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something, though, and so she replied with her best attempt at casual. “Yes, well, I was new here once, so I understand how unfortunate being the odd man out, so to speak, can be. I thought I might inquire as to how you're enjoying Willowdale so far, if you'll walk with me to class.” She could have kicked herself for sounding so stiff and reserved, but though his eyebrows rose at her statement, she could have sworn she saw the corner of his mouth twitch with amusement.
                  “Oh, I see,” he said mildly. “Just doing your civic duty.”
                  “Some people really are that old-fashioned,” she replied dryly. Then, as he held the staircase door open for her, she continued with a smile. “As you're aware, clearly. And they say chivalry's dead.”
                  “Not for me, milady; never.” He gave a slight bow as he ushered her through, and she couldn't help laughing.
                  “Now, how do you get away with talking like that in a high school?” She asked, amused. “You've only been here a day, so maybe no one's noticed yet, but I'm surprised the homecoming committee at your last school didn't come after you with torches and pitchforks for such weirdness.”
                  “Oh, they did,” he replied seriously. “That's why I had to come here instead. The witch hunts were getting to be a strain.”
                  She chuckled, preceding him down the stairs. “How do you manage to say that with a straight face?”
                  He smirked, and her heart stuttered for a moment. “It's a gift.”
                  Elise shook her head. “Well, I hope Willowdale proves to be a witch hunt-free zone for you.”
                  “Given your fashion choices, I'd say they seem pretty liberal here.” He gestured to encompass her several layers of floor-length skirts and archaic-inspired top.
                  “Oh, don't get your hopes up from my example,” she replied wryly. “My abnormality is a lifestyle choice; it's definitely not something to judge the school by.”
                  “So what's the lifestyle you're choosing?” He asked curiously.
                  “Generally, solitary,” Elise said ruefully.
                  He raised an eyebrow. “Well, then, I seem to be the exception to the rule.”
                  “Don't get used to it,” she warned, leading the way through the press of students on the landing and fighting her way through the door to the second floor.
                  “Nonsense,” was his flippant response. “I'm so charming, you'll never get rid of me.” His voice dropped lower, and he was suddenly gripping her arm, just above her elbow, halting her in her tracks so he could capture her with his eyes. “You're stuck with me now, I'm afraid.”
                  And with that, he walked ahead of her into the Latin classroom. Elise stood still for another moment, shivering once again at the seductive menace in his voice. Then a girl bumped into her from behind, and she stumbled into motion once again.
                  As Elise entered the classroom behind him, dropping off yesterday's homework on Magistra's desk and settling into her seat on autopilot, she was forced to confront the embarrassing fact that she had been flirting shamelessly with him; her only consolation was that he had been doing the same. This time, at least, she had held her own in the conversation-- that is, until the end. Another shudder ripped up her spine as she replayed the final seconds of their interaction. The heat in her body left her little doubt that her reaction this time had been less fear and more... she glanced over her shoulder at him, just in time to see him yawn and stretch, leaning back in his seat and looking straight at her. She flushed sheepishly, hurriedly