Back to School - Band Candy (LOL Alert!)

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

A table has been set up in the forum, hung with banners and piled with boxes. A slim, well-dressed man fusses over it, straightening signs and smoothing the tablecloth. The signs and banners are for a high school pep and marching band. When the table and the wrapped bars of chocolate on it are arranged to the man's satisfaction, he steps behind it and raises his voice to call attention.

"Friends! It's the season in many places for the resumption of studies. Children are going back to school, and those schools are woefully unfunded! Tragic, I know, but it's become customary for the funding of activities like sports, art, even music, to be supplied by the sale of treats--such as these!" A sweep of his hand indicates the confections on display.

"The town of Sunnydale always has a particularly difficult time, in that area, I'm sorry to say, and now more than ever. Their school band is hard beset, what with consistently leading the division in fatalities, but now? The majority of their town has been devoured by a sinkhole!" He removes his hat, holding it over his heart as he shakes his head with an expression of sorrow.

It passes. "But! The spirits of those children remain indefatigable, and all they need are instruments, uniforms, and other such trifles, to carry on. So, in the name of lending a hand to those in need, I come to you, good denizens of the Nexus, with the chance to show your support. Reclaim a little taste of youth, and help youths hard beset, all for the flimsiest of payments. I take all forms of currency, and arrangements can be made for deferred billing or other alternatives."

"So: will you think of the children?"

((LOL Alert! This is indeed the candy from an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Eating it reverts a character's emotional maturity to adolescence, when hormones run high, judgment runs low, and leading priorities include having fun and impressing the interesting sex(es). The effects are temporary, but seem to be consistent with the quantity consumed, and come on fairly quickly. Have fun with it!))

Comments

That is a nice dress

[sumarusfinest]

He doesn't know. He doesn't know what's wrong with him. Everything was fine and now he feels too overdressed and noticeable and people are talking to him and oh god he's dressed like a cop this is just the worst. Where's his brother?

Not here Katsuya. Calm down. One arm nervously crosses over to hold tightly to the other arm. More like he's hugging himself than anything. He's biting at his lower lip.

"...Do you like cats?" Oh my god. That's your ice breaker? Just go throw yourself off a cliff now. He winces visibly, trying to shrink away. "I-i. I mean. Uhm. Which one of your tattoos is your f-favorite? Did it hurt?" Yes. Turn the conversation away from yourself so you don't have to talk. Anything.

Those hearts though.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I do like cats." Poor guy. She'd try to hug him, but that never goes well, so she'll keep her hands to herself and try to sound gentle. "I don't have any, but maybe after I move I'll get some."

And for the other questions, she glances down at her tattoos before answering. "It hurt, yeah. Kind of a lot sometimes. But it wasn't the bad kind of hurt. My favorite... this flower. I think this one came out best."

Oh, Mayas. Yeah that outfit explains her personality perfectly.

[sumarusfinest]

That didn't last nearly as long as he'd hoped for. Hugging him might make him combust from embarrassment. He looks awkward enough as it is. Nervous.

"D-does it mean anything?" Katsuya licks at his lips before shaking his head quickly. "Not in like..like a weird way or anything. M-my brother's friend is really into hanakotoba, er--f-flower language. He's always talking about meanings and the like." He could never do something so reckless. His father would be so disappointed in him. So much more disappointed, rather."

There's a long moment of silence then, and Katsuya pinches at the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "...I-i think I might be sick Miss Verity."

"I'm cute stare at my tits"?

[brave_heart_verity]

"It's just pretty."

She does stand up when he says he's not feeling well and reaches out to put a hand on his arm. "Come sit down. Take a deep breath. You'll be okay." Or else she's going to sock Schon. She's never punched anybody and really isn't it about time? "Do you want some water or something?"

"LET'S POSITIVE THINKING~!" :D *in broken Engrish* :D :D :D

[sumarusfinest]

"I-i just." Katsuya looks up at her and he really just looks confused. And kind of scared. "I don't know what's wrong with me. Everything seems off, and I'm not myself and-and...and..." He stares at her hand on his arm. He gets, if possible, even more tense. And then he grabs that hand with his own so she doesn't pull it away.

"...I don't want anyone to see me like this. Is..is all. Sorry." He sounds vaguely ashamed. He's used to apologizing for things that aren't his fault. He still has to deal with it. That's always how it is. "Why can't I think right, Miss Verity?"

Oooohkay then Verity already wants to smack her.

[brave_heart_verity]

Okay, now? Now he's getting that hug. Slowly, slowly, in case he doesn't want it, but if he's willing her free arm will wrap around his shoulders. "Okay. It'll be okay. How about we go for a walk? There's a nice quiet place nearby, we can sit for a while until you're feeling better. There's a fountain, it's really nice."

So many unanswered questions. She'll try answering one. "Things happen here sometimes. It'll wear off soon."

Yeah she's incredibly cheerful. She likes poking at Katsuya a lot.

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya is nearly six foot tall and right this moment he is hunched over blushing terribly and trying to not jerk away flailing as Verity gives him a half hug. Someone is very socially repressed and not used to being touched. Having a dead mom does that.

"Yes please, Miss Verity." She's really nice. For a mostly stranger. Oh wow he's freaking out in front of a lady he's seen maybe four times ever? SHe's going to think he's just pathetic. This is why he doesn't talk to people. She's free to lead him off toward the park. He's following behind her and after she gets a few steps she'll notice he's holding onto the edge of her shirt. Not in any weird way, just barely pinching it so he doesn't get separated from her in the crowds of the Nexus. She doesn't wear sleeves and he can't see all that well around him while he's looking decidedly at his feet, after all.

Oh dear.

[brave_heart_verity]

If she didn't like him so much she'd be laughing at this image, because it really is ridiculous and adorable. Especially when she notices how he's clinging to her shirt. She stops then and tries to pry his hands off her clothes so she can hold them. "Katsuya. It's okay. What happened isn't your fault. Mostly. And you're allowed to touch me if it would help you feel better. Okay?"

[sumarusfinest]

To be fair, Officer Suou would be uncomfortable with hugs too. But this Katsuya doesn't sit and gape and stutter out 'why'. He just apologies for everything. And tries to be as little trouble as possible.

She actually sees the corners of his mouth twitch up just a bit when she holds his hand. It's nice to have someone reassuring. Telling you it's going to be okay. He doesn't look up much as they head that way. He's still trying to figure out whatever this is.

"Do you think I'm allergic to dimension candy?" He frowns slightly. And wow, it's weird to see Katsuya making actual expressions rather than shades of his calm mask. He looks so young like that. Even without the LOLs.

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity's starting to think she's just bad at hugging. Which is fine, it's not like she's ever had the chance to practice; she'll need to learn how her friends like to be comforted is all. It's nice to see him almost smiling.

She glances back, making sure they're out of Schon's earshot before answering. "I think you should have paid more attention to the fact I wasn't eating it," she admits with a sigh. "There's some kind of 'make you feel young again' spell on the chocolate. On the up side, you're adorable, so it's not all bad?"

[sumarusfinest]

"I just thought you'd finished yours already." Katsuya admits. His voice is quiet, eyebrows knit in concern and worry. was he going to be stuck like this? All awkward and confused and really rather self depreciating. Which isn't far off from normal Katsuya, just much much more pronounced. He's better at hiding things when he's older. Mentally. He is still older. Ugh it's enough to make his head hurt. At least the spell thing explains a lot of this.

"Adorable, huh." He smiles a bitter smile and sighs just a bit. He remembers this. The expectations. The constant need to parent his younger brother. To be a tiny adult in a child's body. To push people away so he could focus on his obligations. To give up on his hobbies to please his father. To make sure he was able to provide for his brother, after his father was wrongfully arrested.

At this age, his brother had saved the world, and given what was left of his life trying to save his own. All Katsuya had done was play Mother. It takes him a moment before he realizes he's crying. It's a shocking thing. He hasn't cried in years. He squeezes his eyes shut and tries to be quiet about it. "..What were you like, when you were younger?" His voice is thick with emotion, but he's still smiling.

[brave_heart_verity]

Oh, why did he have to cry? She hates when kids cry. Even if he's taller and older, at the moment, he's a kid crying. She has some tissues and presses them into his hand. "Hey, it's okay. It's okay. It'll wear off."

"Oh, I was a miserable child. Angry all the time and so lonely. I wouldn't want to go back to that." Like she's gotten away from it. "Here we are. Want to sit down?" He doesn't seem the type to want to jump into the fountain, but she won't stop him if he tries.

[sumarusfinest]

He sits down next to her, taking deep breaths and refusing to look up from the ground until he's gotten himself under control again. It's like he's trying to force himself to act like an adult, when it's clear he has no idea what he's even supposed to do. The fountain sounds nice though. He tries to apologize, but Verity isn't having any of it. It can't be healthy to have a kneejerk response to apologize and go quiet no matter what goes wrong.

"...Yeah." Katsuya actually chuckles after several long and incredibly awkward moments, looking up with this grin that is just so sincere and sympathetic. "Me too." His head it tilted to the side just so so he can glimpse at Verity over his sunglasses. Huh, that wasn't a trick of the shades. Her hair really was purple. That's neat.

"You..you really didn't have to.." Katsuya swallows and blinks rapidly while he tries to figure out how to explain in English. "I appreciate your help." He finally settles on." It's the first time he's met her gaze since he started freaking out.

[brave_heart_verity]

She's in no rush. They can sit and enjoy the fountain for as long as he likes. It gives her time to think while he calms down. She has no idea what to say, so she can only hope her being there is enough for now. Maybe someday she'll be better at this sort of thing.

"I know I don't have to. I want to. You've always been so nice to me, and I'd be a really horrible friend if I abandoned you now." Now it's her turn to look down, just for a minute or two. Someone's feeling guilty about something.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

[sumarusfinest]

"No, no no." Katsuya shakes his head quickly. "I know it's weird, you must be seeing me really oddly right now." He struggles to find words, screwing his face up in thought. "Miss Verity." Not Ms. Willis. Not to this Katsuya.

"It makes me very happy to have a friend here. No matter if I never say anything about it again. Please don't feel bad. It doesn't hurt." He winces even before Verity's eyebrow can move. "Well, it's giving me a headache, but that's not because of the magic. Sorry. I'm so used to dealing with everything alone. It's...it's really nice to have someone here when something happens. for a change." He tries to smile at her, and lord, if it isn't the most forced 'school photo smile' you will ever see. He..he's trying!

[brave_heart_verity]

"It's a little strange," she agrees, "but I'm honored you trust me enough to let me see this." She prefers it, to be honest. Ms. Willis sounds so formal, and she's just not a formal kind of person.

His smile might be a work in progress, but hers usually is as well. She won't fault him for it. "You have friends, Katsuya. You're not alone. Never again, if you don't want to be. Although I hope you won't try pushing me away again when this wears off." Not that she would fault him for that, either.

[sumarusfinest]

You know, he probably calls her 'ms. willis' normally because it sounds suspiciously like 'Belity' when he uses her first name. He speaks very good English, but some words are tougher than others. His accent is apparently something he's embarrassed about. Normally.

"You're the first friend I made here that I didn't already go through the end of the world with." Katsuya shakes his head. "Of course I trust you." He rubs at the back of his neck awkwardly, and his gaze drops again. "Probably...I think I'd be embarrassed. A bit. To be seen acting a child in front of you." He shrugs. "It's hard to tell what I'm thinking is the magic and what is the memories."

[brave_heart_verity]

She thinks it's cute. She's also had an idea to make it easier for him if she ever has a good chance to bring it up.

"Thank you, Katsuya. That means a lot to me." She'll give him a smile, even if he isn't looking at her anymore. "I hope you won't be too embarrassed. We all have times we're going to be... not who we want people to see us being. You'll have your turn to see me having a bad day soon enough, I have no doubt. And I know you won't hold it against me."

[sumarusfinest]

He would blush to the tips of his ears if he knew she thought it was cute. Probably every version of him would. "No. I wouldn't." He agrees. He's content to dip his fingertips into the fountain water and watch the ripples for quite some time. He appreciates how she's willing to wait it out with him. Verity's a good person.

Eventually, he lifts a dripping finger and flicks a bit of water at Verity to get her attention. Katsuya even allows himself to smile if she's surprised by it.
"I tell you what, Ms. Verity. When it's your turn to have a bad day, I'll do my best to make sure it goes smoothly, without much of a scene." The officer gets to his feet, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. His head feels foggy, as though he'd been having an extremely lucid dream. In a way, he supposes he had.

[brave_heart_verity]

Surprisingly, she has just enough tact to keep some things to herself. For now.

She's used to long quiet spells, and quiet with a friend nearby is infinitely better than anything waiting for her back home. Good company, a nice setting... she could get used to this. She has certainly been lulled into a false sense of security while he's been playing quietly, and the flick of water on her bare arm makes her jump.

She just gapes at him for a minute before grinning. "Thank you, Katsuya. I'll remember that." And the playfulness. She'll remember that too.

"Is the headache getting worse?"

[sumarusfinest]

"Just...tired." Officer Suou sighs and stretches. He didn't feel awkward in his own skin anymore. That had definitely been less than pleasing. He runs his fingers through his hair--straightening it rather than messing it up. Glasses and tie adjust. Yes. All was right in the world. He offers Verity a hand and helps her to her feet if she'll allow it.

The spare chocolate bar he removes from his suit pocket, staring hard down at it. "Tch." A long pause, before his gaze slides sideways toward Verity. "Next time, give me a signal, would you?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She'll allow. She's not used to people being so gentlemanly, but she can figure it out.

"I thought I had. And he wouldn't have let me stay if I didn't promise I wouldn't interfere," she points out. She doesn't see the need to tell him she was hoping to see someone she likes less end up acting foolishly. "I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it more."

[sumarusfinest]

"...As you said before, I have few fond memories of my childhood. At least those years." Katsuya shrugs, an even, practiced movement. He's so much more put together now. Clearly back to himself. He's not flailing or apologizing though. As inopportune as it was, that was hardly the most difficult state his friends had seen him in. It could have been worse.

"Fair enough." He stares down at the chocolate bar a long moment, before his lips twitch upward in a bit of a smile. "Want to see something neat, as a thank you for sitting with me?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She's glad he's not apologizing again. There's only so many times he can do that before it sounds like he's fishing for sympathy. "I'll try to warn you better next time," she promises, "although I might not always know myself."

She glances down at the candy as well before giving him a curious look. "Okay..." So long as it doesn't involve her having to eat it.

[sumarusfinest]

"..Heh." There's a pulse of blue light on the ground, and a sudden pressure of aura that was strong enough to blow Verity's hair back. Katsuya tosses the candybar high into the air. Glowing yellow eyes appear above him, watching the arc of the bar. Long black claws dig into Katsuya's shoulder yet don't rip the suit. "Come, Helios." It's a tall creature with catlike features, pulling a bigass gun out of nowhere. It aims.

"...Agnidyne." There's the telltale click of an old fashioned musket rifle being fired, before a fuckall fireball explodes out of the gun and obliterates said candybar. Helios stares intently at the scorched puff of smoke, it's tail curling in a decidedly 'pleased cat' expression. It disappears. Katsuya slips his hands into his pockets. He's smiling at Verity.

"Fireworks?" It's as close as he can get right now.