than you said you are in that sense."

[Jayr Byrne]

Getting back to neutral.

"... Alright. I'll let you know as soon as possible."

Jayr would nod in agreement not needing to say anything that would compromise herself or even manage to spark another parallel conversation that she knew would only end in some mishaps. A quaint grin as she'd peel around ready to leave not concerned with the fact that she hadn't exactly wrapped things up with him though she felt no guilt in leaving that way, it was just easier. Best not to make friends with those you know you'd leave behind.

"... I know I'm not exactly the easiest person to talk to. I can be frustrating to talk to, and I act like a complete idiot at times. I don't expect you to respect me, especially not after my response to your last comment, which was, by all standards, a completely idiotic answer. But I know that I'm much more of a dork than you said you are in that sense."

Jayr would stop long enough to hear him out before her head would level along with her books taking a moment deep in though reflecting inwardly towards her own expressiveness. Nervously she'd bite at the end of her thumb nail before noticing the habit and stopping short before looking back.

"Can't fight who you are."

A true smile before she'd turn around back to walk again hands too full to wave but an extended elbow would perform the action well enough, "See you around."

[Kazuya Hikari]

At least the two of them agreed on something. Turning around, Jasper began to walk off but stopped. Jasper found Jayr's personality refreshing, and while she may not respected him, he respected her enough that he could admit his own flaws to her, as he saw Jayr stop, hearing him out for long enough that he was able to finish, her head leveling as she raised her hand up, though what she was doing, he couldn't tell, not just because there was a bit of distance between the two of them, but also because her back was facing him. She then looked back at him, as he peered back at her, standing in a slightly sideways stance.

"... Heh. Maybe. But nobody said you have to stay like that for the rest of your life. Anyone can say they can change. Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words." He replied, as he casually shrugged his shoulders. He saw Jayr smile at him, and this time, it was a true smile, as she turned around, extending her elbow out as what he concluded was her waving at him, since her hands were carrying her books. "Bye..." He replied, as he gave her a brief wave before placing his hand back in his pocket, looking slightly confused, but smiled slightly, as he turned around and headed in the opposite direction.

(End Thread)