First Impressions

[ks_claw]

Title: First impressions

Fandom: Rise of the Guardians/Nightmare Dorks University AU

Rating: PG

Summary: After a fire has done damage on the university's art department, Pitch and Pitchiner find room for an extra roommate.

The fire alarm had always been set up in a way, so that if one alarm was set off, it was set off everywhere. Pitchiner would not deny that it was useful, but when it was the weekend after a full week of training for the local school state championship in lacrosse, it got a bit annoying. Because when the fire alarm sounded, everyone had to get out of bed and hurry outside. And as this was the beginning of march, it wasn't exactly the warmest time of the year.

"What the fuck is even going on?" He complained, as he kept himself and Tarminator wrapped up in a warm blanket. Several other students were muttering and grumbling as well, but a few were looking rather sober.

"The art department's on fire." The voice came from Proto, who was unsurprisingly fully dressed. He was carrying his taxidermied ferret, and for once was not standing with his strange smile. That alone was enough to startle Pitchiner into waking up a bit more.

"Wait, art department?" He said blankly. "We have an art department?"

"With the way the fire is going, it hopefully won't be had." Pitch commented, coming over. He had also been asleep, and was clad in pyjamas as a result, but had gotten hold of his coat to keep himself warm. "No one knows what happened yet, but it's also one of the older buildings, so it could be anything."

As the fire had happened during the weekend, there were no news until the following monday, though from what Pitchiner and a few others could spot, the older building had not burned to the ground. Instead, monday morning revealed a couple of scaffoldings being set up, with workers working on pulling up some kind of multi-colored tarps.

Everyone on campus got a note that they were to gather for a service announcement, where they would be getting the full story of what had happened. Pitchiner and Pitch were among the first and got a seat near the front, where some rather haggard looking people were already sitting, and Pitch could with a whisper inform Pitchiner that those were some of the art students. Looking at them, Pitchiner couldn't help but think that they looked like they hadn't slept in ages.

"What's gonna happen to them?" Pitchiner asked with a frown.

Before Pitch could answer, there was the sound of a microphone being tapped on. It was Principal Lunanoff who had arrived, and once he had everyone's attention, he spoke up.

"Hello, everyone. During the night between friday and saturday, we had a terrible fire. The fire started in the part of the university that contains the Art Department, and its dorms, and it is still being investigated what exactly caused it. As it is, I can at least report, that there have been no deaths. We have had a few students who had to go to the hospital to be checked for smoke inhalation, but everyone else made it out fairly unscathed."

He paused for a moment, waiting out some of the murmuring that had erupted as a result. "Fortunately, thanks to some quick thinking students and some fire extinguishers, the fire did not get to take a full hold. The rest of it was put out by the local fire department, though in a report I have received this morning, it has come to the faculty's attention that we are facing an imminent problem, in the form of termites. As a result of this, once we are certain there will be no further accidents with fire, we will be setting things up to get the entire building fumigated. All future classes for the art department will as a result be diverted elsewhere. To the present art students, you will receive information about this as soon as possible."

The principal hummed and shuffled some papers, before continuing. "Which then brings me to the next point. Because of the minor fire and the fumigating, we will have to be relocating our students. We hope to have updates for you within at least the next 72 hours on where you will receive temporary housing. To any students who are part of our residential program, or who live in one of the other campus apartments, if any of you are able to volunteer room and board of some kind, please contact the administration. We are of course aware that there might be limitations, depending on where you reside, but we might be able to bend the rules a bit, given the circumstances. Thank you, that will be all."

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

As everyone began to head off, either back to their own dorms or for class, Pitchiner and Pitch were walking in a rare, thoughtful silence.

“I’m wondering-”

“Do you think-” they both started simultaneously, then paused before both snorted a bit in amusement; Pitchiner motioned for Pitch to go first.

“I’m wondering,” Pitch said, “if we could be allowed to volunteer, at least for one person. I mean, we are a decently sized apartment.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” Pitchiner agreed, “we both spend most of our time in the same room anyway, so it wouldn’t be too much trouble. And even if not, I can always take the couch.”

“I’ll speak with administration about it,” the other replied, “since you will be busy with your lacrosse training.”

“What about Proto, think he’ll mind?”

Pitch huffed at the thought. “Good point… I must confess, I had a specific person from the art department in mind, but we’ll see if she has made other arrangements.”

Pitchiner blinked at that. “Wait, you know someone from there?” his tone must have come out wrong, as Pitch gave him a rather offended stare.

“I can know other people!” He said defensively, “and yes, I know someone. She’s been most helpful with aiding in painting backdrops for the theater, along with costume design. But I want to wait and speak with her first, before starting anything. Even then, we should volunteer anyway, and see what administration says. Anyway, the point is, the person I have in mind should be able to handle Proto.”

“If you say so…” Pitchiner replied doubtfully, and gave no more thought to it. As Pitch had predicted, he was busy with lacrosse training, and as they had the big game that coming saturday, there was no time to think of much else.

Even so, it took a couple of days before anything official could be done. Pitchiner focused on his training, Pitch focused on his theater work and Proto… focused on whatever the hell he usually focused on.

The 72 hour window that principal Lunanoff had informed of came and went, and wednesday night, Pitch got official word that their apartment had been approved as temporary housing for one of the many art students.

“I am certain we shall find… many ways to entertain them.” Proto said, with his almost ominous smile. To Proto’s surprise, his cousin simply smirked back at him.

“I can hardly wait.” He said sweetly.

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Thursday became an incredibly busy day for Pitchiner. He barely had time for breakfast and a quick goodbye smooch for Pitch before hurrying off to the few classes he had for the day, followed by the practice session for saturday’s game. He heard Pitch say something about someone arriving later, but didn’t pay attention. He could always ask about it later, and find some way to pacify Pitch before he could yell at him for being an ‘ignoring brute who never paid attention.’

Practice was brutal as could only be expected, and it stretched out far enough that Pitchiner ended up going out for dinner with his teammates afterward. In the end, it was nearly 11 pm when Pitchiner finally got home. To his surprise, the apartment was dark with the exception of the television that was running on low volume, a figure lying on the couch huddled under a blanket, with Tarminator curled up by their stomach while a black tuft of hair stuck out from under the blanket.

Pitchiner couldn’t help a soft snort. Pitch had probably fallen asleep, and dear Tarminator had charmed himself up on the couch. While the couch could be comfortable though, Pitch always woke up feeling mighty crappy, so it would be best to wake him up and get him into the proper bed.

‘Don’t see why I can’t have a little fun though.’ Pitchiner thought with a smirk, before he snuck over and leaned down, and pulled down in the blanket before running his tongue along the sleeping form’s cheek….

The form under him jerked, startling Tarminator into jumping down from the couch and Pitchiner was about to make a joke, but got cut off when a rather furious female voice exclaimed: “What the FUCK? EUWW!!” followed by a firm hand SLAPPING him over the face, momentarily blurring his vision and making his ears ring.

Said voice belonged to a young woman who sat up with an enraged expression, glaring murder at Pitchiner who could only blink owlishly at the sight of her, as she furiously rubbed at her cheek where he had licked her.

“Who the hell are you?” Was all Pitchiner could think of asking.

A beam of light lit up the room now, and when turning, Pitchiner would see Pitch standing in the doorway to their room.

“That would be the art student, who will be staying with us temporarily.” Pitch said drily, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. “I told her she could watch TV if she kept the volume down.”

“And I fell asleep.” The woman grumbled, grimacing as she rubbed at her cheek. “Jeez, if I knew I was going to get assaulted…”

“Whoah whoah whoah!” Pitchiner exclaimed, waving his hands, “I’m sorry, okay? I thought you were my boyfriend!” He shrank at the absolutely withering look she gave him.

“If that’s how you greet your boyfriend, no wonder he gets so damn cranky!” She exclaimed, “boundary issues much? Geez.”

Pitchiner visibly deflated, and didn’t fight when Pitch sighed and tugged him along into the bedroom. “Come on you big oaf,” he told the larger man. “Go brush your teeth and get into bed, I’ll get her calmed down.”

Tail between his legs, Pitchiner did as he was told for once, rather than make any smart remarks.

Great way of making first impressions, he thought sullenly. As he stood in the bathroom and brushed his teeth, he could hear the two of them talking, with Pitch sounding calm and rational while the woman was hissing like an angry cat. Eventually, they both quieted down, and when Pitchiner eventually came back out, the young woman had gotten up from the couch and was standing with Tarminator in her arms, cuddling the pug who happily snuggled against her. Judging from the small smile on her face, Pitch might have used Tarminator’s cuteness as a way to calm her down. When she spotted Pitchiner however, her smile vanished and she glanced away. She did at least not seem as angry however.

“Sorry for hitting you like that.” She said slowly, “I’ve just… had some bad experiences, so it just took me by surprise in a bad way.”

Pitchiner grimaced, rubbing his neck. “Sorry for licking you in the first place. Pitch gets mad too, but I just do it to get a rise out of him… I didn’t mean for you to get scared on your first night here. So yeah, I deserved that smack.” He offered a hand to her. “Call it even? I’m Cossimo Pitchiner.”

She looked at him for a moment, then nodded and took his hand in a small, but firm shake.

“I’m Ebony Centaurii.”

Comments

[sylphidine]

Oh, I love this. Coz, Coz, Coz. Way to make friends and influence people.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand an Ebony / Tarminator snugfest. I am very, very happy.