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]

"...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."