Influenza a.k.a Common Cold

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana Strix never really got sick, for a lot of reasons. She always made sure to have all her shots, she didn't have time to be sick, and she grew up in a really cold area. The cold didn't really bother her much at all and besides when she was younger, she didn't really have a problem with getting sick or bad weather in general. Thunderstorms gave her a small level of difficulty sometimes, the electric charge in the air generally just made her feel slightly off but nothing that big of a deal. Only a full moon was her actual weakness and she didn't have to worry about that at the moment.

In fact, the only thing she did have to worry about was getting out a report soon to her high ups since it had been a while. She figured they would understand that she was busy with school and keeping an eye on her targets. When it was time for finals it always gave her a slightly more difficult time keeping track and balancing things. Even now she had just turned in her final art project in to her teacher and was heading back for her room. There was not a lot of snow on the ground at the moment, likely because a lot of students were using it for snow ball fights or to make snowmen.

She could see the various foot prints and people out and about playing. A small part of her wanted to play in the snow, but another part knew that she had to at least get a report in and then she could worry about having fun in the snow. I can make something in the snow later. Roxana promised herself as she focused. Only to get distracted by a rather large sneeze that made her almost creates a crystal dagger. Her gaze drifted to the source of the sound, seeing that it was Ellen Bank who had let out the sneeze. "Are you getting sick, Ellen?" Roxana asked, as she walked over to the girl.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen didn’t get sick either. Which was a fact she was particularly proud of. She never missed a day of school due to sickness, even when her stomach felt like it was doing backflips it still didn’t deter her from shrugging it off and trying to work in despite of it. It was like she was at constant war with the illness and admitting that she had one or that she adversely effected by such a thing. It was an annoyance and a banks didn’t consider annoyances. She adapted to them and succeeded in spite of them. That was how she choose to deal with such things

Even still she would admit that she maybe she had spent too much time outside, she was enjoying a brisk walk through the snow which was her custom when snow kissed the ground around Bellefonte, this was honestly Ellen’s favourite time of year and she knew that she had plenty of work to do for upcomings tests but she figured that a walk through the cold snowy winter air would nicely clear her head.

She was just about to go back inside when she uttered the sneeze she wiped a tissue against her tissue dimly aware of dull pain in her head when she noticed Roxanna’s presence

Oh great she was playing mother bear again…

“Roxanna” Her throat painful and making her voice seem raspy and her nose all stuffed up “As I’m sure you must be aware I never had a sick day during my time in this school and I don’t intent on starting now. I’m perfectly fine”

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana would admit that this was her favorite season, if anyone ever asked. She loved the cold, the sight of the snow, and even the fact that there was less daylight. There was just something about the season that just made everything feel almost magical in a way. She was not really the kind of person who was into magic and fantasy, but she enjoyed the idea of it on some level. It was just the fact that it was an escape from reality, but honestly she just loved the season from an artistic standpoint.

There was beauty even with the death and hibernation of the land. Ellen herself seemed to glow with that blonde hair of hers against the background of the white snow. "Good evening, Ellen." Roxana said in response to Ellen saying her name. She picked up on how raspy Ellen's voice sounded, and the sniffling. Her mind already pegged Ellen as on her way to getting sick or already fighting off a cold. Roxana could even tell that Ellen had been outside long do to how red certain features on Ellen’s face were.

"I am aware. You are showing signs of already getting sick. Sneezing, your voice, and even your eyes give away that you could be on your way to getting a cold." Roxana pointed out. Her gaze drifted over Ellen, seeing what the other girl was wearing and wondering if she should take her jacket off and gives it to Ellen. She was supposed to keep the other girl safe and getting sick was a bad thing, even if it was rare to die of the common cold, it was possible.

"You should head inside. I was heading back to our room now if you would like me to walk with you." Roxana said, giving a suggestion. While it was a suggestion, at the same time she was basically telling Ellen to go inside and at least warm up a bit before going back outside.

[Ellen Banks]

“Pishhh” Ellen said waving off Roxanna’s concerns with a grimiest “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I common cold lays me out for the count” She said slightly laughing at the very idea of it. Sure a serious illness she could see having some kind of an effect but the oh so common cold?

Ellen could walk that off in her sleep.

She could appreciate that Roxanna’s role as bodyguard compelled her to keep Ellen safe at all times. Which on more then a few levels Ellen enjoyed the idea of In fact despite herself she felt a needle sharp sting of jealousy whenever she had to look after one of her other charges, with the year Ellen had the allure of protection that being around Roxanna was almost addicting. But this? There was certainly a limit of how must Ellen was willing to take and she felt that Roxanna was slightly over doing it so to speak.

She rubbed her jacket hoping he could summon up some more warmth before rubbing the temples of her head. There was a slow throbbing dull pain going through her head as she spoke and her head wasn’t clear at all as she looked at Roxanna with blood shot eyes her face getting more red the more the ice winds seemed to hit it.

“Last time I checked you weren’t my mother Roxanna” Ellen making a fist and forcing it against her mouth suffering a coughing fit turning away from her brief before resuming talking her voice even more cocky “Thanks for your concern but I’m honestly fine thank you for asking I’ll join you in my own time”

[Roxana Strix]

"Well, depending on which lore you read, in some version there are seven layers of hell and the lower the levels, the colder it gets. So the seventh level is basically ice tundra." Roxana pointed out, using her knowledge of various lore to assist her in making a point. She could have also gone with just saying that Hell was clearly started to freeze over due to the condition Ellen was looking in if she was going to go with Ellen's point. Still, she felt using knowledge of other information was the best way to go in this situation.

It was past Roxana's job as a body guard that she was looking after Ellen the way she was. The other girl probably didn't fully understand the weight behind the kiss she had given her upon her cheek a little while ago. It meant that Roxana wanted to look after Ellen, to protect her, and to be there for her past it just being her job. It was practically another part of her purpose to look out for Ellen's well-being now, just as it was for those few other she had kissed on the cheek. Roxana was not going to explain it, too much detail there and things that a target did not need to know.

She saw Ellen rubbing at her jacket, clearly not warm enough in it. Looks like I'm already down to two methods of getting her to go inside. Roxana quickly assumed once she saw this and knowing how Ellen Banks was. "I sure hope I'm not. I'm only nineteen years old and I'm pretty sure my parents and my employers would kill me if I had a child." Roxana pointed out, speaking in the simple and not really emotional way she tended to always speak. She was not joking about the fact that her parents and her employers would kill her if she had a kid; she still had too much use to her and would not be allowed to have children until much later in her life.

"Or I could give you two options and let you decide which you want to pick before I decide for you." Roxana said in response to Ellen saying she would go in her own time. Ellen basically did not have the choice of going inside when she was ready, she was going inside. The only question was how she was going to go inside. "You can either go of your own free will, I'll force you, or I'll make it so you want to go inside. I suppose you could argue that is three choices but really it's two due to it being your choice or my choice." Roxana added as she crossed her arms and looked at Ellen. Ellen's moment to choose was now.

[Ellen Banks]

She didn’t know if Roxanna was just showcasing her natural bluntness or if she was just in a playful mood today. It was hard to tell sometimes with her, whatever the case she clearly was well in classic literature something that Ellen herself had been meaning to catch up on but never really finding time to do so. The last time she had attempted to curl up with a good book she was “Distracted” by the director of the Indian mutant school. –Not that she would admit what happened to Roxanna consider how much of a big deal she had made of being too wily to get caught up in her games.

Ellen had put the kiss to one side from the moment away from her thoughts, chalking it up to Roxanna feeling emotional and vulnerable after a particularly rough night and she felt…Affectionate. If there was anything more to it, Ellen wasn’t going to ask. Roxanna kept things to herself at the best of times, if she wanted to let Ellen know about her the details of her past she would but it’ll be when she wanted too (Ellen wasn’t curious enough to use her power to find out and besides thanks to her training she would imagine that she would get her neck broken via her own instincts.

….but then again maybe she really rather now know…Something told her she wasn’t joking around or making fun, that wasn’t exactly Roxanna’s usual manner…

She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Roxanna’s words. She sounded so very sure of herself that she could just simple either “Force her” “Or make her want to” The idea of either of those were just insane. Ellen couldn’t help but give her a look that seemed to say “You’re being quite ambitious aren’t you?” I think you’ve forgotten who you’re talking to Roxanna. So I think I’ll pass and stay out here if it’s all the same to you.”

[Roxana Strix]

It was a bit of both when it came to the way she was speaking to Ellen. She was always particularly blunt since she didn't really see any point in 'beating around the bush', so to speak. The only time she really didn't say something like it should have been said was when she was not really sure of how to say it. Winter also happened to be her favorite season so she was in a particular good mood and smiled a little easier and was up to making 'jokes'. Not that she really thought anyone would really catch on it too much unless they were playing close attention to how her behavior changed slightly during this time of year.

The kiss she had given Ellen when she pledge that she was going to protect her was something that she pretty much did to those she vowed to protect by her own choice. She didn't really do it often, but it was not something that she did because she felt any deep feelings for someone. If that was the case, then she was not aware of it at all. Rox was not really the type to want to sit down and talk about her past, so that was likely not going to happen unless Ellen asked. Even if asked, it was not even certain Rox would tell her anything.

Roxana didn't say anything and simply looked at Ellen when the other girl started to speak. Stating about how Rox must have forgotten to who she was talking to. Roxana could not help the small chuckle that decided to slip out at the words. Normally she would just mentally chuckle a little but her mood in this weather seemed to be getting the better of her and it actually slipped out instead of staying in her head. She just always found it to be so amusing when her targets said things along those lines. As if she was not capable of finding a way to make sure they did something or not.

"Alright, option B then for now." Rox said as she bent over and started to make several snowballs, it not taking long. She was a sculpture after all and it was all to easier to mold snowballs then it was crystals. Once she had enough made, she picked up what few she could hold in her arms and tossed one at Ellen. Aiming the snowball to hit Ellen's back. "Go inside." Roxana said as she tossed the first one. If Ellen didn't start to move, well she was going to throw another one, and continue the process.

[Ellen Banks]

It might have been an idea to explain to Ellen what exactly that kiss was meant to mean before Roxanna actually did it, for someone who seems so cerebral and quick thinking that was quite a bizarre act on the part of Roxanna.. Since when did Roxanna took part in that kind of activity. But then again when did she ever go get drunk and participate in hot sweaty one night stands before? Clearly there was quite a lot that Roxanna was capable of that Ellen simply wasn’t aware of? Who knows? Maybe she went out at night break dancing for all Miss Ellen Banks knew.

“You’re laughing” Ellen noted with her arms crossed noting something that she didn’t see often from Roxanna who was normally so serious for the most part, the look on Roxanna’s face made her…Uneasy"
“I fail to see what’s so funny care to let me in on the j-“ Ellen started but uttering a little squeakof surprise when she saw a large snow ball hurtling toward Ellen. She gasped in shock as the ball made impact with her body sending shock waves of cold through her body “This is not the mature way to deal with your problems!”

[Roxana Strix]

Roxana was pretty sure that she explained on some level why she kissed Ellen on the cheek back then, but she recalled she had merely stated that she was going to protect Ellen. Roxana did have sex, it was just something that didn’t happen often and more often was because of orders or because of someone making the first move and seeming like they really wanted it for her. She didn’t take it as anything serious, she never really had passion in the area and just did what she knew person would like done to them. As for the whole getting drunk and having a one night stand; no, that was not her at all.

She was not even drunk when she had come back from her time with Pirya, she was completely sober. She had only been drunk off emotions if there had been anything to be drunk off of. There was not much many people knew about Rox, and she planned to keep it that way. Right now what mattered was getting Ellen to go inside before she caught a cold. “I am capable of doing such a thing.” Roxana pointed out, at Ellen’s words. She could laugh and she did when she found something funny, it just didn’t happen very often…to at all. She then tossed the ball at Ellen, just as the girl was starting to say something else and caused Ellen to let out a squeak.

“It’s not, but I feel that it is the best thing to do in this situation to make you go inside. It’s that or I carry you in. Your choice.” Roxana said as she formed another snow ball. She paused for a moment before tossing it at Ellen. Alright, so she really didn’t have to do this sort of thing to get Ellen to go inside but she kind of wanted to play out in the snow. Not that she was going to say that out loud or even admit to it if she was asked about it. Yet, she in fact was finding some level of enjoyment out of this but the main goal was still to get Ellen to go outside. So she was going to keep tossing snowballs at Ellen until she did.

[Ellen Banks]

“I haven’t seen much evidence of it” Roxanna was a strange case it had to be said, Ellen’s abiding opinion of Roxanna was that she seemed to be mentally far older then she was physically. Under that cold façade was a girl that was more or less Ellen’s age and that was hard to remember sometimes with the way she had carried herself most of the time. So in control and calm in the face of pretty much anything it was surprising to hear someone that took herself so seriously laugh in such a way.

If her intention was for some reason to make Ellen all the colder then she can consider that particular job a successful. She tried to avoid the balls as much as she possible could but to no avail she let out three quick fire sneezes shriving with the coldness and sniffing



“No!” Ellen shouted indigently “I’m not going to waltz in there just because you throw snowballs at me! I’m perfectly fine”

[Roxana Strix]

"That is because I don't really show it." Roxana pointed out, her voice slightly returning to the normal tone that she used. "Would you prefer me always remain stoic around you?" Roxana asked. She could do that if that was what Ellen wanted. It was not something that was hard since it was how she was ninety percent of the time in her life. She did have her moments when she was different, when she was doing something art related and when she felt comfortable around someone. The latter rarely happened, but she felt that it had on some level with Ellen and two other people.

She figured Ellen would have been interested in seeing another side to her since the girl had been so interested in seeing Roxana completely out of it after coming back from her night with Priya. Perhaps she understood it wrong and was fine with making the adjustments and keeping herself in her stoic manner, even if she was pretty pleased to be out in the snow and throwing a snowball. Ellen was dodging some of them but for the most part they made contact. Ellen still was of course being stubborn and didn't seem to want to go in.

While Roxana didn't want Ellen staying out here when she was obviously cold, she was only willing to push the boundaries so far. Yes, she could force Ellen to go inside at this point but she had decided against it now due to Ellen's earlier commit. She let the snowball that was in her hand fall to the ground. "Alright then. If you will not go inside then at least allow me to offer you my jacket and remain out here with you until you are done being stubborn." Roxana said as she moved closer to the other girl now. She as already working on unbuttoning and unzipping her jacket so she could remove it and give it to Ellen.

[Ellen Banks]

What a weird question. Ellen thought to herself and she really would have liked to give some kind of answer to that very blunt question but Ellen was just a little distracted as the coldness bit down on her with the force of a crocodile chilling her to her bones her teeth starting chattering away and goosebumps formed nicely all over her skin.

Damn that Roxanna..

Suddenly inside in their dorm seemed liked the more agreeable option despite how her natural stubbornness is against such an idea. She let loose another sneeze that echoed through the path as she sniffed “Can we continued this conversation inside please?” She muttered bitterly in submission

[Roxana Strix]

Ellen seemed like she was thinking on an answer to Roxana's question. Was it that hard of a question to answer? It was a simple yes, she wanted Roxana to remain as she always was and not show any happy or relaxed side around Ellen. Or it was that no, she was fine with Roxana showing this rare side to her. Ellen then was shivering and then asked if they could continue the conversation inside and was already submitting. Roxana could not help but to smile a little for a moment as she moved over to Ellen and offered out her arm.

She figured she could escort the girl back to their room and that way the proximity would help her warm up. "Sure, I'll even make you some hot chocolate if you like." Roxana suggested as she would wait if Ellen would join arms with her or not. Either way she headed back to the room, it not taking that long. Once there she unlocked the door and went inside, glancing behind her to see if Ellen was in fact still with her and what she was up to. "I also have a gift, well gifts to give to you." Roxana informed Ellen as she headed over towards the stove.

It took a moment for her to locate the tea pot, but once she did she filled it up with water and set it on the stove so the water could start heating up. She then started to head off to her room to get said gifts that she had gotten for Ellen.

[Ellen Banks]

God, so cold. So very cold Ellen thought to herself pressing her arms against her body hoping to conserve some kind of body heat so it didn’t feel like she had just taken a nap in a giant ice bucket. Well, if she didn’t have a cold before she certainly did now, but if Roxanna was expecting Ellen to admit it she had another thing coming, she was a stubborn one was Ellen Banks and she wouldn’t give Roxanna the satisfaction acknowledging that her nose was becoming bright red and her head was hurting. No, she had standards and if she had cancer she would still insist that she was perfectly fine

…but oh did Hot Chocolate sound like heaven right about now…

“If you insist..” She muttered as if she was indifferent to the idea but she grabbed her arms regardless trying to avoid sneezing as much as she possibly could walking in her time with her to the room, grateful for the heat that it offered her making her feel a small bit better “Gift?” She asked raising her eyebrow in surprise “Well aren’t you little Miss charity this season” Ellen smirked reminding herself that she really had to work on getting gifts herself.

She sat down on a near by chair as Roxanna went to make tea rubbing her shoulders to get her warm again, suddenly getting the idea to remove her sweater, that was covered in snow and ice (Thanks Roxanna..) There was no way she was going to get warm wearing this she thought so off her sweater went over her head flinging it to the corner. That made her feel a bit better even though some of the ice and snow had got down under her t-shirt making it cling to her body and form tightly.

Well it was a start…

[Roxana Strix]

"I won't force you to drink it if you don't want to, but it should help you warm up." Roxana said in her usual tone of voice. She then focused on making sure everything was ready for the hot chocolate when the water was done. It was weird to use a tea pot to making boiling hot water but she found it worked just as well as putting water on a pot to boil to use that for the hot water to use for drinking. The tea pot just made it easier to pour the hot water into a cup then a pot did in Roxana's opinion.

Roxana walked into her room then, going to where she had the gifts for Ellen hidden in her room, but left her door open so she could still hear what Ellen was saying. "Well, I assumed that we were friends and it is custom to provide your friends with some kind of gift on the holidays. You don't always have to but I wanted to. However, if you don't want anything you can just throw what I give you, away." Roxana said as she grabbed the two boxes and headed back towards Ellen. She made sure to close and lock her bedroom door behind her first.

At seeing Ellen without her sweater Roxana paused for a moment. She didn't say anything, just looked at Ellen for a moment before refocusing. She set the two gifts wrapped boxes on the table and then went back into her room, returning after a moment with a blanket and holding it out for Ellen to take. "You won't warm up if you remain in wet clothing and uncovered like that. You should go change or at least cover up yourself." Roxana said, already moving over towards the tea pot, still waiting for the water to boil.

In the larger of the gift boxes was a painting done by Roxana, it should have been expected her gift would involve some form of art. The painting was of Ellen with Neptune, looking happy and at peace in the company of her very own horse. Roxana had of course got the base sketch from when she was watching Ellen when the girl was unaware and later on when to paint the image. In the smaller box was of a bracelet with horses on it. Roxana personally liked the way jewelry looked on other people and that was also part of why she bought or made them jewelry.