Description: Dismayed by the events of Tenma, Marisol, and Pás's recent, ill-fated SNF match, Stasya seeks out the leader of Pacific Resistance in order to try to clarify some of the misunderstandings she saw flying around; only to discover that Tenma has already told Marisol just why it was he did the things he did. With that out of the way, the two girls proceed... to get along much better than one could ever expect from a Guardian King and a Pacific Resistance member, trading other information of import: some of it about a certain 'Sneak Thief.'
It has been yet another long, tired Sunday afternoon at Pacific High, and the majority of the campus has long since left for greener pastures, such as shopping or catching up with pals for the time being, while others have opted to just stay indoors and laze about or study for the following academic week.
On the other hand, sorts like Marisol have chosen to spend their afternoon drifting about aimlessly. After her run-in on television with the leader of Guardian Kings, and the mysterious disappearance of her roommate Pás, she's been caught up in a myriad of questions without answers. Though Tenma, as big of a jerk as he is, explained things to her, there were still uncertainties linger about.
Clad in a comfortable light weather white hoodie and a comfortable pair of khaki Capris, Marisol strolls toward the dormitories of Pacific, hands shoved into the tiny front pockets of her zipped hoodie. All day did the half-Spaniard wander around Southtown in hopes of finding Pás to see what the hell happened at the SNF, and after countless hours the girl still hasn't found the Brazilian girl.
Pausing in the courtyard, Marisol bows her head to one side, a loud exhale slipping past her lips as gray eyes draw shut. Why would Pás DO such a thing to her? Did she do something wrong? And if she did, what the hell was it?
Shaking her head idly, the girl's steps resume anew, white sneakers idly scuffing along the paved walkway that winds through campus.
"This sucks."
For any student of Gedo High-- particularly one /known/ to be a member of that hated, infamous Guardian Kings team-- to brave the grounds of Pacific is something that takes some incredible nerve. But that's something which nobody can ever say the Kings lacked.
Stasya's brand of iron nerve is simply to ignore the stares thrown her way as she walks brazenly by; though the sight of her, scarred and still looking like hell from her ordeal, stays a lot of tongues that would otherwise have begun throwing barbs, turning them towards speculation and whispered gossip instead. The girl makes her way quietly through the opulent and comfortable grounds, she shuts her eyes and sighs a quiet breath. At this rate, she might have to -ask- for Marisol...
...but soon, it's shown that won't be necessary.
The girl adjusts her trajectory. Soon enough, she's intercepting Marisol's course. She doesn't seem particularly angry, or even confrontational. She just looks very tired, scarred and pale and still on the road to full recovery... but nonetheless ready to try to clarify what she perceived as an unfortunate misunderstanding. Yes, she saw yesterday's live broadcast of the fight between Tenma, Marisol, and Pás.
She had not expected Tenma to have the tact to explain things himself. That's why she's here instead.
"Marisol?" she announces herself once within range, the girl-- unlike most of the members of both teams-- quite content to simply call everyone by their proper first names.
Just when Marisol was about to give up and call it a day, opportunity came knocking.
Stasya's presence at Pacific IS a bit alarming to some, and the stuff of rumors and gossip. But like her comrades in the Guardian Kings, the Russian girl is by no means cowed or frightened off by such trivial matters - especially when she has a matter of importance to tend to today. Let them say what they will about her; it does not change the fact she's HERE for a reason.
A reason that's a bit of a mystery to the half-Spaniard.
When her name is called out by an unfamiliar voice, the girl's gray eyes blink slowly, lips pursing idly before she turns around to face its owner. And upon seeing the pale-faced, scarred Russian girl...the girl looks stunned, as if Stasya had slapped her silly across the face. So stunned is Marisol she just stares at the bandaged blonde for a solid minute and change.
"Uhh," Gracefully, the girl breaks the silence.
"Stasya..?" Pausing, Marisol's smoky gray eyes peer about, eyeing her surroundings before she looks back onto the Russian, a still blatantly-confused expression haunting her tanned face. Tilting her head a fraction, her lips pucker slightly...before she sighs and offers an almost uncharacteristically friendly smile.
"Stasya! The Guardian King I actually LIKE!" she exclaims, hands exiting her hoodie's pockets to rest on her hips. "What brings you here, anyway? You're a bit far from home, aren't you..?" It's like nothing happened to the girl, as far as Marisol is outwardly expressing. Inwardly, it's another story, and a psion like Stasya...is bound to notice. She's privately awkward and uneasy.
"And what's up?!"
Stasya does pick up a bit on Marisol's awkwardness, and it causes a similar feeling of unease to rise up in her: one which finds expression much more easily on the blonde's face. But Marisol's determined cheerfulness and attempt to pass off what it was she heard just convinces Stasya even more that Tenma hadn't elaborated at all on his reasons for being upset-- or on his reasons for beating around Ayame on international television.
And that initial shock upon seeing her? Hell, Stasya's appearance has surprised even those who don't know her at all; she thinks nothing of the stunned look that ghosts across the redhead's face. For all she knows, it could be caused simply by her mere presence, as well: a Guardian King on Pacific Resistance territory treads a thin line.
The girl tries a wan smile when Marisol finally kicks friendliness into overdrive and greets her enthusiastically. What brings her here? "I wanted to see you," she explains slowly, now feeling a little self-conscious herself, "about yesterday. I saw you three on television." She is quiet a moment, not really knowing how to put it, before she just finishes, a little lamely, "Lot of things looked awkward about how it ended." Tenma is the main reason she's worried-- but she also saw the way Pás just up and left. Having endured constant change all through her life, Stasya doesn't like that it's starting to make a comeback now by threatening the rote interactions that all eight team members-- despite their rivalry-- nonetheless share.
She shrugs, rubbing absently at the back of her neck, before she finally clarifies, "I guess you saw Tenma's fight with that Ayame girl. So because he would never say himself, I wanted to tell you: Tenma has had reasons for his actions lately, and reasons he is more of a prick than usual. It is mostly because of me." She says it like it's some kind of guilty confession. "I know you two do not like each other and I do not expect to change it, but, well..." She shrugs again. "I was not wanting to be a cause of it getting too much -worse-. And if you wanted to ask me anything, well..." The implication is clear: Stasya is much easier to talk to than Tenma.
"You...wanted to see me?" the half-Spaniard girl replies uncertainly, gray eyes widening ever so slightly before she offers a tiny, lopsided smile. It's a good start, she supposes. Does the Russian not suspect she knows about her condition and what happened? It's probably for the best, Marisol privately decides, assured.
"Er, w-well, that's good I sup--"
But the girl elaborates. About yesterday, the three of them on television and their 'antics.' Marisol's face blanches, tanned features flush as she just stares at Stasya. She saw that..? And things were awkward? A little color returns to the half-Spaniard's face, a hand lifting up to absently rub the back of her neck before her arm drops lifelessly to her side. "Er...well, yeah," she 'gracefully' replies, averting her eyes almost immediately from the blonde. "That whole thing was a bit...well, weird."
She never expected to face the girl in question so damn soon, and did not expect it to be this hard. But those gray eyes turn back onto Stasya almost immediately, as the Russian girl mentions the 'Sneak Thief' Tenma had graciously informed her about, her expression blank, but gray eyes undoubtedly thoughtful.
"O-of course I don't like him!" the girl blurts, reaffirming her dislike of the Guardian Kings' arrogant and brazen leader. "He's such a jerk! But...reasons, huh?" Her tone drops, her words less scathing as the redhead once again averts her eyes toward the ground, staring at her hands as they absently toy with the hem of her hoodie.
"I kind of learned about it after the fact, heh," the half-Spaniard sheepishly confesses right then and there. "When you showed up...I was trying to hide it, I admit. It sounded like you went through some awful stuff, and I'm very sorry to hear that." Her eyes lift, peering confidently into Stasya's gaze.
"I mean that." Immediately they avert once more.
"But...no one ever wants to burden their friends. But true friends...they never see their friends as a burden, you know? Tenma, as big of an ass as he may be, did it out of the kindness of his tiny little arrogant heart." She's trying to be nice here. "He told me that, in the end, things worked out, and people 'got what was coming to them.'"
Marisol's demeanor shifts subtly, her eyes hesitant to lift as she speaks with a hushed tone toward the Russian girl. "To be honest, nothing about what he said seemed right. I really hate to pry, 'cause the stuff that happened to you guys seems to be your business, you know?" She pauses briefly shortly after, eyes drawing to a close as her shoulders sag deeply with a heavy shrug.
"I'll be a bit more honest with you than I was with him, 'cause I'm pretty sure you're the only one in that cadre with brains and rationality... So, here goes:" Almost immediately Marisol's jaw squares, brows knitting tightly as she breathes in.
"I'm pissed off because that idiot could have gotten you and everyone else killed. He's a damned lucky fool nothing worse happened as result of his actions. As far as I know his dumb ass probably ran into the mess without a plan one. Three of them versus...whoever? He's a moron!"
Scowling darkly, the girl takes a step back, eyes drifting to the side.
"The least that bastard could have done was asked. As much as I loathe him and those other losers, no one deserves to be kidnapped and lord knows what else, you know??"
It's Stasya's turn to be surprised now. Tenma told Marisol himself? The blonde looks as if the wind has been taken out of her sails, her grey eyes widening briefly before she just laughs a little. "Hm. It is a surprise. I thought he might refuse to tell anyone, thinking it is none of their business. He is stubborn in that way. Everyone else's business is his... but his own is off-limits." The girl cracks a pale smile.
It soon fades, however-- but only out of sheepishness. A faint hint of color hits Stasya's own face when Marisol offers her those conciliatory words... followed by that encouragement not to feel guilty. The blonde nods slowly, looking notably more tired... but this time, possibly more out of relief than worry. "I guess you are right." She falls silent on the topic, perhaps not keen on discussing either what she went through (though the scars are there and obvious), or the lingering guilt she feels about drawing her friends into danger.
Instead, she focuses on Marisol's subsequent admission of just what it was really pissed her off; grateful, in a way, her reputation as the sole member of Guardian Kings with significant rationality invites these more candid words. And when it comes time for her to reply, Stasya cements just why it is Marisol probably likes her a lot better than her companions:
"...I agree. They were all lucky."
She's quick to elaborate, however. It's not a total agreement! "Not really in term of risk to me. But in risking himself and the others. He DID have a plan, but I do not know if he made it; I was told he had some... some very influential help, which made it safer. I do not know what they would have done if that help had not been available, however." She dreads to think that, if they hadn't run into Adelheid, they might have gone in recklessly by themselves. "I know it was a hard position for him, with hard decisions... but nonetheless, it was very dangerous."
The response on behalf of the Russian girl earns her a tiny grin, gray eyes softening a bit as she regards the blonde carefully. "I apologize if you weren't aware. Frankly, I'm surprised you were even watching that mess of a fight. But...it's okay." Pausing, Marisol softly nods her head, gray eyes falling shut. "He's really a jackass, Tenma, and you're definitely right there: everyone's business is his, except his own."
Never mind the two of them are almost identical.
Opening her eyes, she sports another tiny grin, her expression a bit more confident. "Of course I'm right!" Marisol replies, hands resting on her hips. "You shouldn't feel bad about what happened, because as far as I know that was out of your control...and I'm pretty sure your team feels the same way." But she won't pry - likely, the poor girl is STILL recovering, and the last thing Marisol wants to do is open fresh wounds.
But her confidence falters, as Stasya admits that Marisol was, in fact, right to believe they got lucky. So stunned is the redhead that her eyes widen a touch, mouth slightly agape as she gawks at Stasya. Can she believe her ears..? Of course she can - the Russian girl is the only Guardian King she likes for a good reason.
"No, I do agree. They risked not only you, but their dumb ass lives as well. It's a miracle none of them got hurt or almost killed, those idiots." The half-Spaniard girl pauses, scoffing in annoyance with a sour expression as her arms lift and fold over her chest. An awkward silence lingers heavily...before the redhead just tilts her head to one side and sighs.
"Help, huh?" A pity, though, the redhead can't really mask the underlying hint of disappointment unconsciously haunting her words. She sighs lightly once again, her eyes drawing to a close as her weight shifts from one foot to the other.
"Well, at least he wasn't as big of an idiot as I presumed, I suppose, but you're right. It was still dangerous, regardless. Dumb and dangerous! Because he's a damned fool!"
Gray eyes snap open, peering at the Guardian King before her. It's an angry expression that is far from aimed directly at the young woman...but swiftly falters, the half-Spaniard girl's eyes drifting uneasily to the side.
"But...really. I'm glad you guys are okay - you especially." Slipping her hands into her pockets once more, the redhead shifts her weight to her back heels, lips easing into a friendly smile as she adds, "Besides, if that idiot had gotten himself killed, who the hell else would our team have to beat up on a regular basis?"
Pausing, Marisol's lips ease into a tiny, rather devious grin as she asks,
"So Stasya...what do you know about this Sneak Thief girl, anyway..?"
If Stasya has noticed the similarities between Marisol and Tenma-- which she very well may have-- she doesn't give voice to them, instead just stifling a smile. "No. Is all right. I'm just glad people are clear. I don't... really like misunderstandings." And with reason. She lived enough of her life never being clear about her parents' true natures, and she made far too many assumptions in the midst of her lack of clarity. She's resolved never to have that sort of avoidable confusion in her life again, even if she has to play mediator.
And that legendary rationality and patience she has-- which helps her deal so effectively with Tenma's brashness-- helps her handle Marisol just as well, -because- of those similarities between the two. For all their prickly natures, she knows-- she can FEEL-- the warmth of their natures beneath. It spurs Stasya to reach out and try to squeeze Marisol's shoulder in a shy sort of thanks for her words. "Yes. I try," she offers, with a crooked sort of smile, "not to think too much or feel guilty. It is time to get past it."
Which is, admittedly, easier said than done. The path to recovery might be slow, but she knows it's one she has to walk. Her team was there for her, and she knows she's got to pull herself together so she can be there for them too.
And then, Stasya surprises Marisol by actually displaying diplomacy. It's certainly a shocking thing to see from a Guardian King, no doubt! "I cannot fault them for wanting to rush to save me," she says quietly. "But... they were just so -lucky- to get through it okay. I am just grateful they found help; though I did not expect it from that boy." Stasya shrugs a bit. She knows the Bernstein family, -really- knows what they are due to her family's past... and as such, few are more surprised than she. It's a boon she is not questioning, though. "But... if you are disappointed he did not ask you," she continues, sensing that hint of disappointment, "I... am honestly glad he did not. I already brought my own team into risk. To put you and yours in danger too..." She shakes her head.
At Marisol's admission she's glad everyone is okay, the blonde smiles faintly. "I'm glad you are glad for us," Stasya says honestly. It's all too easy to assume that the teams have nothing but hatred or rivalry for one another... but in truth, some very strong friendships have formed between them, contrary to all expectations. But after the wan smile she gives, she seems to subside from her earlier warmth, becoming pensive and almost withdrawn. Her thoughts seem to claim her-- at least, up until Marisol asks about Ayame.
"Oh." Stasya thinks over that a little, a discomfiture entering her gaze as she ruminates on the 'Sneak Thief' and the few conversations she has had with her. "From what I can tell... she is out for herself and herself only. She thinks it is her right to take from others everything she thinks was denied to her in her past, so she would sacrifice others to get ahead. And she is an incredible liar. Not just with words... but, well. She can even fool my senses."
As similar as she and Tenma may very well be, it's in anyone's best interests to never mention them EVER. Why? Because it could end in grievous bodily harm for the fool foolish enough to bring it up. Like Hell Marisol wants to be compared to her most hated rival..!
Stasya's words earn the girl a tiny grin, gray eyes friendly enough as she regards the Russian. With the faintest tilt of her head she chuckles, eyes drifting idly to one side as she replies, "They can be a real pain in the ass I admit, yeah. I'm just sorry to drag you into it unintentionally. I'm sure the last thing you need is more stuff to worry 'bout."
The girl's expression falls slightly as the Russian girl reaches out and offers a squeeze, however shy the gesture may be. The look is fleeting at best; a moment after the half-Spaniard just grins broadly, hands moving to rest upon her curvy hips. "It is, as tough as it may be. You seem like a tough as hell person, from what I've seen - especially when you fight." After all, as far as Marisol is concerned, the girl hits like a goddamned truck. She HAS to be strong.
"To be fair, I can't fault 'em either." After all, Marisol was pissed as hell when Preston's dad came knocking. "As...much as I hate to admit this...and believe me, I DO…" Lifting a hand up, long calloused fingertips absently rub at her cheek, eyes uneasily glancing away from the blonde as she considers her words carefully.
"I...probably would've done the same thing." Pause.
"But don't you dare tell that jerk Tenma I said that!"
A light laugh follows, and casually does the half-Spaniard girl drop her hand to her side, easing them comfortably into her pockets once more. The cheerful look fades a touch at the mention of 'boy,' Marisol's thin red brow cocking slightly in response as she listens. Curiosity haunts her eyes as they study the girl's face, observing closely the Russian girl as she explains. And when she exercises honesty and confesses she's glad Pacific Resistance wasn't brought into the mess...she chuckles.
"Thanks," Marisol replies, reaching out and returning the prior gesture with a light squeeze of the girl's arm in turn. "And don't worry about it. Like I've said, Voronkova...you're the only person on that team I like! The others are a bunch of damn nerds and jerks, I say." Silence briefly seizes the girl, her eyes widening a fraction before she exhales, nostrils flaring lightly as she adds, "But they are your friends, so..."
And then...paydirt.
When the information is spilled on the 'Sneak Thief' Tenma mentioned, Marisol's expression goes a touch flat, her gray eyes hardened as she watches Stasya, listening closely. And in the end, Marisol's lips ease into a Cheshire's smile. She's plotting, and someone astute like Stasya could definitely pick it up.
"Thank you, that's precisely what I wanted to know," the girl offers, half-turning away from the Russian girl as she continues to smile. More than ever, the half-Spaniard girl decides, she needs to pay this girl a visit.
"If she thinks she can fool everyone...she's really mistaken. She'll learn..." the redhead muses aloud in a hushed tone.
"No, I dragged myself in," Stasya replies, smiling faintly. "And to think about others, it helps. It takes my mind away from other things." The redhead's subsequent flattery, however, is not so easily responded; a slight flush claims Stasya's face, before she just grins. "I could be tougher," she demurs. "But thank you."
And when Marisol looks liable to admit something she wouldn't tell most others, a curious look sparks in Stasya's eyes. The eventual resolution of the girl's thoughts brings a laugh out of Stasya, the friendly and amiable way she and Marisol are getting along no doubt sending all sorts of shockwaves rippling through the students distantly observing their conversation (perhaps attracted out of the hope they would explode into a spectacular fight). "Your secret is safe with me," Stasya promises. Again, she sees that similarity between the PR and GK leaders, but damned if she'll bring it up.
She'd like to keep her head, after all.
And though doubtlessly, a girl who takes more after the hearts of the rest of Guardian Kings would have taken rowdy and violent offense to Marisol's observations concerning the rest of her team, Stasya, for her part... just grins, her diplomacy saving her here. She knows why it is Marisol doesn't get along with the rest of Guardian Kings, and it's more a case of MUTUAL personality clash than anything... but again, she likes her head where it is. "They are," she settles for saying, "very endearing 'nerds and jerks.'"
The atmosphere goes a bit graver, though, at talk of Ayame. Stasya divulges pretty much all it is she knows about Ayame... not sure what Marisol will do with the information, but feeling the girl does need to be warned. And speaking of warnings... perhaps Stasya guesses at Marisol's train of thought, because she adds, "--be careful of her. Very careful. That girl is dangerous-- she is a good fighter, and she has no reason ever to hold back. I don't know -what- she might be doing to other people now... or where she might take people if they got on her bad side."
Pulling her jacket tighter about her in the wake of her cautionary words, Stasya seems ready to quit these very hostile premises... but before she goes, she smiles wanly at Marisol. "I am glad we could talk," she says: and then, more carefully, but no less sincerely, "And... I hope things are all right with your Pás friend." For that part of it did not escape her notice, either.
Stasya dragged herself in?
Somehow, Marisol thinks that's a touch untrue, evident by the discreet tilt of her head and the uncertain look that lingers in her smoky gaze. Still, far be it Marisol's place to tell the girl how she ought to feel about the situation. After all, Marisol wasn't there. But it IS her place to say:
"You could be tougher?? Are you crazy?" blinking in disbelief, the girl's mouth goes slightly agape, tanned features seized by an expression of surprise. "You're totally being modest! You do know how hard you HIT, right? Especially with all that weird energy you sling around..?" The redhead shakes her head once fiercely.
"No, I refuse to accept you could be tougher!" A friendly smile cracks her lips shortly thereafter.
Still grinning, the half-Spaniard rolls her shoulders and sighs heavily in relief. "Thank you, Voronkova," she offers. "That jerkface would never let me live it down if he found out. You seem pretty honest and trustworthy for a Guardian King, so..." Her grin widens just a fraction.
But soon the girl turns partly away from the blonde, eyes drifting elsewhere as she mulls over the information divulged to her. Already Marisol has ideas regarding the 'Sneak Thief' she thought was a normal and sane person. The warning is given by Stasya, to whom the girl looks once more, lips pulling into a lopsided smirk.
"Dangerous, huh? Good fighter? Yeah, I've fought her in SNF once or twice. But never alone. To be honest, I'm not afraid of her." At least Stasya knows more or less what the half-Spaniard girl has planned; that alone gives Marisol reason to grin all the more. "I like a challenge anyway, and what I like more..? People who don't ever hold back.
"As for what she might be doing? Probably licking her wounds from those tard friends of yours." A bitter laugh escapes Marisol, eyes snapping shut. There's a reason why she personally believes the Guardian Kings (and their leader) are the rivals of her team. Because they are strong.
But like HELL if Marisol will elaborate.
However, the girl's demeanor shifts a bit as the Russian pulls her jacket close and speaks, her kindness earning the blonde a polite smile from the redhead. "Thanks, same here. I don't think we've ever had a chance, outside of fights, that is." The half-Spaniard turns and begins to walk away...at least until Stasya mentions Pás. It causes the redhead to freeze in her tracks.
"Y-yeah," she says, her words a touch gloomy. "Me too. ...me too. I will tell her you stopped by when I see her."
Lifting a hand up, she offers the Russian girl a parting wave over her shoulder as she begins to walk off toward the dormitories.
"Be seein' you, Voronkova. Get better! I'll have to hunt you down for a fight sometime, you know."
Log created on 22:00:06 04/06/2008 by Stasya, and last modified on 02:47:28 04/07/2008.