Feeling's Mutual

[Luthias Manius]

"Human consciousness in at least one major sense is a type of reflective activity. It entails the capacity to observe, monitor, judge, and decide about the collective self. This is a basis for maintaining a particular collective as it is understood or represented; it is a basis for re-orienting and re-organizing the collective self in response to performance failings or profound crisis: economic, political, or cultural." I say, hands clapsed behind my back as I adress my class in my thick Scottish accent. Their blank faces infuriated me. Why sign up for this class when you werent going to pay attention? I vent my frustration in a sigh before striding over to my podium, long ginger hair fanning out around my face. I stand behind it and straighten my plain silver tie, about to start into another lecture when the bell rang. My full mouth tightens into a line and my bright green eyes watch as my students leap into action, gathering their things with lightening quickness. I lick my lips, looking down at the swirls in the grain of my wooden podium, ignoring the students as they walked past. It was hard not to leap upon one of them, I was in need of blood- badly. But, I could normally only get it on the weekends; and it was only Monday.

[Cassidy Richards]

I loved college, an I respected it. Unlike half the other kids here who just got a free ride for doing who-knows-what. But I, on the other hand, worked hard to get here. And that was why I chose one of the more complicated courses, Sociology. There was a longer name, but that was what it was called. Another great aspect was the teacher. At only 24 years of age, he is known for his amazing wit, charm, and intelligence. His long hair and extremely good looks mean that he is a well conversed topic. One of my favorites, favorites to be exact. I had to say, in this way, it was good to be a favorite. His last lecture left my head spinning, and that was unusual. So when the bell rang, I was the last to leave, gathering my stuff in record slow time. I had time to spare, my next class was hours away. I walked up to him and stood directly in front of him. "So, Professor, you're saying that your 'conscious' is just a response to something you're thinking of doing, or already did?" I asked, putting emphasis and sarcasm on 'professor'. Truthfully, sometimes I acted like I didn't understand, just to get some alone time with him, even though it was still educational.

[Luthias Manius]

I raise my head for my green eyes to fall upon Cassidy. She was a good student, and she even took notes during class instead of staring into space- quite an amazing concept. I mentally arch an eyebrow at the obvious sarcasm she places upon my title, people these days. No respect, back in the Victorian Era everyone was adressed as Lady or Sir. "In a way. I'll go more into depth on the subject tomorrow." I say, giving her a small, curt nod. A stray hand reaches up to tuck a long strand of flaming red hair behind my ear and I straighten the papers that are on my desk, attempting to distract myself from Cassidy- her smell, the blood pumping through her veins. It really was hard, but I had developed major self control over my 148 years of being a Vampire. Once all my notes and speeches are in order, I haughtily look back up, curious as to why the blonde girl standing before me was the most attentive student but had the most questions.

[Cassidy Richards]

My eyes watched his hand move through his hair. I was on fire in the inside, I just wanted him. I gave my best smile and leaned against his desk, clearing my throat. "You can't just let me go home with unanswered questions. You don't seem like the guy to do so." I said. I could tell he was intrigued by me, but for my intellectual stats. I sighed then pouted. I reached up and ran. Hand through my medium length, curly blonde hair. I smiled and threw part of it over my shoulder, one, as a flirting method, and two, it was getting pretty hot. I mentally questioned the looks he was giving me. He seemed partially disgusted and partially intrigued. "Do you have a problem with me, Mr. Luthias?" I asked, drawing out his name, giving him a sweet smile.

[Luthias Manius]

I give a quiet sigh and straighten my shoulders back, as if preparing for an argument. "Well, Miss Richards, if I said 'yes', I'd expect you would like an explanation as to why. If I have to explain, then we would be here for the time of another class period, which Im sure you dont have time for." I reply, my intelligent green gaze never wavering from her's. I watch as she runs her hand through her blonde hair before flipping it over her shoulder, perhaps even in a flirtacious manner? No, that would be absolute nonsense- I was a teacher, and she, my student. Definitely preposterous. My mouth lowers on one side into a small frown at Cassidy's use of my first name, although, it did have 'Mister' as a preffix. However, still disrespectful. "Professor Manius, to you." I say, glancing back before lowering myself onto my comfortable swivel chair. That move was contradictory. I was berating her on the proper way to conduct ourselves, yet here I was: sitting down as if to tea with intimate friends. But, I deemed this breach of protocol acceptable in my current situation: blood deprived, and the way she was leaning against my desk certainly didnt help to strengthen my self control.

[Cassidy Richards]

I laughed, almost as if he were speaking nonsense. "Well, Sir, I don't exactly understand what you want. It's either 'Professor', or ' Mr. Luthias'. Your name is too unique to not be known. Would you rather be unknown and unrealized?" I asked, chewing on my lower lip, watching his reaction. He obviously didn't appreciate my use of his first name. I truthfully didn't understand, were we not on the same level? I grinned and shook my head. "Well, Sir, we can either get this over now when I don't have classes for a few hours, or it can continue to tomorrow. You may have an answer for this question then, but who's going to tell of I will or won't have a question about it tomorrow?" I asked, sliding a finger on his desk. I have to say, I was acting pretty out of line, but I wanted my answers...and him.

[Luthias Manius]

I run a hand over my face, barely refraining from not rolling my eyes or sighing once more. This girl really was a pain. "I would rather be respected." I reply, crossing my thin arms over my narrow chest. I felt uncomfortable, having her leaning over my desk while I just sat here. I wanted to stand, but eventually decided against it. Wouldnt that put Cassidy on edge? Oh, I didnt know. "Fine." I snap, caving. I didnt mean to be rude, but the lack of blood was leaving me irritable and tired. Why hadnt I hunted over this past weekend? "Pull up a chair." I add, gesturing to where a couple old fashioned, wooden back chairs were lined up against the wall. I'd had some of the Headmaster's assitants watching me the other day, to see how well I taught my class. I lean forward to take my papers, flipping through, green eyes scanning over them as I mulled over Cassidy's question. It had been a good one, if a little ill timed.

[Cassidy Richards]

I grinned. grinned had found his weak point, or at least one of them. He had seem irritated, impatient, and I was worried that I was just getting on his bad side. I crossed the room and gently picked up the chair, placing it on the other side of his desk. "Mister Luthias." I started, looking away. It was a weird question. But everyone did it. "Do you need to...eat or something? Maybe take some pills? You're pretty tense and, well, rude." I said. I didn't mean to be so harsh, but it was true. I was grumpy when I didn't eat, and he was acting like I did. I hovered over the seat a little before sitting down, looking into his bright green eyes.

[Luthias Manius]

My eyes follow her for a moment before flicking back to my notes and I bite my lower lip, gnawing at it thoughtfully. Was consciousness just a reaction to what you are going to do or already did? I run a hand absentmindedly through my hair, attempting to think of a way to explain it to Cassidy. "Hm?' I ask distractedly, looking up from my papers to her face. I tense slightly at her question, but hastily shake my head, green eyes darting back down. I swallow, still barely shaking my head. "I apologize, Cassidy." I say, so surprised and shaken by her question that I used her first name. Did she know how close she'd come to the truth? No human food would help me, no pills would cure me. If there were pills to cure being a Vampire, please lead me to them; I thought wryly. I clear my thought, sitting forward once more as I prepare to launch into a long, drawn out answer to her question.

[Cassidy Richards]

I could see that he was trying to come up with an answer, and I felt bad. I could see that he wanted to leave just as much as I wanted to learn, if not more. My eyes scanned over his body as he tensed, and I was instantly worried. I sighed and shook my head. "What are you apologizing for?" I gave him a small smile. "I was completely out of line..." I said, giving a small laugh. Maybe I shouldn't be bothering him with my questions. I moved as if I were going to get up. Sir, I can leave if you wish. I don't mean to bother you. I can see you have....something going on." I said with a smile.

[Luthias Manius]

I raise my eyebrows slightly, a little surprised at her sudden change of character. "Just a tad." I reply, showing a little of my usual wit and charm. It was infamous around the watercooler, not so well known around students. I attempted to keep myself distant from them, but Cassidy was making it quite hard to ignore her. I tap my fingers against the top of my desk thoughtfully, still putting together my speech. It needed to be explained clearer so that she would understand it, at the least get the gist of it. "Oh, no, you're fine." I say, shaking my head. "Im just a little.. off today." I add, shrugging slightly. Heh, more like going to be this whole week. "Now. Collective reflectivity emerges as a function of a group or organization producing and making use of collective representations of the self in its discussions, critical reflections, planning, and actions." I say, delving into teaching mode, my thick Scottish accent marring some words.

[Cassidy Richards]

I laughed, not even offended like I would usually be. A lot of people found my actions or sayings good conversation piece. Usually he was stoic and collected, but now I saw he was loosening up more, and I liked this one better. He was less of a stick in the mud. I frowned, trying to look into his mesmerizing eyes to see if I could pinpoint anything. Usually I was good at reading people, but not him. He obviously had practice. "Could I do anything to help?" I asked, moving so that I was crossed-legged in the chair. He did seem a little out of it. "Uh-huh. So, collective representation is just collecting information and realizing what they are, and reflectivity is reflecting on the data that was obtained and realizing what you should do or what you should have done?" I asked, trying to put his confusing words into something easier to understand.

[Luthias Manius]

Her laughter was nice, showed I hadnt totally offended her. I realize with surprise that I didnt want to insult her. Huh, interesting. I scoff and shake my head as Cassidy asks if she could do anything to help. "Let me suck your neck." I mutter under my breath, chuckling softly at my own Vampiric humor. It was much healthier to make fun of yourself than someone else. "Collective reflectivity is a function of representations of yourself." I correct, attempting to put the lesson into shorter words. Normal English, as it was these days. Stupid texting and technology. It was keeping us out of touch with books and- lord forbid- words with more than two syllables. I smile wryly at that thought and lace my fingers together, looking across my desk at the blonde. "Got it?" I ask, arching one barely noticable eyebrow.

[Cassidy Richards]

I shrugged and smiled at him, choosing to ignore his muttered words. If he thought that they weren't meant to be said out loud, then so be it. I tried to ignore the hurt feeling than courses through me anyway. Once he corrected me, I st there for a moment, going over it in my head, trying to see where I went wrong. My eyes brightened when I finally locked on to what was actually being said. "Yes. I understand it now." I said, grinning. I loved the feeling you get when you finally solve something so unimaginably hard that it felt as if the world would explode if you didn't. I sighed in content and placed my elbow on his desk, putting my hand on my palm. "What made you wanna be a professor? Why would you want to deal with all the dim-wits that think a Sociology class would be easy?" I asked, searching for something, anything, in his bright green eyes.

[Luthias Manius]

I cant help but smile as she does. It felt good, teaching someone something. Someone who actually seemed to be interested and actually asked questions when they didnt understand something. I run my right hand through my long ginger hair, the strands fine and soft. I put my papers back on my desk, not needing to look them over anymore. I raise my eyebrows thoughtfully at her question, biting on the inside of my lip. Well, I had all the time in the world, but I couldnt rightly say that. I'd been a business man, jeweler, and- once- the owner of a brothel. None of those lines of work really interested me much, however. "I wanted to teach. I care about my job, and I'd rather Sociology students have a boring teacher who cares than a fun one who lets them eat paste and pick their nose all class period." I say, a small smile slipping onto my mouth. "Why did you want to take Sociology?" I ask in turn, sitting back casually.