Substance of my soul -Alex-

[Alexander Jay García Torres]

<sub>I saw my mother die... She died in my arms. Alex didn't know how to respond to that. He felt like an idiot asking that question. He knew he wasn't prepared for this sort of answer. He knew, like all of them, that Chase's mother had passed away but... in his arms? That's the kind of thing that you're incapable of fathoming if it doesn't happen to you. Alex had never seen anyone close to him die before. Let alone while he was holding them.

The Spaniard looked at his friend with a pained expression while he aided him to a stand. He wasn't too sure what to say. What could he say without sounding like an emotionless bastard?
"Chase.... that's terrible." Alex finally whispered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly as he stared ahead and at Chase's front. "I'm sorry... I-I didn't know..." Now he really needed that strong drink. Just so he could forget what a stupid person he could be at times - had he really expected "who've you seen die?" to end happily?

Alex swung his arms forward a bit and caught Chase on his hips with his hands, giving them a little nudge. He had had the urge to hug his friend but... with his injury it would still be painful for a while. So he just made the gesture that he wanted to hug him before looking up at him.

"I guess a Thestral is just a bit like your everyday, skittish horse." Alex mused out loud, waiting for Chase to start to walk before doing so himself. He stayed close by just in case he needed help. "But... I think I still may need convincing. It almost killed you, Chase." He gave him a stern look and glanced back at the hellish creature. He dreaded to think what would've happened if the animal had been spooked by something other than Alex's clumsy entrance. What would've happened if Chase had been injured and Alex hadn't been there? He didn't want to know. The young man closed his eyes and drew a long, noisy sigh.

"Just be careful, Chase. I know you know what you're doing but... Who knows... maybe next time an animal freaks on you this cut'll seem like a scratch..."</sub>

[Chase McKinney-Jackson]

Chase didn't want Alex to feel bad about what he had said. It was just the truth. Chase had grown to accept it over the years. He had been really torn up about it, but it would have been worse if his mother hadn't left his dad. "Don't worry about it. Honestly. It was a long time ago. Like ten years. Or a little longer." Chase just shrugged.

"I'm not going to break ya know." Chase chuckled as he saw Alex's face. He was going to be fine, honestly. He reached his arms around Alex, careful not to hurt himself much, but he didn't think that was completely possible. He was in pain in his chest almost constantly. At least it had died down. "Thanks... for saving me. Honestly though, I'll be fine. You did a good job, Jay." Chase laughed and unwrapped his arms before starting to walk.

"I can't very well be careful with this job. I still have certain things I have to do that I can't neglect. That's the first time I've gotten hurt though... so I'll be fine."

[Alexander Jay García Torres]

<sub>This happened ten years ago? Alex couldn't help but wonder why he was finding out now... they would of been around sixteen at the time. They had been best friends. But... obviously not best enough. Maybe it had just been something Chase never had wanted to share but, then again, something of that magnitud made you want to talk to someone, wouldn't it? Alex decided not to press on the subject longer and to just let it slide. Surely Chase would have his reasons for not confiding this in his friend before.

Alex gave a heavy sigh when Chase hugged him. He didn't touch him though. And he tried not to get too close. The guy would be sore and Alex didn't want to aggravate the injury with his snuggliness.
"If you're really grateful, you'll buy me a drink." The young man teased, watching his friend with a careful eye while he walked. It had been a bad injury, it wasn't his fault if he couldn't help but be concerned still. It was the Healer inside of him. He just wanted to care for people. "And I'd say snacks too but... blood kills my appetite."

The Spaniard stole one last glimpse of the beast that had ruined what would of been a simple, terrifying trip into the forest. He skittered forward a few more steps, not wanting to trail too far behind. A terrible through came to him - if anything else were to jump them in the forest... Chase was in no state to protect them. Alex drew saliva with a worried crease on his forehead. Merlin, please, no more surprises.</sub>

[/color] He walked with his hand in his pockets, gripping his wand firmly all the way until they emerged from the forest.

There was no way he was going back into that darned forest again in a hurry.[/sub][/blockquote][/blockquote]