smashacademy | 01. I'm home [Text]

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01. I'm home [Text]

[[OOC: If the involved players would like her DR post to be canon, then this journal post can come after it. I'd be happy to finish those threads there.]]

Hello everyone. For those of you who may not know me, my name is Chiyo and I'm a Vaporeon. I first arrived at Smash Academy two years back and spent, according to the time here, a year away on an unexpected break. If by chance you may be curious as to where I've been, I was away traveling through a few worlds before I was able to find a portal to return here. Speaking of which, portals can be rather complicated to understand and use, so please be careful when you see or plan to use one, okay?

That aside, I'll be in college this year! I'm greatly looking forward to studying, spending time in the library and greenhouse, swimming, and hanging out with friends again. Although I'm saddened to have discovered that several friends I knew have left, I still look forward to making new friends and hope we'll have a pleasant year together.

In the meantime, I'll be taking a walk around the school and will be looking to reunite with some friends. If you'd like to meet or text me, please feel free to do so. I'll have my phone with me and will answer any texts as soon as I'm able.

Again, it's nice to be back. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble when I disappeared. If I did, I'd like to make it up to you. Other than that, hope you have a great day!

Private Text to Mondo:

Hello Mondo. If it's alright with you, could we meet? I'd like to talk to you. If not, then... I'll understand.

Sincerely,
Chiyo

[[OOC: Feel free to make action threads if you'd like to interact with Chiyo on campus.]]

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At least you have the sense to know that. Not all people are as sensible, La—Chiyo.

[If she could call him so casually, then he owed her the same respect in return. And that he could allow, since she was so willing not to oust him.]

I... must assume you are not too familiar with princes and kingdoms of the like. Have they none where you hail from?

There may have been, I've heard of a tale, but none exist now to my knowledge. My fondness for them came from the stories my grandmother, my Pokemon trainer, would read to me. It was because of her that I found my love for reading. I've always admired royal figures.

I see...

[So her only knowledge of royalty came through books. He could appreciate and understand the like for tomes and their stories. But when he considered how little she seemed to know of the regal world, he assumed he shouldn't spoil her fantasies for her. Who knew how much she really had, after all.]

Books romanticise the truth. You should try to remember that.

I do, though I suppose it's out of habit that I don't. Or perhaps, it's just the part of me that wishes to see the good.

[She wondered if his words held any indication of how he viewed himself. A prince commenting that books romanticized the truth, especially when they were on the topic of royalty, seemed to convey he didn't quite agree with their depictions. He probably did not see himself in a good light, she assumed after some thought.]

The world I mentioned earlier, with the many kingdoms and royal houses... as beautiful as it could have been, it was filled with strife. I... [She almost didn't want to mention it, but it was about time she started coming to terms with it.] I saw a war there. The devastation and the people of power who caused it. I nearly lost hope in humans. However, no matter how dark, there was someone to rise up against it all, to do what was necessary. To bring back peace, order, or maybe to simply just put an end to evil. I'd like to think that could be the case for most warring worlds. I left before the war concluded though, so I know not of how it ended.

[She quieted for a second, debating her next question, and simply decided to go for it.]

Caim, do you not think well of yourself?

Edited (Rephrasing the question. I am nervous) 2015-01-21 08:56 (UTC)

I would be inclined to agree. That is the case for most warring worlds, from personal observation.

[Once more, she quieted him with some thought. He didn't think well of himself and he had reason to feel that way. But it wasn't necessarily something he wanted to dive into. Not with her and not much of anyone. The whole point of a past was to leave it in the past, right? He could hardly say. Because his past still controlled him.

And he let it, he supposed. Like a never ending punishment in a nightmare.]

Hm. I have done things that were necessary and things that were not. It would be difficult to claim pride in the latter.

Mm... I see. [She chose not touch on the matter any further.] Well... I think highly of you. And not because you are a prince. You've always been there to help me whenever I needed it, and for that, I'm always grateful. Even earlier you kindly told me I could look to you for help. I think you are rather kind, in spite of what you may think or have done.

[She looked at him sweetly - bashfully too - wondering if her words would mean anything to him.]

In many ways I am certainly not the man I was when I arrived here.

[He had to agree with her. In several ways, Caim had grown considerably kinder. But was it Ai's fate? Was it losing Furiae once more? Was it Mac's compassion? He had no way of knowing and he tried hard not to think about it so extensively. There was nothing he enjoyed about trying to understand the 'how's and the 'why's behind it all.

It didn't help that there was likely no point in discovering the source. The only good it would do would be to allow him undoing all of the so-called progress he'd made as an individual.]

You may not always be so pleased to stand at my side or to walk with me the way you are now. Yet if a day comes where I make you think otherwise of me, you will have known that it was a possibility.

[She fell silent as there were no words she could think to say. Reflecting back on his words and demeanor, Caim didn't seem sad to Chiyo, but he wasn't happy either. It was as if he were in Limbo with life, unsure of what to do with it. She could be wrong, but her thought was fortified by the fact she had never seen him smile once.]

Caim? [She suddenly found herself with a desire to make him happy. Or at least as close to it as possible. ...Or at least a little? The mood had become somber, so now would be an opportune time to lighten it up. Perhaps a physical activity might be good? She figured they could always go to the shops some other time.] Have you ever been ice skating before?

[He had to appreciate that she didn't press the issue. Even if she had, Caim couldn't have guessed how he might have taken it. So far, he'd been more open with her than he was with most people. But then Chiyo wasn't just anyone and it wasn't like she hadn't known him for some time.

If anything, it was like they were finally catching up after all of the time that had passed between them.

Her question made him raise an eyebrow and he shook his head.] No. It does not seem the sort of pastime I would excel in. [If it didn't involve swinging a sword and messy bloodletting, he probably wouldn't have been very good at it.] Is that something you have an interest in?

It is! [Okay! She got onto something! Hopefully. Now to see if she could build his interest in the activity.] I have always wanted to try [as a human]. Wouldn't you? We could try it together. Hopefully it'll be something you'd like? Sorry if it's a sudden change in plans, but I was thinking it could be something we could both enjoy right now.

[She was a bit anxious, worried he might not take to the idea well. But at the same time, she was excited at the idea of being able to ice skate.]

[No, he thought. It sounds like something I could look the fool in.

He was a fool. He knew that already. Angelus had never seen fit to let him forget it either. There was a difference between knowing he was a fool and demonstrating he was a fool. He had to hold onto some pride somehow, after all.

But at the same time, he didn't really want to disappoint Chiyo either. His hang-ups were not meant to become hers as well and there was no point to punish her for his benefit.]

If it something you have interest in, then yes, you should pursue it. [Which was his way of evading what she'd really asked him. Deflection, in some form of the word, and Caim was master at deflection with or without a sword.]

[He... avoided the question, didn't he? He didn't answer if he'd be interested in it, but if she'd be interested in it. Actually, that meant he turned the question around on her... right?

She almost wanted to sigh at her lack of ability to get things right. Or make good suggestions. Or both.]

I... I was kind of hoping you would try it out with me. We'd both be beginners, but um... n-nevermind. I wouldn't want to push you into it. [Until he mentions that he, himself, would like to go someplace, she'd restrain herself from wanting to go there. (Even though she believed Caim wouldn't be terrible at the activity at all. In the chance that he was poor at it, she'd have never thought him a fool for it.)

Now she felt rather silly for having made the suggestion.]

Then... just the weapons store and cafe. I see them coming up soon. Now that I've seen the city for myself, I feel better about coming again another time. Possibly even on my own if you're not available. [She was certain she couldn't go wrong with that and slowly began leading him to the store.] I hope that's okay.

Edited 2015-01-31 21:30 (UTC)

[And there she went with the disappointment. And there he went with feeling bad for disappointing her. Funny how that worked in a completely unamused fashion. As he listened to her, he heard familiar words he'd heard several times before. Mostly from younger years when days were easier and less likely to fall into ruin.

Cocking an eyebrow, he shook his head in disbelief.]

If you give up that easily, how will you ever obtain something you want. [He found himself patting the hand she had upon his arm.] You said you wanted to try, so we will try. Own your words and your sentiments, Chiyo. That is also strength in a way. While you can look like a flower, and you do, you should not underestimate your desires.

[Because sometimes alliances meant compromising.]

[His words spoke true. She always did give up easily, especially when it came to requesting something of others. To her, it felt like she would be pressuring others to do what she wanted. And she didn't have the heart for it.

Her hand almost responded to his touch. She glanced at it, contemplating. Her awareness of him growing evermore. Saying she looked like a flower made her face burn.]

You're right. [She said quietly.] And very kind. I'll... I'll try by best to be better about it. Thank you, Caim.

Edited 2015-02-01 08:46 (UTC)

[There she went again about his suppos'd kindness. Except he still didn't know where she was pulling that from. He wasn't kind at all. He was a beast. He was a monster. He was a once charming prince bathed in the blood of children, in the blood of his very sister... And willingly he would have bathed in the very blood of his best friend.

Nothing about that said he was kind. Yet he kept his argument to himself, thinking it far more the better.]

That is nothing to thank me for. [Which was as close to modesty as he was going to get.] I have no interest in seeing you fall over for someone else's comfort. People may say to refrain from being selfish, but a selfless person only degrades himself for the sake of others and there is nothing practical in that.

[After a moment, he continued.] Besides, you look far lovelier with a smile than you do with disappointment.

[He defined her perfectly well, but could she consider herself purely selfless and true? Certainly, she degraded herself a lot - all the time, really - but was it entirely for the sake of others?

No. It was not. Years of loneliness left a hole in a her heart with a desire to be loved. To be noticed. In her mind, if she gave her love to others, gave herself to others, eventually life would have it that love is what she will receive. And she did receive it from special individuals. The only major downside to her belief and personality was that, by giving her love and attention to others, she gave none of it to herself. Which in turn enhanced her lack of self esteem and worth.

Which ultimately rendered her unable to easily accept compliments and never expect them in return. Compliments towards herself were hard to believe, even if she wanted them. Such were the complications and confusions of life.

For a short time, she didn't speak, thinking of his last comment. She worked up a small smile.]

I think... you would. Look lovely with a smile, too.... [She peeked at him. Was that a weird thing to say back?]

[Truth be told, Caim had no idea what he looked like when he was smiling. He'd never been faced with a mirror while doing so and only on the rare occasion did he even feel his lips begin their subtle upturn. Perhaps that was to say that in lapses of sanity, he had no real conscious to rely on. He supposed he even could have theorised that it was Furiae's companionship that had kept him in a somewhat proper mental faculty.

Or perhaps Angelus.

Unsure of what to say in response, he kept himself quiet a few moments longer. And then with a clear uncertainty, he patted the hand she had upon his arm. There was no offence in her words and he knew that. He took none. But it was almost like being paid a compliment. Being good with a sword was fine. Praise for anything else seemed... just about unheard of.]

It would seem I do not do such too often. [Or really at all, if he was honest with himself.] Yet it would also seem that many things change with time. I suppose that means there is 'hope' for me yet.

["There's always hope." she would have liked to say, but kept the words to herself. Instead, she simply settled for remaining silent, reflecting on the words they shared that day thus far. Eventually....]

Ah. The ice rink.

[Chiyo could hear the sounds of laughter from the rink and see the smiles of the skaters. The atmosphere slowly started to uplift her mood.]

Mind if I treated you to this? Being that it was my idea and all. What are your shoe sizes? I'll happily get them for you.

[She was uplifted by the laughter and the enthusiasm. He felt a little closer to the sensation of awkward. Even more so by her offer.

Caim didn't say anything immediately. Instead, he simply stared at her, for it was an offer no one had ever extended to him before and he didn't know how to interpret it.]

If... you must. [He paused momentarily.] That is, if you should like to. Although I assure you that it is not so necessary.

[The staring was a little unsettling, but she was glad to hear him respond.]

I'd like to. To reiterate, I would be very happy to.

[She was going to be adamant about this, especially since he told her to own up to her words. Looking at him expectantly, she asked again:]

So... shoe sizes?

[She'd be happy to. What an odd girl.

Her question made him eye his shoes with some thought. He couldn't say because he didn't know. And it was a little awkward to remove his greaves, for they were no simple thing to remove. And they were a bit bulky, even if they didn't look it. But he didn't seem to have any other option.

He removed one and offered it over to her.]

I could not say. I would not know. This will not say either, but you may use it as comparison.

[Of all the things that could happen that day, Chiyo was most (maybe not most since finding out his princely status was superiorly mindblowing) stupefied by Caim removing his greave and offering it to her. It was not a response she had been expecting. At all.

She stared at it for a moment before looking at Caim, and then back to the greave again. Tentatively, she accepted it and was surprised at the weight he wore upon his feet.]

Um. I'll... be right back. Why don't you go ahead and take a seat? I'll take care of everything.[ He couldn't possibly be comfortable standing like that with only one greave. Hopefully, he wasn't feeling too, too awkward.

Therefore, with haste, Chiyo did her best to get all that was needed. Bearing through the strangeness of bringing up a greave to the rental counter for measurement and comparison, she finally managed to work out the proper size of skates for Caim and purchased some socks for him (just in case!). Getting her own gear was no trouble at all and she hustled back to where Caim was.]

Here, these are for you. [Handing his gear over, she had to wonder if he had any experience with laces and push-button adjustable buckles. Well, if he seemed quiet and unmoving for a time, she'd offer to help. She didn't want to appear patronizing by asking. If he seemed alright, then she'd follow suit and put on her skates.]

[Considering that he still wasn't sure how much he treated Chiyo, or if he trusted her at all, Caim sat even awkwardly. He looked out of place. Of course he did. Going anyplace with a lot of people meant he was going to stand out in a ridiculous fashion. But all the same, he did as Chiyo requested and waited patiently, careful to give only brief investigative glances. He didn't want anyone catching his eye for too long.

He was a prince of nothing and a prince of nothing neither deserved nor desired that kind of attention.

When she returned he eyed the skates she offered him. And it seemed straight forward enough. Laces were a common part of leather boots. And the ladies. Ladies had their dresses with their intricacies. Caim wasn't foreign to it at all and after he removed his other greave along with the lighter armour he had adorning his legs, he slipped on his skates. And in no time at all, he found himself perfectly prepared.

And completely unaware of how he'd manage once he actually got onto his feet. But all the same, once he was done with each meticulous lacing, he found himself looking over to her expectantly.]

[She was glad to see that he had no trouble at all with the skates and slowly stood up. To test her balance, she took a couple of steps in place. Perfect. Just a tiny wobbling, but nothing detrimental. Hopefully the ice would prove to be the same. Or better. Smiling, she turned towards Caim and extended a hand in case he needed the assistance to stand.]

Ready? Let's start off slowly first. I heard that it helps to walk around in the skates before getting on the ice. Walking allows you to get comfortable with your skates and adjust your balance on them.

[As if oblivious to the very nature of things, Caim merely stared at her hand. Like it was nothing short of a serpent, waiting to snap at him. And eventually, putting a good deal of thought into the action, he took it, only to help himself up. And then he continued to hold onto it, only after a quick perusal for him to note that no one of any immediate importance would behold the two of them together.]

...You said you have not done this before and yet you sound more confident, as if you have.

[Caim eyed her suspiciously and tipped his head with some thought before he took a step. And then another. And then supposed that she wasn't all wrong. There was some need to adjust to the added weight and the rather odd lines supporting him, as if he had no feet at all and merely stood on swords.]

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Moly hoses, her comment totally COULD have been offensive! I did not see that at all. lol.

HE DIDN'T TAKE IT OFFENSIVELY.

Haha, I know, but it was just funny to realize it so late. XD

It's better than realising a typo too late that you can't fix. :<

True dat.

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