splitmemory | training buddies

Perhaps so. Game is often leaner in the colder months, after all.

[Both physically speaking, and in the sense that it's just harder to find. Not impossible, of course--but he wouldn't want to make Epel trudge around and wait in snowy woods as he tracks his quarry, hmmm? Spring would surely be better.

Rook is only too glad to watch Epel strip down, admiring the slender frame and pale skin the younger man reveals. He really is beautiful, isn't he? What a nice treat to compensate for that aborted hot and heavy makeout session, hmmm? For his part, it doesn't take Rook long to mentally put together an outfit as he mulls over the pieces in his wardrobe; a quick flourish of his magical pen, a cascade of sparkles swirling around him, and Rook's uniform is replaced by a cozy winter outfit.]

[ A quick glance over proves that Rook was watching. There's nothing embarrassing about that; it wasn't like he wouldn't change in front of any other guy, any other friend. He pulls that little sweater over his head, and--

Rook was able to change just like that?! How's that fair? How did he even... Those tights were really nice on him- No, he's distracted now, he has to comment. ]

You look like Vil. That looks like something he'd wear.

[ Slipping into his overalls, the pants of which were almost artfully torn and ripped from casual wear and tear, he wonders briefly if he's going to look under dressed next to Rook. Ugh, these fancy Pomefiore boys and their stupid fashionable outfits. It's hard not to stare though, when they'd just been so close, pressed up in such a way... and those thighs-

Epel's face is red all over again. He turns his gaze away, clipping one half of his overall's straps and leaving the other hanging free. He's definitely cute. The socks he puts on are simple, and it's only a second before he's plopping back down onto the edge of the bed to pull on some black boots. He finishes off the look by cuffing his jeans, and...! ]

Are you sure you won't get cold?

[ Sure, Rook looked cozy, but... ]

That would be because Roi du Poison and I picked the outfit out together! My old clothes aren't fit to be worn these days, I'm afraid.

[Now there's a new style. Quaint and cozy, deliberately imperfect..... Made all the more appealing by such rosy cheeks, of course. Rook smiles mischievously, scooting over to lean against Epel.]

I'll be just fine. And even if I'm not, I can always cuddle up, can't I? You and that adorable sweater would surely keep me nice and toasty.

[ Aren't fit to be worn...? Did Rook have a growth spurt after coming to school? Some people did, right? That would make the most sense, he thinks. Or, maybe there was something else about it. He doesn't have all that much time to dwell, as seconds later, he has Rook leaning up against him.

Adjusting his pant legs, he glances to Rook. That redness doesn't get any more deep against his cheeks, though he does seem to fluster further. ]

I mean-- yeah. Absolutely you can. [ For once, he's not seeming all that sad that something of his is called adorable. He can't complain when it comes to anything his Meemaw gives him, really! She worked hard!! ] We wouldn't want you to catch a cold, after all.

Not to worry. If we'll be sitting around a charcoal grill, I'm sure we'll be plenty warm.

[How could anything she made be anything but adorable? She's so talented, after all! And just look at how happy Rook looks, cozied up against Epel's side. Even if he's not feeling chilly, he might just sneak some cuddles anyway, just for their own sake.]

[ This was nice. It's still so new to enjoy being around people his own age, let alone have friends and people he wanted to get to know further. As much as Epel wants to shift to cuddle up further, he's excited. He shifts, both of his hands grabbing onto Rooks as he stands, turning on his heel to face Rook. It's with a small tug that he indicates he's going to help the other boy up. ]

That's true. Before long you might even be too warm!

[ Tug tug! ] Come on, you ready? Let's get going!!

[Awwww, Epel really is excited, isn't he? It's a good thing he didn't have to wait for Rook to go back to his own room to get dressed, or the anticipation might just be too much. Rook surrenders his hands readily enough, letting Epel pull him to his feet.]

I'll let you lead the way, then. Do you know where this restaurant is?

[ He's not suuuuper confident on where this place is, and yet-- ]

I think so!

[ First they'd need to get from the dorm to the mirror hall, then out from there to walk down into town. How hard could one place be to find, anyways?

With that in mind, Epel leads the way along, with confidence he really shouldn't have. Once they make it into town, which he does manage to get them to, Epel realizes a fatal flaw in his plan: Foothill Town was larger than Harveston, and he'd never explored it that in depth. What first year who had Vil practically breathing down their neck would have time?

His nervous energy starts to hit after about ten minutes of just straight up wandering looking for the place. After five MORE minutes, he finally slows to a stop, grabbing Rook's sleeve to stop him. He looks... well, a little frustrated with his own struggle. ]

... I can't find it. These streets are confusing. I... have no clue where we are. [ The admission is soft, but not bashful. He's trying to not be too obviously frustrated. ]

[It's not a bad time, even if they are a little lost. Walking around together on such a brisk day, taking in the sights..... It's a nice little town, isn't it? He admittedly goes up into the mountains more often than he goes into town, on weekends. Rook holds up a reassuring hand as they stop, slinging an arm around Epel's shoulders.]

Lucky for us, we don't need to do it on our own, hmmm?

[Rook digs his phone out of his pocket. All they need is some map directions, right?]

Mira, Mira. Tell me something.

What would you like me to look up?

Where is the newest indoor grilling restaurant in Foothill Town?

[ Aside from the light frustration with himself, Epel still was having a nice time - when had he just gone for a walk with someone from school? Noting anything that was pretty, pointing out different things to each other.

As Rook drapes his arm around his shoulders, Epel leans in closer, his light pout slipping away as Rook made the solution so obvious, so simple. Right, phones could do... that! He watches the device's screen as it lights up with directions, and...

The two of them had practically missed it, on their little wandering. It was tucked in on a side street that they missed, probably during one of the times where Epel was distracted by something nearby -- probably some flyer for some other store that offered some blastcycle mods, the imagery on the flyer catching his eye easily. That did mean, however, that they'd already gotten pretty far past it. Epel peeks up towards Rook, before looking back down to the little map. ]

Can we go by taking another street than it suggests, here? [ He points to a little side street on the map, ] Looks like there are some shops there, we could look as we pass, maybe. [ Totally not hoping they find that shop to peek through the window at, noooo.... ]

Why not? That should work just as well. Allons-y!

[They may as well do a little window shopping on their way to eat! Or maybe even a little real shopping, depending on the shops they pass? He's not really educated on blastcycles, to be fair--but that would just be an opportunity for Epel to tell him all about them, hmmm?]

[ With a small nod, Epel seems to get his steam back just as easy, that frustration having melted away. He leans into Rook as they walk, ever so often glancing down to Rook's phone to help them stay on track. They soon come across that little side street. There were a few shops here, his eyes wandering from one side of the street to the other.

There--!

The shop is definitely closed currently, but Epel gravitates right towards it, where a few blastcycle parts are displayed in the window. ]

Look--!! This is it! [ From the little flyer! Or, maybe not. Could be coincidence... but still, he's excited regardless, practically pressed up against the window in awe. ]

The handlebars they offer here are so cool! They're the ape style, but a little longer, curved in... They have a ton of flashier parts too. That cowl in the back looks so loud, so out there.

[ He is enraptured. Good luck getting him to step away anytime soon. ]

Really? Let's see it!

[Rook follows along more sedately, hands folded as he peers into the window. Blastcycle parts, hmmm..... This is something completely outside his field of expertise. But Epel certainly seems knowledgeable, doesn't he? He can admire the aesthetics of the parts on display, but their functions are beyond him.

They can put off lunch for a little while, can't they? If Epel is having fun, he hardly minds.]

What makes them ape style?

[ Bringing his hand up, he points into the window, motioning towards a specific set of handlebars. ]

See, so, those long ones are called Ape Hangers. The shape of them requires the rider to reach up and grab onto them like an ape hangin' from a tree, so that's how they got their name. Some can be super extreme while others have a more light curve to 'em. The type you choose has to be for two reasons: handling and style. Ape hangers are the coolest style you can go for.

[ He then points over to a very straight set of handlebars. ]

Those over there are called 'drag handlebars'. You'd use 'em if you wanted to lessen your wind resistance and improve acceleration... I think. But! If you look at them, versus the apes, they look so much less cool, right? You'd lose out on style points!

Edited 2024-08-24 02:57 (UTC)

They are very aesthetic.....

[Rook rubs his chin thoughtfully. Who would have guessed that some blastcycle enthusiasts might favor a style that outright hinders their performance? Does the style being cooler translate to how you look while holding onto them, as well?]

I suppose if you're going too fast, nobody will be able to get a good look at your blastcycle at all.

[ Epel can't help but laugh, bringing one hand up to stifle it some. Certainly, Rook had some understanding, but, well... that's not the only reason to sacrifice speed for style!! ]

A good rider will always be able to control their speed under the right circumstances. To be able to ride so fast you're a blur, while also being able to slow it down to a cruise to ride with others, and at the same time having everything customized to your liking, to make your blastcycle even more you -- there's no other way to do it!

[ With that fiery little grin on his face, he peeks up towards Rook. ]

One day, I'll have one of my own, you know? I'll take you for a ride! Promise!

I see! Not so different from a broom in that way, is it?

[He thinks he understands a little better, now. The difference must be relatively minor--the sort of thing racing enthusiasts would care about far more than general hobbyists. There's no need to prioritize speed, if you just want to enjoy riding together and expressing yourself.]

I'll be looking forward to it! How will you style yours, once you have it?

Exactly!

[ Yeah, exactly!!! When Rook seems to apply that, to relate something he knows to what Epel's talking about, the smaller boy seems to get even more excited. Isn't being understood wonderful? ]

First things first, I'll get handlebars like those, [ the ape hanger ones, he points back to, ] ... A long set! The longer the better. Then, the next step will be to get a huge flashy rocket cowl. I'll get a seat with a real tall back, get some wider wheels... and, finally, I'm gonna paint dragons and tigers on it for extra flare. Once I've got all that down, I'll trick it out completely for the best ride possible while looking the coolest out there.

[ He's so excited and clearly fired up just thinking about it. ]

People will have to take me serious, too. I'll look fierce, strong, intimidating. I'll pick fights and get into all sorts of trouble. [ ... not that he doesn't already, but he does have to hold himself back, with his and Vil's deal. Unfortunately. ]

They'll certainly be able to recognize you immediately, with a blastcycle like that.....

[Rook's eyebrows raise as he listens, quietly impressed. A rocket cowl, enormous stylized handlebars, dragons and tigers..... What a mental image he paints. Fierce and intimidating is right. Epel clearly has a very specific aesthetic style he's aiming for, isn't he?

Still, he can't help the flicker of concern as Epel goes on. Picking fights and getting into all sorts of trouble? It seems needlessly reckless, if you ask him.]

What do fights and troublemaking have to do with blastcycles?

[ What was that look? Brief as it is, Epel recognizes it. He's seen it on his family's face when he'd come home from school all beat up, in tears after getting in one too many fights. Ah... was... Rook worried? Epel's smile softens, his hand coming to rest against his own chest. ]

It has everything to do with blastcycles.

[ Epel declares, before reaching out and taking Rook's hand in his own, taking a few steps backwards along, towards their destination again, dragging Rook along. Or, trying to. ]

It's suuuuper simple... I like it. Shouldn't we always go with what our heart tells us? Sounds like something you'd say, at least...

[ And now he's beginning to use Rook's own words against him.. learning far too quickly. ]

Does it?

[It's clear enough that Rook doesn't understand, even if he follows Epel's tugging readily enough. He's never gotten into trouble simply for its own sake, after all--it's always been in pursuit of greater goals, even if they were as simple as exploring the savanna.]

Well, I suppose..... But take care to ensure you're prepared for the worst, if you must. An exciting hunt can turn into a deadly nightmare in the blink of an eye, if things get out of control.

[A sneaky little thing, isn't he? Of course he advocates following your heart. Still..... isn't that a dangerous path to follow your heart down?]

[ Epel had never experienced anything all too dangerous. His own little adventures had been nothing more than childish games. Rook's warning doesn't go completely over his head, but, well... he's pretty sure there's nothing to worry about. Not right now, at least. Once he's strong, he won't have to worry like this. ]

I know, I know. It's not something I seek out now.

[ Who knows, really, if he's being completely honest. Still, might as well try not to worry Rook too much, hm? He gets most of his energy out during his Spelldrive club hours, anyways. The only trouble Rook has to worry about currently is with that crowd... who are mostly very careful with Epel, while treating him like an equal. ]

Looks like we're almost there, [ He points out, peeking down again to their little set of directions. ] I can't wait.

[ It's then he seems to realize they're still holding hands, as Epel drags Rook along. His cheeks dust pink, and he offers the other boy a soft smile, ] We should sit on the same side of the table so we can keep holding hands.

[Good, good. Epel has plenty of time to scare the wits out of him, doesn't he? There's no need to start immediately. For now, Rook is content to leave it at that and simply walk hand in hand instead, smiling playfully to see such a pretty little flush.]

That sounds lovely. Just don't be surprised if I don't want to let go later, hmmm?

Who said you're allowed to let go?

[ Epel retorts offhandedly, unable to keep a smile off his own face. He's trying to beat Rook at his own game, honestly. It's probably not going to work, but hey! He's trying! ]

Oh là là, did I misjudge the position I'm in? It seems I've no choice but to obey~

[Does it count as beating him at his own game if he coyly surrenders? Rook squeezes Epel's hand obligingly, thumb stroking circles against it.]

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