Room 504, Thursday Afternoon (After Classes)

[intraspective]

Ino had to admit that, really, she was pleased as anything about the fact that she got to show off her plants and have them be admired by someone who actually knew a bunch about them.

Which would be why she was fussing with her plants, rearranging them infinitesimally while she waited and tried not to look like she was waiting. Luckily, her plants were a rather good distraction.

Even if she was tired, and kinda wanted a nap instead.

[Expecting one, totally open for all. Door is open!]

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[intraspective]

Which meant Ino had to bounce over, kneel down, and throw her arms around Penelope.

"You," she said, "totally deserve someone who won't run no matter what."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope giggled and hugged her back tightly.

"That is so easier said than done, you do realize?" Hurley wasn't running, however, and she did like him.

[intraspective]

"Well," she said, hugging back a moment longer before flopping on the ground beside her. "Isn't that true of anything worth doing?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I suppose so," she replied, looking at her. "But people are so... human." Therefore, at times, very difficult to deal with.

[intraspective]

"True," she said, thinking about Liir and how badly that had gone even though he didn't seem to care. Which hurt more than the fighting, really. "But sometimes, in being human, they can be pretty amazing beyond anything you could dream up, don't you think?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Forgive me if I sound a little pessimistic, but I'm not sure I know that. I've never been close to anyone to judge properly. People are nice here, caring, and I suppose that can be considered amazing. Hurley is amazing."

[intraspective]

"Hurley is incredibly sweet, isn't he? And it's not just in real life," she said, grinning a bit. "In books too. You find it all the time--awful horrible things, and really amazing things all at once. Life's like that too, if you give it a shot."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Like a big teddy bear," she replied, kindly. "He is very sweet. And yes, of course in books, and in movies too, I'm learning."

Penelope paused, and looked at Ino as though she were questioning whether or not to speak to her about something. She was a good listener and it was easy to be comfortable around her. But... the debate she was having in her head was walking the line and she just wasn't sure enough of herself.

[intraspective]

"I don't like movies," she confessed. "I get bored just sitting there, and staring at the screen. I like books better 'cause then I get to imagine it."

Ino glanced back at Penelope curiously. "Anything on your mind?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She laughed lightly at that. "I think they're amazing. I'm in Movie Appreciation and before then, I'd never seen a movie. I think they are incredible."

A slight nod followed. "Yes? I was hoping, maybe I might could hear your opinion on something, if you're willing?"

[intraspective]

"They're well done," Ino conceded, "but still. Sitting there."

She leaned over, snagging her pillow, and hugged it to her chest. "Sure, let's hear it. I'll do my best."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully, considering how to press forward.

"I've spoken to Hurley about this, so please don't think I've not thought of his feelings, but I want a another girls opinion and... I trust you." A slight pause. "You know that he likes me, and I'm not saying that lightly. And I like him. But... there is the matter of who I am and what will be required of me in the near future. I cannot dismiss my family, nor my obligations to them, and moreover I cannot dismiss the means to an end: my curse."

She hoped she was making sense, and getting to her point.

"I'm afraid to let him get too close to me yet I'm not sure how to go about not allowing this to happen. I like him, but he would never be accepted by my family. I know that must sound terribly snobbish to you. I am from a family who socializes with aristocrats and I will only ever be able to marry into blue blood, and while marriage is something I hope to avoid for sometime yet, it is something I long for if only to rid myself of this curse I was born with." She waved a hand. "I understand how weak I must sound, especially here, considering the acceptance of everyone. But at home, Ino? It is so very much different. I am a freak, a monster, and this is what I will eventually go home to."

Penelope wrung her hands. "I'm not sure what to do with this, with Hurley. I don't want to lead him on only to break his heart and mine in the progress."

[intraspective]

Ino was silent for a long moment, staring over her pillow.

"Is marriage the only way to cure your curse?" The rest, for the moment, she kept her mouth shut on.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She nodded. It was all she knew. What her mother drilled into over and over and over again. It was what was believed, so yes, it was the only way to Penelope.

[intraspective]

She tugged at her hair for a moment.

"Does it have to be for true love?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"He has to love me," she said, frowning slightly. "Or the chance has to be there. He has to be a blue blood."

[intraspective]

"Love love, or like a friend love? Would that work too?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I... think it has to be love love, Ino. In fact, my mother is pretty persistant in that."

Max should have been the one; she wouldn't be going through this now.

[intraspective]

"Okay then," she said, "how does your mom know? If she knows for, like, sure then she's got some sort of proof, right?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"It is the curse and what is states," she replied. "I must find true love with one of my own kind. Only then will the curse be broken."

[intraspective]

Ino squinted at the wording of that.

"Mmmm."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"What, Ino? What are you thinking?"

[intraspective]

"Well," she said slowly, "'own kind'--isn't that a bit vague? I mean, that could mean human, that could mean female, that could mean kind and gentle, that could even mean someone else with a curse like yours."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Not for me no," she replied. "This curse was particular to just my family, the Wilhern's, Ino. There is no room for anything other than what the old witch meant. She cursed the first female, Wilhern heir."

[intraspective]

"Why?" Ino asked simply. "I mean, I'm just trying to understand. People don't generally curse other people for nothing, you know?"