Description: Out for a lunch date with some friends, Mizuki encounters the inimitable Alma Towazu out at lunch and has a chat with him. Two models in two logs--who woulda thought it?
Alma sighs softly.
~ I think I was lucky to get out of there alive. ~
Leaning back in his wire-frame chair outside his favorite sidewalk cafe, Le Petit Chien, professional prettyboy and modern-day gentleman Alma Towazu quietly sips from an ornate little cup of fine green tea and reflects on recent events, his mild-mannered expression faintly worn.
Well, it's an overstatement, to be sure. Studio Giorgio relies on him too much to ever really throw him out, and he's simply too well-liked and well-trusted to get a /real/ chewing out. He's earned that respect, too, with his dedication and unusually -- for a model, at least -- stable and relaxed personality. But Giorgio's flamboyance has at its core a certain flippant mood-swinging that allowed him to easily forget himself long enough to give Alma a good shouting-at regarding his recent absences.
~ I guess my vacation lasted a little too long... ~
It took some doing, even Alma's natural calm persuasiveness requiring the aid of several other models who chimed in for his defense, but in the end, Giorgio relented. 'I know, I know,' he said. 'I'm sorry, Alma. For one of your age, without a family to back you up, you really do so much. But-- listen-- you could at least call--'
~ Sorry, Giorgio-san... ~
He's not very good at staying in contact with his friends, even those closest to him. Already still feeling the remnants of guilt regarding his failure to stay in touch with Jiro, Alma's sense of self-worth has taken a few more hits today. But it won't be long before he recovers. After all, he decides, he's done the right thing in trying to make up for his mistakes and flaws and approached the people who he's failed. And in coming to see Giorgio face to face and being willing to take what he knew would be an initial dressing-down, he preserved his integrity. As a model, and as a man.
It's a typical Alma conclusion.
But it's one that really has an effect on him, as it always does, and even as he sits there the faint fatigue that was present in his features begins to fade away, his usual little good-natured smile returning. Still gazing down at his reflection in the tea, he studies himself for a few moments more-- and as though deciding he likes what he sees, lifts the cup to his lips and drinks.
It's another beautiful day for Alma Towazu.
She hasn't been at Justice long--but she's already made plenty of friends. Well, plenty may be a bit much, but she has a few that are becoming strong friends. And they have repeatedly insisted on taking Mizuki out to lunch, showing her the sights of the city. Today is a little special; they all have an extra block of time free, one of the perks of being at Justice High. Of course, Gedo students achieve the same by just skipping classes...
but Mizuki is a responsible young woman. She is near the front of a group of four girls--Manami, Chie, and Sanae. None of them fighters, all of them smart. And all fairly typical girls, meaning that they're all very boy-conscious. One might even say... crazy.
The four girls are walking down the sidewalk, chatting amongst themselves, discussing normal things--homework, upcoming school events, movies... when Chie stops.
"Oh my GOD!" she cries, clearly, and audibly, causing all the girls to stop. Mizuki is the first to raise her eyebrows.
"What is it, Chie-chan?" The answer to that--is a pointed finger.
"It--it's him! Alma! The -model-!" Now... Mizuki -knows- that Chie likes Alma. Like, really likes. But he is unattainable, even for the super-elite of Justice. Everyone knows that. That's why the girls--who all like him too--are frozen.
Except for Mizuki; she looks at her friends and blinks a little, then shrugs and approaches the cafe.
"Excuse me," she says, pleasantly, "but--my friend over there," and here she turns to point at Chie, "seems to think that you're Alma Towazu, the model." Mizuki? Well, she gets a good look at him. Handsome, to be sure--and he looks nice enough. But then, she suddenly remembers something.
~ "Sorry to bust your bubble but he's--" ~
"Hm?"
Alma, still smiling slightly to himself, tilts his head toward the girl who has spoken to him, the young man reaches up to smoothly brush any stray red-tinged bangs out of his eyes so they can see each other clearly. He's clearly not much older than Mizuki, his beauty retaining the particular androgyny of male youth that makes the term 'prettyboy' so suitable, but his demeanor as always belies the stereotype. Though she's a stranger, his slight smile seems genuinely friendly as though he's perfectly open to the possibility of them getting along great, but in spite of that mild and hospitable approach his composure remains that of one much older.
That he's able to convey this even in photographs is, of course, the true secret to his popularity with those younger girls-- for which of them are not seeking such a knight in shining armor?
His only armor is a stylishly snug white ribbed zip-up top and blue designer jeans, but he does shine; at least, his hazel eyes and winning smile do at her bold approach. "That's right," he murmurs, and his tone of voice is, if gentle, properly heterosexual, low and effortlessly confident. "I'm Alma Towazu." His gaze shifts to the girls huddled in the background and smiles again, lifting his hand in a little wave, before looking back to Mizuki. "Pleased to meet you, miss...?"
He extends his hand.
And though his expression has certainly not become any less pleasant or open, his eyes appear thoughtful now in a way they were not initially, as though he has found something to ponder within her gaze.
~ This girl's aura-- no wonder she's confident. ~
How interesting.
Mizuki is still standing there, hands behind her back, clasping a small purse between them. The redhead seems utterly unflustered by Alma; she is smiling, as sweet as can be, while the other girls are shocked, amused, or, in Chie's case--fainting into Sanae's arms.
Yes, he -is- pretty... and Mizuki is affected by it (positively) but she's a long way to go to being boycrazy. Gotta have something special for her. Alma might note that, of the four girls, only Mizuki seems to exhibit any sort of fighting aura, though the sense of that aura is fairly dampened, seeing as she isn't in any sort of battle mode. Of course, the baton slung across her back is another good indicator.
"Oh, you are... well, it's nice to meet you," says the young Justice student.
"I'm Kamigawa Mizuki. Ah--actually, I met your friend Jiro the other day, he mentioned you to me... of course, I've seen some of your modeling work too..."
That Mizuki should be standing there calmly talking to the 'hunk'... it has the girls amazed, but they're still too scared to come close. In fact, Chie doesn't seem to be coming 'round, so the girls start to carry her to a kouban, a police box, Sanae calling out, "Mizuki, don't forget we're going to have to go back to school soon!" They all know she can handle herself.
Mizuki's response is to turn and wave to her friends, before turning back to Alma's attention.
Alma's lips part slightly to say something polite in response to learning her name, but he pauses at the comment she soon follows with, his mouth temporarily frozen in place.
~ ...oh, great. ~
That's just the sort of first impression he would want.
"You met Jiro?"
Well, he doesn't let it faze him. As much as he's interested in strange new fighters, Alma remains undismayed at this turn of events. Besides, maybe Jiro didn't talk too much smack.
"I hope that went alright for you; he can be a little abrasive."
She hasn't called him a fruit yet, at least.
Alma grins.
"Well, nice to meet you, Kamigawa-kun. That's a Justice High uniform, right?" He'd mention he knows Gabriel, but he has a feeling she's not exactly part of the cool crowd. Instead he pauses, and tilts his gaze over to where her weapon is slung on her back. "Why the baton?" He has a feeling it's not because she's a drummer.
Upon hearing she's familiar with some of his modeling work, though, his grin widens a bit more, and the handsome youth leans back in his chair and tilts his head, ear stud gleaming golden in the sunlight. "Oh, really? Where did you see it?" he asks good-naturedly. It's perhaps an obscure question, and 'here and there' is surely a suitable answer, but Alma's curious, and knowing whether or not she reads Seventeen or prefers fightsport magazines is an easy way to learn a little bit more about her.
If that aura is any indication, he may start seeing her around.
"Jiro-san was a little prickly but he seemed quite nice underneath it all. He said he was looking for someone... that he was going to fight someone. It sounded important. But he wouldn't tell me anything else." She actually sounds a little dismayed at that; it certainly sounded like something Jiro could use help for.
Mizuki doesn't seem to notice the little pause; perhaps she's just not yet familiar enough with Alma to catch it.
"Yes, I'm a new student at Justice High, I just started last week or so..." Mizuki's body is unadorned with jewelry, not that she needs it; she's pretty and young.
At mention of her weapon, her right hand drifts back to touch the lower end, to reassure herself. "This? This is... for self-defense," she temporizes; she doesn't want to come out and say 'I'm the latest scion of an ancient Japanese family'... it's impolitic. "And I saw it in Vogue magazine... also in an issue of Fighting Street."
Mizuki doesn't seem too concerned about making it back 'on time'.
Self-defense, huh?
She's probably had some weapon-specific training, then-- that would explain her hesitancy. So she's not some vigilante high school girl, which in this town isn't entirely out of the question. Alma's a bit impressed she feels she can get away with carrying a weapon around in high school, though; most kids would be too self-conscious. But then, if she were self-conscious, she wouldn't be talking to him right now; and martial arts training can sometimes beat the self-consciousness right out of you.
"You read Fighting Street? So you follow tournament fighting, then?" He pauses, and then straightens, still smiling mildly. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to just leave you standing there. Won't you sit down for a moment?" He gestures to the wire-frame chair set across from him on the other side of the round glass patio table, and adds rather cheerfully, "It's not every day I meet a young lady who reads both Vogue /and/ Fighting Street. Have you had some martial arts training yourself?" He doesn't want to pry or anything -- she did pause before responding -- but maybe she just wasn't sure he wanted to hear the whole story.
His gaze lingers on her baton for a moment before returning to her eyes.
"I don't want to keep you from your friends, of course, but..."
His smile turns a little sheepish, gracefully abashed.
"...ah... maybe once your friend recovers, I could autograph something for her. I didn't mean to induce that sort of effect... does she... do that often...?"
Self-defense. And some offense, occasionally. Mizuki is not a vigilante, she's not out for Big Justice(tm)... but she is a fighter, and she's more well-trained than she's letting on. Having been offered a chair, Mizuki seats herself gracefully--leaning forward, her chin balanced on the palm of her left hand, left elbow on the table.
"I read it occasionally... my sensei wanted me to keep abreast of the fighting world, at least to an extent. And yes... I've had... some training." Like, training from three years old, yeah.
"Oh, it's alright. I'll get back in time, and they'll be alright without me. But if you could sign something for her I'd really appreciate it, and I'm sure Chie-chan would too." Mizuki shakes her head as a waiter approaches, indicating she doesn't want anything, then turns to Alma.
"Of course, I don't want to keep you from anything either--but I must say that you aren't quite like what I imagined." Mizuki smiles.
"Then again... most people aren't, I suppose..."
Alma wonders what she imagined.
~ Hopefully Jiro didn't have anything to do with it. ~
On the outside, though, he just chuckles and reaches up to idly rub the back of his head, running his fingers through his groomed blond hair. "Oh, I'm not doing anything important. I'm taking a little day off today." Still grinning a little, the young man then winks cheerfully, a rather humorous gesture from one usually given more to serenity. A little spontaneity to mix up his generally laid-back approach to charm and conversation. "Better than you imagined, I hope."
~ What a pretty smile. ~
"As long as you get back in time. I wouldn't want you to be late-- oh!" Alma blinks and looks down; there's a small bag leaning against the side of his chair. "Actually, this is perfect. Giorgio gave me some new prints. I could give her one of those." The fighting model reaches down and plucks one at random, grinning down at it with what looks like a mixture of good humor and genuine pride.
~ Only a couple years ago, I would have never imagined I'd be doing something like this-- it's really rather silly, isn't it? But I'm just glad... that I've made it this far. ~
His smile oddly thoughtful, Alma slips a pen out of his pocket and studiously inscribes something upon its glossy surface.
"Well, it's always a pleasure to meet another martial arts afficianado," the young man remarks idly as he focuses on the photo. "I'm glad I met you today." Is he so polite with every fan who comes across him? Well, probably-- but Mizuki is still clearly more than a fan. She has a vibrant aura.
With Alma, it really all comes down to the aura, doesn't it.
'Chie-chan, I regret we did not have a chance to speak, but I'm flattered to think you might appreciate this photograph of me. Best of luck at Justice High-- Follow your passions, and please, do your best! Fondly, Alma'
~ There, that should do it. ~
Smiling, he sets the photo down on the glass table, apparently not conscious at all of the fact that he appears shirtless and in rather low-slung jeans upon it. Well, people he doesn't even know have seen more than this. For all he knows, /Mizuki/ has seen more than this. Oh, well, so it goes.
His handwriting is really quite nice.
"You just transferred to Justice High, you said?" he adds casually as he sets the picture down. "Are you new to Southtown, then?" That smile of his seems effortless. What a truly pleasant young man.
And he doesn't look half-bad without a shirt, either.
Honestly? She'd imagined someone more self-centered, less aware of the world around him. But obviously most models aren't like Alma. Mizuki nods, hearing that Alma has nowhere particular to be; that makes things easier. She is, of course, keeping a little eye on the time... she doesn't want to be too late. Lazily, she stretches, fingers interlocked and her palms tilted outward; she stretches upwards, so as to not invade Alma's personal space.
"I'll be fine; my teacher in my next class really likes me, she'll cover for me as long as I do the work." So Mizuki isn't worried. She watches as Alma signs the photograph; fortunately it's just of a size to fit in her purse, and so she tucks it into the little bag carefully. Wouldn't do for it to be ruined, after all.
"My thanks, Alma-san," she says, earnestly, and awards him another one of those smiles.
"And please, call me Mizuki... yes, I just transferred in recently. This is my first time in Southtown... I must say it's rather lively. I met another model recently, actually... by the name of Drake, I believe..."
"Mizuki, then."
Alma smiles before taking another calm sip of his tea, listening quietly -- but he blinks when she mentions Drake. "Drake Vyril? That 'Domino' fellow?"
~ If he's in town, then... ~
"We met once. I promised I'd challenge him one on one." Alma grins softly. "If he's around, I should seek him out myself. I owe him that match." He pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful, before looking up at Mizuki again and asking, "Hey... What kind of person do you think he is? I didn't know quite what to think of him; we didn't have long to talk."
~ He was too busy evading. Pretty fast, that's all I know. ~
Smiling again he adds, "It's not important. I've just-- never met another male model and martial artist before, to be honest. So I'd like your opinion."
~ I have a feeling he's not much like me... ~
"But hey, if I do challenge him, I can count on you to root for me, right Mizuki?"
This time, his eyes twinkle when he grins.
Mizuki nods. "That's him. He was doing some sort of prizefighting at the amusement park a couple nights ago... my friends wanted to see me fight so I challenged him." She rubs her chin lightly.
"I had a good showing but I ended up losing... he seemed pretty nice, though... awfully grabby... but I guess that's just because he's a wrestler." She would have detected any untoward intentions... wouldn't she? Maybe not. He didn't grab anything he shouldn't.
"He kissed my hand after we fought. It was cute." Another smile, a little impish in nature, at that.
"But if you two did fight I would probably root for you..." Mizuki glances to her left and looks at the clock inside the cafe and shakes her head.
"I guess I should be going now. I look forward to seeing you fight sometime, Towazu-san. And--again, thank you for the picture. I'm sure Chie-chan will appreciate it very much."
'Probably'??
Alma scratches his chin idly, looking thoughtful again. "If that's how it is," he murmurs to himself, "I may have to start kissing hands."
Oh-- she's leaving?
"My pleasure, Mizuki!" he adds, hastily bringing himself out of that half-serious reverie to smile at her again. "Please give her my regards. I... hope she recovers soon."
He rises from his chair to see her off and inclines his head politely, still smiling. "Farewell, Mizuki. It was good to meet you."
~ He kissed her hand, huh... ~
This may be some serious competition here.
~ He's definitely different from me... ~
There are all kinds of style in the world, it seems.
But which style is strongest!?
Log created by Mizuki, and last modified on 05:05:18 04/21/2007.