smashacademy | [013] - Audio/Video

[Between that and his tendency to doze? His insurance payments were going to be through the roof.]

Maybe you can help me pick out a nice car when the time comes? They're expensive, and probably the best thing to do is find the safest one or most economical. But I want one that looks nice too.

[Voile had an eye for style, after all.]

Style I can manage. I don't know anything about cars, though. I could only tell you what I thought looked good. Somehow I get the feeling that physical appearance might not mean anything in the car world, other than making you seem... 'cool.'

[She offered him an apologetic shrug and realised that she couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of specifications came into the world of cars.]

I'm not really very worried about seeming cool? But I don't want to be 'that guy who bought a really ugly car' either.

[Somewhere roughly in the middle of those two extremes worked for him.]

I don't know much about cars either. This year, I'm taking autoshop though. I think that I could learn a lot there about what makes them work, how to fix them, that kind of thing.

The look of the car doesn't matter half as much as it being efficient and useful. I think the specifications of the car matter more than how 'fancy' it looks.

[Voile frowned momentarily and she shrugged once more.] But in the end, I'll be honest with you about what I think of your car choices. When you start looking, just show me the ones you like and I'll give my opinion. I think that's the best way I can do that.

I'd like it if you could! Don't worry - I won't be buying anything really, really fancy. I don't make that much money.

[He wasn't going for the luxury cars, here! Something sensibly priced, most likely second hand. Roomy and gas efficient. He knew enough to know that was where most of your money wound up going.]

I could also use it to help you with the contest hall? If you needed to move supplies between there and the school.

Oh... That is true. That very well could be useful. Although I keep putting off host club and contest things. I better make something for the end of this year since we have not had one for some time...

[And already she was trying to put together what to do, which meant bringing it to the attention of the academy. But inevitably something would come up and distract her. Because that always happened.]

Thank you, Sonny. You're a very good friend.

I'm glad you think so!

[And he was. He did try pretty hard to be a good friend to everyone. But he'd be lying if he said he didn't put in a little extra effort where Voile was concerned.]

I mean, even if I don't have a car by the time you would want to do something for the end of the year, I can still help. I would really like that, actually.

I know you would. When I need help, if I do, I'll be certain to speak up and say so. As much as I try to do things myself, I know that's not always completely possible.

[Soon enough her thoughts turned off of cars and such luxuries and onto more pertinent things...]

Where were we going to eat again?

Oh-ho! You're in for a treat. I think. Hopefully. Um, I booked us a table at The Bomb Flower. It's Goron Ramsay's restaurant in Final Destination. I don't know if you ever see any of his shows, but he's a pretty famous celebrity chef. Gorons only normally eat rocks, but he made a name for himself by learning the cuisines of different cultures and perfecting them.

[Really, it had been lucky for him that he'd called right after another party had cancelled. Usually, it took a while to get a table here and you had to book well in advance.]

The Bomb Flower... [And while she didn't really watch the black box, Voile had been known to read and to cook. Goron Ramsay wasn't foreign to her and she did perk up a bit at Sonny's announcement.]

Really...
That sounds super fancy. How did you even manage that? Why? That's way too much, Sonny. Really gorgeous barrettes and now this. I don't know how to compensate for that, Sonny. I never do anything fancy like that for you. Or anyone, really.

[She frowned prominently, mostly disappointed with herself.]

I managed it by calling this morning. I sort of just tried it on a whim? I know normally it takes a while to even get a reservation but I thought I could at least give it a try. You don't know unless you try, right? And I don't expect you to compensate for it - this isn't... I'm not trying to buy anything from you. 'Here, you take this and that's what I get in return.' That's not... I'm not like that. You know that, right?

[He wasn't exactly happy with her reaction. Not because he was upset WITH her or anything! But because it seemed like he'd somehow upset her by trying to do something nice.]

Why would you need to ask why...?

[Wasn't he obvious enough? Transparent enough? Maybe he'd somehow not been plain with her. Actually, the more he thought about it, the more.... plausible that seemed. What with leaving for a year, coming back, stuff with Marie, stuff with clone Red, stuff in general. Too much stuff.]

I love you. I'd wrap up the world and give it to you for your Birthday if it was mine to give. But it isn't and probably won't ever be and it would probably be kind of a nightmare to wrap it all anyway. So, I just get what I can afford. Jewelry that I hope you'll like enough to wear, and a nice meal somewhere you might not normally get to go and maybe a movie after if we're not too tired. I just... I just wanted to show you that I love you enough to do something that I hope you might enjoy. That's all. I just want you to have a lovely evening.

[Upset? No. Surprised beyond belief, yes. And when he had something more to say to it, she admittedly just felt...

Uncomfortable? Was that even to the point enough to properly convey how she felt over it? She didn't like it so much when he pointed in the direction of him loving her. Not because she didn't love him on some level, but because she was under the impression she'd never be in a position to love him—or anyone else—the way he deserved or needed.

And that was part of the reason she'd told him not to wait for her. That if he had found someone, he had her blessing. It was all making her think of that show she'd heard of. Boy Meets Universe Where All Worlds Conjoin.]

You don't need to go out of your way. That's all I meant. It's flattering that you think of me so. I just don't want you to think you should be impressing me. That isn't necessary...

[The thing was, on some level he did understand that it was a little unfair to say it. She had told him not to wait. He did understand that she needed a little space from his feelings - feelings which were only exactly one half of their combined emotional back-and-forth, after all - but...

...he could hardly help it. It was a personal failing, if anything. And if he were a more mature or experienced person in these matters, he'd understand that sometimes being honest and making sure you were open and transparent to the point of discomfort wasn't for the best. Being understood wasn't as important as being kind. There was a lot he had to learn.

And so, he was waiting. He was the man who would not be moved. And noting the expression on her face as he spoke before made him regret it... but he didn't know how else to be.]

....I'm sorry, Voile. I know I don't. I probably shouldn't. If you don't.... You know, I can cancel the reservation! It doesn't cost me anything and really, if you're not going to enjoy it, there isn't much point, right? We can do something simpler? It's your Birthday! We should do something you're going to find fun, right? Just tell me what you want to do, OK?

[He squished his face into a smile and shrugged like it was no big deal.]

Pancakes? Pizza? Bowling? A cup of tea outside a café?

[She shook her head quickly.]

No. No. You went through the trouble, so I want to go. I don't mind surprises. I really don't.

[The concept of a surprise wasn't what got her. It was usually the value of said surprise. But that was difficult to say. And if she could be honest, she didn't want to have to say it, because it sounded cruel.

Leaning over, she reached up and pinched his chin between thumb and forefinger gingerly.]

Believe me. It'll be fine. Just try not to strain yourself too much in the future. [I'm not worth it.] Simple things are okay too, all right?

[But simple was stuff that they could do any time. Birthdays were supposed to be more than that.

...but he didn't want to argue. He didn't want to make a fuss or complain or correct or struggle. That wasn't his job right now. What he needed to do was concentrate on the Birthday Girl and making sure she had as great of an evening as was possible for him to provide.]

OK. Next year? I'll make sure that if I take you somewhere? It will be somewhere simple. Cross my heart.

[While she didn't reply immediately, she did raise an eyebrow at him. Some mirth found its way into the one eye that wasn't hiding beneath grain hair and she almost snorted. Except that would have been too unlike her to give into.]

I'm interested to know what makes you think either of us will still be here next year. I mean, I applaud the optimism, but still.

Well, because I'm a college student, now? I'm going to finish my schooling! Plus, my job will keep me here while His Burliness is still in Final Destination City.

[Really, he hadn't planned on leaving any time.... well. Ever. Which was strange considering how much was there for him in Pallet town...]

Are you thinking of going somewhere? Back to Lillycove, maybe?

[Voile eyed him very plainly, almost thinking his question was ridiculously insensitive. But it dawned on her that she didn't tell him anything about... much of anything to do with her. And she never really had. He knew the bare minimum and not much else beyond that.

So she looked aside and shook her head.]

There is nothing for me in Lilycove, or Hoenn. One day it would be interesting to go visit other worlds, however. Worlds completely different from Hoenn or the other regions, or here.

Ohhh! Right! We did talk about going to see what your Trainer's world was like that one time. I'd like to see some different worlds too. Places with different kinds of creatures and different ways of doing things. And different foods, of course!

Those poor other worlds wouldn't even have any food once you left.

[She gave Sonny a close look and snorted.]

We'd have to put warning signs on you, Sonny. 'Don't feed this man. He'll never stop eating.'

That's not true! I stop sometimes!

[Wwwwwwait for it.]

I have to sleep for twelve hours a day too! Haha! That's plenty of time for my hosts to make some more sandwiches, right? Or whatever they serve in their world. Did you ever go to that planetary theme park out in space that was really popular for a while a few years ago? There was a whole planet made of candy and cheeseburgers..... maybe I'll just go back there.

[Voile snorted.]

Okay, so you sleep for twelve hours a day and spend the rest of those twelve hours eating. I got it. We can handle that here, but we can't handle that anywhere else. You would put places out of business. Beds. Restaurants.

[But then she offered a casual shrug.] I still think you'd need a friendly disclaimer. You would have to tell people beforehand you were troublesome.

Maybe I should have a waiver printed on a T'shirt and everyone I meet has to sign it in sharpie to prove they've been made aware of how much I eat and that I can't be held responsible for any damages caused?

[Voile, have Phoenix draw it up OK?]

[Hearing him made her laugh.]

Perfect. That will solve all of your potential problems. A professional disclaimer.

Snorlax terms and conditions! That's a really good idea. I'll make sure to have something drawn up before I go on vacation again!

[Actually, it might be a good idea for some other species as well. Charizard terms and conditions could be useful. Squirtle terms and conditions would be smaller but also useful.]

Speaking of eating, we're just about at the restaurant!

[He pointed it out to her - it was an understated looking place. There was a valet standing outside behind a little booth and a doorman with a book of names. Other than that, it didn't stick out or announce its presence. Quiet and classy. The only reason to give it a second look in a city filled with restaurants was if you knew its name and who owned it.]

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