The Bearer of Bad News

Ariel nodded. "I'd feel better about that, too."

-------

"Why? Didn't hear me the first time? Or is it just taking quite a while for your brain to process it?"

{{Go, Alex, Go!!}}

Thatch turned slowly, pure disgust plastered all over his face. "Aren't too street smart for a kid who went through finishing school, are you?"

---------------

The Field was huge. Vast.

And so quiet...

Door lay on her back and stared up at the blue, blue sky, thinking things through, wondering what she'd done wrong, why Alex had left her...

Alex blinked at him. "Aren't too bright for someone who talks so big, are you?"

Thatch scowled, balling his fists. "Again with the talk, talk, talk. If you think I'm so inferior, Mr. Vanderpuye, why don't you do something about it?"

And he did.

Short and sweet.

You know, for such a wimp, Alex actually packed a punch.

He reared back and let Thatch have it straight in the nose.

Something in his nose went pop, and Thatch's eyes widened in shock. Holy (expletive!!), he thought as he staggered back, hands to his face. Blood leaked through his fingers as he stared at Alex. "Wasn't expecting that from someone like you," he muttered thickly.

Alex's eyes widened, then he blinked. Half of him wanted to...apologize?

What does one do after one throws a punch?? he asked himself. Should he keep swinging? Run??

Unable to decide, he just blinked at Thatch again in a very Aqua-like fashion.

{{Arrgh! Al-ex!}}

Well, it was better than nothing, Thatch thought, making a face at Alex's hesitation, then wincing as his nose popped again. "Ow."

[[He's...too nice. XD]]

"D-do you want me to um...g-get help?" he stammered, unable to push out the thought of Thatch ripping his heart out. Through his nose. And stomping on it.

{{XD Love that!}}

"No." Thatch said automatically. He'd seen enough. "Touch me again and I'll kill you." He turned and took a few steps back home, then paused. "Try using some of that random anger to help your problem," he called back. "It worked better than talking."

Confused, Alex watched him walk away. He glanced down at his molar, shaking his head. "Brute..." he muttered under his breath.

Shrugging, he turned and continued home.

"Pampered, puff-filled, pretty boy," Thatch growled as he trudged down the street. "But at least he's kinda man enough to hit me back... Kinda."

Aisiln was waiting outside when he got back.

She stopped. And stared.

"What happened to you?!"

Thatch grinned, but winced automatically. "Ow. I had a dalk with Aleggs. It wend... well."

She jumped to her feet, crossing the ground and frowning worriedly. "And he...hit you?" she asked incredulously. "Let me see! Did he break your nose! Oh, Thatch!" she moaned, exasperated. "What on earth am I going to do with you? You come inside right now and let me have a look at your nose."

"Yesh, mudder," he managed to mutter (XD), following Aislin. Once inside, he looked around and blinked. "Where's Door?"

"Don't know." Aislin said briskly. "Now, sit. And tell me where it hurts."

"Whadda you bean, you don't doe?" Thatch frowned, brows knitting. "Where is she?"

"She went for a walk." Aislin said, forcing him into a chair.

"How log ago?" he asked, eyes concerned.

"Couldn't have been ten minutes ago." Aislin replied, getting a rag and gently dobbing away some of the blood.

"Ow. Oww... Serioudly, Addlin! Id's sdill addadched!""

"Sorry, sorry..." Aislin said, pulling the rag away. She leaned closer to inspect his nose. "Where does it hurt?"

[[XD]]

"Bedween by third and fourd does on by lefd foot," he grumbled. "Where do you thingk it hurds!?"

She cast him a look, "Well, excuse me. You came in here looking like an axe murder. I'm not exactly sure how to react to my boyfriend getting a broken nose."

Aislin paused. "...If it's broken. Do you think it is?"