Description: In which both Gabriel and Mizuki ask to join Glory Hounds...
Justice High, home of the super-elite, is unlike any other school in Southtown, but as impressed as Alma Towazu is by its grandeur he has little basis for comparison. Having not actually gone to high school himself and only rarely getting involved in the local school system and its surprisingly intense rivalries, the young fighting model and newly selected community center vice-president would otherwise have no reason to come to a place like this despite its impressive layout. Still, by all appearances he's here for a stroll; ambling quietly at his usual patient pace, the beautiful youth takes his time making his way through the long courtyard. He's technically young enough to be a student here, but two things in particular distinguish him to the common eye: his casual dress and the basket of flowers and baked goods he bears.
He has come to pay his respects.
Someone who /had/ gone to high school might realize that it would be far wiser to leave Mizuki a note or give her a call and let her know he would meet her after school, when there would be less chance of running into someone else who could spread embarrassing rumors. He would be more concerned about embarrassing her in general. But in his Alma way, he has concluded that the only way he can even attempt to do justice -- as it were -- to Mizuki's unrepayable kindness is to make a display of his thanks. Surely by sharing his appreciation with others, his gift will be made more meaningful, correct? Surely this is the best way to show how sincere he truly is.
Oh Alma, so thoughtful.
His methodically slow approach finally makes sense when, just as he sets foot on the first step leading up to the main entrance, the bell rings signalling the beginning of lunch break and thus no doubt a rush of students out of the main area. Settling himself against a railing, Alma smiles mildly and begins to wait for one particular girl to arrive.
He arranged the flowers himself, you know.
It is true; Justice is the elite of the elite. Sure, Gedo has its Big Boss, and Taiyo has, well, Sakura and a bunch of other hyperthyroided teenage mutants... and Pacific has uh... a couple of blondes who are... very blonde. But Justice is -the- elite high school; the richest of the rich, the smartest of the smart, the elite of the elite. This is their school.
And that is a source of constant wonder for those who know Mizuki. Because while yes, her family is rich, and powerful, she just doesn't act it. She is nice--she is friendly--she is gregarious. She doesn't act elitist or snobbish. And it is a curiosity that those who know her always discuss amongst themselves.
As for Alma showing up, well... Justice is super-elite but really, let's look at it this way, they're still high school girls and Alma is a model. With flowers. In all their minds he's there for -her-... and so Alma may find himself facing down a cresting wave of Justice High School girls.
That's actually probably overstating it; nonetheless Mizuki is going to have to fight her way through a series of girls, N waves of N+1, before she can get to Alma. It may be a bit.
So what was Gabriel doing here? Well she actually attends this school . . Yes a student like Mizuki, but unlike Mizuki, she was a snob. Yes all the people here were rich, well most, there might be an exception, someone who worked their way in through part time jobs or a family that put everything fourth to get their child into the school. Well it could happen. But Gabriel isn't really musing about this because in truth, she didn't care. She was watching the crowds, following the girls, noticing Alma and mildy surprised he was getting so much attention. Still for the time being she watches from a slight distance from the others.
If Alma is surprised, he doesn't look it, his mellow demeanor unchanging as he benignly regards the whispering and giggling crowd of girls that is slowly accumulating around him. He doesn't wait in silence forever, though. In fact, though he calmly looks like he doesn't have a care in world, he's pondering what he ought to do about this. Mizuki might not be able to find him like this, and anyway, what if she exits another way? Surely these girls can be of use; they're probably wondering why he's here anyway.
"Excuse me," he says clearly, turning his gaze toward them and smiling. The whispering stops all in an instant. "Do any of you know where I might find Mizuki Kamigawa? These are for her."
A pause-- and then the whispering and giggling recommence with doubled intensity. For his part, the fighting model just looks bemused.
Well done, Alma.
He might not understand what just happened there, but he won't let it faze him, his full composure soon returning and his gaze shifting back toward the larger crowd. It's difficult in such a vibrant, thriving and for him unusual environment, but the time he took getting here helped him acclimate to the ambience, making him a bit more confident that if he can't see her he'll at least be able to pick out her-- there! A familiar aura, one that spent itself pouring vast healing energies into him... how could he forget it?
"Mizuki!"
Grinning casually as though this were a chance meeting in the park, apparently completely unaware of the glances the other girls now steal at the two of them, Alma ascends up the steps toward her, basket held lightly in one hand.
"I thought I'd surprise you," he says softly, still grinning amiably as he offers her the elegantly arranged basket of, well, goodies. "It's difficult for me to take time off now, so-- I'm glad I was able to catch you."
The stairs are still pretty busy, and with their presence together they're not clearing up very fast at all. Alma is at least aware of this, and so, smile softening a little, he gestures with his free hand back toward the courtyard.
"Do you have time to walk with me for a while?"
It's highly doubtful much of anything surprises Alma on a day to day basis. Surely he has to deal with giggling girls surrounding him like waves of aliens from Space Invaders all the time. The girls--well, some of them gasp, some giggle, some act like they'll faint. It's the way girls are. Mizuki is... well, she's at least relatively popular; her friendliness and approachableness has ensured that.
And by luck, or by fate, he did choose the right exit to find Mizuki. Her ponytail bobs as she makes her way through the crowd; surely this will be the subject of many a rumor. She, however, is quite calm, smiling as she spots the waiting model and the flowers.
"Alma-kun," she replies, softly, "This is indeed a surprise.. I wouldn't have expected to see you here..."
Somewhere in the crowd a girl cries "Mizuki! You traitor!!" But it doesn't sound too seriously-minded, and Mizuki kind of rolls her eyes lightly before she calls out, turning her head towards the crowd, "G-gomen, Chie-chan..."
Girls can be -so odd-. Turning back to Alma, she smiles.
"I'm glad to see you're well... I was worried you wouldn't recover, even if my family home is a wonderful place to recuperate." Ah, sowing the seeds... "Of course. I'll make some time to walk with you for a bit..." Taking the basket at last, she glances at it.
"It's a lovely arrangement, Alma... thank you."
Meanwhile it was easy to fit into the group of Justice students in a justice uniform, even when you are being very quiet and stoic, there was no lack of quiet and stoic natured people in this school, even following Alma. As much as those who play the emotionless card like to see themselves as unique, the truth was they were a dime a dozen, one in every story and every show. Plenty at Justice. Gabriel fits right in, near the end of the girls who seem to want to see Alma. However what was she doing? At one point she wanted to talk to him, this much was true, but at the moment she was feeling a minor head ache and tummy ache, a just over all sense of ick, sort of like minor motion sickness. This made her slightly less inclined to approach.
She didn't know Mizuki, she hadn't even heard of the girl, so when she approaches Alma and speak to him the way she does there is a moment that the other justice student is curious. She knows her name now. . someone called her a 'traitor.' She didn't understand that, but it wasn't so important.
Perhaps it is time to approach. . Instead she follows.
"It's my pleasure."
The tall young man slips his hands into the pockets of his stylish chocolate-brown designer jeans -- contrasting oh so nicely with the lighter white and tan of his snug long-sleeved shirt -- and begins to walk sedately toward the courtyard again, glancing over his shoulder and smiling gently at the younger girl. It's subtle, but perhaps Mizuki will be able to tell that Alma's attitude towards her has changed. Not overtly, because Alma is rarely overt save in combat, but still in a very real sense.
It would be a bit odd to say that Alma keeps people at a distance, considering how appealingly sincere and shockingly genuine he is with almost everyone, but perhaps sensible to say that Alma keeps /himself/ at a distance from other people. He's an odd duck, to say the least, and he prefers not to make waves unless he finds it important -- 'meaningful', he'd probably say -- or necessary. There's a lot about himself he probably shouldn't talk about and a number of things he literally /can't/ talk about, given that only a few sense auras and perhaps none sense auras precisely the way he does; perhaps this is why sharing himself through the expressive medium of battle has become so key to his identity. But although he was never anything less than friendly to Mizuki, and surely was not pretending, and although being himself he appreciates every individual -- and aura -- uniquely, before she was not much more than another high school girl with a fighting spirit and a few secrets.
Now, no matter how little it may turn out they actually have in common as they get to know each other, she's a friend. The usual concerns are no longer concerns; it doesn't matter if she can't understand him or she never tells him who she really is and from whence came her training and experience at such a tender age. Because he trusts her now. Unconditionally.
"I'm tougher than I look," Alma jokes softly, his voice its usual mild tone but the mirthful twinkling of his eyes revealing his intent. Tall and toned he may be, even he knows he's, er, a bit on the androgynous side. "But it was certainly thanks to you and, yes, your home. Your village is truly lovely. I wish I could have stayed longer; but your family had already been far too kind."
~ Lovely, yes-- and full of secrets. I still wonder. ~
But... it's really none of his business.
He hasn't noticed Gabriel yet, savoring the moment with his young savior, but any moment now he'll notice his aura sense itching at him, detecting her all-too-familiar presence-- that is, if she doesn't reveal herself first.
Frei leaves the school grounds.
She might, if she were thinking about it. The basket is carried in two hands, held much like she would hold her bookbag, and she strides easily, following Alma along through the crowd. She seems pretty at-ease with the situation, all things considered; she will handle all the rumormongering (and Chie) later. Alma always dresses so stylishly... the Justice High uniform that Mizuki is wearing just doesn't hold up, not that she would expect it to.
Unlike Alma, Mizuki is pretty open; at least, it's how she appears. There are some things she can't and won't mention, or talk about, but when it comes to listening to people and surface things, she is pretty free. After all... secrets are secret.
As for things in common? Well, certainly they have attitudes in common. Both are devoted to their friends; it would seem also that both have an inner core of toughness that is not easily disturbed.
"That you are," she replies, with a faint smile. It still took a lot of power for her to heal Alma, and surely she couldn't have gotten to 100% by herself... and here he is, looking sinfully well. "I really am very glad that you recovered. And... well," she does blush a bit about what she's about to say next, "my grandfather said you could visit anytime. The compound has an extensive dojo and training area, after all..." Like Alma, she doesn't realize Gabriel is following, but perhaps for different reasons--after all, she can't sense auras in the same way.
She doesn't reveal herself, instead she continues to follow. There was a question in ther mind, namely, why was he here? What was their relationship? If the girls around Gabriel were any indicator it was not entirely wholesome. At least they were not doing anything overtly sinful, like holding hands or kissing, at least she didn't see any hand holding or kissing. Gabriel briefly checks her book bag to ensure she has her ruler, just incase she has to make sure they are both an appropriate distance apart. For the moment it doesn't look like a problem, but she is in the back of the crowd, except they're not going to follow the pair of them for a walk, no they would not serve Gabriel's purpose. She would need another way to follow them, maybe she can just.. casually go in the same direction? Was there a cloud she could watch? Perhaps a bird? Ornithology sounds great.
"Really?"
Alma doesn't seem to notice the blush -- oblivious again, or just being polite? -- but he does seem quite honestly pleased at the prospect of going back again. "Extensive dojo, you say?" And especially interested in that; boys will be boys.
"That's right-- I've never seen your baton in action. I'd like to see your style. Perhaps... we could even spar some time." The fighting model is a little startled to find that he actually doesn't really want to talk about combat right now, in this situation -- whyever not? -- but it doesn't keep him from adding mildly, "I'd go easy on you, of course." Again, it's only his eyes that eventually give away his humorous intent.
But he pauses now, slowing until he stops in his tracks at the girl's side, his smile fading until his expression attains a rare pensiveness.
"Hey, Mizuki..."
Quietly, he reaches up and puts a hand on her shoulder.
"...there's no way I can truly thank you for what you've done. I never did anything to deserve such generosity from you, and-- although you made your own decisions, it's only because of your relationship with my friends and I that you got involved with that dangerous man. So... I want you to know... that you can ask anything from me. I... don't quite know how to say this..."
The touch is perfectly innocent, by any normal standards, but he maintains it as he continues to look deeply into her eyes, as though searching for what he wants to say there.
"...I can't repay you for what you've done for me... but I find myself not wanting to 'settle accounts' anyway. Instead..."
And he smiles again, warmly, gently.
"...consider me forever in your debt."
"Really. My family's been maintaining the Kamigawa fighting style for..." She pauses. How long? A long time, for sure. "Well, it's been a long time. Something of a tradition for us, you see..." Like many fighting styles out there, of course.
"And sometimes they're actually teaching something like a full-fledged class of students... the Kamigawa clan is pretty large, really... so we have a large dojo and training facilities... probably the most modern part of the place at all." Not that the 'old' style of the place is displeasing--actually, Mizuki rather likes it.
"Eh? What is it, Alma-kun...?" she wonders, her voice trailing off as Alma stops smiling, and puts a hand on her shoulder. Then he's--thanking her. Oh, is that it? Mizuki considers, as she covers Alma's hand with hers. It isn't a romantic touch, but a compassionate and understanding touch.
"Alma, you--you have to understand that... well, there are things I can't talk about. But to think that I only got involved because of your friends... I want you to understand that I did what I would have done for anyone in trouble. Of course, I think of you and Jiro as friends, but..." She pauses a moment, thinking about how to put it.
"This is what I've been training -for-. I guess I'm not like most fighters... or some... I don't really know the fighting world. I do what I do to get better but also because I have this power." She looks Alma in the eyes, then looks away, with an embarrassed grin.
"I read in a comic book once, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Well, I don't have great power yet, but I am willing to shoulder the responsibility, because I believe that my power -will- be great."
"So you don't have to 'repay' me, Alma, or anything like that. A debt is something that happens between business partners. I am your friend and I would hope that you would call on me in any capacity that you needed." Oh wait, he mentioned a fight.
"And of course, I'd be happy to spar with you sometime."
At this point it was becoming quickly more and more clear that Gabriel wasn't that interested in what was going on. It had nothing to do with her and seemed wholesome enough. She didn't particularly have any reason to interfere and when considering Alma. . .Well she did sort of want to talk to him but she also didn't feel terribly pressed about it, especially considering how long it has been since she had seen Jiro about. Not that she looks for him, but come to think of it she did miss Mimiru a great deal. She just did have friends like that, at least not very often. So what does she do? Nothing, there wasn't any reason to interfere with either of them and she didn't feel like interrupting. So what does she do? She leaves, like one of the scenes from a show where you have two people deeply involved and a third party notices, but there had to be a reason for her to be written into the script, what could the writers possibly have to communicate by this brief passing in the night? Perhaps she was just feeling lonely for having not seen her friends so much. There is a look, but it is passing, a barely noticeable ripple on a calm lake of water. Then she turns with a faint mmph. She didn't have time for emotions.
Alma, this is a good moment for you. If you were a real man and had at least the guile of duckweed you'd take advantage of this tender situation somehow, subtly perhaps, but take advantage of it all the same. Ask her out to dinner, set up a date of some kind, and try to get a girlfriend who /isn't/ completely out of her mind. Wouldn't that be swell? Wouldn't that be nice?
No, Alma, that's not your style, is it. Your nature and fate cooperate to prevent that from happening, from anything decent and normal from entering your life. Your nature because frankly, don't even try to deny it, you /like/ those crazy girls-- and fate because it just so happens you'd see one if you just turned your head.
It's now, looking into Mizuki's eyes, smile widening as he hears what she has to say, that his aura sense finally enters his consciousness, demanding his attention.
"Mizuki, I--"
He cuts himself short, blinks, and looks away-- over his shoulder.
Fate or foolishness, who can say?
"K... Kai-san!?"
His eyes widen, and letting his hand slip from Mizuki's shoulder -- oh, Alma! -- he takes a step toward the now-retreating girl.
"Gabriel, is that you?"
Is he beginning to blush?
Yes, right now! Cue the cherry blossom petals and-- Cut! No, wait, Kai. Huh? Mizuki would look pretty silly if she were puckering up at this very moment. Thankfully she's not.
Kai... Gabriel Kai? That name sounds familiar... Mizuki is lost for a moment, thinking... oh right! That SNF! "Kai-san?" she echoes, turning to look, kind of curious. Was she following? Maybe she's Alma's girlfriend?!? Mizuki isn't sure what to think! But she remembers meeting Gabriel, and thinking she was kind of interesting, if maybe a little weird as well, but... Mizuki clears her throat, stepping back from Alma's hand, though she can't get rid of the basket. Not that she would... it's going up in her dorm room, for sure, under her little Alma shrine.
Haha, no, she doesn't really have an Alma shrine. But Chie does.
Something that was traditionally annoying about Alma was his inexplicable ability to do that. She stops but only briefly, perhaps if she pretends not to hear or something and doesn't look. Something about this ssituation, it was irritating her, she couldn't describe it or explain it, but it would be terribly ungraceful for her to show a look of irritation, especially when she can't in any way explain why she feels that way. Unfortunately she can't run either, that would be even more ungraceful than .. well actually nevermind, nothing she does at this point would be graceful. After trying to get away for fifty of more feet she finally just stops, clenches a fist and keeps her back to the pair of them.
She opens her mouth, closes it again, but one could hardly even see her jaw work, she's trying to avoid being seen, okay too late for that, but maybe if she ignores them they'll go away? Wait.. what was she doing, crying out for help? All of a sudden she was annoyed at herself.
It's been a long time.
Alma too is silent for a moment, just standing there quietly, the hand he had placed on Mizuki's shoulder now slightly outstretched. He seems frozen, for once not merely contemplative but completely at a loss. It is several moments before he remembers himself enough to turn and, looking rather embarrassed, say, "Oh, uh, forgive me, Mizuki... j... just a moment."
As the blonde girl stops, Alma begins to jog over to her, still looking as though he can't believe his eyes. That's right, she does go to Justice High too, doesn't she? But... it's not like he would... visit her.
I mean... they aren't exactly... /friends/.
~ Still... ~
"Kai-san..."
Even after everything, he still doesn't feel quite comfortable calling her by her first name; then again, considering how dangerous she can be, perhaps he's justified.
He stops, equidistant between Mizuki and Gabriel.
"...it's... been a while..."
~ I really don't have anything to say to her, do I? But... ~
"...won't you look at me?"
~ I don't feel like I can just let her go. ~
'May you live an interesting life'. Old Chinese saying, and generally it means 'May your life be complicated in not-good ways.' Mizuki is totally unaware of whatever may have happened between Alma and Gabriel in the past; she barely knows Gabriel at all--has seen her around school, and of course that SNF, though she didn't make the connection 'til just now. Glancing at Alma, Mizuki turns to Gabriel.
"Kai-san, it's good to see you again. I'm sorry we didn't get to talk after that SNF... I knew you went to Justice High but I never really made the connection until just now... I don't know why. Ah..."
The redhead's voice trails off, as she gets a whiff of the tension between Alma and Gabriel. "Is... uh..." Eyes shift left, then right. "Is everything okay? I guess you two know each other or something. Uh... Kai-san, it's not what you think. Alma-kun and I are just friends, you know..."
"What may or may exist between yourself and Alma-san is no concern of mine, " Gabriel says through clenched teeth. She seemed to be at least convinced herself of her words even if no one else was particularly convinced by it.
"I am also not troubled at a lack of communication between.. " She pauses and looks at the sky. Her gears grind in the tangents and so on and so fourth before arriving at a conclusion.
"Perhaps I am mistaken." She brings a hand to clasp her goddess pendant and turns to cast a narrow eyed look at Alma, and then Mizuki.
"Why are you here?" she asks Alma, in a voice which seems to be attempting to command an answer down a narrow jade eyed stare. Well she's not trying to avoid the conversation anymore, it was far too late for that, right?
That goddess pendant, it always means trouble.
Aww, shucks, Mizuki, did you have to come out and say that and ruin the tension, so verdant with possibility? But Alma himself doesn't seem to notice, so intent is he on Kai-san. When the zealot does turn her head the tall youth makes direct eye contact with her, his soft gaze and gentle expression a direct contrast to her stark interrogation.
"I came here to visit Mizuki," he replies. "She helped me greatly with the... troubles that Jiro was facing." A moment's pause, and then: "Jiro spoke to you before he left, right? He mentioned that to me."
~ Should I have come to her? Was she expecting that? ~
"Uh..." Normally Alma doesn't like situations like this get to him, but for some reason, interacting with Gabriel like this appears to be especially awkward for him. "How... have you been?"
He reaches up to rub the back of his head, at a loss.
"I... don't suppose you're heard about what I've been doing... I don't know if you watch television..."
Or would have otherwise heard of the YFCC and would thus know what Alma has been doing with his time that would distract him from, for example, pursuing errant goddess-worshippers.
Mizuki doesn't like tension. Makes things awkward. Not that she thinks the tension is all that broken. Natch, she doesn't recognize the pendant... but apparently it has some sort of significance. That isn't lost on Mizuki. Even so... she's going to have to get the story out of Alma. Later. She is a little amused to see the suave Alma go all tongue-tied... even if it isn't over her.
The mention of Jiro... well, Mizuki didn't get to see him before he left, but the whole Dante business is still unfinished, isn't it? One hopes that Dante won't go off trying to kill Jiro just yet... he still has things to do, rhinos to ravage, etc. Mizuki, unobtrusively, backs away from Alma, sort of letting him and Gabriel talk for a bit. She's not leaving, but there's something that needs resolving here...
And then Gabriel reaches for her sword. No really, she reaches down for her hip where it would be were she not full on in school mode and thus did not have her sword. Her hand gropes there for a moment before relaxing and giving up. Having not the sword to attack said Alma and probably Mizuki with she decides to talk about something else.
"Yes, I spoke to Jiro-kun, he had mentioned a team, .. . " She grits her teeth and strains her brow. This was the hard part, " I was.. considering .. " she struggles, "Perhaps.." she looks away and makes a 'tsch' sound. She just couldn't bring herself to do it. It's a wonder she calls herself religious, faithful, righteous. They say to truly pray one must first truly surrender. Gabriel was terrible at surrender.
"Mizuki-san." She says, in an attempt to change the subject, "Hello." She bows.
Even though she clearly doesn't have the sword, and however sure he may be that he's not actually in danger here with Mizuki around to boot, Alma reflexively flinches, just for a moment, when he sees where Gabriel's hand is going, and he only realizes about the same time she does that going Avenging Angel on him is not a possibility.
You might think he'd feel foolish, but... you don't know Gabriel, man.
But what she says stuns Alma into forgetting about such emotions in any case. The team? She was considering... perhaps...?
"Kai-san, would you... like to join our team?"
It's not actually said as a question; it's a statement brought on by pure awe. Alma could not possibly be more surprised.
~ D...does this mean... ~
"I mean... that is..."
~ ...she wants to spend time... with me!? ~
"...not that we're anything special... or worth your time, but... it would be an honor to have you with us."
Man, you've forgiven this girl for sword wounds and she just takes it for granted, do you really have to be so generous with her? But by the look in his eyes, yes, yes he does.
Did he ever really lose his crush on her?
"A team? Jiro and Alma?" And Gabriel, too, apparently; sounds like she wants to join. It certainly sounds interesting. Mizuki glances at Alma. He said she could ask for anything... perhaps she should take advantage of that... in fact she doesn't see anything wrong with that.
"You know, Alma-kun... I know it's a long way to go just for training but if your team wanted to use my family's compound for training, I'm sure they'd allow it... and you could also get advice and such from my teachers. They're all quite good..." Once again, her voice trails off a little and she turns to Gabriel, returning the bow.
"It's good to see you again, Kai-san," she says, warmly and not -just- politely. Even with Alma going all blushy, in his own way. Well, it's not like Mizuki wants his heart or anything. Though he is cute.
Man. Alma... she just looks at him for a moment. Then figures... with as dense as Alma can be, she might as well be direct, as much as it pains her.
"Alma-kun, you know..." Man, she doesn't even know how to -put it-. "I'd like to... I know I'm not much of a fighter yet, but..." Okay, so maybe she can't be direct. Traditional Japanese upbringing and all.
Okay okay. So here was Gabriel and Mizuki both asking to be on the team and both of them totally unable to say it? Well for different reasons, while Gabriel tried to emulate traditional upbringing, the fact was japanese women were generally not raised to try and destroy the entire word population, or to find fault in anything and everything around them. In that Gabriel was more like a bad fake. But moving on. .
"Yes. . " she says with a frustrated look as though she just lost a 99% chance reaction.
"I would like to be a member of your team." She watches Mizuki a moment, "Mizuki-san is also seeking to join this team of yours?" her brow knots some.
Alma is pretty distracted, it seems, but not so much that he won't at least look at Mizuki when she begins to speak-- yet as she trails off, though his lips part to begin to form the words to ask her what she's trying to say, Gabriel gets to the point first and his gaze snaps right back. Sorry Mizuki, you'll have to be straight with him if you're to overcome his unreasonable and inexplicably enduring attraction to this, er, non-traditional young lady. Maybe if you took him out of her proximity he'd forget about it again, but for now.
"You... do?"
Seriously though, Alma's fantasy aside...
"You're welcome, but... may I ask... why?"
From his perspective, it's pretty sudden.
At Gabriel's final comment, though, Alma blinks and looks back to the girl having difficulties by his side. "She is?" he says, rather foolishly, before smiling a bit sheepishly and asking Mizuki directly. "Are you?" He regards her for a moment before smiling again. "Well, of course I'd be interested in fighting at your side, Mizuki, but are you sure you're already prepared for a public commitment like a team? Maybe if I had a chance to take a look at your fighting style, or..."
Alma, didn't you just say your team was nothing special?
"...perhaps if you allowed me to test your abilities..."
Well. Gabriel certainly cuts straight to the heart of the matter, doesn't she? Refreshing, in a way, that's for sure. Mizuki seizes upon Gabriel's question, and turns to look at Alma directly.
"I do. Because--because you and Jiro are friends. And I hope Kai-san and I can be, too." Tran's a lost cause, but then he's just there to be the mascot and to rest cold drinks on the cowboy hat--it's like a lazy susan. As for the testing...
"I'd be honored to fight at your side, and yes... I'm sure. I already agreed to spar with you sometime, Alma-kun. But I think you have already tested my abilities before. When... when I had to heal you after that fight with Dante." She's quiet, but calm, and confident. Yes, she -is- confident where her skills lie, wins and losses aside, and she has every reason to be.
Suddenly, a bell tolls, and Mizuki actually almost winces. "Ah... gomen, Alma-kun, Kai-san." Mizuki produces another one of those proper Japanese bows.
"I should be getting back, I have a history class now..." Hopefully, what she said about having tested her abilities will sink in and he'll agree. Taking up her basket of flowers she smiles, "Thank you again for the flowers, Alma-kun. And you said I could ask you for anything--so this is what I'm asking. Let me join." And with that, she's off, running gracefully back to the school building.
Gabriel did not know about Tran and that was probably for the best, as she did only meet him in SNF's and they didn't get along that well. Vaguely she would recall vestiges of the Avenging Angel .. Ie : Pissed off Gabriel. But she didn't know that, or about Frei, whom she would likely recall for having wrecked her cell phone. No matter, she was asked a question and gives a bow to Mizuki as she starts to depart. No smile though, smiles would surely kill her.
"I wish to join because. . " She has to consider this, why did she wish to join, " I do not feel adequately able to explain it with words, only that I am compelled, perhaps the merciful mother is responsible and wishes that I do this. Or. . " A tinge of regret. She's reminded briefly why she was upset to begin with. Less Mimiru, more lonely Gabriel.
"Perhaps I simply seek a place to belong for.." she frowns again, "Tsch." She shakes her head. It was getting too heart felt for her.
Well said.
Alma actually finds that Mizuki's words are a bit of a reality check for him, a well-needed one for a guy who sorely needs to remember that a) he technically has a long-distance relationship going right now and b) this girl has tried to kill him on a couple occasions for stupifyingly superficial reasons. If he weren't so distracted, surely he'd already be aware of the things she's mentioning-- and have already realized that saying these things after what he's /just said/ to Mizuki could make him look, if nothing else, like a terrible hypocrite.
Oh man, and he used up her break, too. Really Alma, this is almost as bad as the Tran-Noriko incident.
At least he has the grace to look ashamed of himself as Mizuki, displaying far more composure than he is currently, turns away and toward her class. Surely she does owe her this much, and would anyone really mind? If she turns out to be too inexpert to really compete by their side, Tran might grumble and Frei might tease him, would it be a problem? He doesn't want her to get hurt or embarrass herself, but-- hasn't she already told him numerous times she'll make her own decisions? He can at least respect that.
"Mizuki..."
He'll train her himself if he has to; she deserves a chance.
But, though he feels a bit more himself now -- his blush has faded, at least -- Gabriel too requires his attention, if her unusual honesty is any indication. The handsome youth turns back toward his fatal attraction without another word, determined not to stumble into any more unintentional cruelty, even if it's toward someone who probably deserves it more than Mizuki.
"Don't worry about it."
Alma smiles gently.
"No explanation is necessary. I was just... surprised."
He grins then, slipping his hands back in his pockets.
"I thought you didn't like me!" he adds, as lightly as he can.
But as Alma looks to Gabriel she's already bowing and leaving an outline in the air (a flashing outline) As to where she was, that is to say, she's departing and sort of waving over her shoulder,
"sayonara, Alma-san." She says while departing for.. class? Who knows.
"I too must depart. . " But she's not done yet. she needs to give a response before disappearing into the crowd.
" I do not dislike you."
"Eh--?"
Alma, suddenly left in the dust, blinks.
Silence, save a quiet breeze that rustles through the grass after a moment.
"Oh... uh..."
He takes his hands out of his pockets and just stands there for a few moments, looking off at nothing in particular.
"...well, that's good."
Log created on 22:41:58 06/06/2007 by Mizuki, and last modified on 09:53:19 06/07/2007.