ja1-d3n

[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden fully slips her coat off, just kind of bundling it in her arms as she enters the living space of Alpha, picking a plush chair and settling herself into it. She places the coat on her lap, almost like a security blanket.

She was even more relieved that Rosanna was so willing and ready to talk to her at a moments notice, with a comforting drink at that! Jaiden was truly happy with herself for knowing where to go, who to turn to.

But as Ro asks her question, asking about... Everything and anything, pretty much, Jaiden's smile faulters. Her gaze breaks from Ro's, and she takes a big deep breath.

"I-- uh... Don't know?" Is all she can start with.

Where does she even start??

"...How are you and Mark so... Healthy..?" The question kind of tumbles out messily, and as it does, Jaiden cringes and holds her forehead. "That came out so wrong..."

God, Jaiden, spit it out!

"I... Feel like I'm doing... relationships in general, all wrong. But... I'm really worried about one of my relationships in general..." She's feels uncomfortable. Everyone seemed so practiced in these things. How was she even supposed to describe this whole problem that SHE created?!

Show Me How || Ro & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden smiles a bit at Angela. Weakly, but still earnest. "Thank you. Seriously. I can't have this getting out right now..." She takes a deep breath, leaning back in her chair. And then Angela... Says something that really shakes Jaiden to her core. She wasn't alone? Blinking at her, her weak smile grows a little strength. "...That seriously means a lot to me... You're the only one who knows." She sighs, shaking her head. "...We haven't even really talked too much before all this... And now I'm throwing a nuke at you." Her sighs turn to laughter, small little chuckles of disbelief. Angela was... Pretty cool.

Keep Your Beans Cool || Angela & Jaiden

@ja1-d3n

[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden gives a big huff of relief when Rosanna confirms that she's the only one there. It was visible, even, the way her shoulders relaxed and her posture sank a bit. "That's...Honestly perfect." She says softly, her smile warmer.

At the offer to enter, and the other offer for a hot drink, Jaiden perked up a bit. "Yeah! Actually-- Cocoa sounds great.. Do you have almond milk?" She says, kind of shuffling her way inside and unzipping her coat. "...I actually wanted to uh.. Talk to you too... If that's okay..?" She says in a hushed, nervous voice.

Show Me How || Ro & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden blinks at him for a second, literally appalled that she didn't even consider that. Maybe her anxiety decided to forego the idea of Ari. She looks over to him, happy preening himself. "...That's not a bad idea..." She mumbled, looking over to Ted and then up to Tofu. She was happy. Proud of herself, even, fluffing out her feathers. "Yeah...She'll be fine." Jaiden says with a small sigh of relief. She turns to look at Ari, who turns his head to look at the both of them. A curious little guy. "So, come over here..." She motions to Ted. "...If you put your fingers near his feet, kinda like, nudging his tummy, and tell him to step up, he'll try to grab on with his feets."

One Flew Over || Ted & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden presses her lips together a bit. This truly wasn't an ideal way for Ted to be introduced to holding a bird. But... What other choice does she have?? "...You sure you can't just like... Hold up a broom and see if she'll hop onto it? I mean, I could get on a chair and try, but..." She trails off, the image of her clumsy self falling and cracking her head on the Theta kitchen. Who would be around to clean up that mess?

One Flew Over || Ted & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden's face burns a bit, a mix of shame and embarrassment at the prospect that she did in fact bring her birds into a place that is supposed to be sanitary. Of course she would clean. Why was she so embarrassed right now?? Its just Ted. "Yeah! Yeah-- I was.. Gonna wipe everything down when I was done.." She trails off, Ted's next questions making her fidget a bit awkwardly in place.

"They do, usually... Unless they find a place they like." Her mind flashes back to the first day on campus, how Ari free flew onto people's shoulders. She should've learned her lesson then. "...I could give you some millet or something to coax her onto your hand..! She won't bite, I promise." She says, the promise more of a prayer than anything else.

One Flew Over || Ted & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

As Angela repeats her words, Jaiden just nods. She takes a deep breath, truly pondering her next move. She's biting the inside of her cheek a bit, not even noticing the taste of metal on her tongue as she anxiously broke skin. At the confirmation that Angela hasn't seen anyone... She sighs and holds her head in her hands.

"Fuck." She mutters, her leg continuing to bounce. Who would have it out for her?? Was it just a big mistake??? Out of everything, EVERYTHING, WHY THAT?!

She takes another deep breath, grounding herself, the leg bouncing slowing. Keep it cool, Jaiden. Things aren't bad until they're really bad. She looks up to Angela. "Okay... Well... Obviously, I trust you wouldn't... Say anything..."

Keep Your Beans Cool || Angela & Jaiden

@ja1-d3n

[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden was staring at Ted as he approached. It was like she had truly forgotten how tall he was. And when he was standing next to her, looking up at the birds... He was really tall.

"Uh... That's Tofu." She says, breaking her eyes away from Ted to look up at the green bird, who was happily preening her feathers on the rafter. At Ted's next question, suddenly, she felt... Embarrassed. "They like to be involved." Is what she started with. The fuck, Jaiden? "I wanted to make a snack, and figured it would be... Enriching for them to be out of their cages? I don't know-- I made a loud noise and scared them and now Tofu is... On pride rock." Her eyes never left the bird this whole time.

Ari was happily fluffed up on the countertop. Unphased. Unbothered. Mindful. Demure.

One Flew Over || Ted & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

The door swings open, and Jaiden took a deep breath. She was always prepared for the worst. But when Rosanna's tiny frame appeared behind the door, and immediately wrapped her into a hug, her worries melted like ice on a windshield.

Her arms wrapped around her, giving her the same warm hug. "Ro, its so good to see you." She breathed, just holding the hug for a moment before parting. Although her smile was warm, there was obviously thoughts lurking behind her eyes, which looked past Rosanna as they parted to scan the parts of Alpha that she could see. "...Are you alone?" She asked cautiously, truly unknowing if there was someone in the living room that she couldn't see.

Show Me How || Ro & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden truly wasn't expecting anyone to be home, or for them to be paying attention to her as she made noise in the kitchen for that matter, but when she hears Ted's voice, she suddenly realizes how loud she must've yelled. Did she summon him home from break??? She jumps a bit, turning to look at him, realizing that he must've just not left yet. "HEY-- UH..." She starts awkwardly and loudly, fidgeting in place.

Her head snaps up to look at the bird perched on the rafters, who is just peering back down at her. She looks back to Ted with the grimace that Melman gives in Madagascar, and points with a weak hand up to Tofu. "She, uh... Got scared. I can't get her." Her eyes were locked on Ted, kind of now registering again how tall he was. "Could you... uh..."

One Flew Over || Ted & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden was relieved that Angela didn't ask questions about who was in Alpha that she was... For lack of a better word, stalking. As much as she's already delving into, she wasn't sure if it was time to let someone else in on what and who she's gotten herself involved with.

At Angela's next question, Jaiden frowns. "...Its not just a program..." She says quietly, her eyes just kind of locking themselves onto one place on her desk as she thinks through her next thoughts. "...IF, and this is a big if..." She starts, her leg bouncing anxiously. "If someone was able to get into the USB drive... And then let alone my programming..." How much should she give away? This is a big, BIG deal, Jaiden. Be careful. "...They'd have access to people's computers, phones, and emails... Including businesses in the area.... And... The University." She says carefully, finally looking to Angela to really set in stone how serious this is. "...You really didn't see anyone weird leaving my room lately..?"

Keep Your Beans Cool || Angela & Jaiden

@ja1-d3n

[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden knew that there was gonna be questions when someone found out. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to keep her entire self under wraps. Someone had to know. And honestly... There could've been a worse person. Angela was honestly perfect for this. Completely uninvolved, maybe unbiased... (or biased towards herself, Jaiden secretly hoped.)

"They do all go here, they're not in this house though." She says, her voice still a bit low as she began to open her can of worms. "...I will say... They all live in Alpha." She says with a shrug, leaning back in her chair, her eyes still absently scanning for her lost USB drive.

Keep Your Beans Cool || Angela & Jaiden

@ja1-d3n

[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden was listening intently, believing Tara fully... For the most part. When she trails off, she tilts her head, and the worry rises again for just a moment. "Sometimes...?" She repeats quietly, wondering if Tara would actually finish that sentence, but suddenly, Tara is physically melting into her mattress, becoming a puddle of herself at the thought of her mother finding out. She gritted her teeth together anxiously. She didn't know what to say that wouldn't completely out herself. "I doubt she'd find out..." Is all she could manage to say.

She listens intently, her heart falling into a pit in her stomach as she says that its hopefully just about her kissing people. It... Really was just about that, wasn't it? The guilt was creeping up on Jaiden like a snake approaching a mouse. And suddenly, guilt becomes fear, snaps its jaws around Jaiden's neck as Tara tells her that Rose wanted to go to the Deans over this. Her face is unaffected, her concerned expression remaining for the sake of Tara, and herself of course. Fuck. How far did this all go? "The Deans..? I mean, I get it, but... Fuck, what could they do?" She says in a quiet, calm tone, reassuring herself mostly that there wasn't anything the Deans could do. Right? They weren't tech savvy like her. Right????

Before she can think too hard about it, Tara is staring up at her, big tearful eyes asking if Jaiden's opinion of her has changed. Her heart, still in her stomach, ached pitifully. "I don't think you're gross, and no, I don't hate you." She says with a tilt to her head and a weak smile, not knowing if her words would truly be enough in any circumstance right now. She leans in, laying beside Tara, taking a deep breath. "I could never think anything less of you." And that was true. As much as things became so messy... Jaiden adored Tara. Maybe a little too much.

48 HOURS A.E || TAIDEN

Tara had been living in hell for the last two days, terrified her every move was being watched. She had already noted that the common thread for all the photos was her, and that made her all the more paranoid. And who the hell was the she? Her best guess was Jaiden but… that didn’t make any sense? She knew about her and Schlatt kissing, and the kiss with Rose happened before Tara had even met Jaiden! Why would any of that matter?

She tried not to fixate on it, tried to listen to Schlatt and just pretend everything was normal but she couldn’t. She didn’t feel safe being alone anymore, she was scared of the texts she sent, scared to talk around any electronics, constantly looking over her shoulder. To say the least, she was spiraling. Maybe that’s how she ended up at Jaiden’s door, knocking gently. Maybe she needed a safe place, maybe she needed to get the hell out of Alpha. Either way, she was now standing in front of her door, anxiously knocking. She should have texted before showing up, should have warned her. But her phone was still in her room, locked in a drawer as if that would keep her safe somehow.

@ja1-d3n

[ja1-d3n]

When Jaiden pictured being with Tara for the first time, she thought she had it all planned out. She would take control, she would be the one to make Tara feel good. Now that she was pinned underneath her, at the whim of Tara... Her stomach tightens with the most butterflies she's ever felt.

Jaiden holds eye contact for as long as she could before Tara begins to move again, and her eyes roll back closed as another noise escapes her. Her hips continue to subconsciously move in tandem with Tara's hand, lost in the entire ordeal, lost in her. The noises come steadily now, especially as Tara inserts another digit, and Jaiden huffs out her name between moans. She snakes a hand away from Tara's grasp above her head to just gently cup Tara's cheek, guiding her down to kiss her.

[Text to Jai 🥰❤️]: come outside!!

The text is sent at 11:57pm , three minutes before her birthday.

Jaiden looks at her phone, her mouth slightly agape. Wha? Is Tara okay?? Its so late!! She quickly puts on a baggy sweatshirt and her slides and rushes outside, closing the door of Theta behind her and looking around for Tara.

[ja1-d3n]

Jaiden was so confused lately.

Things were so messy between her and Tara, regardless of how good it felt at the moment. Things felt right, but they were wrong. And of course, the essence of Rose and Schlatt continued to haunt her over her shoulders.

She needed guidance. Someone who has been through the ringer, someone who understands how to create a healthy relationship.

It didn't take long for Jaiden to immediately pinpoint exactly who she wanted to talk to.

--

As quickly as Jaiden figured out who she wanted guidance from, she just as quickly was walking out of Theta house. She didn't have much of a plan, her only plan at this point was hoping that she was there.

She approaches Alpha, reaching the front door and anxiously standing out front of it for a moment. She takes a breath, raises her hand, and gives three sturdy knocks.

She silently prayed. Please don't let Rose, or Schlatt, and especially Tara open the door right now. Just not right now.

Please be Rosanna.

@nerdynumme-rp

Show Me How || Ro & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Show Me How || Ro & Jaiden

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[ja1-d3n]

Things were quiet in Theta house. Jaiden knew that everyone was getting ready to, or has mostly already left for winter break, so she wasn't surprised, but it did feel kind of weird compared to their previous holidays all together. She found herself bored. Almost looking for trouble.

What a perfect idea she had, to bring the birds out of their cages to sit with her while she makes food in the kitchen. It was all going well, the birds were hopping about on the countertop, until Jaiden made a particularly loud noise in moving a dish in a cabinet. Of course, both birds fluttered about a bit, but Tofu...

Ari was perfectly fine after his fright flight, landing back on the counter near Jaiden to preen at his feathers in embarrassment. Tofu had a completely different plan, continuing to flutter and fly upwards in the tall ceilings of Theta, landing perfectly fine on one of the rafters.

Jaiden was mortified. She immediately began cursing under her breath, quietly calling for Tofu and attempting to beckon her down with ANYTHING. Treats, her hand, a toy, but nothing intrigued Tofu to come anywhere near where Jaiden could scoop her up. If Jaiden was just a little bit taller...

"Fucking hell, Tofu!!" She finally exclaims out, frustrated little stomping on the ground as she stares up at the green bird.

@teddy-visi0n

One Flew Over || Ted & Jaiden

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