Open Finished Evening Rendezvous

==> Hal.

After Hal was sure he was out of sight from any of the students from the courtyard, he immediately broke to a sprint. Into the woods, past the trees, bushes, rocks, small animals, and everything found in a forest. He kept running until he found the clearing, where the lake stood still, the water glistening, reflecting the dark sky. Hal would have given that he took a few minutes because the stars were already out.

Hal slowed his pace as he was finally out of the cluster of trees where he finally stopped at the edge of the lake, standing atop a small stone hill. He looked over the edge of the rock to see his face reflected in the water. He looked at himself and said aloud, "I can't believe you're such an oversensitive loser." he said to his reflection.

He didn't like how he had reacted to Shinji. Hal knew he had issues with making friends, and he had always reacted badly to rejection of any level except if it was a professional sort. He didn't really want that to show. Not to anyone. Ever. But he always ends up speaking out, even when he doesn't want to.

A heavy sigh, Hal sat back on the rock and let his legs hang over the edge, the tip of his shoes barely touching the water, but enough to make ripples as he swung them around. He let his thoughts wander for a moment, replaying everything that had had happened within the week. There wasn't anything new to the past few years he had been in the island. His parents still haven't made contact, he meets both new and not-so-new faces.

It was a large island, and he hasn't met everyone because he decided to be a little more withdrawn when he arrived there. But he never had anyone closer than a classmate or a roommate. Hal supposes that finally getting a partner during training was new. But a part of him doubted it was going to be anything other than having a group project. After this was nothing. Hal couldn't ever keep friends.

Hal let out another long and heavy sigh as he looked back down to his reflection on the rippled water. "See, this is why people won't like you." he muttered under his breath.

Hal quietly mulled over his thoughts while blankly staring at his own reflection. The people he'd met with the new week in Starlight were all different and the impression his given them wasn't really the best he could. Or if it was, it was really bad. Hal was disappointed in himself.

As he sat quiely atop the rock, his ears had picked up the sound of leaves ruffling in the distance, then later a whispered voice. There was someone here, he reckoned. He had wanted to be alone, but it looks like he wasn't going to get his wish granted. He managed to make out a figure in the woods, darkened by the shadows of the trees. He could barely see anything with only the moonlight to illuminate the clearing."Who's there?" he spoke quietly. Right as he said it, a voice echoed across the clearing. A girl's voice.

"Uh... I'm a student from the academy..." Hal replied. A bit confused of what to respond. He knew the voice was unfamiliar to him. Of course, what person would respond 'Hey, it's me Hal but we haven't met' or something along that line. "I didn't know... someone goes here... at night.. uh.." Hal was stuck on what to say.

Hal's shoulders dropped as soon as he heard the girl's response. Who does she think she is telling him that? He could take care of himself. Just as long as no animal sneaks up on him and so far, that has never happened dring his previous visits. He had always been safe.

"Same goes for you." Hal retorted. The didn't sound like she expected anyone to be here either. Moreover, it didn't look like she was armed. Then again, she might have some defensive magic up her sleeves. Hal, on the other hand, doesn't. All he'd have is what little he knows of martial arts. Probably nothing compared to offensive magic. Or anything along that line. He doubts that kind of happening would be likely anyway.

"Why would you even be here?" Hal asked like it was really abnormal to be out by the lake this late. Which was ironic because he was there, sitting all by himself by the lake. Until the girl came along.

Ha rolled his eyes at the girl's reply. Part of him refused t believe her being raised by wolves. He didn't really believe in wild kids being raised by animals. Although he knows about one child in history to have lived that way, he didn't believe in the likelihood of meeting one. He'd rather not.

"Well then, excuse me, wolf girl." he said, emphasizing on the nickname in sarcasm. "For your information, I did come here to be alone. But then you had to stumble your way here when I'm here to so that pretty much loses the point of me coming here." He spoke in irritation. He didn't like how she just had to remind him of his own fears. He didn't really want to think about that. All he wanted was alone time to reorganize his thoughts.

Hal never moved from where he sat even when the girl had approached him. She didn't really look any older than him so he had no reason to feel intimidated but if what she says is true and she can communicate with the animals in the forest, he only wishes she doesn't find that an advantage and use it against him.

Hal puffed his cheeks hearing her lecture her about choosing his retreat. He liked the area by the lake. It was the closest to home he could find and he didn't have anywhere else. He could go to the stables but then the horses there terrified him. Hal had to roll his eyes before replying again.

"Thanks but I don't need your advice. I like it here. I'm staying." he said with a slightly mocking tone. Her presence wasn't comforting and if anything, it was annoying him. He wished she would leave already but judging by how she was talking to him, telling her to leave him be was surely going to be pointless.

"I won't mind you being here as long as you leave me be and frolic with your animal friends from a good distance."