and thus, she broke -caius-

[Thera Louise Mettalokis]

It had happened. Just like she knew it would. Aba, her Greyhound, had passed into the after life. Thera had received the letter during her last class and was now desperately trying to get away from everyone. Her eyes were shinning with hot tears, just waiting to be allowed to fall. Pushing roughly through the crowded corridors, she hated every single person she passed. Them with their laughter and close friends. She despised them and wanted nothing more than to make them disappear. She wanted to hide. To cry in complete peace. Then she saw it. An empty classroom that none of the professors used. She needed to get there. She needed to close the door behind her and let herself mourn. Thera was so close, close enough for the tears to begin rolling down her pale cheeks. Suddenly, she was falling forward. Her foot had caught on someone else's. The books and letter in her hands flew out in front of her as she braced herself for the impact . With a dull thud, the poor girl landed hard. She could hear people beginning to laugh at her. Those green orbs of hers began to prickle as tears flowed freely from them. She knew they could all see her weeping on the floor. Though her face was covered by her hair, her shoulders were visibly shaking. As te laughter ensued, Thera Mettalokis was broken.

[Caius Emidius]

He had been walking down the halls after one of his classes. Many people seemed to be crowding the halls before going to the main hall, or common rooms for the night. He himself would probably go for a walk down to the Quidditch pitch and have a quick fly around before retiring for the night. He stopped in the hall to talk to a few of his friends, laughing at random shit they said. He was more calm today than he was most days. Normally he was hyper or rude, but today he didn't feel his usual self, just wanting to have a fairly quiet day, and so far that's what he had.

He heard the faint sound of shoes hitting against the floor of the school, over the sound of people talking. They were close, and they seemed rushed. He looked to his left and right trying to see who it was, but the hall was too cluttered. He went back to talking to his friends until he heard someone hit the ground and people begin laughing. He turned around and spotted Thera face down on the ground, but something wasn't right. He walked over to her slowly, ignoring the looks from some people, and the laughter all around. He kneeled down in front of her, taking her books and letter and stacking them neatly in front of her. He could tell somewhat was off, as she was never running from anything, at least not that fast. He noticed her shoulders shaking and spoke in a hushed tone so only she could hear him. "Thera...what's wrong....why are you crying?" He looked around for a moment, people watching them, some hoping he'd make fun of her, but he knew it wasn't the time for that. He waited for her answer, hoping she would at least acknowledge him somehow.

[Thera Louise Mettalokis]

His voice rang out from the others' laughter. she waited, wondering if he would mock her. Abuse her for breaking down so publicly. Thera could feel everyone else's anticipation and she wasn't even an empath. But, she remembered something. Something no one else knew of or expected. Caius, the one person she had assumed hated her more than anyone else, care for her. Cared for her deeply. When she was first told of this, Thera thought it a lie. A clever rouse to torment her further. Then the boy kissed her. In that instant, she knew she cared for him as well. Thera being Thera, pushed him away and ignored his advances. Now here he was, on his knees wondering what was wrong. She thought back to her interaction with Lisbet a few days ago. Maybe this was another sigh. Another opportunity. Looking up slowly, her green eyes met his icy blue ones. "C-Caius..." she sobbed. The witch wasn't sure what came over her next, but she didn't fight it. Without any warning, Thera threw her arms around his broad shoulders and curled up against his chest. A collective gasp came from the surprised students surrounding the pair. Thera, however, didn't care because in that moment she needed nothing more than a hug. "My..my dog..he..was old and sick..." she cried quietly in his ear, "there was nothing they could do..."

[Caius Emidius]

He was taken by surprise by the sudden hug, ignoring the gasps around the halls and the looks from his friends, he wrapped his arms around her hugging her and listening to her cry and speak. He shut his eyes for a moment and spoke quietly so she could only hear. "I'm so sorry Thera...I really am..." He hugged her close before standing up slowly, pulling her up with him. He picked up her books as well and just held her close, walking down the hall towards the empty class room. He entered it and shut the door behind him, locking it. He put her books down on one of the desks and just hugged her close again letting her cry into his shoulder. He rubbed her back and spoke. "I truly am sorry Thera...is there anything I can do for you?"

[Thera Louise Mettalokis]

Everything became a blur when he pulled her up. The faces of the other student looked as though water had smudged their faces together. Thera allowed him to pull her into the classroom that she had been heading towards before she fell. When he let go of her to close and lock the door, she didn't move. Cold, loneliness washed over her. The mourning girl hugged herself tightly, tears steadily streamed down her face. Her eyes closed in an attempt to keep herself from crying more, but it was to no avail. Thera wasn't someone who cried often. In fact, she never did. The brunette felt Caius's arms go back around her. She held on to him willingly. "Just, don't let go yet...please don't let go." It was so comforting, being in his arms. It felt right. She hid her face in his chest, crying hard. "I...I should have been there..." Just like I should have been there for Della. Her muscles tensed at the thought. Pulling away from Caius, she sat on the edge of a desk. "...you can go...close the door on your way out..."

[Caius Emidius]

He stood in the empty class room with her, just hugging her close. Not saying anything and not letting go of her. He understood how she felt. It was hard to loose a pet, the one thing in the world you think will always be there. He listened to her speak and shook his head. "Don't blame yourself Thera...I'm sure our dog went peacefully and didn't want you to see him go.". He felt her muscles tense slightly, and he looked at her once she pulled away and watched her carefully. He kept quiet for a few moments but remained where he was even after she told him he could leave. He walked over to her and stood in front of her looking down at her. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you in here until you, and only you, are ready to leave." He went and grabbed a chair, pulling it right in front of her. He sat down in it, and looked at her, taking her hand in his.

[Thera Louise Mettalokis]

She was about to protest. About to yell at him and tell him to get out. That she didn't want anything to do with him. Thera knew that was a lie. So, instead of screaming, she fell silent. Listening to him, she kept a downward glance. Why did he have to be so stubborn? Why couldn't he just leave like everyone else? She hated that about him. Hated him for not leaving, yet loved him for staying. What a contradiction, Thera, she mused to herself. She felt his hand cover hers and looked at them. It was strange. She hadn't held hands with anyone in a long time. Not for a nonsexual reason, any way. Her thoughts drifted as she stared at their hands. She bowed her head more, her heavy chocolate brown hair fell over her shoulder and covered her face. Tears began again, they came quickly with a fierce need to make her sob. Shoulders racking with them, her free hand came up to hide her face more. She cried hard for a while before falling silent again. "This isn't my first loss..." she started quietly. "Her name was Della, she was my sister." Thera looked up at him. "She was thirteen."