Description: Ninon gets a gift too. Such a fangirl.
The holiday week tends to be a quiet time for Seijyun, as many of the students just head home during the time to be with their families and all that other good stuff. This pretty much counts Yurika Kirishima out, however, Kurow was never a fan of Christmas, and while Yurika isn't much of a partier herself, she had met an aquaintance who was far more than deserving of a gift. That, of course, would be Ninon Beart, one whom, by Yurika's calculations, should still be about campus at least for the time being.
It's a touch early in the afternoon, it'll be time for lunch quite soon and Yurika is dressed up and ready to face the day. She already had met up with Akira and now she's headed down the hall to Ninon's room, the girl clad in yet another frilled dress of a white and red motif, with white gloves and stockings. In her hand is a metal canteen as well as a small, wrapped gift-box, about the size of a journalist's notepad.
After taking a calm breath, she knocks lightly on the door...
Though for entirely different reasons, Ninon wanted nothing to do with her family during the holiday season, either. Her concerns were a great deal more simple. To avoid the frustration of having to deal with a family that she, honestly, didn't care a bit about, she had simply chosen to remain at Seijyun instead of flying back home. There was nothing for her there. And if she flew home, her vaguely mind-damaged older sister would as well. The flight back to America would offer her no respite from the frustrations of being Mignon Beart's sister. So she had simply remained.
However, and surprisingly so, her holiday season had been Mignon-free so far. It had been a nice change, not having her sister around. It'd given her time to think, reflect on just what she was doing in Southtown. She'd been forced to realize that her own power was not unassailable, that there were countless people that could match and even surpass her. She would never even consider putting those thoughts into words, however. Her confident personality was her strongest point, and she wasn't going to allow herself to appear weak.
Thoughts like this are completely hidden as the door opens to reveal the dour face of the self-proclaimed sorceress. She does not waste time with any formalities. "So, you're still here." She doesn't appear to be dressed in holiday clothes, instead wearing her typical frilly black laced dress. She turns to walk back into her room, but doesn't close the door. "I take it you don't intend to stand in the hall all day."
The frilled musician actually has very little idea what thoughts go on in Ninon's head.. The woman just doesn't seem the type to voice any kind of concern and so to Yurika the black-clad Beart appears to be simply worry-free. The 'greeting' Yurika is given isn't a surprise to her in the least.. Though actually it does seem less friendly than usual- When you're Yurika Kirishima, you can pick out all sorts of interesting little things from even the slightest change of tone.
"Good day to you as well, Miss Beart," Yurika replies without missing a beat, and helps herself inside, closing the door behind her after doing so. "I hope you don't mind the sudden company, but there were some things I wanted to bring to you.."
Before Ninon can get too far, Yurika holds out the small box, it's wrapped in shiny, golden wrapping paper with a black ribbon around it. It's difficult to tell what it is, but if Ninon opens it right away, she'll find out that inside is a black and grey marble compact. Yurika just assumed that Ninon likes to look at herself on ocassion. It even has a silver 'N' engraved on the top. "This is for you.. You probably don't realize how great an influence you've been to me. It isn't much but, I wanted to give you something at least as thanks. Happy Holidays."
The room of the 'witch' is as organized as ever, clean and well-kept with everything in its place. Several of her dresses, clear favorites, are out in the open stored not on little mannequins. And sprawled out on her bed is the little white kitten, Mirabelle, that the girl swears up and down is nothing but a familiar. She is certainly not a pet, and she certainly doesn't curl up on top of the girl while she's sleeping. That sort of thing is unbecoming and, of course, never comes up.
For what it was worth, Ninon hadn't actively intended to be less friendly then normal, not that friendly is ever a good word to describe her interaction with her 'student'. "Hmmmm." The girl, after opening her present, simply stares at it a moment, violet eyes gazing near emotionlessly at the offering. "I am not the type of person that believes that one should give out presents merely because it is a certain time of year. This season was originally meant as a religious celebration, and religion has little use to someone such as me." She steps over to her dresser, and sets the gift atop it before opening one the dresser's drawers.
"It was some time ago that I gave you a gift of my own, as I recall. It was something I was not entirely satisfied with, and I eventually figured out why." What she pulls out out is not wrapped, but instead neatly folded. "The dress by itself did not complete the look I was going for. It needed a little something more. And so that is why I took the time to prepare this." What is offered is a bonnet to match the dress that Ninon had given the girl months ago. It is made of the same light blue fabric, and properly frilled. "It was a trifle to create, but I did not want to leave my work incomplete. It would be a shame to my name." In her own way, she seems to be returning the other girl's generosity.
Ah yes Mirabelle, Yurika had never actually met the little feline, and of course will continue to let that meeting go unaccomplished, seeing as pets aren't exactly allowed on campus. What a rebel that Beart is! "It's funny you mention that, I am the same way, of course.. Believe me, I'm not doing it simply for the sake of doing so."
Ninon offer the bonnet, to the surprise of Yurika, and she actually stares at the accessory for the moment. She's completely enchanted by the design and stitches, there really is a quality behind Ninon's work that isn't present in the other designs she's so fond of. The sparkle in her dark eyes simply cannot be overlooked, it's clear she's very very pleased with the gesture. "Ninon, this is simply magnificent.. Thank you very very much.." she replies softly. "I hope to match your expertise sometime, have you considered perhaps making sewing lolita fashion a career choice?"
Though after that her lips twist just a touch in minor concern. ".. Ah. Is something bothering you today, Miss Beart? You sounded a bit troubl- No, frustrated, earlier."
If Ninon admits to being even remotely troubled to this girl, it changes everything. The whole reason she was able to keep herself held in such high regard was that untouchable high and mighty attitude that she carried herself with. If she started getting whiny and sharing concerns with this girl, one she had worked hard to make herself appear superior to, then her effort would go to waste. This was, of course, rather against her intent.
And thus the girl's face betrays no emotion as she responds. "Frustrated? Perhaps. This city, it is not delivered what I had expected. I came here expecting so much. It was supposed to be a gathering ground for the strong, the great. So far, I have found little of this. While I have found numerous people who could be considered strong, I have found none that were great. Ill-cultured, primitive louts make up the majority of the warriors that congregate upon this city. I have found none worthy of associating myself with, save perhaps for yourself. I do not feel shame when in your presence. So far, you have not horribly disappointed me."
Of course this is Ninon speaking. She isn't the type to just cheerfully compliment someone and leave it at that. "That said, I wish to test your strength sometime soon. In the time since I came to know you, I trust you have not allowed laziness to come over you. If you want to have the strength to take what you want from life, you will have to constantly grow stronger. The more you have, the more others will want to take it from you. I trust that you realize such a simple fact already, I am merely stating the obvious."
Yurika seems to be buying it, it most certainly seems like something Ninon would be concerned about, and it brings a small smile to Yurika's lips. She seemed just a touch disappointed that Seishirou wasn't mentioned during her tirade (Yurika most certainly did see that match on television); but she decided not to bring that up, mostly because she knows so little about said ninja.. But she would like to know a little more sometime and that was another matter for another day.
"I'm pleased to hear as such, Miss Beart," Yurika replies as calmly as ever, perhaps one of the few to not be utterly put off by Ninon's manner of speech. She then raises her hand to her chest, "I'd be more than happy to match with you once more. It's been my mission for some time to increase my own strength, yet I'm also aware that there are many problems I cannot take on on my own.. It's a troubling issue to come to terms with..."
"It's even more troubling skirting about ways to bring people toward my cause. Miss Beart.. I've felt like I've grown stronger, but I also feel that I cannot succeed with words much longer.. Is taking things by force really the only option in the end?"
The girl hadn't forgotten the time she'd faced off against that man. She also hadn't forgotten how she had 'beat' him. Truth be told, had it been just her against him, she likely would have lost. However, in her arrogance, she had convinced herself that Mignon had merely been holding her back. She'd been more of a meatshield then a hinderance in the end, and did enough harm to the talkative ninja to allow Ninon to blast him right out of the sky. She had, of course, claimed the entire victory as her own.
"The only way? No, force is never the only way. Sometimes it can be a very foolish way to handle things. Tipping your hand too early will merely result in unneeded complications. This said, there are also times when it is necassary. The key is figuring out which situation you are faced with when the unexpected comes up."
Yurika raises a gloved hand thoughtfully to her lips and nods her head to Ninon. The answer was simple enough, really, and yet it was overlooked simply because she was overcomplicating things on her own. After a moment there's another gentle smile from Yurika as she nods her head, "I see.. I think I understand.. There's something I wish to share with you in private the next time we meet then, Ninon. Which looks like it'd be about the time when we face each other in battle. Let's meet at the same place in the forest that we did last time, all right?"
Yurika pinches the side of her dress and gives the other girl a parting curtsey. "I've a bit to ponder, so I shall be taking my leave a little early. You haven't been the only one keeping busy, after all.. You'll be quite pleased with what it is I wish to share I think. Until then, adieu, Miss Beart."
And with that she turns around to exit the room, ignoring the snoozing kitten just as she had upon entering.. And feeling enlightened once more.
The opposite could be said of Ninon. She never overcomplicated things. There was one singular truth that she clung to at all times, her inherent, and mostly imagined, superiority to the people around her. In her eyes, all that mattered was that she was better and that she knew this. With that thought in her head, figuring out just about anything was simple because she didn't have to care about other people's opinions. She could listen to them, and consider them, and even accept them if they agreed with her own. In the end, however, they could easily be tossed aside if she didn't like them. That is what it is like in Ninon's head.
"Oh? I shall look forward to our next meeting then, Yurika Kirishima. Until that time, remember to carry yourself with pride, because you are better then the fools that surround us. Always keep that thought in your head." Once the other girl has left the room, the door is closed and locked behind her. Ninon has little use for the other students who had remained during the holidays.
Log created on 00:55:43 12/27/2008 by Yurika, and last modified on 05:00:00 02/12/2009.