Neil had been sleeping in but had gotten handwavey word that there was an important telegram down at the post office for him. Feeling a sense of dread, he'd dressed quickly and darted down to the post office only to have his worse fears confirmed.

Something had happened with his mother's health and his father was requesting he return home.

Looking at the money his father had wired for an immediate train ride back up north, Neil sighed softly and knew there was no way to get out of this.

He was going to have to go home.

Stopping by the school office to confirm that his father had sent word of his withdrawal, Neil headed back up to his room to pack.

He wasn't yet sure what he was going to tell Andrew but he knew he had just a few hours left to figure it out.

[ooc: Door and post are open though Andrew gets the last conversation chronologically. Neil will be leaving the island after this post.]

Neil woke up curled warm and comfortable and curled up against Andrew's back.

This was not particularly unusual, since he and Andrew had spent a couple of nights, chastely in their pajamas snuggling like this. However, today there was a distinct lack of pajamas.

Or anything resembling clothing what so ever.

Neil blushed a little and hid his face against Andrew's hair. While Thursday night had not been the thing written about in romance novels, there had still been too much awkwardness and uncertainty for things to have gone that smoothly, spending Friday in the room had been nice and Neil at least felt things had gone a bit better the second time around.

Course, they'd sort of tried some of the simpler stuff, which might have helped as well.

But regardless, this? The snuggling? This was really nice.

[ooc: For the other occupant of the lodge room! NFB due to distance.]

Neil had gone home for a brief period to share a Christmas dinner with his folks as well as presents with his family. It had been easier for his parents' parents to come up over the early part of the weekend and as his father had to work Christmas Eve the timing of everything had worked out well.

He was back on Fandom now and breathing a sigh of relief that his mother hadn't put more of a guilt trip on him than necessary when he'd gotten on the train that morning. Setting down the two bags he'd brought back with him, Neil flopped on the bed and toed off his dress shoes.

Damn but those things were uncomfortable.

[ooc: Open!]

Neil was in his room, sitting at his desk and very studiously going over his Prophecy notes. He had the door open and some Christmas music playing softly on the radio beside his elbow but otherwise he looked fairly engrossed in what he was doing.

AKA ... perfect for distracting!

[ooc: Door and Post are Open!]

It was getting close to finals time and Neil, ever the geek, was already starting to sort through all his notes and work up study sheets for his classes.

Glasses perched at the tip of his nose, a foot tapped in time to the old fashion big band swing coming from his radio. His desk was covered with books and notebooks and the door stood open.

[ooc: Door and Post are open!]

Neil had been keeping to himself since the night he'd come clean to Andrew. He'd dredged up a lot of memories and was trying to sort through them all.

It was a bit of a process.

But the snow falling today was like a soothing balm. A little bit of home without all the drama that came with actual home and so Neil was tucked up in his window sill, a mug of cider in his hand as he watched the snow fall.

[ooc: Door and Post are both open!]

Neil quietly held the door for Andrew and then closed it behind him. Waving the other boy towards his bed and the wool blanket of snuggling, Neil paced over to the window and leaned against the wall, looking out into the night.

He knew he was going to have to start talking soon and was gathering his thoughts.

[ooc: Post for wannabe_pan. NFB and sensitive canon subject matter to be discussed.]

Neil had bolted straight from Prophecy Class and gone directly to his room.

Closing and locking the door behind him, he'd spent the rest of the day sitting at his desk with his head cradled on his arms trying to get all his confusing emotions under some sort of control. It was a battle he'd been unable to win and eventually he'd simply crawled into his bed and turned to face the wall.

There he'd remained the rest of the day and on into the evening, barely aware of the passage of day into night. Locked in the nightmares of the past, Neil surfaced from his blankets long enough to dig an old book of poetry out of his foot locker. Crawling back into the bed, he held the book against his chest and quietly whispered that fateful monologue over and over till he managed to get to sleep.

[Establishy]

Neil was in his room, leaning against the window and staring out across the cool November night. He'd left the door open because he was afraid that if Andrew had to knock he might not find the courage to answer. This way the other boy could walk in and ... well the other bed sat quiet and ready for Andrew to settle down for the night.

Yes, the other bed. Neil had spent most of the afternoon convincing himself that he was doing this in the capacity of a friend. Andrew could have the empty side of the room and Neil could have his side of the room and it would all be fine right?

Too bad we didn't do the deed before ...

Adult!Andrew's words continued to ring in Neil's ears and he rubbed at his face as if trying to scrub them away.

Idiot... IDIOT

[ooc: For wannabepan please, thanks!]

Jogging all the way from Andrew's room back up to the third floor, Neil didn't stop until he'd reached his room, shut and locked the door behing him.

It might have gone without saying that the conversation he'd had with Andrew's 20 year older self had been, distressing. In fact, Neil was surprised at himself over just how distressing.

"Idiot," he whispered to himself, closing his fingers into tight fists and slowly sliding down the door to sit on the floor. Knees folded up to his chest, Neil rested his forehead against his clenched fists and shook his head back and forth.

This was why he'd fought so hard against making ties here in Fandom. Keep things light, keep them casual and good natured but not letting anyone in close.

"Idiot," he repeated in a strained voice, wrapping his arms around his legs and hugging himself into a small ball.

[ooc: Establishy only.]

Neil and Todd had spent almost all of the weekend holed up in Neil's room catching up.

Oh, they always had the best intent of heading out and Neil kept promising to show Todd this place or that but then, often as they were getting their coats on a new subject would come up and they'd just end up sitting back down and talking some more.

Eventually, Neil laughed and insisted that he was at least going to get Todd some of the famous goodies from J GoB and he firmly put his coat on and headed on out the door to do just that, leaving his former roommate to relax for a bit till he got back.

[ooc: For the former roommate and current boyfriend-friend-omgwe'redating person. Up early because SP is love today.]

Neil didn't have class today and he didn't need to be down at the Nest till later and since they didn't have class next week he didn't have much to study either.

So, he was kicked back on his bed with a pad of legal paper, writing something and listening to an old radio program. He had surfaced long enough to get himself some cider from the kitchen, since it was finally getting cool enough for cider and the warm apply smell filled his room and possible the hallway since his door was open.

[ooc: post and door are both open!]

Though he didn't have any classes on Mondays Neil was already awake, freshly showered and sitting at his desk in his room.

He had a few more bits of reading to get done for Prophecy but at the moment he was frowning at a legal pad of paper under his left hand. He was trying to come up with a good excuse to keep his folks from coming down for Parent's Weekend. His mother in particular had been making noises about wanting to see this school and he knew that if she said 'go' his father would bring her.

That ... would be bad on so many levels and Neil exhaled tensely and leaned back in the chair, pushing at his eyes with the heels of his palms. He had to keep them away, at least until he turned 18.

[ooc: Door and post are open!]

Neil didn't have any classes on Thursdays but there was plenty of studying to be done, particularly in Prophecy class!

He'd actually slept late, in anticipation of being down at the Nest for the evening and had only recently surfaced for a shower and some lunch. Neil was now settled down at his desk going over his homework. His door stood open, the window across the room cracked to let in the cool fall air.

Neil definitely enjoyed the cooler months of the year, especially since he moved down south!

[ooc: Neil is expecting Andrew but if anyone would like to stop in before that, the door and the post are open!]

Neil stood in front of his mirror and deftly worked at knotting his tie. Oh, sure he knew that he probably didn't need to be wearing a tie and a dress shirt and pressed slacks but, it was just habit and he liked to look nicely groomed for someone he reallyreallyliked! wanted to impress.

The door stood open and some nice 40s jazz was playing on his CD player. Neil was idly wondering if checking out the kiss in would be an idea he could suggest without sounding like he was ... you know, suggesting it.

Or something like that.

...

It was hell being a repressed teenage boy at times.

[ooc: Open!]

Fresh from the shower, Neil was in his room toweling off and getting ready to start his day.

As he pulled the towel down off his head, he peered into the mirror, just studying his reflection for a moment, the way teenage boys tend to do when the door to their room is firmly shut and there is absolutely no one around to witness their insecure preening.

"Oh, drat!" He exclaimed a moment later as the close inspection revealed a small cluster of stress breakouts on his chin.

By tomorrow they would probably be nice and bright and noticable and he'd be feeling all sorts of self conscious when he was on a date out with Andrew.

"Come on, why now?" Neil bemoaned as he studied his face. "Why can't my face just be clear?"

Looking down into his shaving kit, Neil rumaged around, looking for his acne cream. Pulling the little bottle out, he looked back up to remind himself where he needed to apply it ... and ... blinked.

The little patch of red bumps was gone, completely. In fact, not just the red bumps but also some lingering freckles on the side of his nose and by his temple, they were gone as well. The skin of his face was completely without flaw, simple pale and smooth and, he couldn't even find the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Reaching up he rubbed at the mirror, closed his eyes and looked again. The same, flawless perfection.

Deep inside, he had a niggling feeling that this was going to turn out to be some sort of strange Fandom-ness at work but for the moment, vanity won out over that concern and he let loose with a great yawp!

"YES!"

Hopefully it would at least last through his date night out with Andrew!

[ooc: Establishy only. Part of the wish plot which has kicked off!]

It really was amazing how one little piece of paper could bring a person crashing to their knees.

Not literally, though Neil had to sit down heavily on the bed as he read and reread the letter from his father and he couldn't help but wrestle with the very real fear that Mr. Perry had somehow gotten wind of his being in a theatrical production and this was why he was being called home for a few days.

"There's no way ... there's ... there's no way." Neil muttered brokenly to himself, running his hand back and forth through his hair.

Staring at the train ticket, he noted that it was dated for Wednesday, so at least he would only miss the one workshop and he wouldn't miss Tuesday's rehersal but still.

"Why now??"

[ooc: Door is closed but post is open!]

Neil, who was one of the few single people it seemed who was not down at Caritas that night, happened to come across the call sheet on his way back from raiding 4th floors pantry.

Yawping with absolutely delight, he leapt in the air and dashed down to his room to indulge in a few more private bounces of utter joy. The Narrator was EXACTLY the part he had been hoping for and he was doubly pleased to see the Andrew had landed the role of Draco!

[ooc: Mostly establishy, unless Draco would like to come by to share in the bouncing!]

Neil was making the most of his roommateless room but working a jigsaw puzzle on Conner's old desk.

Radio the night before had made him smile and pump his fist in the air in celebration for Andrew but for the moment it played some laid back classical music as he worked on getting the corners and outside edges of the puzzle established. He'd never tried a 5000 piece on his own but figured it would be a good way to pass some of the summer days.

[ooc: The door and the post are both open!]

After a very unique experience, even by Fandom terms, in his first workshop of the second summer session, Neil headed back into his room. Not that he had a lot of homework or anything but it was way too hot to even consider being outside today.

Instead, he tried not to think too much on how empty the place felt with Conner gone and headed over to his bed. Flopping himself down on the neatly made bed, he turned on one of his old radio programs and sat back with a book of Byron.

After all, if one's superhero name was going to be 'The Dead Poet' well then, one had better be up on one's poetry!

[ooc: Door and post are open!]

After an enjoyable couple of hours under a tree, the heat and humidity had finally driven Neil indoors. It might not have seemed that bad to most folks but being northern breed, he was a bit sensitive to any hints of mugginess.

Leaving the door open to help circulate some air, Neil stretched out on his bed and flipped on his little CD player. Soon, a radio show from the 40s was playing and he was chuckling along as he sat with a legal pad in his lap. He needed to write a letter to his father but instead found himself writing to Todd instead.

It wasn't as if this letter would be sent, anymore than any of the other's he'd written had been sent but it helped him to write to his ex-roommate, just to get his thoughts down on paper sometimes.

[ooc: As noted for the door, post and door are open!]

Neil was kicked up in the window, frowning slightly as he reread the letter from his father.

When he'd first received the missive he'd been okay with the conditions his father had laid out for his staying on the island for the summer but now, with the news about the Nest, that made things a little more complicated.

It sounded simple on the surface, Neil had to provide for himself with a summer job...something he'd had up until earlier this week, take his classes and also start seeing a local therapist.

"At least I did some saving over the semester," he muttered to himself, lowering the letter to his lap and trying not to think about therapist part of the deal.

[ooc: Door and post are open.]

Neil shouldered his way into his room glad to be done with classes for the day. He left the door open out of habit and walked over to his desk. Shrugging out of his jacket, Neil rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt up to his elbows and set his hands on his hips.

He should really work on his reading for FairyTales and he needed to write another letter to his father. By far Fairytales was the more appealing prospect but if he didn't get a letter in the mail for his father by tomorrow, he'd be risking an impromptu visit.

Sighing heavily, Neil picked up the pad of legal paper he used for these letters and carried it over to the window. Settling himself into the sill, he looked out across the rainy landscape and felt his lips twist in a rueful expression. At least the weather was perfect for this unpleasant task. Pulling a pen out of his pocket, Neil settled his shoulders against the wall and began to write.

[For someone that knows whom they be.]

Neil was kicked back in his room with a small pink rubber ball and an old time radio show on his CD player.

The door was open, as was the window to let in some fresh air since it was fairly nice out and Neil was chuckling as reclinded back on his bed, listening to the radio and bouncing the ball off the opposite wall.

[ooc: Both door and post are open! And I actually have time to breath today at work...amazing that.]

After finding Lana in the hallway outside her room, getting her to the clinic and then telling Peter about finding her, Neil lead Peter back down to Lana’s room.

Counting off the rooms as he went, he stopped in front of the partially open door to 322.

“Pretty much how I left it,” he said, lifting a hand to knock on the door frame before pushing the door on open.

“Hello?”

No one answered so Neil pushed on in, looking around.

"Do we even have any idea what we're looking for?" Neil asked in a slightly hushed tone. Not that he needed to be hushed just...felt like the thing to do.

[ooc: For SteveSusanAlec repeterpetrelli. Lana's room entered with permission of lovelylana.]

After attending his first meeting of Kappa Kappa Gremlin Neil headed back to his room. All around he saw people either celebrating Valentine's Day or making plans for the dance on Friday and it made him chuckle.

Shrugging out of his coat, he hung it neatly up in the closet and after some thought, sat down at his desk. Turning on one of the old radio shows he'd bought down at Empire records, he listened to the voices and smiled a little wistfully.

He missed home.

Grabbing a piece of paper, he began to write another letter to Todd. These letters always came so much easier than the one's to his father, which probably shouldn't be surprising as when he was finished, the neatly folded letter was carefully burned in his metal wastecan.

Tonight's letter had no different fate, Neil's genuine thoughts about his new school and his classmates going up in so much dark smoke.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Todd." He said with an affectionate smile, silently wishing his best friend all the best in the world.

[ooc: Door and post is open.]

After finishing up in Anatomy class, Neil headed to the cafeteria for some lunch and then he swung by the library to pick up a book.

He'd been thinking about it since the other night when he'd reworked part of Puck's monologue to tease Steve Peter Susan Peter about his eulogy. Neil had tried to forget and ignore the way the words had tripped so naturally from his tongue. He was under strict orders from his therapist back home and his father not to have anything to do with that life style again but they were just words right?

So, he sat up against the window in the room, looking out occasionally but otherwise ignoring his homework in favor of the Book of Bardspeare in his lap.

[ooc: Door and post are open!]

After an aborted attempt to check out the party on the 2nd floor, Neil headed back up to his room. Stopping off in the common room to grab himself some pretzels and a hot drink, he carried his snack back to 314 and, leaving the door open, he eyed his desk. Honestly, he'd had enough of studying and besides, his desk lamp was still a pie.

Shrugging, Neil went to his side of the room and dug out his radio. He'd picked up some old...well, new to him, radio shows from his time. He was surprised how homesick he was, not so much for home persay as for his original time in history. Plucking one of the little silver disks out of it's case, he dropped it into the player and turned it on then stretched out on his bed.

In short order, he heard the familiar tones of John Beanny and Affott and Castellio coming across the speakers. The sound quality was as staticky as he remembered it but it made Neil smile to hear it, static and all.

[ooc: Door is open, post is open and the radio can probably be heard in the hall!]

Despite the fact that he didn’t have any classes on Tuesday, Neil was up by seven as was his routine set long ago. He used the time to nip down to the gym and get in some exercise and then came back up to the dorms to shower and settle down at his desk and work quietly so he wouldn’t disturb the roomie…if the roomie was about.

However, before he could settle his mind to studying, Neil decided to finish the letter he’d been working on for a couple of days.

( Dear Todd )

Finishing up the letter, Neil read through it, especially the last bit and then he sighed softly and folded it up. Slipping the letter into an envelope, he sealed it then very deliberately dropped the unaddressed envelope into the trashcan.

Rubbing his face, he reached up on his desk and pulled down his notebook from Ethics. He needed to straight out the notes he’d taken of the discussion in class, then he’d head down to the library to get a copy of the reading that Professor Aziraphale had assigned.

[ooc: The linkdrop-fu is weak with this one. Post is open! Contents of the letter are NFB.]

After getting checked in and trying not to be totally taken aback by some of the things he'd seen thus far, Neil gathered up his stuff and headed up the stairs to his new room.

It was a bit strange to be heading into a brand new room, not one that he was used to seeing yearly as had come to be the case at Welton but a room was a room and you made the best of it and hoped that your roomie turned out to be bearable. Whistling softly to himself, Neil nudged open the door and peeked inside.

"Um, hey? Anyone here?" He called out before heading towards what looked like the empty side of the room and shrugging off his luggage.

Ahhh, felt good to put the suitcase down!

[ooc: Open! And doubly so for the roomie.]

Neil carefully packed his bags, moving with economical thoroughness as he made the most of the least amount of space. It was a routine he’d grown used to over the years and even though he was not packing to return to Welton Academy, it felt good to be packing all the same.

At least it’s not a military school. Neil thought to himself as he carefully hung his blazers in the garment bag.

His mother had taken special care to iron all his dress shirts and his dress slacks. He knew it was because she was trying to keep busy, trying not to think about having to let him go, not eight months after he’d tried to take his own life. Neil had thanked her for her efforts and hugged her tight for a long time, trying to reassure her without words that he wouldn’t scare he like that again.

I won’t, Mother. I promise. I’ll go to school, I’ll get good grades and I’ll get into a top undergraduate school and go to med school, like Father wants.

Neil thought that if he repeated the words often enough, he’d truly begin to believe them himself.

( Got everything packed, Son? )

[ooc: Just establishy!]

What can I say, I’m a lemming.

Okay most everybody knows Neil’s canon I am going to assume but I’m going to give a quick run down on events and where I’ve taken Neil from his canon.

( In case anyone hasn’t seen DPS, spoilers ahead )

( Neil at Fandom High )

Any questions? Feel free to ping me here or e-mail me Seregill at Aol dot Com.

Comes across the static of someone not quite sure what he's doing with a voicemail message

"Um, oh...right! 'If these shadows have offended...' leave me a message and I'll set it all right!"

A pause, then in a quieter tone.

"I hope my father doesn't hear tha..." BEEEEEP