smile like you mean it {open}

[Antosha Cobb]

Julie smiled at Mathew then flickered into the view of both the humans, a talent of hers that could make her one of the more powerful spirits. About time, now you listen here. I want you to tell you spirit hunter friend that something is taking the spirits and combining them. I'm not entirely sure how but it's happening, I located the manifestation inside the room you found me. She looked weaker and paler somehow, the same sad expression on her face as when she peaked at Lynn. With another glare worthy of a kill she flickered back out, exhausted.

Antosha stared at the space she had taken up, though he was sure he could have walked right through her. "Julie says that there is a bigger threat." he said briefly, hoping that would sum it all up. It wasn't the entire truth of the matter, but it got the point across besides, Julie seemed satisfied.

[Diane McLain]

She sat upright more, looking at Antosha and suddenly feeling wide awake. "A bigger threat?" she asked, looking concerned. "W-what do you mean? Can we do anything?" she asked, picking herself up and staying away from him. This was serious, and not the time for coziness.

[Antosha Cobb]

"It's some kind of manifestation of the spirits, Julie says to tell Miss Jackson right away," he said, the smile dripping off his face. Julie had managed to kill the mood in less the a minute, but that did explain the strange music he'd been hearing. She just wanted attention, must remember that for future purposes.

[Diane McLain]

She nodded. She felt half asleep, desperately trying to keep herself awake long enough to be able to tell the headteacher. Didn't she pack some Pro Plus in her bag? She picked up her bag, muttering under her breath, "No, you need to stay here and protect me..." looking at Antosha, suddenly realising what she'd said aloud. "Um... sorry, Mathew was talking to me." she told him with a blush, "He was wondering if he should go check it out..." she said, amazed that his voice had seemed so clear.

Her hand slid around her bag, hitting something solid and wrapped as she did so. Suddenly it all made sense. "Oh... I forgot I had this on me." she said, pulling it out and passing it to Antosha. It was a present, wrapped clumsily in cheap paper with a label saying 'To Antosha (and Julie)'. "I looked like such a fool asking for a present for a spirit. But it's just a little thank you for saving my life."

Inside the paper was a dark metal pentagram, about a ft wide, and in the very center instead of a gap there were the strings and beads of a dreamcatcher. "It lets you talk to your spirit guide when you sleep. I guess it works." she explained with a short shrug.

[Antosha Cobb]

Antosha looked at the present in his hands then looked a little to De's left and laughed, pointing. Julie was jumping up and down, looking almost alive with her glowing cheeks. Oh, thank you! I've never gotten a present before, thank you ever so much! She smiled at Diane and then moved over to Mathew, smiling at him. Antosha laughed, harder. "Thanks De. Now I'll never get sleep." he joked, kissing her lightly on the cheek. With a sigh he pulled out his own present for her, wrapped in a tight rounded box.

It was his picture of her, only this one was different. A small glass orb shone her hand, a tiny swirl of air swished inside. Earth was behind her, carved with various symbols, her ankh shined form her neck. Fire resided itself in her eyes, burning brightly with the image of Melville burning alive. Water dripped from her hand, almost as if the orb was melting.

[Diane McLain]

She found herself blushing at the very idea of getting a present. It seemed so strange to be exchanging presents when there was danger, but it sort of seemed right all the same. After all, it was a beautiful night, and they were both still happy to be with each other. She looked at the picture, finding herself blushing and giggling slightly at it. "Oh, thank you..." she said, leaning closer to him and kissing him on the cheek, giving him a tight hug before putting the present away, finding the Pro Plus on the way and taking one of the small caffeine pills. Hopefully, if it did nothing else, it would block out Mathew.

[Antosha Cobb]

"Your tired." Antosha said gently, brushing his hand against her cheek in a sign of affection. She was a friend to him, it couldn't be anything more. But he was this close only to her, and Brynn of course. His eyes scanned her face, trying to detect her thoughts without actually invading her mind. Without thinking he slid his arms back around her in an attempt to cause her to sleep.

[Diane McLain]

She smiled, appreciating the affection but feeling too tired to see too much in them. After all, this was just Antosha being Antosha. So, other boys were never this close, and even the girls weren't, but that didn't really mean much, did it? She smiled, shaking the packet and saying sleepily, "I won't be in about five minutes," she said, wondering if she would go hyper or just stay nicely topped up on energy.

[Antosha Cobb]

"Go to bed hun, don't stay awake just for our spirits. Me and Julie will take care of it, just let Mathew guard you for now." Antosha mumbled, putting his head on the back of the bench. It really was nice out here, and he could see himself sleeping right here. In this same position no doubt, if he were too lazy to move further.

[Diane McLain]

She shook her head. Already her eyes were appearing wider, maybe a little even wider than normal. "Antosha..." she said slowly, looking at him and lifting herself up off the seat. "I couldn't go to sleep right now if I tried." she said with a grin, grabbing onto his hand and trying to tug him off the seat. "Now come, people are in danger and stuff!" she said.

[Antosha Cobb]

Antosha shook his head, clinging to the seat for all he was worth. "Tomorrow." he managed to croak, keeping his attention focused on remained on the bench. No way was he going to move unless he was dead. That can be arranged Julie smiled coldly, appearing beside Diane once more. With a small smirk she started humming, loud enough to make all remaining spirits in the area increase their screams right into Antosha's head. Some of the noise bounced off him and managed to hit Diane, but that didn't bother her.

[Diane McLain]

Diane hadn't really explained, or known, the specifics of the dreamcatcher. It wasn't only spirit guides that could be heard when asleep, but in fact any spirits. Now, as a part of Diane was very much asleep as she ran on autopilot, the screams seared through her head. She dropped Antosha's hands, stumbling backwards as fast as she could before she was out of reach of the dreamcatcher, finally able to hear her own thoughts - as tired as they were. "What was that?" she asked, blinking rapidly, "A no would have... sufficed..."

[Antosha Cobb]

"Julie." Antosha warned, glaring at the spirit. His warning also served as an answer for Diane, who was probably experiencing the same pain as he was. Spirits could be so stubborn at times, even the guides. The screaming stopped, Julie looked a little scared but continued tormenting the two. She went back to her siren singing, fading back out as Diane jumped through her.

[Diane McLain]

She nodded slowly, daring to come a little closer to Antosha and the pentagram, but still leaving a big gap between them. "She's telling us to go, then!" she said, "Come on, Antosha, I don't have much time before I crash. Maybe half an hour? Lets get going..." she said, feeling Mathew beside Julie, keeping a close eye on her in case she tried to do anything to hurt Diane.

[Antosha Cobb]

Antosha sighed, giving in. "Fine." he mumbled, halfheartedly standing up. He might be forced to go on this crazy mission, but no one ever said he had to like it. Julie smiled, feeling triumphant. She winked and Mathew and moved to stand closer to her own charge, wondering if they could find weapons to use themselves.