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

[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.

[brave_heart_verity]

Okay, she was not expecting that. Not any of it really. Although that question about cats makes a lot more sense now.

She doesn't want that kind of cat. Just in case he was getting ideas. "Wow. That's a hell of a show. How... where did it come from? And remind me to invite you to my 4th of July party next year."

A radioactive black cat tragically crossed his path

[sumarusfinest]

Just making sure the magic hadn't messed with anything. Clearly. It's not like he's showing off or venting frustration or anything. That would be irresponsible. Glasses adjust to hide the tiniest pleased smirk.

"I'd be delighted, Ms. Willis." Katsuya wonders briefly if he has jurisdiction to arrest Schon. Could one apply the penal code to magi? Hm. Wait, the anti-violence field. Dang. "I asked an expert in the occult once. Something about man's Id taking shape from the collective unconscious." That's the long answer. Katsuya shrugs. "I didn't understand it, but the short version is a god gave me soul powers in order to bring a criminal controlled by another god to justice. It's a long story."

That is always what happens!

[brave_heart_verity]

Of course not. He'd certainly never do those things. That'd be... childish.

Oh, they're back to that again are they? "Why won't you call me Verity?"

They're both better explanations than what she's got for where her curse came from. Which is none really. He should feel lucky. "Anything involving gods tends to be a long story. But I like stories..."

He's actually very allergic to cats. Seriously.

[sumarusfinest]

"...I...didn't know you preferred it?" Yeah, he is kind of embarrassed looking right now. "....Your last name is easier not to butcher."

Katsuya clears his throat louder than he needs to and straightens. "Yes well. I did promise you a story. If you'd like, I wouldn't mind giving you a bit of a tour and an explanation if you'd be interested. Maybe next time you're free?" No he..he really doesn't know what that sounds like. It's just more practical to speak about it in his world away from prying ears of magi and people he doesn't trust.

It really says something that his Id turned into something that makes him sick.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Well... what's the word for truth in Japanese? You could call me that if it'd be easier." She thinks it's a good idea anyway.

"I'd like that." Don't worry, she's not assuming this is a date. They'll just be two friends hanging out and talking. And she remembers how he freaked out last time the conversation veered anywhere near his dating life. There will be none of the obvious jokes. "Thank you."

Katsuya's life is cruel irony and suffering

[sumarusfinest]

"You...want me to give you a nickname?" That was awfully forward, wasn't it? But...then again, well. Katsuya holds out his hand and waits for Verity to take it. He gently turns her hand so her palm is up, and carefully begins tracing out the strokes of a kanji onto her palm. It leaves no marks, it's just how people communicate which kanji they've used to create their names. No different than asking 'how do you spell that?'

"Makoto." Katsuya says once he's finished. "It's a neutral name, but often used for girls. If...if you like it. But I...I really should learn how to use your name properly..."

And cake. At least there's cake?

[brave_heart_verity]

"I've never had one before." Is it forward? Did she go too far again? She's American, she doesn't know these things. But her hand is given easily and she smiles while he draws on her palm, although her lower lip is caught between her teeth to keep her from giggling. (She's very ticklish.)

"Makoto. That's pretty. I like it very much. Thank you."