splitmemory | training buddies

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.]

That's-- I mean--

[ The boy stumbles along his words, his cheeks flushing further. Of course Rook was going to take his words and run with them. ]

I just meant--... um... [ No, really, he can't exactly fix what he meant by that, that seems pretty self explanatory, doesn't it? He meant it that way, but the second Rook says something like that...!!! Ugh. Him surrendering was not a part of the plan! ]

... That I don't want you to.

[Rook just giggles to hear Epel stumbling over himself, smile warming with fondness. What had Epel hoped he would do exactly, if he didn't expect Rook to indulge him? It might even be a mercy to poor Epel when they arrive, if Rook gets to flirt with him for the rest of the walk.]

I'm so glad to hear it. Your wish is my command, of course~ ♥

[ Taking a little step closer, so their arms bump into each other, Epel spares a few more glances up towards Rook, nervous little glances that betray his own nerves. He finds himself smiling, despite those nerves. ]

Anything? Isn't that a little dangerous...?

That depends on you, non? Are you dangerous, Monsieur Pommette?

[Rook's smile turns sly and conspiratorial. He'll hardly indulge Epel without qualifications, of course--but he doesn't mind playing along within reason, either. Doesn't Epel want to feel a little powerful and dangerous?]

[ Well.
Epel wants to be dangerous. A force to be reckoned with. He was, right? ... Or did he just want to be? Slowly, his hand shifts to intertwine their fingers. ]

I can be. [ Epel, finally decides, nodding. ] I could... ask you to come out on a night, even if it's extra cold, just so we can look up at the stars together. You'd be at risk of catching a cold.

[ He manages to think of something dangerous that can't quite be turned against him. He hopes. Maybe. ]

[Oh. Oh, his heart..... He's going to melt no matter how cold it is out here. How is Epel ever going to shake the cute allegations if he says things like this?]

Dangerous indeed..... But it seems to me you're worth the risk.

[ How's he supposed to keep a smile from his face when Rook says something so sweet in return to his own statement? ]

Vil would never let us live it down if you got sick... [ Oh! There's the place!! Epel shifts to take a few steps forward, grabbing the door before Rook could, holding the door open for them both. ]

Heheheh..... We got each other sick, back when we were first years. He might scold, but I think he'd just have to accept it.

[Hah, he can only imagine Vil's exasperation--and how it would surely be focused on him, since he should be the responsible party in those circumstances. What was he thinking? Doesn't he know he's not a kid anymore? He's always so reckless.....

It would be fine. Even if Rook didn't point out their own youthful indiscretions, Vil surely couldn't stay mad at him over something so silly.]

Merci!

Really? You and Vil were reckless like that in your first year...?

[ The boy barely knows much about how Vil and Rook actually met. It wasn't as if the two went around talking about it, and Epel didn't have all that many friends yet. Not enough to hear stories about the third years, at least.

Stepping in behind him, he nods at the thanks. Their conversation is cut short for a few moments, as they're led to a table to sit down. In the middle of the table is the little charcoal stove, not yet lit. It's a little booth in the back, allowing the two of them some more privacy. Most likely by sheer luck.

They're given a menu to look over, for their choices of meats and veggies and sides.

Epel slips into one side of the booth, tugging Rook with him. Then, he looks up to him. ]

What else did you and Vil do in your first year that was similarly reckless?

Oh, yes. It was snowing quite heavily, and we stayed out far past curfew..... Small wonder we both caught colds out there.

[It's a nice little booth for chatting quietly, without fear of any other patrons interrupting them..... Though the same can't quite be said for the staff. After all, they need to start picking out what they want, don't they? Unfortunately for Epel, the menus are rather distracting.]

We had to sneak back to our rooms more often than I should admit, really. Our talks usually tended to run rather long.

It's hard to imagine Vil being so reckless like that... he's so strict now, with curfew and all.

[ As Epel's about to continue, they were approached, the little grill in the middle of the table lit up, and the two urged to make some choices to begin. Epel quickly looked back to the menu in a slight panic, trying to pick out what he thought Rook would also enjoy. Only once the two of them had picked something to start with did the staff leave them to chatter more.

Shifting in the seat, Epel turns to face Rook better. ]

Was he less strict back then? Or... that really doesn't sound like the Vil now.

It is, isn't it?

[Rook looks downright nostalgic, thinking about their escapades. Admittedly, they were fairly tame, in terms of troublemaking..... But it's still rather contrary to the image Vil presents these days, isn't it? All the more reason for those memories to be so precious, knowing he'd gotten to know such a secret, hidden side of Vil.

He's content to leave their choices to Epel, at least--if he's going to be their chef, he should be the one to decide what he wants to cook, right? Rook can't imagine Epel would order anything he'd actually object to.]

Well..... I suppose you could say that? He wasn't the Housewarden yet, after all--he hardly needed to mind anyone but himself. That didn't spare me from my fair share of lectures, of course. But I did deserve them, I'll admit.

I don't know why, but Vil always struck me as the type who'd be bossy to all those around him even if he wasn't the Housewarden. Guess he's just... human, too.

[ Which makes him all the more intimidating!! How come a human is that powerful, huh?! It's not fair in the slightest! Epel was going to take him down once and for all someday, knock him off that throne of his, mark his damn word--

... Wait. ]

You deserved lectures from him? Whaddid you do?

Heh..... What didn't I do? I'd show up with my hair and clothes an awful mess, and he'd always take it upon himself to try and fix what he could, no matter how annoyed he got. I'd pop up and startle him unexpectedly sometimes, and even snuck into his room a handful of times when I absolutely should have been in bed myself. I nearly tracked mud into Pomefiore a few times, and he refused to let me anywhere near the building. My excursions sometimes ended up in close calls or even getting hurt, and he was always terribly mad whenever I wasn't careful enough.....

[Ahhh, memories. Vil had still been bossy even back then, but looking back on it? Rook can't say he blames him for any of it.]

[ HUH? Rook... did things like THAT? Show up like a mess, worse than Epel did? Rook was bossed around in the very same way???? And-- ]

Wait, wait, he wouldn't even let you get to your room when you were muddy and dirty? How's that help you from staying out of trouble, if you couldn't even get into the dorm to clean up?

[ Poor sweet Epel is confused, his brows furrowed. ]

... You still pop up and startle people! That hasn't changed! [ He then adds, squeezing Rook's hand where his own was still in his, making a face at him. Explain, please, says those bright eyes of his. Would Rook have mercy on the poor confused boy? ]

Ahahaha! He'd hose me down with water magic on the spot if I was too bad, since I never wanted to go all the way back to my own dorm. I'd end up soaked to the skin and dripping all over the place like a wet dog! We'd have to chat in the gardens or go back out to campus, those days.

[Can you believe Rook got ~~bullied~~ bossed around even worse than you do, Epel?]

Ah, please don't be mad..... I'm not as bad about that as I used to be.

I still don't understand... wasn't your room right inside? Why would he take the time to hose you off and then...

[ Plenty of students knew about Rook's transfer... if they were in their second or third year. Epel was completely unaware, making this story all the more confusing for him. He is absolutely enamored, however, by the idea that someone else got so bossed around so thoroughly. ]

I'm not mad! I think we should put a bell on you so we can hear where you are, that's all.

Oho! What a delightful challenge that would be. I wonder if I could still sneak up on you even then?

[Don't give him ideas, Epel. He's going to end up spooking you even worse for the sake of training to move silently even while wearing a bell.....

Still, he only looks amused at Epel's confusion, reaching for his phone once again. Does it seem like he's ignoring your question, Epel? Give him a minute, he's scrolling through his photo albums, searching for something specific, aaaaand..... there! Rook turns his screen to show Epel a selfie: Rook lounging sprawled on a tree branch that a Savanaclaw banner is hanging from, decked out in full dorm uniform with a boisterous grin. Can he see a glimpse of the dorm building in the background? Can he even recognize Rook past the freckles and sunburn, the unrestrained exuberance, the leaves and dirt and bits of grass caught on his uniform and in his long hair?]

I took this on my first full day at Night Raven College. What do you think?

[ Epel's confused when the phone comes out. He waits patiently regardless, shifting only when the phone is turned to face him. Peeking at the image there, he blinks several times, before--

He grabs the phone outright, staring at the man sprawled out on that tree branch. He pinches the screen to zoom in on the face, before holding said phone up near Rook's face, as if comparing the two of them. ]

Ah can't believe....

[ No, there it is! The gaze of Rook's eyes, the smile. It's all Rook in that picture, so happy and unrestrained. Untrained, free. ]

You were in Savanaclaw and you left?! For Pomefiore????? Why?! Are ya nuts? Was it necessary? Did they kick ya out or somethin??? What happened??

[ Rook has his full attention now, as Epel shifts to fully face him in his seat, eyes wide. ]

You gots to tell me. How'd ya keep this a secret, huh?? Not fair-- look at you!

[For now, at least, Epel can steal his phone--he could even browse through those photos he'd taken during his early days at Night Raven College, if he could tear his eyes away. For his part, Rook just laughs aloud at Epel's shock, eyes sparkling with mischief. You wanted to get to know each better, didn't you, Epel? In a situation where you could just be you, and he could just be himself in turn.....

Is this what you wanted, getting a peek of who Rook Hunt is behind the curtain of Pomefiore's Vice Housewarden?]

Non, non, nothing so drastic. I wanted to know, truly and deeply: what is "beauty"? I might well have found the answers I sought eventually, had I stayed--I might have even come to a different understanding than I have now.

But following in the footsteps of the Fairest Queen and her legacy..... my hunter's intuition told me that walking the same path as she once had, and experiencing her relentless passion for myself--it simply couldn't help but pierce straight to the heart of the matter, like an arrow flying straight and true!

training buddies

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject