Trouble

[Demeter]

Flora did a slow blink and sat down hard on the ground. "I honestly don't remember any of that," she said. "The last thing I remember is Professor Palladium casting a spell to knock me out and that's it."

[Layla]

"Oh," Layla said, averting her eyes uncomfortably. "Then you probably don't remember attacking the Professor, do you? I mean, I wasn't there to see it but Stella was and she told us about it . . . she said that you, umm, turned him partially into a tree." Quickly she added, "But he's fine now."

[Demeter]

Flora suddenly felt ill. "No, no I don't remember that at all," she said quietly and weakly. "Oh, Goddess, he must hate me something fierce."

[Layla]

Shaking her head, Layla replied matter-of-factly, "I'm sure that's not true. The Professor's not stupid; he knows that you couldn't help what you were doing. And even more, he knows that the person attacking him wasn't the real you. He'll understand. Trust me."

[Demeter]

"I hope so, Layla," Flora said quietly, looking away from the other girl. She couldn't believe she had done that. She wouldn't blame him if he really did hate her. She allowed a single tear to form and fall.

[Layla]

Wordlessly wrapping her arms around her friend, Layla soothingly stroked Flora's back. Mentally, however, she was thinking that she would very well strangle the Professor if he actually blamed Flora for all that had happened recently.

[Demeter]

Flora just wept quietly, allowing Layla to comfort her. She made such a huge mess - even if she didn't remember doing it. She didn't think the professor would forgive her. She had hurt him and betrayed him.

[Palladium]

OOC: Is it fine with everyone if we pretend that this takes place in the Alfea courtyard? It makes it kind of convenient for Palladium to make his way into the thread

Shifting uncomfortably on his bedroom floor, Palladium fought to stay asleep, but his attempts were futile. In frustration, Palladium rose to his feet and stretched, his muscles feeling incredibly knotted. Sighing, he looked wistfully over at his bed, which Cora still occupied from the night before. Closing his eyes, Palladium tried to banish the image of her hurt face that had immediately sprung up in his mind. Obviously she had gotten over his calling her Flora - otherwise she wouldn't have fallen asleep in his bed. So, if Cora had let it go, he might as well do the same.

Walking over to the window, Palladium peered out at the pale orange sky; morning was finally here. Finally. Unfortunately he was still exhausted - sleeping on the floor without so much as a pillow would do that to a person, Palladium thought wryly. As he started to turn away, Palladium saw out of the corner of his eye the figures of two students sitting in the courtyard. Frowning, Palladium peered closer and then reeled back as he realized who they were. Layla . . . and Flora? It couldn't be and yet . . .

Pulling on his shoes, Palladium rushed out of his room and then hurried down to the courtyard. Running closer to the two seated figures, Palladium called out, "Layla? What are you doing out here?"

[Demeter]

Flora's green eyes widened at the sight of the professor before filling up with tears. She buried her face in Layla's shoulder and wept. She couldn't bare to look at the professor - knowing what her darker side had done to him.

[Layla]

Turning her head sharply at the sound of the familiar voice calling out to her, Layla momentarily closed her eyes, praying that Flora would pull it together. Biting her lip, Layla replied with a nervous laugh, "Well, it looks like Flora's back, Professor."

[Palladium]

Staring down at Flora, Palladium nodded slowly, shock still clearly evident on his face, as he answered absently, "Yes, I can see that." Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Palladium started as he continued, "Ah, yes, then, let's see . . ." Crouching down by Flora, he asked gently after a moment's pause, "How are you feeling? Are you hurt?"

[Demeter]

Flora shook her head no before nodding. "Physically no, emotionally yes," she clarified, her voice breaking in a sob. "I'm so so sorry, Professor," she whimpered.

[Palladium]

Holding a hand up to stop Flora from speaking, Palladium shook his head as he said promptly, "No. I won't hear any of that from you; none of this was your fault. Do you understand? I will not tolerate your apologies for you have nothing to apologize for. I mean it."

[Demeter]

Flora blinked her green eyes, confused by his bold declaration that she didn't have to apologize. What was next? Him confessing that he really loved her?

[Palladium]

As Palladium looked away from Flora, his eyebrows shot up as he caught sight of Layla's Morfix bathtub. "What in heaven's name . . ." Standing up, Palladium leaned over the rim of the tub, and then immediately stepped back and turned toward Flora and Layla. Clearing his throat, he then began, his voice flat, "Please tell me that that isn't Bloom in there."