WELCOME

[Erica May Carson]

Erica made her way out of the building to the lake, she loved the water even if it was just to be near it. It had a calming effect on her. Classes had let out for the day and the rest of the day was her's to do with as she pleased. She was in no rush to get home so she'd come here. For air and partly for the view. It was stunning to see the lake, the clouds over head reflected back on the surface of the water. Erica took in a deep cleansing breath and released it slowly as she ran a hand over the back of her blond hair. She looked around her and found a bench off to the side and went over to it and sat down. Classes had been a challenge today, a major challenge. Her students were a fiesty bunch. Only half of them had even bothered to complete their homework. Maybe she assigned too much. That thought flickered through her mind as she sat there enjoying the view.

What she needed was a good stiff drink but that would come later, when she was in the privacy of her own home. That was the only time she could really deal with being at home was with a drink. That was a sad fact and she knew it but that was just the way it was. She could be doing far worse than drinking so she didn't think it was a big deal. No one knew about her drink, not the faculty here or the students and Erica had every intention of keeping it that way. Her thoughts shifted patterns and she started to think about home, Paris. She didn't miss it but she did miss her father. He'd gotten himself into one helluva mess and now she was left to clean up after him. She knew that it roles were reversed he'd have done the same thing for her at least she liked to think he would.

Erica pulled herself forcefully out of her musing, it would only served to dampen her mood more than it already was. Tomorrow would be a new day and it would be better than today was, she'd make sure of it. She leaned back against the back of the bench she was seated on, legs stretched out in front of her and crossed at the ankles, her long ankle length skirt billowing as a breeze washed over her. Erica tilted her head back and stared up at the sky stretched out above her. She was glad she'd come here. Clean fresh air and no students to complain about the work load she gave them. There'd been rain showers off and on today but right now there was a tiny break in the clouds and that was what had prompted her to come up here to begin with. This was the one place in the school she could come to collect her thoughts.

[Elias Henry Jones]

There were a very select few things Elias could think of that wasted his time more then patrolling the school grounds did. Who really cared if students were down at the lakeside breaking school rules? If they wanted to endanger their own lives that was their choice. At least it was so far as Elias was concerned, and that was all that really mattered, right?

Every part of Eli's appearance was put together so he was just the right mix of class and sexy. His hair he left with that slight hint of scruff to it, the only evidence that he'd just been working out. Despite the very much sub-standard facilities at Springhill, Elias visited the gym every day once classes were out. He was a routine man, and going through the same actions each day made him feel secure. He needed order, not confusion; routine, not spontenaity.

Back at his house on Baker Street Elias had a whole room dedicated as being his gym. It far outranked the pitiful excuse here. He had his own treadmill, the most recent model of course, and an extensive set of weights. But his pride and joy was the benchpress which he had purchased during the summer. Working out was like an addiction for Elias. Without fail he was at the weights each morning and each evening, his lunch break visits to the gym being a bonus when he had time and motivation to visit.

With a small scowl to himself Elias started off towards the lakeside. He'd been going through this routine for about a year now and still this part of his day was a pain in the ass for the young man. But a glance to one of the benches at the lakeside (a favourite haunt of delinquent smokers) gave Elias the impression that perhaps today would be different. He couldn't quite believe his eyes, taking a second glance down to the bench. But there she was, clear as day. Just as she had been that night; an angel. God she was beautiful.

Hardly believing his eyes, Elias had to give himself a mental shakedown. He was Elias Henry Jones, not a blubbering fool. In a way which ressembled that night, he pulled himself together and started towards the angelic figure. His usual swagger had a slight shyness to it, not that most people could have noticed it. But angels had that effect, didn't they?

With a soft chuckle Elias stopped in front of the woman. "I never did catch your name you know." He smirked, assuming she wouldn't even recognise him. She had been very very drunk that night.

[Erica May Carson]

Her day was already starting to improve. Just being out here near the water was greatly improving her mood. Then her cell phone went off and she pulled it out of the small purse she carried with her. She flipped it open to read the text she'd received. payment due tomorrow, 7pm, you know where. "Yeah no shit," she grumbled under her breath as she deleted the message and snapped the cell closed. Her brow furrowed and she gritted her teeth just thinking about having to meet up with the scumbag.

Erica refused to let that ruin the good mood she was now in and she sighed and started to relax as she sat there. Her gaze stayed fixed on the lake as she watched the gentle ripple of the water. She found it to be relaxing and very soothing to her already frayed nerves. Erica released the breath she'd been holding as she'd read the text and put her cell back into her purse.

Catching movement out of the corner of her eye she turned her head to see a man approaching. Even from this distance she took note that he was dressed to impress and she wondered who he was. As he got closer her heart nearly stopped. She knew him. Sorta. She could vaguely remember but she did remember and a blush rose instantly to her cheeks. Erica cleared her throat and wondered if he'd just pass by. She wasn't going to get that lucky because he was still closing the gap between them. She couldn't get up and bail so she'd just have to deal with this little encounter.

She never expected to see him again, she didn't even know his name but she could easily remember being extremely drunk and ending up in bed with him. Normally she didn't do that but that night had been an especially bad night and she'd tied one on. Being someone's one night stand was embarrassing and she knew this was going to be very awkward. But then again maybe he didn't remember. As he stopped in front of her she smiled politely at the man. Now she remembered why she'd ended up in bed with him.

This man exuded confidence and was easily one of the best looking men she'd come into contact with in a very long time. Apparantly he too remembered as he'd said he hadn't caught her name. Erica winced then that smile was plastered right back on her lips. She looked up at the man and finally spoke. "Erica Carson. I don't recall getting yours either." Erica shifted and crossed one leg over the other at the knee and rested her hands in her lap but her gaze stayed on the man. She was blatantly staring but she didn't realize it at the moment."I teach french," she replied softly. Please don't make a joke, she thought to herself in the hopes that he wouldn't make a reference to that one night.

[Elias Henry Jones]

The embarrassment this woman felt was so clear to Elias it almost made him cringe in sympathy. But he wasn't the sort to empathise much with those around him. Least of all when the embarrassment she felt was due to him. It gave him what you might call kicks having that effect on people. She was lucky he felt anything other than pride at all. It showed she was something above normality to Elias; she was something more than the average person. Of course she was; she was an angel. The most beautiful creature in the universe. Sure, he'd said that before. But usually only to get into the girl's pants, No, this woman was truly beautiful, and strangely for Elias that was the last thing he wanted to tell her.

Weakness. Elias hated even the word. To be weak was simply unacceptable. Admitting the truth to this woman; that she was simply the most divine creature he'd ever seen; would be showing a weakness. It simply wasn't to be done.

"Pleasure to meet you, Erica." Erica. Even her name was beautiful. The sound of it rolling off his lips almost made Elias forget to enjoy her squirming and blatent discomfort at the memory of what had passed between them previously. He completely missed her stare, concentrating on keeping his usualy composure too much. Later he'd scold himself for the effort it took; he was Elias Henry Jones, he didn't go weak at the knees because of a mere woman. But currently it was all he could do not to show any cracks in his smooth persona.

Usually Elias would have taken immense pleasure in making some snide comment about that night. It was always too easy to see the colour rise in a woman's cheeks as she was sharply reminded of the very last thing she wanted to think of in his presence. But, as before, he found himself unable to insult this woman, Erica. Instead, he offered a hand and a smile as he spoke again. "Elias Jones, vice-principal."

Elias couldn't quite hold back a tiny smirk as he said the words. Undoubtedly her jaw would drop ever so slightly at his job. There were a very sekect few, if any, other men who had climbed so far as he had at such a young age. To be VP at one of the world's most prestigious schools when he was only twenty-five; well, it was far from something to be scorned at, and Elias knew fine rightly.

[Erica May Carson]

Erica's embarrassment soon started to fade. No reason to dwell on what was in the past. Being embarrassed and letting it get to her wouldn't change it. She relaxed a little and kept her gaze on Elias. His looks were stunning in a very masculine way and staring although it was rude was exactly what she was doing and it dawned on her then and she averted her gaze to watch the water in the lake. As Erica watched the gentle ripples on the surface of the lake she continued to think about this man and that one night that they'd shared. It had been intense and unbelievable and that she definitely remembered. Now to be confronted by the very man she'd slept with had completely and utterly caught her off guard and while she didn't know quite what to do or say she played it very cool.

One night stands weren't Erica's way under normal circumstances anyway. They were degrating, embarassing and down right wrong as far as she was concerned but she'd had far too much to drink that was her only excuse. She should have gotten his name and number but hadn't and she'd regretted it the morning after as she'd gotten dressed and left him.

Erica doubted that she'd ever see him again which irritated her because it had been an amazing night and she wouldn't have minded repeating it. Now in the harsh light of day she found that she'd like to get to know this man. She looked back at him as he spoke and her smile this time was genuine. "The pleasure is all mine. Would you like to sit?" Erica moved over on the bench to give him room to sit down if he chose to.

She wrapped her fingers around his hand and shook it firmly as he'd given her his name. Elias. Fitting name for such a man as this she thought to herself. It was the vice principal part of it that had thrown her for a loop. He was her boss, how awkward was that? She'd had a one night stand with her boss. Erica refused to let that affect her and as she spoke back her voice was light and not the least bit strained or awkward sounding. "So you're my boss. Didn't see that coming." Erica chuckled softly then released his hand and let her own fall gently to rest in her lap.

Her gaze remained on Elias' face and she'd seen him smirk and she had to laugh at it. He was so overly confident but she liked that about him. Now she needed to say something so she just blurted out the first thing that popped into her head. "How long have you been VP here?" Erica cleared her throat then and flashed a half smile, merely just a slight quirk of her lips.

[Elias Henry Jones]

After briefly shaking Erica's hand, Elias sat down beside her, trying not to notice just how beautiful her smile was. This woman was honestly the most beautiful he'd ever met, and Elias Jones had met his own fair share of good looking women during his short life. Her eyes were intriguing; her lips enticing. Everything about her was drawing him to her, yet repelling him at the same time. For some reason Elias couldn't quite put his finger on he felt the urge to get up and walk away before it was too late. Perhaps he was being uncharacteristically nice and didn't want to do his usual stunt where she would end up along with any other women he'd met; in the box of rejects. Or maybe it was his gut feeling that walking away now would save them both some pain. But then that was silly, wasn't it?

It didn't surprise him to see her clearly embarrassed to find out he was her boss. It was a rather strange circumstance. Of all the places in the world to run into a former one-nighter, at the school where he was VP wasn't top of the list. Elias suspected this was the last she'd have expected when she'd applied for the job. And yet there they were, sitting side by side on a bench by the lake. You could call it poetic, Elias called it a very lucky coincidence. There couldn't be many men who wouldn't consider running into someone so beautiful in their workplace a miracle.

"A little over a year," Elias answered with a light chuckle himself. The quick smile which passed over Erica's lips was adorable. It was almost as endearing as her full smile, and Elias found himself wanting to make her do it again. But damn him if his usual charm and wit was just that tiny bit out of reach in that moment. Damn this woman's unnerving beauty to hell.

Racking his brains for something else to say which wasn't lame, Elias came up with a blank. He cursed himself for being tongue-tied in front of this woman. Never before had someone had such an effect on him, other than his mother. And look where that had ended! Maybe this was what they called love at first sight or maybe, and this was Elias' preferred theory, she was some kind of Siren or Valkyrie. She definitely had th right amount of beauty for it, and beside, Elias didn't agree in love at first sight. Not by a long shot.

What about yourself? How long have you been here for?" It was a somewhat bad question; just throwing the same question back was hardly a decent reply. But it was all he could think of on the spot without the silence going on longer than was good manners. At least he was saying something, right?

[Erica May Carson]

Erica watched silently as Elias sank down next to her on the park bench. Once he was seated her eyes moved to the distance between her and him and she relaxed even more. There was a nice, safe, respectable distance and she looked over at him and studied his profile. Her thoughts went right back to that one fateful night when she'd ran into him at the bar and left with him. He'd been a stranger then and he was a stranger now. Erica streteched her legs out in front of her and crossed them at the ankles then smoothed down her skirt. She pulled her gaze from him and looked back towards the lake. She didn't remember him looking this distinguished the night she'd met him. Surely he hadn't been wearing the same type clothing, he more than likely was dressed casually to be at the bar but she couldn't remember that part.

From his appearance alone she could tell he was well off. That didn't matter to her money was something that she tried desperately not to think about or dwell on. It was because of her lack of it that she didn't think on it. But he looked really good and she was now mentally kicking herself for not having at least learned his name that night. It was too late for regrets now and she put that out of her mind for the time being.

She turned her head and looked back to Elias as he spoke of how long he'd been VP here at the school. Far longer than she'd been teaching here. She hadn't been here that long but she did like it here and had no intention of leaving. They had both appeared to have grown silent as they sat there and at first for Erica it was a confortable silence, each lost to their own thought for the moment. Needing something to do with her hands she tucked a few errant strands of her blond hair behind her ears in a vain attempt to keep them out of her face.

As she glanced back over at him, each of them still sitting peacefully quiet she swore she could see the wheels turning in his head and she couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind. On second thought maybe she didn't want to know what he was thinking. She was going to try her best not to let their one nighter make her awkward, especially since he was her boss. Her smile did fade as she sat there but her mood stayed positive. She was still glad that she'd come out here instead of going straight home.

When Elias put that question to her she answered him promptly. "So you haven't been here that long. I haven't either. I've been here for only a few months. But I'm happy here." Erica felt that it was important to let him know that she was happy with her job. How lane was that? She now felt that she needed to speak of that one night just to get it over and done with. "I don't want that uhh, other thing to become an issue. I'd rather things not be awkward." That was the best way to put it or so she thought.

[Elias Henry Jones]

It came as something of a shock to Elias that she even dared bring that night up. If he'd had to put money on it, he would have said she'd have skirted lightly around the subject without outrightly mentioning it at any point. But this woman obviously had balls of some kind. Albeit that she mentioned it in order to get it out of the way, but she still brought it up.

Flashing her a winning smile Elias nodded. "What other thing?" Perhaps the wink he gave her was a little over the top. He wasn't a total stomach-turning sleezebag. Oh well, it wasn't as if he could easily take the action back. It was out there in the world now and he was going to live with it. Elias wasn't someone to cry over spilt milk. What happens isn't changable. Sure, he can affect things before they happen, but he knows there are just some things in this world which are out of his control.

She was happy here. For some reason unknown to him,Elias felt immensely glad of that. Something about this woman made him want her happy. Like simply for being so entrancingly beautiful she deserved only the best from life. He was going insane. Elias Jones anything but a romantic or dreamer. He worked with cold, hard facts. Life happened, shit happened. Nothing was as it seemed.

And yet still the feeling of attraction to this woman was there.

Giving himself a harsh knock back to reality Elias cleared his throat and spoke again, if for nothing else but to break the silence. "But no, it's not an issue. You don't have to worry about it." Elias couldn't hold back a tiny mental smirk at that, adding in his head it will only be an issue after the rerun. Yes, he intended to seduce this beauty just as he did any other woman he took a fancy for. He was being completely unreasonable; there was no reason why he shouldn't treat her like anyone else. He didn't know her, and she didn't know him. She was juat another woman. Just one more.

[[poooooo sorry ! ]]

[Erica May Carson]

Erica braced herself for the wise ass comment she thought was coming but he'd surprised her. After he'd spoken she breathed easier and actually smiled. "Oh thank god," she breathed out. She could do this. Work with Elias like nothing happen. Okay that wasn't the least bit true. He exuded confidence whereas she may have looked like she did but in reality didn't. Erica liked him smile and thought to herself that he should do that more often, smile yet she said nothing of it.

She glanced down at the watch wrapped around her wrist then lifted her eyes to once again gaze out over the lake that stretched out in front of them. So much for sitting here in serenity. Havine Elias seated next to her was un-nerving to say the least. He made her nervous for some reason that she couldn't explain and that bothered her. She was making far too much of this and she knew it. He obviously didn't seem phased by their earlier 'encounter' so why should she be. Erica steeled her shoulders and turned once again to gaze upon Elias as he'd spoken again.

He appeared to be a man of few words and she could and would talk your ear off under normal circumstances but she didn't mind that he wasn't that talkative, she found it refreshing actually. She also noted that he seemed to be extremely serious and there again was where they were different. Erica did like to have fun when she wasn't working or stressing about her debts. It was then that she started to see Elias as a challenge. Perhaps she could befriend him and get him to loosen up a little bit. Obviously she'd have her work cut out for her. "Well good, I'm ver relieved to hear that," she replied softly.

Erica stood up from the bench then and flashed a smile at Elias. "Care to walk with me?" she asked. Maybe she should try and get to know him better since she was to be working with him, so to speak. She waited with a light smile on her lips. She knew she had to be careful around Elias, he was a charmer otherwise she wouldn't have gone home with him that night, drunk or not. Erica had way too much baggage. "It's a good day for a walk don't you think? And it would give me a chance to get to know the VP."

( ooc: no worries it was a good post lol )

[Elias Henry Jones]

Erica's response (obvious relief) was not a surprise to Elias. Not many women would enjoy having their past flings come back to haunt them. He knew this from experience, being one to enjoy watching people squirm when he said just the right words. If she had been another of Elias' many one-night stands, he would have taken great pleasure from bringing the topic up and refusing to drop it. Instead he took pleasure from how relieved him dropping the subject made her.

Unable to say no and disappoint her, Elias stood up, feeling like he'd only been seated for a few seconds in the first place. Besides, it was a nice day for walking, and in this part of the world those sorts of days were rare enough. Being set up in the mountains made Springhill a very cold, windy place on the best of days. There was snow throughout the winter, and summer days consisted of sun struggling to peer through seemingly endless amounts of clouds. There was no doubt about it; the founders couldn't have chosen a more annoying spot.

With an internal smirk Elias offered his elbow to Erica. "It would be my pleasure," he replied smoothly, smiling down at her. She wasn't exactly short, but compared to his fair height she was. He was definitely more than a foot taller than her, not that it was a bad thing. In fact, to Elias' personal preferences, it was a very good thing.

"Though, please, call me Elias. I don't like to seem superior." It was a lie, but one which Elias felt was necessary. He didn't imagine this woman would be impressed by his usual womanizing ways. Or at least he didn't want to put her off with them. The safest way to get to know this angel would be to put himself on a level playing field with her and that meant not lording out the fact that he was her superior in the workplace.

It was very unsettling the effect one person was having on Elias. He absolutely never allowed himself to be so utterly different around someone else. It was as if someone had bewitched him to fall for the woman standing in front of him. She was so...beautiful. There were no words for just how amazingly wonderful she looked. And Elias was under her spell.

[Erica May Carson]

As Elias stood she followed suit and his offered elbow had her quirking a brow but she gently told hold of his arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. It wasn't, not even the least bit natural. Just that simple contact after having none whatsoever since she'd last seen him was a bit un-nerving but she wasn't about to let him see that it had any effect on her. As she walked next to him, trying to match her stride with his she gazed over at him and studied his profile then averted her gaze to some distant spot in front of her.

She knew that she was going to start running off at the mouth because she was nervous and quite unsettled being around him. Erica nearly clamped her other hand over her mouth in order to prevent it but she refrained from such action. She looked up at Elias and smiled warmly at him. "If you call me Erica," she replied as she once again averted her gaze, she really had to watch that staring thing she had going on because she wouldn't put it past Elias to call her out on it and embarrass her.

It wasn't the best time of year to be walking but she was glad to be outdoors and not stuck in her stuffy classroom. The lake afforded serenity and that was why she'd come out here to begin with. Now she had some company and conversation which would be very welcome from the silence she'd encountered when she'd first arrived here.

After she'd cleared her throat she opened her mouth and the words just started coming out and Erica just couldn't seem to stop them. Maybe because the silence only made her that much more nervous. "So, Elias. What made you get into education to begin with? For me it was something I knew I wanted to do. Teach what I know." She kept her fingers wrapped lightly around his arm as they walked and she could feel the muscles underneath and her thoughts came to a screeching halt as she had a mental flash of him shirtless from that one fateful night. Her footsteps faltered then but she quickly recovered her footing and prayed he hadn't noticed it.

That put a halt to her rambling before it even started so that was a plus. She just needed to get herself together. He was a man nothing more and nothing less, a very hot man but a man nonetheless and she really just needed to get a grip. Erica went right back to staring at his profile as she waited to hear his story about what lead him to being the VP of the school.

[Elias Henry Jones]

It was utterly impossible for Elias to hold back a knowing smirk as he felt Erica's gaze flicker on and off him. It was satisfying to know that, even if he thought she was perfection in human form, she was still in awe of him just like any other woman. Elias liked to be in that position where he felt superior; powerful. It was why he'd chosen the job at Springhill so quickly; why he enjoyed playing with women; why, when push came to shove, he had murdered his family with such ruthlessness,

All things considered Elias was not a complete human being by any means. Perhaps that was why he constantly strived to be better. In taking not one, but many human lives he had allowed parts of his soul to be torn from his body so that he was no longer intact. He was a monster in sheep's clothing, or in his case a designed suit. And yet he failed to see it.

Erica's little trip up wasn't missed by Elias, but he chose not to make a big deal of it, merely putting his hand on her arm to steady her momentarily before removing it again. He didn't want to overstep his boundaries by making her feel uncomfortable. For some reason it felt to him like being banished from this beauty's company would be like tearing his own soul out with his bare hands, or something equally melodramatic.

Why had he gotten into education? Well the answer, or answers, were clear. Elias loved power; being a vice-principal gave him that. And if not only that, he had been approached by the Midaron to take the position on to help the rebellion. But Erica would want to hear neither reason, he was sure. So, perfectly in character, Elias smoothly lied his way past the question. "Why does anyone get into education? I enjoy my work. It's fulfilling to work with the country's future." Sufficiently caring, but not overly cheesy. It was a decent reply. And now, the ball in his court, Elias had to continue the conversation with a simple "And yourself?"

It was very tempting for Elias to add some little name or other to the end of his sentences when talking to Erica. With anyone else he would be buttering them up with little obvious chat-ups lines like "sugar" and "beautiful". But she was different, so different, As if she was someone he could possibly see more than a night in the sack with. Almost.

[Erica May Carson]

Erica hadn't missed that smirk and even that she found to be charming and she gave herself a mental shake to snap out of it. From all outward appearances she was cool calm and collected but internally quite the opposite was true. She wasn't some high school girl with a crush, but she felt like one and wasn't quite happy about it either. It confused her, Elias confused her. She couldn't really remember what he'd been like when she'd first met him and she made a mental note not to get like that again.

As they continued along on their walk she made sure not to stare at him and chose instead to stare off into the distance in front of them. It was rude and rude was one thing she wasn't. He really didn't talk very much and that amused her because she knew for a fact that she'd be able to talk enough for the both of them, especially once she wasn't so nervous around him.

She was so thankful he hadn't mentioned her little misstep. He'd been a gentleman about it and assisted her without making comment or a big deal out of it and that scored him even more points in her book. She listened intently as he spoke of why he'd gotten into education and she had to agree, the children were the future and it was up to them to help shape them. Her not as much because she only taught a foreign language but should they ever need it they would have the knowledge that she'd passed down to them.

Erica made sure to turn her head and look at him as he'd spoken, she felt that looking at the person you were speaking with was a show of respect and that was something that she took very seriously. Now he'd asked about her reason for getting into it and she mulled over her answer before she'd given it. "Like you I like to shape the minds of our future leaders. I may only teach french but it could come in very handy when our leaders have to travel." Erica gave a shrug of her shoulder not really sure it that was considered a good answer or not but it was a truthful one, partly. She couldn't very well tell him that she also taught to keep leg breakers off her back.

She couldn't keep silent any longer and felt the need to comment on how serious her was. Even with her stressors she was still able to relax somewhat and not be so uptight. He reeked of being uptight and for some reason that really bothered her. "What do you like to do when you aren't working? Entertainment wise," she asked with a hint of a smile playing about her lips. "I like watching horror movies and singing," she offered as she wondered what he was going to respond with. This was Erica's sad attempt at getting to know him as a person and not her boss.[/align]

[Elias Henry Jones]

The change Erica made to her staring target made Elias smirk even more, this time internally rather than visibly. It was oh so very satisfying having this effect on women, and this was nothing new. Elias was very aware of his looks and charm, and how to use them to his advantage. He'd even managed to charm Patricia Long into thinking he wasn't there with any ulterior motive the year before. You might even say she trusted him now, when she shouldn't in the least.

It turned out that his fabricated response to her question had been just on the mark, as Erica's similar reply confirmed. It gave Elias a lot of self-assurance that he was so able a liar. In truth there was little he really liked about the actual teaching aspect of his job. He pretty much despised the kids at Springhill. Most were stuck up and self-important. Pot, kettle and black situation for Elias, but he didn't see it that way. As he saw it, he had a reason to feel a great deal of self-importance where they didn't. He had worked his way up to a position of great power and influence, whereas most of the brats in this place had less power than he had in his baby toe.

As far as Elias was concerned there was no shaping of future minds in this school to speak of. The place, although improving these days following the rebellion, still had a long way to go. There needed to be a very much higher degree of discipline and order before there would be any great influence made on the young minds here. There was currently far too much freedom of thought and action to be enjoyed.

What did he like to do? It was a good question, if a mundane one. Elias wasn't exactly the most exciting character when you looked at his passtimes. He enjoyed the little luxuries in life; expensive clothes, a nice car and a sweet home gym. But other than self-indulgence he didn't do much in his spare time. It was quite a difficult question for someone like Elias Jones to answer without sounding completely self-absorbed.

"I read a fair bit," he said slowly, buying himself time to think of something which wouldn't make him sound terrible. It was true, he did read. Mostly political things like newspapers and books by authors such as George Orwell. But he wasn't a great fan of reading in the sense of prose and novels. "And in the summer I go fishing..." He was drawing blanks. God, the guy was a bore when he really thought about it. Sure, he liked women, fast cars and expensive dining. But those things didn't really count as proper passtimes. "I'd love to hear you sing," he added with an indulging smile her way. That was it, divert attention swiftly back onto her. That was how Elias worked; all eyes on someone else while he worked away in the background, manipulating the situation.

[Erica May Carson]

As she walked next to him she decided that she was far too engrossed in him for her own good. She needed to snap out of it. Erica got the impression that he liked to charm women, he just had that aura about him and she'd already fallen for it once she'd wouldn't fall for it a second time. He may be handsome, intelligent and confident but he was everything that she wasn't and therefore it made perfect sense to her that she was utterly out of her league where Elias was concerned.

Didn't matter that she wished she wasn't that was just the way it was. All her illusions of grandeur wouldn't apply here. He was her boss and that was it, nothing more and nothing less. She'd just have to treat him as such and not think about him in a personal way. That lasted about ten seconds as he'd answered her question about what entertained him. She wasn't all that surprised by his answers and she actually felt bad for him. Had he been anyone other than her boss she'd have seen him as a challenge. Someone to pull out of the serious shell and see exactly who he really was.

Erica couldn't do that. She had to maintain at least some degree of self respect. It was bad enough having a one night fling, altogether another to have the hots for someone you didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell with. She was deluding herself to think otherwise and that in itself irritated her. Then again she did have her own baggage and she wouldn't want that to affect anyone else. She was thinking far too much about things and gave a slight shake of her head as if to clear it.

"Fishing and reading. That sounds like it could be fun," she replied as she glanced at Elias out of the corner of her eye. She still stared ahead of them as they walked. He still wasn't exactly a chatterbox but at least he did speak, that was a good sign. She chuckled softly at his mentioning hearing her sing. She smiled and finally looked over at Elias. "Sure, I'll sing for you sometime." A shrug of her shoulder later and she was back to looking in front of her but this time her gaze was rivited on the ground. She needed to get him talking, even if it wasn't about anything personal. "You don't talk much do you," she said as opposed to asking. It was a mere observation and she didn't expect a reply from him about it. "Well, that's alright I can talk enough for the both of us." Erica beamed a smile and lifted her gaze to look at Elias.

He might not want to talk about himself but she could certainly about herself, however she wouldn't tell all, somethings she never spoke of. "It's just me here. No brothers or sisters, no other family. I have a decent group of students, some a little bit unruly for my taste but not too bad. I like to drink which you already know, and I'm kinda addicted to horror movies." That wasn't so bad and nothing too personal had been revealed. Erica stopped walking then and let her hand fall from where she'd been resting it on his arm. "Talk to me Elias. I swear I don't bite." Erica smiled warmly at him and hoped that he'd tell her a little more about himself. Why she wanted to know him better was beyond her.