[ It's been a couple days since Akira has found himself in this strange land, and some things must always go forward no matter what the circumstances. Some things like fitness. A certain boy might call him stupid for exercising in a time like this but it gives him something to do, and more importantly it helps him get his energy out in a way that's not punching other people. A win-win for everyone.
So that's why Akira is on one of the quieter streets in the city with two paintcans as makeshift dumbells, doing sets. It's not ideal but it's better than lifting bags of rotten onions because at least the cans have handles. He's pretty engrossed in his set so he won't notice anyone approaching right away, his daemon wrapped around his shoulders in snake form for added weight. ]
[One always needs to keep up their physical fitness! You never know when you're going to be called on to fight. Even though she doesn't know him yet, Alisaie is of the same mind as Akira--she's here, she's going to at least stick with some parts of routine to make sure she's fighting fit.
She's out running when she comes across Akira, slowing to a stop as she watches him.]
[ He sets the cans down and wipes a bead of sweat off his brow. Akira doesn't really consider any class of people "his", but fellow fitness junkies he understands. ]
They weren't when I found them, but they are now. Water, not paint, so the weight's still a bit off.
[She's in shorts and a T-shirt pilfered from one of the other houses, so if he looks at her, he'll be able to see that in spite of her height, she's... surprisingly built? Swordplay requires strength in addition to dexterity, and she's no slouch.]
I confess, I'm usually restricted to what happens to be nearby when it comes to finding suitable weights. But I've made do up until now.
Kinda. [ He can see she's in shape yeah, but his automatic assumption is running, swimming, tennis, etc etc. It's interesting and not in the bad way.
A nod. ]
I have time between sets, so go for it. [ He'll move off to the side to give her room. ] I'd take a crappy gym over this, but I've had to get creative before.
My thanks. [She'll step up to the cans and, after testing their weight, settle into position to start a set of bent over rows.]
I don't think I've seen a proper gymnasium since I was in Sharlayan. [Beat.] Well, not the sort of gymnasium one typically imagines, at least.
[She'll leave it at that for a moment, focusing on form as she finishes the set, then sets the paint cans down and steps out of the way for him to move back in.]
A city-state, to be more precise. [A shrug.] It boasts of a sizable institution of learning known as the Studium, where my brother and I studied before leaving home.
[If Akira wants to talk to Alisaie this evening, he's going to have to come and find her--or he may happen to catch her as she's going from the chapel to the dining area and then out into the cold winter night. Because there are no training dummies here, and like hell is she going into the ice garden where the fighting happened and the blood still remains.
So she's literally just hurling ice into the night while Taf prowls around her feet as though he's on the hunt. Hi there. Come join her.]
[ Akira likes to wander outside after trials, and tonight's no exception. He gives Alisaie some berth though before he approaches, watching the ice get thrown into the night. Nagako is at his side, ears perked in wolf form. ]
[Yeah, she knows the truth. He's nearly twice her weight and has a full foot and a half on her. She's fierce, but she (...usually) knows where her limitations lie! But regardless, she'll gesture to the ice bucket.]
[ Something of a huff. Not many people can beat him in the size area, especially as the weeks have gone on. He nods and steps closer to grab a chunk of ice. ]
I never say no to throwing shit. [ Tossing a piece of ice in his hand. ]
I'd ask how you're feeling but that's a stupid question.
Hm? I ain't gonna say shit or try to talk you out of being pissed off. Me and Spike don't agree on a lot, but he was right. [ He watches her throw before making his own attempt, a pretty smooth one that goes far but doesn't seem to be at the max of his strength. ]
Then I needn't explain it? That's a relief. I'm sick of this idea that we cannot be angry with one another simply because we've all been pulled into the same horrible situation.
[There goes another chunk of ice. His throws are definitely going further, even lobbing them as he is, but that doesn't seem to deter her.]
I had no intention of actually doing him any damage. He had confessed to his deeds. Compelled or not, he will face an execution tomorrow and these angels will get the next sacrifice they demand. I won't give them any more of us than they've already taken.
It-- [She stops before she says "doesn't", because she knows it does. Alisaie presses her lips together hard before grabbing another chunk of ice, squeezing it hard in her hand.]
He ought to have defended himself against me. Mayhap he made his decision thinking it was what she would want. But were that the case, he ought to have stood his ground, even if he held his silence.
At least have the stones to stand by your decision, you coward!
But Susato was responsible for Rex's death. She was angry that we hadn't suspected her in spite of her cover-up. If Rochalizo knew, as I suspect he did, he likely convinced himself he was doing her a favor.
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WEEK 0 TUESDAY AFTERNOON
So that's why Akira is on one of the quieter streets in the city with two paintcans as makeshift dumbells, doing sets. It's not ideal but it's better than lifting bags of rotten onions because at least the cans have handles. He's pretty engrossed in his set so he won't notice anyone approaching right away, his daemon wrapped around his shoulders in snake form for added weight. ]
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She's out running when she comes across Akira, slowing to a stop as she watches him.]
Clever. Are those cans full?
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They weren't when I found them, but they are now. Water, not paint, so the weight's still a bit off.
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Still, properly filled they should be approximately the same weight.
Do you mind if I join you?
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You lift? [ this sounds less sexist and more surprised. ]
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[She's in shorts and a T-shirt pilfered from one of the other houses, so if he looks at her, he'll be able to see that in spite of her height, she's... surprisingly built? Swordplay requires strength in addition to dexterity, and she's no slouch.]
I confess, I'm usually restricted to what happens to be nearby when it comes to finding suitable weights. But I've made do up until now.
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A nod. ]
I have time between sets, so go for it. [ He'll move off to the side to give her room. ] I'd take a crappy gym over this, but I've had to get creative before.
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I don't think I've seen a proper gymnasium since I was in Sharlayan. [Beat.] Well, not the sort of gymnasium one typically imagines, at least.
[She'll leave it at that for a moment, focusing on form as she finishes the set, then sets the paint cans down and steps out of the way for him to move back in.]
I'm Alisaie, by the way.
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I'm not gonna ask where that is, but gonna bet it was some kind of city, right?
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So you were together before all of this?
w5, post-trial
So she's literally just hurling ice into the night while Taf prowls around her feet as though he's on the hunt. Hi there. Come join her.]
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Think you can throw farther than me?
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Given our difference in size, no.
[Yeah, she knows the truth. He's nearly twice her weight and has a full foot and a half on her. She's fierce, but she (...usually) knows where her limitations lie! But regardless, she'll gesture to the ice bucket.]
But you're welcome to join me.
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I never say no to throwing shit. [ Tossing a piece of ice in his hand. ]
I'd ask how you're feeling but that's a stupid question.
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I'm angry. Infuriated, even. But not simply because Rochalizo murdered her. It's more complex than that.
[And the chunk of ice goes sailing into the night with a grunt. It's. An okay throw? Passable, maybe. It's fine.]
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[There goes another chunk of ice. His throws are definitely going further, even lobbing them as he is, but that doesn't seem to deter her.]
I had no intention of actually doing him any damage. He had confessed to his deeds. Compelled or not, he will face an execution tomorrow and these angels will get the next sacrifice they demand. I won't give them any more of us than they've already taken.
I'm not sorry for yelling at him.
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If you wanna take a shot at him that's up to you, too. As long as you don't kill him before that, I really don't see how it matters.
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He ought to have defended himself against me. Mayhap he made his decision thinking it was what she would want. But were that the case, he ought to have stood his ground, even if he held his silence.
At least have the stones to stand by your decision, you coward!
[There it goes, along with a frustrated shout.]
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So you went to see him and that's what he said?
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But Susato was responsible for Rex's death. She was angry that we hadn't suspected her in spite of her cover-up. If Rochalizo knew, as I suspect he did, he likely convinced himself he was doing her a favor.
1/2
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Yeah, I knew. Well, I knew she killed someone but wasn't entirely sure on the who, but if I had to pick that would've been my guess.