01. I'm home [Text]

[almost_a_mermaid]

[[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.]]

Comments

[almost_a_mermaid]

[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.]

[bloodycrow]

[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.

[almost_a_mermaid]

[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.

[bloodycrow]

[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.]

[almost_a_mermaid]

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.]

[bloodycrow]

[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.]

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

[almost_a_mermaid]

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.

That icon, then, is infinitely Chiyo.

[bloodycrow]

[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.]

[almost_a_mermaid]

[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.]

[bloodycrow]

[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?

[almost_a_mermaid]

Yes. Everything is as I hoped it would be. [She smiled at him, clearly expressing the satisfaction and joy she felt at that moment.] Today has been very enjoyable, and still is.

[Though stimulating and, to an extent, somewhat weary on the nerves.]

...Are you enjoying yourself?

[She certainly hoped he did. She always worried about how others felt and that sometimes she might not be the most entertaining of people to be with. Strangely, as much as she wanted to talk to Caim, her mind couldn't formulate much for her to say. And though she wished to get to know him more, she didn't want to burden him with endless personal and prying questions. It also made her anxious to think of how Caim would judge her based on what she says. His opinions of her mattered greatly to Chiyo. Sometimes, she'd rather remain silent than feel the fool with regret for something she should have kept still within herself.

However, that could also work both ways. But, due to her lack of courage, she would normally always doubt herself into said silence.]

[bloodycrow]

[Was he enjoying himself?
Was he enjoying himself?
Was he enjoying himself?

Why did pop quizzes always come up at the wrong time?

Caim eyed her for a few moments and he finally nodded, though he wasn't wholly certain of a real answer, or how to phrase it. As he glided along in a mostly languid manner, he replayed the day. It was of surprising ease and comfort. He wasn't accustomed to such an easy-going lifestyle, or someone liking his company the way Chiyo seemed to.

In fact, all of it was hard for him to accept.]

It has been an interesting day. In a good way. I am... pleased that we did this.

[almost_a_mermaid]

[That was good to hear! It brought great relief to hear that and a sense of accomplishment for not making this day a miserable one.]

I'm pleased, too! And happy to know that.