fandomhigh | Carpe Diem: Making Your Lives Extraordinary, Period 4, Class 7

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Carpe Diem: Making Your Lives Extraordinary, Period 4, Class 7

"Last class, kiddies," Drake said. "Gather 'round, because I'm going to tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a little boy who was half-human, half-demon. He got picked on by all the other demons because he was a half-breed, so he vowed to be the biggest baddest demon he could and make them all respect him. Now this demon had a BFF, we'll call him Drake, who told him, 'Buddy, this isn't right, this isn't you, this isn't who you really want to be. You're just going to make yourself miserable trying to please people who aren't worth it.' But the demon said 'Grrr argh' and went about his evil business and was generally miserable and unpleasant. That is, until he met a pretty little witch and fell in love and realized Drake was right, as he always was, and that he was only being all demony to impress the other demons, not because that was what he really wanted. So he gave up being evil, embraced his human soul, and they...well, they didn't entirely live happily ever after because his former boss kept coming after him and eventually possessed him and then he died and came back and went a little crazy and died again but not really. But that's not the point...well, maybe partially the point because even while he was 'dead' he was watching over his witchy love and sent his BFF to make sure that said witchy love didn't give up on love and that her witchy sister who totally doesn't teach here didn't lose her love, either, and then the BFF cheated and let the witches know just who was watching out for them and maybe they should reach out and help him and then they'll live happily ever after.

"But I digress. So what is the point? The point is, be true to yourself. You know who you are -- though sometimes you may have to search for that -- better than anyone else. You're going to get pressure from your family, your friends, your employers, everyone around you. You're going to tangle with duty and destiny and things that scare the crap out of you. You're going to struggle with a need to be accepted and to fit in. But trust yourself. Trust your heart. You know what you want and what you need better than anyone else ever will. Don't wait until it's too late to do what you want to do. You're all capable of great things, even those of you who aren't magic or mutants or from another planet. And you'll all be pushing up daisies one day, so don't waste any time to make your mark. Carpe diem, seize the day, and make your lives extraordinary. As a very wise man once said, 'Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy Shit, what a ride!"'"

Drake fluttered a hand at his throat. "I'm a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves."

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"And he's really okay with that?" Not like she was going to judge or anything, but an honestly good demon? One who was all about love and stuff? Seemed like such a damn waste. "But then, I guess, that's sort of the easy part, huh? As opposed to, say, the people he's leaving behind who are gonna miss him."

Kennedy looked down, kicking the toe of one boot at the floor.

"'cause, really kind of think there's gonna be a lot of those."

"If he could, he'd stick around this place for a hell of a lot longer," Drake said, his tone growing more serious. "But he knew what he was getting into when he made the deal he made. One soul, one year of life."

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't want people to be sad. This is what I wanted. I'm going to miss everybody like hell, though."

"Yeah. Not to speak for everyone, but..." Kennedy shrugged her shoulders vaguely and gave him a crooked half-smile. "It's pretty mutual. And you're just going to have to deal with some sadness, 'cause... because. It'd be kind of unfair to ask us not to be, you know? Just take it as a compliment."

Which was unusually deep, for her, so she tried to play it off.

"Was it worth it?"

"Oh, trust me, I'm totally taking it that way," Drake said. "Some even more so than others." Like anybody who walked in with a prejudice against demons.

"It was totally worth every second," he went on. "I've been alive for just over 200 years, and this last one was the best one ever."

Kennedy just nodded, not sure where to begin asking about that. (The 200 years bit was throwing her a little, too, granted.) She was pretty sure 200 years wasn't even a possibility for her, and trying to make the most of what she estimated at maybe 25 made for a pretty long list already.

"Did you get it done?" she had to ask, though. "The BFF favor thing, I mean?

"This past weekend," Drake said. "Great thing about shimmering? I could do that, crash a wedding in Canada, and make it back to do radio all in the same day. But yeah, kept three witches from losing their faith in love, made sure one actually kept her husband from being taken away from her, and hopefully made a difference in whatever fate the Colethazor has. He's kind of stuck in limbo, and not the fun drinking way too much and falling over trying to slide under a pole kind of limbo."

"Showoff," Kennedy mock-grumbled, shaking her head. "You know, I totally didn't get what you were going on about before, about love all the time, but... now, I think I can say it sounds like you kicked some ass. In your own special Drake way."

"I don't just give love lip service when I talk about it," Drake said. "I believe in the whole package. Love can make you capable of some amazing things."

"Hey, I believe you." Kennedy held her hands up. "Seriously, I do."

She smiled slightly, but that was only a momentary restraint before she broke out into a full-fledged grin. "Guess you taught me something after all."

Drake snapped his fingers to conjure up his bucket list and crossed something off. "Excellent!" he said. "I mean, I knew I could, but getting you to admit it was the goal."

"Wait, what?" she blurted out, laughing. "Oh, come on, like hell that was seriously on the list. Was it?"

And you know, it wasn't even all that grudging when Kennedy admitted, "You're not a bad guy. In fact you're pretty damn cool, and that's not even a statement that gets disclaimered for demon."

Drake turned the paper around and showed her where it said "Make Kennedy admit she actually learned something." Whether it had been there a moment ago wasn't clear.

"Thanks," he said. "That totally means a lot to me."

"You totally just put that there," Kennedy countered, joking more than actually objecting. "Not that it matters, since I'll let you have the checkmark anyway."

She took a long, slow breath. "So a week and a day. I'll have to drop in and see you one more time before then."

"I'll be around," Drake promised with an easy smile. "And Caritas needs a few more love songs with zombie backup before I go."

"I'm not a great singer," Kennedy volunteered with a stunning amount of modesty (though it was true; she couldn't do much more than carry a tune, and even then there were some stumbles along the way), "but if you want a little extra backup that doesn't need to be taped up..."

"So that probably rules out a duet of 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart,' huh?" Drake teased.

He'd be Kiki Dee.

Oh, please, like Kennedy would wear those glasses.

"So does," she retorted, grinning. "The Beatles, maybe, I could do. No Elton John, though, uh uh."

"Beatles it is then," Drake said. "You're on. I'm totally holding you to this, you know. And if you try to back out I'll come back from the grave and sing Britney Spears to you while you try to sleep."

Kennedy absolutely wouldn't put that past him. "Oh, don't you even. Come on, I said I would!"

Drake grinned. "Try me. Oops! I did it again, I played with your heart, got lost in the game, oh baby, baby...."

Kennedy smacked a hand over her face. "Oh, god. Stop. Please? This is me actually begging and that's never gonna happen again."

She... could have phrased that better. Or not.

Drake stopped with the singing and snapped his fingers with mock disappointment. "I should've put that on my list, too," he said.

"Bet there's still space for it," Kennedy pointed out in good enough humor. "Wouldn't want to cheat you out of a bonus last-minute item."

"True, but I'm trying to keep it to one item per person or I'd run out of time," Drake mused. "Besides, making you admit you learned something is so much more satisfying than begging."

"And marginally less embarrassing." Kennedy arched an eyebrow at him. "Oh, come on. I'm totally worth a bonus item."

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Carpe Diem: Making Your Lives Extraordinary, Period 4, Class 7

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