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Description
Groggy, tired, and not arsed in the slightest, Xephos made his way to the main bit of the museum and towards Honeydew's office to tell him about the newest trip his tutor had announced on the group chat. He was excited, even though he knew what the man would say about handing in his essay.
He knocked on the door and waiting for the reply, the door slowly opened to reveal Honeydew, sat in his desk behind him were two business looking men.
"Hey uncle Honeydew... You busy?" He asked, glancing at the men as he help his satchel strap.
"Just a tad... Come back in about ten minutes, I think Lalna wanted to see you about the artifact anyway." Honeydew smiled, though it was a false one, and not hard to tell that much. Xephos gave a small understanding nod and glanced at the business men as he turned and walked away, hearing the door close behind him as he made his way to Lalna's.
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Lalna was a blonde man, not as old as Honeydew but on his way there, he was smart, and liked to crack jokes a lot. he was more like the joking uncle, the one who was a 'bad influence' when it came down to it. He would be the one convincing Xephos to go on these trips all the time, and to see what mysteries he could find. He was also the guy he got most of his information and maps from.
He smiled as he walked in, noticing Lalna mumbling to himself. "Sup uncle Lalna." He said, jumping up so that he was sat on one of the counters. "Got some info for me?"
"Ah yes, hello Xeph." The scientist walked over, bringing over sketches and different books of the stone tablet the boy had acquired the other day. "Now, this tablet has mostly been referred to in Mayan culture, dating back quite far, but as time went on, they began to venture to different places. This tablet, was one of five seperate tablets, demonstrating the way back to the Mayan civilization, that only the Mayan race could read and understand." Lalna stated showing Xephos a paragraph from the book. "And guess where the other four are."
"No idea." Xephos said, too tired to think of anything witty to say.
"Well, one of them, is right here." He walked over to another desk, where there were a bunch of rocks in a tray with strange patterns over the front. "Another is next to you." He said, pointing to the one Xephos had recently brought back. "Another is at a different museum in China, and the last two are as far as I know in there original locations." Lalna said, smiling.
"Well done uncle lalna, you managed to crack it."
"It took a few hours to find out what race the symbols belonged to, but after that it was easy to find the rest of the stuff out. Thank you for bringing it back Xeph." Lalna patted him on the shoulder and walked back over to what he had previously been doing.
"What's that you're up to?" Xephos asked, jumping up off the side and walking over. Lalna placed some papers ontop of it.
"Ah, nothing you'd be interested in Xeph, boring... Paperwork and such. Blah. We all know how much you hate your paperwork." Lalna smiled.
"Well you got that right." Xephos smirked. "Anyway, I bet uncle Honeydews done now so, see ya later!" He turned and walked out.
Lalna sighed and looked back to what he had hidden. "All the time I've known him... Still a mystery..." He mumbled, before turning and beginning to work on something else.
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As Xephos walked back up to Honeydew's office, he heard some bickering from inside and decided to wait. He could overhear one of the business men talking.
'No buts Mr Dwarf. This new artifact of yours just isn't cutting it. No money, no more funding. The museum will be shut down.'
Xephos furrowed his eyebrows, and glared slightly at the door. It then opened and the business men stopped in their tracks. "Can we help you?" One asked, rudely.
"Clearly not." Xephos answered, without even thinking.
"Aren't you the kid that bought back the newest artifact? And a few others?" The other asked. Xephos loosened his glare a bit.
"Yes..." He answered. The men smirked to each other.
"That's really good! But maybe next time you'll bring back something of actual value!" The first, rude guy said, patting him on the shoulder before barging past, knocking him in the shoulder. The second man scurried after the first.
Honeydew had to stop Xephos as he went to turn round and shout after them, and then pulled him round and looked at him, sighing.
"Its ok Xeph..." He said, sighing again.
"They can't talk to you like that! They can't threaten to close this place!" The boy shouted, getting a few looks from around. "Xeph..." Honeydew said, and the kid stopped talking, looking slightly down from Honeydew's look, tears in his eyes. He slowly started to walk away, when Honeydew stopped him. "Xeph, stop, come on... Not here..." He said kindly, pulling him into his office and closing the door. The kid sat down at the desk, and his uncle still stood by the door. "Xeph... Are you sure you're not upset about what he said to you...? Not what he said to me?"
Xephos didn't answer.
Honeydew sighed again, and walked over, sitting behind the desk. He looked to the kid, who was looking down at the desk, not saying anything, his features showing distance, and hurt. "Xephos... Look at me..." Honeydew said. The kid looked slowly up at him, though as soon as he did he felt tears welling in his eyes. "I know how much you've done for this museum... I know what you've done. And we really appreciate it... But unfortunately the bank still doesn't think were bringing in enough money... I'm sorry but... Its the truth... And it is ok to be upset by what they said to you... You don't have to pretend to be ok all the time..." He finished, and noticed the kid wasn't looking at him anymore. He did a small, understanding smile as he noticed that his nephew had put a hand to the bridge of his nose and tears had begun to trickle down his cheeks. "Its ok Xeph..."
"No its not!" Xephos blurted out. "How is it!"
"There's nothing we can do for now..."
"Oh yes there is." The kid stood up, new found determination in his voice and stance. "There's another trip. Next week. I'll find the best most valuable artifact I can and I'll bring it back here. And the museum won't close." He stated, fresh tears welling up.
"Xeph..." Honeydew gave a small sad chuckle. "I admire your enthusiasm... And your dedication... But..."
"No buts. This is what I'm doing." Xephos said, and with that, turned and walked out of the room, and back towards his dorm. Though when he got inside he felt all the emotions come back, all the anger and hurt he had felt to what that man had said to him, and then when he barged into him. He sat on the sofa resting his head in his hands and gripping his hair slightly as fresh tears worked there way down his cheeks. Maybe they were right...?
------------
Showing up to class late had become a habit of Xephos'. But this time, he just dawdled down the corridors towards his lecture, having quickly typed out and printed his essay, which was now blotched with small tear patches. He figured his tutor may be a bit more convinced to let him go to the trip if he finished his assignment early.
"You seen Xeph?" Exza whispered to Nova, who shook his head. Exza would sometimes be a part of their lesson, seen as she enjoyed learning new things and was part of the course.
"Speak of the devil..." Nova said as the door slowly opened and Xephos walked in. Everything had been quiet before, but his slow, unwilling entrance had made the silence hang there like a raindrop not quite heavy enough to fall from an edge.
"Looks like he's been crying..." Nova added, noticing the redness of his friends eyes, the tear stains down his cheeks.
"Probably best not to ask Nova..." Exza said, sensing the situation was sensitive.
"Alright." Nova answered as his friend apologised for being late and then walked solemnly to the seat next to him.
He was getting out his books and pens when Nova decided to say hi, and for the rest of the lesson Xephos seemed to feel a little better.
At the end he walked over to the tutors desk, assignment in hand, and shakily asked for a minute of time.
Nova and Exza had decided to wait outside, and the tutor agreed.
"I'm... Sorry I was late I was just... Trying to finish this..." He said, slowly and shakily handing over the papers.
The tutor skimmed the paper over his half rimmed glasses, and looked back up at him, as he stood there, shaky, looking slightly down. Not as confident as usual.
"Is this about the trip Xephos...?" He asked, placing the papers down on the desk and folding his arms, his tone more caring than usual.
"Maybe... I sorta figured I'd get it done before I went that way... I wouldn't have to worry about not having enough time to do it... I answered everything as best I could I swear... I did the best I could... I know its probably not as good as you want it to be bu-"
The tutor raised his hand. "Xeph... Its fine the way it is. I can see clearly that you understood what you had to do... Now... I will allow you to go on this trip, IF... You bring back no less than ten pictures of the runes you're supposed to be digging up, and the other things you find while you're there. Now. Here's one of the universities cameras, I trust you'll be careful with it." He went into his desk and held up an old looking, big lensed camera, handing it over. He didn't let go however. "And Xeph... If there's ever anything on your mind..." He gave a small nod and half a smile and Xephos nodded a little in return.
------------
"So he gonna let you go?" Nova asked as Xephos walked from the room.
"Yeah as long as I take some pictures." Xephos smiled back.
"Oh, Xeph, just gonna be me and you for movie pizza night tonight, Nova has to catch up with all the work he missed while falling asleep in class." Exza said, nudging Nova who looked at her.
"What it was a boring lesson!" He answered defensively.
"Thanks Exzy but... I think I'd much rather be alone tonight... If that's ok." Xephos interrupted.
"Oh no problem, we do it all the time so." Exza answered, smiling.
------------
After lunch the three went different ways, Exza went to her art class, Nova went to catch up on his work and Xephos went back to his room.
While looking out of his window, down at the same cobble street, a lit cigarette (that Exza had decided to roll him before she left) in his hand, and the other resting on the windowsill, he sighed.
What if he couldn't find something valuable? He'd always been looking for that special thing. Something to finally make sure the museum was ok. Everything he had bough back was great, it had caused a lot of money to be bought up and donated, but just not enough. He ran his fingers through his hair and then stubbed the fag end out, before walking to the door as there was a knock.
"Hi Exzy..." He said, noticing who it was.
"Heyyy... Look I know its hard to tall about... Serious stuff around Nova... But if you need someone to talk to... You know where I am." She smiled. "So, here's the pizza, and here's a couple of fags, and here's a case, enough to last you for your trip... And I doodled something for you." She handed over these different things and then Xephos looked at the drawing. It was a sketch of him dressed as Indiana Jones. Xephos couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks its amazing." He smiled up at her. "I'll see you soon ok..." He said.
She nodded, and with that gave a small smile and look to say 'you can always talk to me if you want', before leaving.
He closed the door and walked towards the bedroom, it was getting dark now, and he quickly brushed his teeth, got changed, and flopped down onto his bed, ready for sleep. Though, safe to say like most nights, sleep didn't come very easily... And it didn't come to be friendly.

Description
Groggy, tired, and not arsed in the slightest, Xephos made his way to the main bit of the museum and towards Honeydew's office to tell him about the newest trip his tutor had announced on the group chat. He was excited, even though he knew what the man would say about handing in his essay.
He knocked on the door and waiting for the reply, the door slowly opened to reveal Honeydew, sat in his desk behind him were two business looking men.
"Hey uncle Honeydew... You busy?" He asked, glancing at the men as he help his satchel strap.
"Just a tad... Come back in about ten minutes, I think Lalna wanted to see you about the artifact anyway." Honeydew smiled, though it was a false one, and not hard to tell that much. Xephos gave a small understanding nod and glanced at the business men as he turned and walked away, hearing the door close behind him as he made his way to Lalna's.
------------
Lalna was a blonde man, not as old as Honeydew but on his way there, he was smart, and liked to crack jokes a lot. he was more like the joking uncle, the one who was a 'bad influence' when it came down to it. He would be the one convincing Xephos to go on these trips all the time, and to see what mysteries he could find. He was also the guy he got most of his information and maps from.
He smiled as he walked in, noticing Lalna mumbling to himself. "Sup uncle Lalna." He said, jumping up so that he was sat on one of the counters. "Got some info for me?"
"Ah yes, hello Xeph." The scientist walked over, bringing over sketches and different books of the stone tablet the boy had acquired the other day. "Now, this tablet has mostly been referred to in Mayan culture, dating back quite far, but as time went on, they began to venture to different places. This tablet, was one of five seperate tablets, demonstrating the way back to the Mayan civilization, that only the Mayan race could read and understand." Lalna stated showing Xephos a paragraph from the book. "And guess where the other four are."
"No idea." Xephos said, too tired to think of anything witty to say.
"Well, one of them, is right here." He walked over to another desk, where there were a bunch of rocks in a tray with strange patterns over the front. "Another is next to you." He said, pointing to the one Xephos had recently brought back. "Another is at a different museum in China, and the last two are as far as I know in there original locations." Lalna said, smiling.
"Well done uncle lalna, you managed to crack it."
"It took a few hours to find out what race the symbols belonged to, but after that it was easy to find the rest of the stuff out. Thank you for bringing it back Xeph." Lalna patted him on the shoulder and walked back over to what he had previously been doing.
"What's that you're up to?" Xephos asked, jumping up off the side and walking over. Lalna placed some papers ontop of it.
"Ah, nothing you'd be interested in Xeph, boring... Paperwork and such. Blah. We all know how much you hate your paperwork." Lalna smiled.
"Well you got that right." Xephos smirked. "Anyway, I bet uncle Honeydews done now so, see ya later!" He turned and walked out.
Lalna sighed and looked back to what he had hidden. "All the time I've known him... Still a mystery..." He mumbled, before turning and beginning to work on something else.
------------
As Xephos walked back up to Honeydew's office, he heard some bickering from inside and decided to wait. He could overhear one of the business men talking.
'No buts Mr Dwarf. This new artifact of yours just isn't cutting it. No money, no more funding. The museum will be shut down.'
Xephos furrowed his eyebrows, and glared slightly at the door. It then opened and the business men stopped in their tracks. "Can we help you?" One asked, rudely.
"Clearly not." Xephos answered, without even thinking.
"Aren't you the kid that bought back the newest artifact? And a few others?" The other asked. Xephos loosened his glare a bit.
"Yes..." He answered. The men smirked to each other.
"That's really good! But maybe next time you'll bring back something of actual value!" The first, rude guy said, patting him on the shoulder before barging past, knocking him in the shoulder. The second man scurried after the first.
Honeydew had to stop Xephos as he went to turn round and shout after them, and then pulled him round and looked at him, sighing.
"Its ok Xeph..." He said, sighing again.
"They can't talk to you like that! They can't threaten to close this place!" The boy shouted, getting a few looks from around. "Xeph..." Honeydew said, and the kid stopped talking, looking slightly down from Honeydew's look, tears in his eyes. He slowly started to walk away, when Honeydew stopped him. "Xeph, stop, come on... Not here..." He said kindly, pulling him into his office and closing the door. The kid sat down at the desk, and his uncle still stood by the door. "Xeph... Are you sure you're not upset about what he said to you...? Not what he said to me?"
Xephos didn't answer.
Honeydew sighed again, and walked over, sitting behind the desk. He looked to the kid, who was looking down at the desk, not saying anything, his features showing distance, and hurt. "Xephos... Look at me..." Honeydew said. The kid looked slowly up at him, though as soon as he did he felt tears welling in his eyes. "I know how much you've done for this museum... I know what you've done. And we really appreciate it... But unfortunately the bank still doesn't think were bringing in enough money... I'm sorry but... Its the truth... And it is ok to be upset by what they said to you... You don't have to pretend to be ok all the time..." He finished, and noticed the kid wasn't looking at him anymore. He did a small, understanding smile as he noticed that his nephew had put a hand to the bridge of his nose and tears had begun to trickle down his cheeks. "Its ok Xeph..."
"No its not!" Xephos blurted out. "How is it!"
"There's nothing we can do for now..."
"Oh yes there is." The kid stood up, new found determination in his voice and stance. "There's another trip. Next week. I'll find the best most valuable artifact I can and I'll bring it back here. And the museum won't close." He stated, fresh tears welling up.
"Xeph..." Honeydew gave a small sad chuckle. "I admire your enthusiasm... And your dedication... But..."
"No buts. This is what I'm doing." Xephos said, and with that, turned and walked out of the room, and back towards his dorm. Though when he got inside he felt all the emotions come back, all the anger and hurt he had felt to what that man had said to him, and then when he barged into him. He sat on the sofa resting his head in his hands and gripping his hair slightly as fresh tears worked there way down his cheeks. Maybe they were right...?
------------
Showing up to class late had become a habit of Xephos'. But this time, he just dawdled down the corridors towards his lecture, having quickly typed out and printed his essay, which was now blotched with small tear patches. He figured his tutor may be a bit more convinced to let him go to the trip if he finished his assignment early.
"You seen Xeph?" Exza whispered to Nova, who shook his head. Exza would sometimes be a part of their lesson, seen as she enjoyed learning new things and was part of the course.
"Speak of the devil..." Nova said as the door slowly opened and Xephos walked in. Everything had been quiet before, but his slow, unwilling entrance had made the silence hang there like a raindrop not quite heavy enough to fall from an edge.
"Looks like he's been crying..." Nova added, noticing the redness of his friends eyes, the tear stains down his cheeks.
"Probably best not to ask Nova..." Exza said, sensing the situation was sensitive.
"Alright." Nova answered as his friend apologised for being late and then walked solemnly to the seat next to him.
He was getting out his books and pens when Nova decided to say hi, and for the rest of the lesson Xephos seemed to feel a little better.
At the end he walked over to the tutors desk, assignment in hand, and shakily asked for a minute of time.
Nova and Exza had decided to wait outside, and the tutor agreed.
"I'm... Sorry I was late I was just... Trying to finish this..." He said, slowly and shakily handing over the papers.
The tutor skimmed the paper over his half rimmed glasses, and looked back up at him, as he stood there, shaky, looking slightly down. Not as confident as usual.
"Is this about the trip Xephos...?" He asked, placing the papers down on the desk and folding his arms, his tone more caring than usual.
"Maybe... I sorta figured I'd get it done before I went that way... I wouldn't have to worry about not having enough time to do it... I answered everything as best I could I swear... I did the best I could... I know its probably not as good as you want it to be bu-"
The tutor raised his hand. "Xeph... Its fine the way it is. I can see clearly that you understood what you had to do... Now... I will allow you to go on this trip, IF... You bring back no less than ten pictures of the runes you're supposed to be digging up, and the other things you find while you're there. Now. Here's one of the universities cameras, I trust you'll be careful with it." He went into his desk and held up an old looking, big lensed camera, handing it over. He didn't let go however. "And Xeph... If there's ever anything on your mind..." He gave a small nod and half a smile and Xephos nodded a little in return.
------------
"So he gonna let you go?" Nova asked as Xephos walked from the room.
"Yeah as long as I take some pictures." Xephos smiled back.
"Oh, Xeph, just gonna be me and you for movie pizza night tonight, Nova has to catch up with all the work he missed while falling asleep in class." Exza said, nudging Nova who looked at her.
"What it was a boring lesson!" He answered defensively.
"Thanks Exzy but... I think I'd much rather be alone tonight... If that's ok." Xephos interrupted.
"Oh no problem, we do it all the time so." Exza answered, smiling.
------------
After lunch the three went different ways, Exza went to her art class, Nova went to catch up on his work and Xephos went back to his room.
While looking out of his window, down at the same cobble street, a lit cigarette (that Exza had decided to roll him before she left) in his hand, and the other resting on the windowsill, he sighed.
What if he couldn't find something valuable? He'd always been looking for that special thing. Something to finally make sure the museum was ok. Everything he had bough back was great, it had caused a lot of money to be bought up and donated, but just not enough. He ran his fingers through his hair and then stubbed the fag end out, before walking to the door as there was a knock.
"Hi Exzy..." He said, noticing who it was.
"Heyyy... Look I know its hard to tall about... Serious stuff around Nova... But if you need someone to talk to... You know where I am." She smiled. "So, here's the pizza, and here's a couple of fags, and here's a case, enough to last you for your trip... And I doodled something for you." She handed over these different things and then Xephos looked at the drawing. It was a sketch of him dressed as Indiana Jones. Xephos couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks its amazing." He smiled up at her. "I'll see you soon ok..." He said.
She nodded, and with that gave a small smile and look to say 'you can always talk to me if you want', before leaving.
He closed the door and walked towards the bedroom, it was getting dark now, and he quickly brushed his teeth, got changed, and flopped down onto his bed, ready for sleep. Though, safe to say like most nights, sleep didn't come very easily... And it didn't come to be friendly.