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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[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.]

[Good with a blade in hand, but how shall he fare with two under his feet?]

I have always wanted to. I read a lot [a lot. A LOT] and watched many [a great many] videos on it, so basically I know it in theory. I have glided on it as a Pokemon, but I feel that does not count.

In any case, this would be an activity best learned by doing. All it requires is a sense of balance.

[She let balancing and ice skating take precedence in her mind over his hand in hers. They were merely using it for support. That's all. Nothing else.]

Ready to try the ice now? [She felt happy seeing him adjust to the skates well. Almost proud, even.]

I see.

[And there was logic in her response, even if he didn't want to outright admit it. He supposed he would have done the same. If he'd truly been interested in something he was ill informed about, he would have read about it to seem less the fool.

He didn't forget the sensation of her very dainty hand in his. But he also didn't capitalise on it. At least not when he was still focusing on maintaining balance.]

We can go when you are ready.

[He couldn't picture himself soaring across the ice personally. In fact, he was pretty sure Chiyo was more suited to that and he could simply stand off to the side, arms folded over his chest, and looking unamused. In fact, he was surprised he hadn't already started that.]

[Taking that as her cue, Chiyo guided him to the ice and paused at the entrance to give him one last glance before taking a deep breath and stepping out. It didn't take long for her to steady herself. Even without the hand holding, balance was her forte and one of very few things she held confidence in about herself.

But it was also at this point where she wondered if they should still be holding hands or not. Certainly, she didn't want to let go for fear if he still needed the support; however... one had to admit how pleasant it was -- though, also anxiety-inducing -- to hold hands with another. Or with the opposite gender. Not that she'd know too well about it considering she lived most of her life with paws and it's not as if animals held each other's paws like humans do. She may have read about it in romance novels, but that's simply reading and not experiencing it firsthand.

...She chose not to make mention of it. Maybe it would be best not to dwell or over think things. ~~But then again, this is Chiyo we're talking about.~~ She did have to hope, though, that her hands weren't sweaty or unpleasant. That would be terribly embarrassing.

Quietly, she went out a little bit further to allow space for Caim to come out and gave him an encouraging smile.]

The best thing to remember is to relax. And to keep your legs as steady as possible. If you need to, you can also hold onto the wall for support. Right now, let's just try to get a feel for the ice by walking before gliding.

[Relax. He was so far from relaxed that it was no wonder the moment he headed out on the ice, he nearly tripped over himself from the very slippery surface beneath him. But to be fair, he was so rigid that it was almost to be expected. Somehow he managed to stay upright after a moment of wiggling his free arm and looking incredibly stupid for about fifteen to twenty seconds.

In other words, fifteen to twenty seconds of him wanting to crawl into a hole and hide until Chiyo forgot that happened. Yet, there was some kind of saying about not weeping over spilled milk and he supposed it was too late for him to start regretting it. Or he could regret it plenty, but he could do nothing to change it. Better to just accept that he wasn't always going to seem invincible.]

...If you insist.

[Why did she want to do this again? Why was he still holding her hand? Why did he even agree to this? WHY DID EVERYTHING MAKE HIM FEEL SO DAMN FOOLISH? There was nothing fun about feeling foolish. Everything was awful.

Well. Not everything. Chiyo's company was the best thing to come out of it.]

I do believe this is far more suited for you.

[She was so surprised when he nearly fell that she gasped and wiggled her own free arm towards him, wondering if she should have helped to hold him upright or not. When he finally steadied himself, her heart settled down. She calmed down enough to think... and bite back a laugh. Seeing him flail like that made him seem a little more human. More... adorable. For lack of a better word.

She took two careful steps to stand beside him and held their hands up high beside her to better support Caim. His last statement delighted her and made her not want to give up on him.]

I believe in you. You can do it. I won't let you go, and I'll stay beside you. Even if we fall, it's okay. It'll all be a part of the learning experience.

Edited 2015-02-23 08:34 (UTC)

[Seeing their hands joined together didn't quite make him feel any better. If anything, it just made him experience an even stranger sensation. What if they started doing that more oft? What if they spent more time together? What if she decided he was the type of man that she wanted to spend more time with?

Caim could easily go on and on and on about how he was well aware that she should be investing her time with more suitable people. But some women were stubborn and uncompromising. Some women just wouldn't tolerate his bullshit, and it wasn't like he didn't need to be put in line every now and then.

Yet Chiyo was so very delicate... "I won't let you go." Strange words from a strange girl, even as Caim found it far easier to slide a blade over the ice slowly and then the other.]

Do you do this... things of this nature with other men here, Chiyo?

[Because he preferred to put her on the spotlight rather than himself.]

[She was humming. All her attention on ice skating and the fact they were both managing well enough without wobbling dangerously. They were gliding! That was an exciting thing in itself. So... her mind did not quite register the implication of her words. ...YET. It was always a silly trait of hers to have certain things fly over her head when she was focused on physical activities.]

I'm sorry. What do you mean? [Not the ice skating, right? Because it was pretty clear a thing of this nature was a first. She also wasn't sure how men had anything to do with it.]

[He was thankful that his attention was on his skates and not her face. It was easier to have that kind of conversation. So when he explained, he was quiet enough for the two of them alone and no one else. For he believed that any words he had to share with her were for her exclusively.]

This kindness you display. While I cannot fault a woman for her generosity, some would take advantage of it or interpret it in other fashions if it is only kindness.

[Being taken advantage of, she knew of. Having her kindness be interpreted in. Other... Fashions?

OH.]

Uh... [Her voice wavered and she was afraid to look at Caim so she kept her gaze on the ice in front of her. Now the hand holding felt super awkward, but she was too scared to do anything about it.

More importantly. How was she to respond to that?]

I... generally try to be nice to all people. I mean, I like to be. [She couldn't address the issue because she didn't know how to. Soon she'd find herself tensing up, which allowed instability settle in her form as they neared the bend. A question rose up high in her mind: Did Caim interpret her kindness in another fashion? In what fasion?]

I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. [Her words were between a high pitched whisper and a squeak.] I've never been asked this before.

[He nodded slowly. Then it was merely kindness, which did allow him to relax ever so slightly.]

No. I had imagined not. It is important that you guard yourself carefully. Not everyone will mistreat you, but some would find your consideration reason enough to do so. I only wished to be mindful of that.

[Although how he felt regarding the matter personally remained to be seen. He had no idea, admittedly. She was a woman for certain and he was a man, and sometimes that was all that needed to be said on the matter.]

Um. [Somehow, she had the vague feeling she might have had a strange conclusion drawn about her. Like...]

I understand, but... [It took a moment to dislodge the word from her throat.] normally. I wouldn't, um...

[She gave his hand a squeeze and looked away.

That. Holding hands. For this long especially. Maybe offer a helping hand, but she could probably safely conclude she'd have let go by now if he were someone else. Like Jolt. Or even Jon. Though if they had asked her to, she'd comply, but Caim didn't and she offered her hand. And... well, she could just go back to her reasoning earlier that the gesture was merely for ice skating. But it was harder to continue that train of thought the longer they held onto each other.]

[It was like a flutter passed over his wrist and coursed up his arm. Instead of pain, which was usually what came with said flutter, it felt nearly numbing. Up to his very shoulder, Caim realised that he didn't understand what such a gesture meant. The moment with Chiyo was nothing like any moment he'd ever had with Ai.

And to be fair, perhaps he might have felt it with Furiae, but... More tears came with the memories of the princess of nothingness. Not his, of course, but hers. Mistletoe certainly had been a thing that year. Mistletoe and forgiveness...]

...Hm?

[Because he didn't understand what she was trying to say, so he visibly loosened his grasp. He didn't need to hold her hand, or for her to hold his.]

I suppose I ought to let that go.

[And he did. Because he was sometimes polite like that.]

It's nothing. Please don't pay much mind to it.

[For Chiyo, she determined that it was perfectly alright for him not to catch what she meant. She wasn't ready to delve into the complications of her feelings and whatnot. She had to note, though, that the lack of his hand in hers left a fragment of emptiness as the chill in the air stole away whatever warmth from his hand remained. Without their hands connecting, she found herself able to relax (to an extent) and regain her composure on the ice to skate with more ease.]

Are you okay skating now? You seem to be doing well.

[It must have been easier for him to let go of her hand than it was for her to let go of his.

He didn't reply immediately, because he was still thinking about the concept of being considerate and generous. He had never really been that kind of person. Perhaps toward his family and Inuart. Beyond that, it was a rare occurrence for him to actually think about anyone else.

But he did find himself thinking about Chiyo's comforts. More than once. And even in the past. Mostly from the moment that she expressed an interest in him that lasted more than a few moments.]

I seem to be, yes.

[He found himself eying his feet again. At least he was moving. Faster than a snail.]

[She couldn't think of anything more to say, so she let her mind wander back on what they originally came for -- ice skating. By putting her focus on it, she found that the motions were effective in calming her mind and spirit. Her worries began to drift away as enjoyment took its place. As she skated, she would occasionally glance at Caim to make sure they kept at the same pace. As mentioned before they began, she wasn't going to leave him.]

[He kept her eye when she looked over to him, though he didn't say anything for he had no intent to distract her. But he did find himself watching her with some thought. It hadn't been the most horrid day, had it? No. Of course not. But it wasn't something he knew how to handle. Spending time with someone in such a fashion.

He supposed he'd probably have to get used to it eventually.

As if merely amused by the thought, he was on the verge of a laugh. Shaking his head, he looked aside, and straightened his posture a bit. It wasn't like wielding a sword at all, but he could see how practise would probably make him quite the contender in time. It helped to be light on his feet. Just a bit.

Finally he looked back over to her, thinking he could afford at least a question.]

...Enjoying yourself?

01. I'm home [Text]

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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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INTERNALLY - THIS ICON. OUTWARDLY - PRETTY MUCH CLOSE TO THIS ICON

That icon, then, is infinitely Chiyo.

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