Author Topic: Unchattered territory (Open, Aleece) (Read 1,098 times)
trithardt
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Unchattered territory (Open, Aleece)
« Sept 27, 2009 18:45:17 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Fremont had let out no more then ten minutes ago and the students were already flooding out from the buildings, looking to make their way off campus and back into the daily lives of regular public high school students – no longer having to wear the attire set forth by the councils ruling. One of the freshmen, completely new to the ways of this type of school as well as it rules he cared not for his attire and had already the knot in his tie, letting it hand solemnly around his neck. His shoes had been kicked off, the heel of his left having been first glued, then stapled into place. The bloodstains had been removed through a mixture of sugar and water, along with a heavy dose of elbow grease.

The night after his first day of school had been the angriest he’d ever seen his father, whom condemned him from going to train at any of the local San Diego gym’s that are associated with anything to do with fighting. No Kick Boxing, No Jujitsu, No wrestling, and especially no a combination of them all. Along with the new stern rule of the house he was also up to three in the morning trying to clean and fix his uniform. The item he had spent the longest time washing was the delicate fabric of the handkerchief that Aleece had given him. At the moment that was tucked away into the side pocket of his slacks, folded twice with a note of thanks inside. He would’ve returned it already, but he didn’t know where to go in order to find her, rather then being a student of Knox he knew nothing of her.

At the moment there were two things he wished to do, two things that remained at the top of his mental list for things to accomplish. One was to find someone around school that he could train his grappling with, so as to not get rusty, and the other was to return to handkerchief. The latter of his two wishes seemed much easier to accomplish, in fact he could even do so that day if he was lucky. Leaning forward he grabbed his shoes, pulling the tongues up and away before promptly putting them back on and getting to his feet. Shaking his feet out he promptly pulled the loose tie from his neck, shoving it inside his other pocket as he made his way east across the campus towards the Knox military academy.

Finding the venture more tiresome and slow then he originally planned he came across one of the campus’s many bus stops, and after a short five minute wait he noticed the solar powered vehicle arrive according to the posted schedule. Hoping on board he sat down after flashing his student I.D. and made his way to a vacant seat in the middle, sitting between a heavy set college student and a young Knox girl who looked to be no higher then grade 4. An odd pairing all around, but nothing he could complain about given that his stop was just moments away. Ding. The doors opened and he stepped out into the Knox parking lot, which was the beginning of an entire new adventure inside the city-esque campus.

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aleeca
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Unchattered territory (Open, Aleece)
« Sept 27, 2009 21:29:06 GMT -6 » 		Quote
With a study period as her last hour of school Aleece had skipped out completely, spending most of it studying anyways in the library - finishing her assignments so as to not be worried about later. With merely twenty minutes left till the final bell, she made a pit stop at her locker to grab her work out bag and made her way to the gymnasium while the hallways were still quiet. It was a simple thing to change into the pair of track shorts she had, and a tank top, switching her boots out for a pair of Adidas.

The gym facilities here, aside from the weight room, wouldn't accommodate her for the run she was going to take so after stuffing everything in a free locker, keeping only her iPod in hand, she made her way outside. Taking her time to stretch and get her muscles loosened she wasn't surprised when the bell finally rang. The fact that so many people would be milling around and crowding the campus didn't bother, as it was she preferred it that way. After the mundane but necessary set of stretches Aleece set off at a comfortable pace, easily picking out a path on the paved sidewalk that drew her away from the school, and in between or around people.

When she got a comfortable rhythm down, one that matched her feet to her slightly elevated heartbeat, she nestled the black ear buds in her ear and flipped it on, letting it randomly start. It was quick (and easy) to let the passing scenery blur past her, knowing what was there but not paying to much attention to it. For the first half hour of her run she kept her pace as song to song switch and thudded in her ear but keeping in mind how many tracks played, ignoring the build up of sweat on her hairline, on her neck and any available skin.

Aleece's speed picked up almost automatically, without thought, after the end of a certain set of songs finished. The downloaded list was what she ran to almost every single time so the transition and timing to move her legs faster came just as easily as the next fast paced song. It was a rather aggressive song by Porcelain and the Tramps and kept her mind off the fact that her breathing was labored at this point, that a stitch had started to form in her side…and it was hot as hell.

She knew she had made it to the park close to Knox as the crowd had thinned out considerably and she spared enough of her concentration to actually focus on something other then the pavement in front of her. But what she saw was no different then any other time but she was slightly surprised she was already to this point, it felt that half of her run hadn’t taken any time at all…


((ooc - feel free to have Richard spot her =/ tried to keep it as open as possible as to where she was etc etc =3))

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trithardt
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« Sept 28, 2009 0:02:57 GMT -6 » 		Quote
It wasn’t until he was standing in Knox’s parking lot did he realize just how little he knew about the collective. Each school seemed to be set out differently then one another, and he figured this out all to well as he stood there, gap jawed, wondering where he should start his search first. Head towards one of the nearest buildings and ask the students funnelling out? That was on option, but not something he was all too fond of. He didn’t like asking other people for anything, perhaps it was a guy’s pride, or something like that, but he just felt all too nervous. He also knew that Knox had all ages, so the first building he went to had a 66% chance of not evening being the high school.

All he had to do was move forward, just start his adventure forward into the world of the unknown. That’s all he had to do, just step off the pavement and walk along the concrete sidewalk towards the first building. But instead of moving forward he slipped back on his left and made a small pivot, figuring he’d just ask Roth if he knew how to find her some other way. At least him and the wrestler went to the same school, so it’d be easier to find him. Or at least that’s what he assumed as he slipped his thumbs into the loops of his slacks, walking forward with a lowered head as though he’d already been defeated before even trying to succeed.

Somewhere halfway across the open field he lifted his head back up and stopped kicking his feet out. He thought he’d just head back over to Fremont, grab his pack from his locker, put on his Ipod and start making the journey back to his residence. At least that’s what he thought before he saw someone he knew. Of all the random coincidences he could imagine, this seemed like the most valid of the bunch. It had to be, it was actually happening. He tried to push off into a run, starting off with a stumble as he tried to pump his arms, but instead broke one of the belt rings on his pants.

He never realized how hard it was to run in a pair of dress shoes, but what was even harder was trying to run after someone who seemed to have a much quicker pace. Looking up ahead he tried to figure out where she was going to run too. If she made a right up ahead he might have a chance to cut across a bit easier and actually get in front of her. Otherwise he was left trying to catch up from behind, and as it was it seemed his initial sprint was already losing steam. In a last ditch effort he decided to at least try one last thing.

“Aleece! Aleece! Slow down…Please?”

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« Sept 28, 2009 16:41:42 GMT -6 » 		Quote
If it hadn't been for the fact that the song had ended, the screeching beat so loud that when it cut off suddenly it left her ears slightly ringing, she would have never heard her name being called. Of course she instantly slowed, turning in her spot before she came to stop completely, her breathing uneven, and labored as she pulled the headphones from her ears with a small frown, as the next track started. Taking a deep breath she put her free hand to her hip and tipped her head back slightly before dropped her head to the side - lifting her shoulder to swipe at the side of her cheek.

It was then she caught sight of a familiar face, very familiar in fact...Richard. It had only been yesterday after all that she had run across the guy looking worse for wear and completely lost. Her brow creased a bit wondering what he was doing in this part of the collective, but not finding it that odd. The faint frown was replaced by a relatively amiable smile when she lifted a hand slightly in greeting. Aleece dropped her hand when she took notice that he was jogging to catch up with her and made her own way toward him to shorten the distance. Even though her legs felt like jelly, and there was a noticeable weary tremble in them she met the Fremont student.

Stopping in front of him she slid her hand down her hip, pressing her fingers into the top of her thigh – it seemed no matter how much she ran every day she felt the same, her endurance no better. “Hey,” she said still somewhat out of breath not put out in the least that her run had been interrupted. “What’s going on?”

With a small gesture she stepped off the sidewalk and into the grass, going to a slim tree, planted off the paved path, to lean against - out of the way of people walking by. Aleece wasn’t quite sure what Richard needed, but it wasn’t to far fetch that he had just seen her and decided to chat. And despite the fact she was still breathing heavily from her run, she gave him a once over and grinned a bit. He looked a lot better then yesterday that was for sure, but he also looked like he had something on his mind, but clearly not as confused like before.

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« Sept 28, 2009 22:24:57 GMT -6 » 		Quote
"He-y." He said with a soft pant, tucking his hands on his hips as he leaned back. He didn't realize how short of breath he had become after such a short sprint, and how his lack luster training with his lungs had been. He followed beside her as she gestured off the beaten path, stretching his arms over his head, interlacing his fingers and holding them on the back of his head. Taking a deep breath he did was his instructor had told him, waiting four seconds after inhaling before slowly exhaling. Catching his breath he reached into his pocket, pulling out her handkerchief and held it loosely by his side.

"Not much, just ventured out this way for uh. Well, to return this." Holding his hand out, palm up he loosely held the folded cloth with just his thumb. Compared to yesterday the fabric was now stain free of the blood splotches and saliva. Adjusting his stance he leaned from side to side, trying to dispatch of the burning sensation that was plaguing his muscles. Taking another deep breath he felt his lungs stifle, breathing out in a short stutter as he coughed lightly into his shoulder.

"Your really good with your legs.... Er, ah, your a fast runner." He immediately noticed his Freudian slip and tried to correct himself, he figured she'd understand what he meant and wouldn't hold it against him, but it didn't stop that small instinct to stop eye contact and look towards the ground. Still acting discouraged and shy he started to scratch the back of his head, wondering how long the silence would last - or at least how long he'd believe the silence was lasting. Taking both his hands he held them out in front, covering his right over his left with his fingers out and started to rotate his thumbs around, making one barely audible phrase.

"Awkward Turtle."

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aleeca
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« Sept 29, 2009 14:48:48 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece was a little startled, stopping mid-stretch of her burning tired legs, working out the slowly tightening muscles in her calves when Richard held out the handkerchief. Dropping her leg she reached for it when he offered to her and smiled a bit nodding - honestly she hadn't been expecting it back at all and had all but forgotten about it really. When she gripped it though she felt, then heard the crinkle of paper in between the folded thin fabric...but decided against fishing it out, against a better portion of her curiosity. She was sure she'd have time to see it later.

Pressing her lips together she let her smile spread a little wider as she lifted in a faint motion at Richard, "thanks, but you know you really didn't have to go out of your way."

Glancing over to the taller boy she noticed him shifting almost restlessly and struggling to catch his breath, quite the opposite of her who had managed to calm down her racing pulse to something resembling normal. However much it felt like the heavy beat was ringing in her head with every thud, and right against the top of her skin - it wasn't unbearable. However, she appreciated the thought, Richard had not only returned the handkerchief to her but had cleaned it as well.

It was more then most would do...that was for sure.

Aleece wasn't quite sure what to say though when he seemed to slip up with his next comment, and she was left looking at him with her eyebrows raised and her mouth slightly open. She was sure her face was already flushed from the run she had been taking, so she wasn’t worried about seeming that affected by it. The fact that he instantly cut his eyes to the side served to make a stab of amusement run through her and she quickly tried to stifle a chuckle. Though...when he actually started to twiddle his thumbs and muttered awkward turtle she let out a short laugh which she covered with a cough.

“Yeah, I try and run everyday,” she said moving the conversation along, though quite honestly she hadn’t realized she was going as fast as he was insinuating she had. “Needless to say I kind of neglect any other sort of workout so…I’m kind of useless with hand to hand combat.”

Aleece tugged down at the ends of her track shorts (becoming a little more conscious of herself), despite the fact that the sudden stop and rest had killed her legs she didn’t want her muscles cramping up, “wanna walk with me? It’ll give you a chance to see the rest of the collective…?”

« Last Edit: Sept 29, 2009 14:50:12 GMT -6 by aleeca » Back to Top  
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« Sept 29, 2009 15:26:11 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Despite is ‘awkward turtle’ receiving a chuckle he was glad that Aleece had moved the conversation along. It left like a degree of the pressure of embarrassment he felt on his shoulders had lifted and he was now able to look her back in the eyes. The slight degree of rose color on his cheeks had yet to vanish, but he wasn’t quite so concerned with his looks now as opposed to his mental stature, which had just changed from one end of the spectrum to the other with a bit of acceptance.

“I should really start running. Can’t even say again, as I didn’t really bother with it before.”

Cardio just wasn’t a big part of his fighting style, and given his current size and weight he didn’t need to lose any pounds, and given his gender as long as he didn’t have a slight gut he was considered in shape. In terms of physical fitness from an outsider’s perspective he had it easy. He only chose to workout as he did prior to moving, and when he did it wasn’t with marathon runs, but short bursts involving his entire body. Tugging aside his urge to boast about his martial art prowess he just let her second comment go without a reply, which seemed fine, as he didn’t absolutely have to answer everything. A quip every now and then was okay, but he preferred to listen anyway.

“Sure, I’d love to see some more of the Collective.” And walking with her didn’t seem like an entirely bad thing either, quite the opposite in fact. After breaking free of the tree’s delightful shade he tucked his hands back into his pocket, swirling his fingers around his school tie as his eyes narrowed, trying to adjust to the bright light. Even though he had pushed it aside, and assumingly discarded the comment, his mind lingered back to it over and over until he involuntarily spoke. Darn subconscious.

“Um. If you wanted I could show you a few things and help you practice.” His cheeks were already starting to grow warm again, and there was no way this could’ve been considered from running. Looking back at the ground he avoided the sun’s rays, as well as made himself feel a bit more comfortable.

“I mean, with Hand-to-hand stuff. If you wanted.” Oh yes, that seemed normal. It already seemed awkward as he tried to remain humble, but then his mind switched gears to cynicism and he figured that she really knew nothing about him other then seeing him look like a mess yesterday. Then there was the fact that she was older, and while it was usually the male ego that was affect, which’s to say that she wouldn’t find offence in learning from someone younger. Ah, the confusing state high school seemed to have left him in. If she didn’t reply soon he’d have to control the urge to put up an ‘awkward llama’, or an ‘awkward balloon.’

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« Sept 29, 2009 16:59:24 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece had unconsciously turned to go back the way she had come, toward Knox, or more specifically the gym. She was a good ways away from it anyways and the walk back would give her enough to be satisfied with her work out for the day. Sparing enough attention she juggled the things in her hands so she could turn off her iPod which was blaring with muted bass from the tiny speakers, before she lifted her arms and stretched with her hands over her head. Deceptively enough, the Collective looked like any other facility for higher learning, with well adjusted students...however she wasn't complaining. Nothing was going on, which in her books was good.

Aleece dropped her arms just as Richard offered to show her a few things, and when he corrected himself again she chuckled - she had gotten what he had meant in the first place. Glancing over at him -well really up since he was a good six inches (if not more) taller then her - she noticed the blush on his face. The teen awkwardness was almost infectious but it made her relax a bit despite that.

She hadn't even thought about the fact that someone younger then her was offering to teach her something...it just happen to be that she was horrible at self defense. Turning her eyes back to see where she was going Aleece ran a hand through her hair, untangling it and smoothing the slightly windswept locks before answering.

"Thats entirely up to you," she started, still not missing the grin on her face, somewhat sardonic. "I happen to be a horrible student when it comes to it though...the last time someone tried to show me a few things I nearly got my head knocked off my shoulders."

Of course Anna was a special case - the woman had been abrasive, rash, short tempered...and Aleece had pretty much hated her. Trailing her fingers to the back of her neck she didn't completely give up on the idea of having an impromptu lesson with Richard, but she was pretty sure he would have his work cut out where she was concerned. Purposefully she kept away from the stray thought of Aroon and the...work out they had (no need to get flustered quite like that in someone elses company).

Letting her hand fall down completely to swing at her side, glancing over one more time and eyed up his clothes, with a joking burr went on, "though...it might be hard to get shown a couple pointers with you dressed like that."





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« Sept 29, 2009 17:41:46 GMT -6 » 		Quote
When he noticed their direction of movement he figured she had finished her run, or at least cut it short for the day. He had just come from this direction; a rough idea of this area led him to the conclusion she was heading back towards Knox. That was fine with him, made it easier to adapt to the collective if he knew more about it, and that included the school. When she let out another chuckle his anxiety relaxed a bit more, she seemed to be okay with his awkwardness, his teen angst often getting the best of him.

“Well, I’d still like to try.” He replied, keeping his answer short and sweet, glancing over – and down – at Aleece he smiled, wondering about her perspective on the idea of self-defence, and overall martial arts. Her quip regarding his suit made him shrug, he didn’t bring a change of cloths today, so he’d be classically dressed all day unless he either A) Made a venture to his gym locker or B) went home and changed. But, he also didn’t see anything wrong with his suit in regards to training. Sure, he didn’t want to get it dirty again, two days in a row no less, but whatever the outcome was he wouldn’t be made.

“What’s wrong with it? You see a suit, I see a distraction.” Pulling the tie out of his pocket he held it in front of him as he walked, slowly wrapping it around his left hand, covering up his knuckles. “Just this one piece can be used so many ways. Protect my knuckles,” Having used his thumb to pinch the end closed he let go and tilted his hand down, letting it unravel with a spiral motion before it was hanging just between his pinkie and ring finger. “Be used as a visual tool by snapping it out, or I could even isolate an attackers limb and use it to stop them.” He had just wanted to give her an idea of what he meant, but truthfully he only had a majority of the ideas on self-defence with his cloths for the tie. Everything else would just be a form of underestimation.

“But, your right. The suit makes it hard, but next time I’ll be in more appropriate clothing.” Turning over his hand he held the one end of the tie high up and then folded it down on to his palm, acting a bit more carefully then he had by just cramming it into his pocket. Compressing the soft fabric and holding it with his thumb and palm he slipped it back into his pocket, leaving his hand there as his right started to swing softly. “There’s, uh, nothing I can teach you that’ll be effective a hundred percent of the time. And it could be a bit before your mind adapts to the concept of these techniques.”

When it came to training and martial arts his confidence was much higher then when it came to average day situations and conversations. His thought process just seemed to resound back to training with Kru Shawn, and what he had told him, and everyone else in the class, over and over again. So his training style would be just a reflection upon how he had been taught day in and day out.

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« Sept 29, 2009 23:25:10 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece could only nod and give a small ’uh-huh…’ as she listened to Richard explain just how a simple tie could be used in self-defense. Of course she knew the theory of it all pretty well, but it wasn’t something she put to good use all that often, nothing she trained on everyday to make it an asset in her very very small arsenal. But as she listened she got what he was driving at…she just didn’t think she had it in her to utilize something like that as a tool to fight with.

“All that from a neck tie huh?”

Of course, not really an expert in any sense of the word, she could believe it. Really her problem was not being lazy about it, not having someone constantly there and making her do it. Just the thought of it though made her kind of tired, it was tedious to work out and train and she was doing good just to run on a daily bases. Unlike her work on the computer, or something that caught her attention like schoolwork if she didn’t find particularly fascinating, she hardly put an effort into it.

What he had to say next caught her interest though and she raised an eyebrow and tipped her head. As long as she had motivation or a reason to do it she didn’t mind making room in her schedule a few times a week, or more. “Well as long as you don’t get frustrated easily, I wouldn’t mind your helping me out with it.”

Aleece did happen to notice that he shed his discomfort when he was talking about it and it made her wonder what else he knew, more to the point, what exactly it was that he knew. She understood that it must be something else besides simple self-defense, the know how of that stemming from something else. However…she wasn’t quite sure how to ask exactly. “So um,” she started, fishing really in a not to subtle way to find out, “you train?”

Of course it was obvious he did…so she felt slightly ridiculous for even asking, but there was no beating around the bush – round about – sort of way to ask.

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« Sept 30, 2009 2:02:26 GMT -6 » 		Quote
“Yep, all that from a neck-tie. You should see what could be done with a button.” He quipped, keeping the conversation light and the humour even lighter, diverting from his confident tone and attitude derived from the martial arts zone of his brain. Feeling an itch on his cheek he curled his fingers like he was going to form a fist and began to scratch along the faint scar on his jaw-line. He didn’t know why his scar tended to itch from time to time, but it wasn’t more then a mild annoyance. It was weird how itches seemed to teleport from one area to another, for Richard they danced from his jaw to the top of his head, making him brush back the stubble sized hair and scratch along the back of his cranium.

“I’m pretty patient, so I don’t think you’ll be able to drive me away.”

He was attempting to reassure her, meaning the only way he’d stop teaching her is if she didn’t want to be taught. You can’t force knowledge on the ignorant, if you don’t want to learn then you won’t. He had little idea of how determined she was, but after the first ‘lesson’ he’d definitely be more adapt to her personality and mentality for self improvement. If she ran every day, he figured a few hours of her week wouldn’t be a problem. When he tried to be subtle it was a delightful change to see struggle to find the words, and he was almost hoping for a Freudian slip to even out the score a bit, but that didn’t occur in the least.

“I use to, religiously, when I was living back in the valley. Here though, it’s only on my own.” He almost figured that was the extent of what he needed to say, and then realized that with her subtle words was a more subtle comment. She wasn’t acting such a direct question like his mind originally assumed, she was more of less asking for a resume of his knowledge.

“Oh, Uh, um. I trained Taekwondo for four years, then switch to Muay Thai for one year. After that my training was focused on Mixed Martial Arts, with heavy emphasis on Muay Thai and Jujitsu, which I’ve trained for around two years.” Saying it all out like that made him realize that just about half of his life had been formed, or rather dedicated to martial arts, in one form or another.

He wasn’t just a practitioner, but also someone who focused on theory, and learning through watching. He loved watching UFC, and PRIDEFC for techniques applied, and the strategies involved, not just the testosterone pumping adrenaline that it provided. But, compared to the fact like sheet of how he trained before saying that he delved heavily in theory as of late didn’t seem as reliable.

"And yourself? Any type of training before?"

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« Sept 30, 2009 8:46:40 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece laughed and shook her head at his bantering, but all the same she was glad to hear that he had some skill and wouldn't be off put with her reluctance. Because, forget anything else, she really was hesitant to do anything, being a fairly self reliant person she had a problem with asking for help that couldn't be acquired on her own. However this just seemed to be the one thing no amount reading or studying was going to help in.

She was prepared to just go with the answer he had given her, when he literally answered her question about training, but grinned a bit more when he went on to list the styles that he practiced. Which she had to say was a pretty extensive and quite an impression list. Though Aleece shouldn't have been so surprised; there were plenty of people around here that were knowledgeable and practiced a variety of fighting techniques...this place seemed to be built around it after all, thrived on it, survived.

She hadn't really noticed that her friendly expression had slipped somewhat, sobering as she mused to herself and when he directed the question back at her she almost didn't catch it. Looking up at him she gave a small embarrassed, though somewhat weak, laugh as she brought her hands behind her back and as grabbed her right with her left. "Yes...um..." clearing her throat she shot her eyes to the side, not for the first feeling quite out of place, "actually I have had training...it was about a year ago. I took the required marine corp close quarter combat training course to be able to get into Knox."

Obviously she hadn't continued it, and it was painfully notable, the fact that she didn't practice it at all past what she had been made to, she barely remembered any of it. It was almost like the information had been shoved completely out of her head to make room for something more useful. She couldn't say that the training had been any sort of easy either, it was quite grueling in her book and she had been stuck in a group of die hard, jar head fanatics.

In fact...she had almost backed out of it when she had come face to face with that particular instructor, more like drill sergeant...and had serious contemplated giving in to go to Fremont. However, she had made up her mind not to ask for her parents help any longer, and while it would still be easy to join the Air Force after graduation...she would be no better off. Here at least she was being given time to adjust, had one foot in the door, so to say. Now...whether she still joined the military depended on whether or not she could survive this not so normal high school experience....

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« Sept 30, 2009 23:15:39 GMT -6 » 		Quote
After having walked in one particular direction with no clue as to where they were going Richard came to a stop, putting his hand out in front of Aleece's waist to get her to do the same. Turning towards her he smiled friendly, trying to relax her mind should any stray idea's start to form, all while surveying the perimeter around them. He didn't see any large groups of students within his peripherals, only a couple a stragglers going to or from any of the Knox buildings surrounding them. Taking a step back he made his attentions all to clear as he looked down over her body, his eyes resting on the connection of her collar bones below her neck.

"Alright, show me your fighting stance."

Wasting no time he decided to dive right in, metaphorically speaking, wanting to see what type of natural motions she gave off when it came to martial arts. Some say that only those with talent are worth training, but he followed a different philosophy. He had been told and always believed that martial arts were developed as a way for the weak to defend themselves against the strong, and as such it only seemed fitting that if you had to start off at the bottom that you'd show no definite talent.

That wasn't to say that having watched tapes and read instructional books that you couldn't pick up on some of these things, but it all needed some sort of physical experience. It's hard to reproduce something you've seen if your mind hasn't moved in that way before. And to do it well consisted of training your muscles to adapt. It was almost as though a person has to break their body down in order to build it up, something that not everyone felt they could do, or felt comfortable doing.

"Just relax and ease into it. I promise, no one's watching."

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« Oct 1, 2009 14:02:32 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece's first thought hadn't been that Richard was trying to do anything by stopping her really but she was curious as to why they suddenly came to a half. Looking up at him she returned the friendly smile with a small grin on her own, which quickly dropped at his unexpected instruction. Take a fight stance? she thought to herself scrambling for a minute to actually come up with something. She hadn't actually trained in any sort of fighting style. CQC training had been something else entirely, close to hand to hand combat, really and she couldn't say she remembered enough of it to even begin to tell him what she knew about it.

There was the fact that she was suddenly struck with a 'bout of discomfiture and its what caused her to not move for a minute. The fact that they were outside with people walking around and more then likely able to see her make a fool out of her self. She was so consumed with that she didn't notice him sizing her up and had no real time to get red faced over it either.

When he told her to relax and ease into it she gave him a somewhat pained looked and tipped her head to the side, looking for all the world a little lost. "I don't have a fighting style, Richard," she reminded him, knowing what he wanted but not sure how to give it since she didn't have it. Actually, just not knowing the basics was mainly her problem...so she had no ground to stand on here.

She wondered if he knew just how much work he was in for here, with offering to show her a few things, Aleece was certain that it'd turn into full coaching rather then making a few friendly suggestions. Of course she couldn't make things easy that's rarely how things worked with her so she didn't move except to shift her weight to one foot, and crossed her arms. She wasn't entirely unwilling to make an effort, she could get over her own hangups or embarrassments...she just needed a good starting point when she had none...

'Way to look like an airhead.' She thought to herself as she waited for some kind of other instruction hopefully cluing him in just how bad off she was at the moment.


« Last Edit: Oct 1, 2009 14:04:26 GMT -6 by aleeca » Back to Top  
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« Oct 1, 2009 21:58:56 GMT -6 » 		Quote
“I’m not looking for a style.”

He once more tried to reassure her, but her immediate bout of discomfort was all too apparent. The fact that they were outside seemed to be her biggest non-spoken issue, it seemed she was shy trying new things in front of people. Not a trait one needed when having to deal with a case of self-defence. Cupping his hands together he rubbed his palms back and forth, trying to figure out how to make his words seem a bit less cryptic to the martial art newbie.

“I guess your more of a good girl then I thought.” A small joke to lighten the mood, break the silence as he tried to think. The words just didn’t seem to naturally flow together in his head, and so his tongue felt like it was knotted in several different spots as his eyes narrowed and he started to look upwards. Dropping his hands he hooked his thumbs into his pockets as he tried to accurately describe what he meant.

“Even without training everyone has a way that they’ll hold themselves when threatened. But, I guess you haven’t felt that sort of fear.” He may’ve been wrong, but he wasn’t trying to delve into her personal life and history, and so he smiled down at Aleece and turned, reaching out to gently pat her shoulder and turn her in the same direction they were previously heading. He figured he’d need an actual strategy, almost a guide or play book of sorts for training her in the future. In a sense it made him excited, it’d give him a new horizon in martial arts to work with, which made him think that it could only help him progress as well.

“You know Aleece, I might have to get this started another day.” Again, in his mind this seemed like a perfectly good way to leave off the sentence. He wasn’t speaking with malice, ill will, contempt, or frustration in his voice, and so he naturally assumed he wouldn’t inject her with a bout of worry. But he also knew, and realized that his words never came out like he wanted. “I might be too ill prepared to teach you today. You know, the suit an all.”

He thought the joke could’ve been reference enough, but then an idea – an evil idea – dawn in his mind.

“What time do you usually get up?”

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« Oct 3, 2009 16:07:35 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece instantly relaxed and grinned at Richard's teasing, even though it was apparent that she wasn't following along exactly and if anything that was where her discomfort steamed from. She hated not at least having a secure idea about most things, even if it was a general sense so she could see where she would seem particularly frustrating - with her tendencies and all. It almost made her want to squirm though she didn't feel as tense then a moment ago. Seeing that he wasn't particularly frustrated or put out helped as well.

However her small smile slipped, faltering a little when he went on, before she forced it back on her face with a noticeable strain. "Yeah," she started off going with the motion to turn when he urged her to. "I just have some really tough looking acquaintances."

She tried to push it off as a joke, and Aleece did manage to drop it from her mind completely, the rather dangerous path that one statement had consequently set her thinking on. Not that hard to as they continue to walk and Richard continued to talk. Lifting a hand Aleece brushed her free hand at the back of her neck pushing her fingers into the muscle and messaging the built up tension, out. With a nod she answered but gave him a verbal affirmation, "its not a problem really. I think I'm pretty exhausted for the day anyway."

Aleece almost completely missed the fact that he had tried to clear up what he had said and ended it in a joke, but she was able to look to the side and flash him a quick smile - which quickly shrank back at Richards last question. It wasn't something she would normally think strange, but why did she felt like she was going to be hurting tomorrow....

"Usually around six or so...?" Narrowing her eyes she carefully scrutinized him, trying to pick out what his game was (though it wasn't done with any sort of seriousness on her part) - she had a good idea where this was going. "Why?"

« Last Edit: Oct 3, 2009 16:08:33 GMT -6 by aleeca » Back to Top  
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« Oct 3, 2009 18:51:13 GMT -6 » 		Quote
"I want to continue tomorrow morning. I won't let your resolve fade by giving you the energy and time to think about it otherwise."

He was completely serious with his words. He knew how often hearts could waver on the subject of training. His own had done the same when it came to Taekwondo, but luckily for him that was changed towards his new focus. Looking forward he didn't even realize Aleece was watching him, The idea was set in his mind, and for the last week or so he'd gotten up at five in the morning regardless of whether or not he'd had school. Getting to school by six wouldn't be an issue for him, even if he had to bring a few extra things with him.

"Why don't we meet at the Knox track field at say, around 6:20ish. That should give you ample time to get up and make your way over, shouldn't it?" He honestly had no clue what her morning routine usually consisted of. But the type of work-out he had planned for his morning's usually fell on the side of 'heavy', so he didn't want her to eat to much, which is why he set such an early time-limit for her to arrive.

"Does that work for you, or would you prefer something after school? Hm, probably a lot of team use then though..." His question and attempt at foresight was a slight form and tactic of manipulation. He figured she didn't have the self-esteem to learn in front of the student body, so he was hoping this would help persuade her into meeting the demands of his morning schedule.

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« Oct 4, 2009 20:43:45 GMT -6 » 		Quote
With a quiet laugh Aleece dropped her hand and hummed to herself as she nodded, not minding one bit that he wanted to make plans to continue this in the morning. She wasn't sure what he had planned exactly in terms of how strenuous it would be and the only problem she could think of was that she wasn't exactly a morning person. She had a bad habit staying up all night long and being practically useless for the rest of the day, she would just have to make sure not to do that tonight.

Nonetheless she had no problem and would make sure to meet him on a full nights sleep (if she could) since Richard seemed to be going out of his way to help her out the least she could do was make half the effort as well. At his suggestion to join up at the field she really had no objection to it. “Yeah I think it’ll be fine for in the morning. It does get busy in the afternoons there,” she said completely okay with the fact that not many got up at that time, that she knew of, to just go take a jog around the track, etcetera. It was also pretty chilly in the mornings so if anything people would more then likely feel inclined to go to the gym.

All in all, that reasoning left her feeling better, more or less about the whole thing. Resolved to carry on with it she gave a short grin and turned her head to look up at Richard. “Anyways, since that’s worked out, you got plans? Or do you want to see the rest of the campus?”

Quite honestly she had nothing planned except to go back to her dorm maybe do a bit of extracurricular work on her laptop, but if anything she knew she was going to be back in her room before it got dark. Still there was plenty of the day left. “I can show you where the track is…exactly.”

With a quiet laugh she shifted the stuff in her hands untangling the wires to her earbuds only to wrap them neatly around the iPod, more to keep her hands busy then anything. “I just need to pick up my stuff from the gym.”

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« Oct 4, 2009 22:05:36 GMT -6 » 		Quote
‘Plans… I guess I didn’t really have anything planned. Well, at least my wish list is basically checked off. Returned the handkerchief, sort of have a training partner. Yeah, my ‘plans’ have already been done.’ Tucking his hands into his pockets he smiled as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He didn’t have anything to care or worry about for the time being, just enjoying his day as it came at him. Looking forward he couldn’t help but lift his chin and look toward the sky, contemplating what he could do with the rest of his day.

“That sounds like fun.” He stated; eyes still glued upon the blue and white sky high above. “And this’ll help make sure I’m on time tomorrow as well. Last thing I’d want is for you standing out here all alone in the cool morning air.” Lowering his chin he took in a deep breath through his nose, closing his eyes as his smile defiantly stayed smeared across his face. Free time: such a wonderful concept. No plans, no worries, just a carefree time where anything could happen.

“Then, um, lets head to the gym.” Like a twig under the weight of a boot his concentration on a carefree existence snapped. Could he really be carefree when being shown around by Aleece? His Freudian slips seemed all to awkward and often when he spoke of anything other then martial arts. And now that the subject seemed to change back over to normal life his awkward social prowess returned in full. He couldn’t help it, the mind of a fifteen year old was simple to all but the owner, to which everything seemed a hundred times more complicated then it really was.

Not sure of the distance to the gym and the silence that could easily follow should no one speak he felt the normal signs of panic rising within his body. His palms were getting sweaty and clammy, only relief was that he could easily wipe them off in his pockets. His throat was getting dry, and against his better wishes he’d say his next question with a slightly squeaky voice, coughing and excusing himself half way through.

“So, What – what type of music do you listen too?”

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« Oct 5, 2009 7:51:26 GMT -6 » 		Quote
The fact that Richard seemed to be comfortable around Aleece, made her relax in return, it had been the first time in just about a week she would have to say that she was able to really. There had been a underlying tension in her posture that she just couldn't shake or get ride of entirely. JT had done well to make her practically jumping out of her skin at every little thing. She could hardly focus, it was a little hard to get to sleep (nothing new there but it seemed for a different reason all together now), and she even noticed her appetite had cut down somewhat.

If the circumstances when meeting Richard had been different she doubted that she would feel at all comfortable around him. Hell...she had barely talked to Aroon. Running her teeth over her bottom lip she was looking at the ground again and not even noticing that the guy next to her suddenly seemed turn for a more unsure and awkward turn. She most certainly didn't know it was because of her company. But she did hear him speak and she only had a nod to offer.

Aleece generally didn't like to let a conversation lull, but at the moment she was content to not say a word, really because she didn't have anything to say. However, at his question of what type of music she listened to she frowned at the crack in his voice she heard, almost as if not expecting it. Quickly though, she smiled and looked down at her iPod, untangling the headphones from around it.

"Well..." she started not really sure she could stick herself in a like or dislike for certain genres of music or not. "I have a lot of songs on here. I don't really like one thing or another...in fact I - I have everything from....country to...grunge and punk."

Lifting one of the earbuds she offered it to him before sticking the free one in her own ear then turned it on, but making sure the volume wasn't quit as loud as before. Her face instantly colored though when a particular suggestive Porcelain and the Tramps song started - not that there was any music at the beginning more like the singer talking and most of her words bleeped out....

In a hurried attempt, she laughed to herself almost sheepishly, while she scrolled through all the songs, skipping over the ones like, 'I feel good', and, 'My Leftovers.' Aleece finally came across Halestorm but steered clear of two particular songs made by the band and instead went for something more safe, Familiar Taste of Poison.

"They're not really hard," she said with a small laugh, "I know they are classed as rock/pop but...they have a few good songs." Lifting the iPod she offered that to him as well. "I'm sure you can find something on there you like, the list is pretty big."

« Last Edit: Oct 5, 2009 7:52:14 GMT -6 by aleeca » Back to Top  
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« Oct 5, 2009 15:58:26 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Richard nodded along, showing he was paying attention to her as he tried his best to surveillance the scenery as well. He figured things would look might different come the morning, especially with the day light getting shorter and shorter he’d arrive during the morning hours associated with street lamps and external wall lights. He tried to make mental markers along the way, walkways, tree’s, buildings shapes and sizes. Whatever would help him navigate his way through a sea of uncertainty. He knew they were heading towards the Knox Gym first, and even if there were a quicker way to get to the field then his long drawn out path he wouldn’t care, just so long as he found it.

“Country to Grunge… Yeah, that covers basically everything.” He said, wondering if she listened to any Chris Cagle. He tried to think of whether he knew any Grunge music, but that idea quickly fell from his mind. He associated Grunge songs with the types of music where the singer is screaming all the time. No his cup of tea, nor his biscuit.

Taking the ear bud he hunched forward slightly while trying to slip it into his ear, catching some of what was being said. His demeanour didn’t change or waver, he wasn’t worried about what the artist was saying/singing, he was more concerned with getting the bud to fit properly in his ear. His ears were weirdly formed, or so he believed. They also seemed to fall out or get shaken loose, which is why he tended to buy earphones that hooked around his ear. Finally slipping it in place he stood up, uncurling his back, which caused the bud to ‘pop’ out again as it was tugged downward. Catching the cord in between his fingers he hunched forward again as they walked, reapplying the same procedure to get it in, then didn’t even attempt to straighten.

Listening to the song he didn’t recognize it, but it sounded familiar, as least in essence. It took him a few seconds before he came around to matching whoever was singing up with another band he had heard of, whom he knew had started a while back. They weren’t ancient, but definitely before his time.

“Sounds a bit like Evanescence.” He stated softly, declining the Ipod as he listened to the lyrical words of an unknown artist. “This is fine. They sound good. I might have to download them.”

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« Oct 5, 2009 17:56:47 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece stifled her amusement at the way Richard fumbled with the headphones managing to keep it from showing, except for the smile that persistently tugged up at the corner of her lips. However she hadn't expected him to really know the band, they had been relatively unknown to her as well despite the fact their music was plastered all over the internet. Finding the song 'I get off' had been a complete accident, but she had liked it and like her company at the moment had thought the same thing about them - they did sound like Evanescence.

"See that's what I thought when I first listened to them, too."

She didn't mind that he declined to take her music player for himself and dig around for something he might like to listen to. Aleece didn't mess with trying to find anything in particular after that and let the song finish only to roll into a song by The Ramones 'Blitzkrieg Bop'. She had explained the list had a little bit of everything in it. In fact she caught herself singing along to it but quickly shut her lips together tightly, but she couldn't help it they had to be most favorite punk rock band despite how before her time they were. She had practically the whole album downloaded.

That aside, it didn't matter how long she had run away from the gym, the route she had chosen had made the run seem longer then the walk back and before long she saw the large building in no time. They had taken a more direct path after all and she kept on walking with him right into the spacious open area. The smell of sweat and rubber, the sound of sneakers echoed off the high walls as she pulled the earbud free ignore the group of guys that were playing ball, sticking to the wall going out of her way to stay off the court while they ran and dribbled. A few shouts filled in the noise and finally Aleece stopped outside the female locker room, turning her back to the door she bumped a little and handed Richard the iPod.

"I'll be right back," she said as she pushed her way back and disappeared back into the changing room. Not even bothering to change she would catch a shower back at her dorm and not dirty up anymore clothes then necessary. With some care she put the handkerchief away in a side zipper pocket of her duffel and threw it over her shoulder ignoring the small painted metal door she left hanging open. It hadn't taken more then a minute to do all this and was back out to meet Richard.

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« Oct 5, 2009 23:18:27 GMT -6 » 		Quote
After they entered the gym he glanced up from his slightly downward perspective, having glanced at the ground around them as they walked to keep the bud in his ear. On occasion he felt it tug, but quickly readjusted it before it dipped from his ear. When they walked along the wall, around the courts, he occasionally glanced to the group practicing. He had never tried basketball as a kid, outside of the short stints in P.E. Looking at the group run back and forth doing suicides seemed painful, but at the same time he figured they were having fun. Not necessarily at that precise moment, but all together the group mentality, striving towards a common goal seemed to brighten their spirits.

Another tug of the bud in his ear brought his attention back to Aleece. Looking up at the sign above the doorframe he realized where they were and smiled softly, taking the Ipod and stepped to the side of door as she backed her way in. Boyhood instincts told him to take a peek before the door closed, and if just his curiosity was in play he might’ve. Luck all around led his attention to be diverted between the music on the Ipod and the basketball team. He wondered if he gave basketball a try, on more then just a schools gym standard, if he’d enjoy it enough to do it regularly. The team play, the sorrow, the joy, the idea of a goal at the end of a long path.

Looking down at the Ipod he clicked forward, which he often did when he felt bored or just came across a song he didn’t feel like listening to. Small things determined if he’d listen to it. When others were around he’d let them choose the music. If his tastes decided to change from varied to set then he’d flick through, just as he was doing now. He thought he had a lot of bands on his Ipod, but a majority of what he saw on her play list he didn’t recognize. Didn’t mean that was a bad thing, just that his tastes and resources seemed to be a bit more reclined.

The forward pressing rapid motion of his thumb came to a stop as the door opened up beside him. Turning his head to the side he saw Aleece, sporting a new backpack and the same gym cloths as before. Made sense to him, if they had showers that took time, and while he didn’t mind waiting it would’ve seemed rude without asking. And just changing into clean cloths was a bit redundant. Holding out the Ipod and ear bud out to its owner, his thumb accidentally pressing down on the play/pause button.

“Ready Aleece? Off to the field?”

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« Oct 6, 2009 15:51:06 GMT -6 » 		Quote
Aleece had hitched the bags strap up and over her head to sit on her left shoulder and the duffel itself rested on her left hip. With a thumb hooked on the wide synthetic material but taking the iPod from Richard with her free hand when he gave it back, turning it off completely. Absentmindedly she stuffed that too into a side pocket and jerked her head toward the exit. "Sure am," she said answering him as she raised her hands to her small pony tail and pulled it tighter as she turned taking the lead to walk out of there.

She didn't want to distract once again to whatever practice was going on so she made the effort to stay off the court completely, but recognizing a few of the guys in her classes. Their names were recalled faintly, but nothing that stuck with her immediately. She was sure that if she gave it some time and thought it wouldn't be hard to drudge up the information - still the sound of sneakers squeaking on the highly polished gym floor was kind of background noise to her at the moment.

"The track isn't to far from here. In fact-" Aleece was cut off when a rouge ball skittered in front of her cutting off her path and she ducked down after a split second thought to maybe just step over it to keep going. But she didn't and picked it up instead, before she could turn, however, her last name was called.

"Fontecilla," one of the more taller guys jogged a few paces to them, panting, sweating and looking tired. He had a hand on his hip, dragging the collar of his loose shirt up to swipe at his face before holding out his hands - a sure sign he wanted the ball back. She remembered him, more then barely, from their math class - she had tutored him a bit when he had come in danger of failing some time ago. In fact she had run across several of the people here right now when she had facilitated the court for a round of throwing hoops by herself. Some how she had been finagled into a few games.

Moving the orange ball to her hip she grabbed the strap and hoisted it back off, letting the bag drop to the floor by her feet. Squeezing out a grin at Richard real quick she stepped back, "lemme show these guys and then we can head out."

It was said loud enough to get a chuckle from behind her and probably drawing more then a few of the other guys. She might have been short but she put up a good fight when playing though...it had never gone past for fun - starting in her driveway at her parents house with her brother and his friends. Or at the park. Pivoting on her left foot her right went out as she dribbled the ball passing it under her leg. Even if she wasn't athletic (by her standards) she had a few tricks here and there.

Jogging lightly she bounced the basketball at her side from the half court mark past...Carl? No...Carter, that was it she was pretty sure. Carter Smith, if she wasn't mistaken. It became pretty apparent, fairly quickly it was a one on one effort when the taller guy, pretty thin with an athletic build - the kind that suggested he had conditioned it for the sport. Aleece was made to stop when Carter instantly was on her trying to defend. He was at the height where he practically - not practically, did tower over her, but she fainted left then cut hard right. Not thinking it would actually work but not hesitating when it seemed to fumbling him up.

As she near the webbed net of the basket goal from slightly off the side she sped up rounding even more to the left forty five degrees to the goal, taking a long step before planting her left foot in a shorter one that followed and brought her right leg to get as much extension as she could. Extending her right arm, she let the ball go and watched it pass through the net with ease as she landed - with a grin.

« Last Edit: Oct 7, 2009 7:28:49 GMT -6 by aleeca » Back to Top  
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« Oct 6, 2009 22:52:13 GMT -6 » 		Quote
“That’s good.” He piped in, just lightly for background conversation. He was just about to look up from the court in front of him as the ball rolled and bounced in front of them. Hearing what was to him an unknown name he couldn’t help but look around, seeing the guy whom seemed to tower over even him. While he didn’t consider himself tall after his recent growth spurt he felt that whomever was this was naturally gifted, and his height probably ran in the family.

‘Fontecilla?’ He couldn’t remember hearing her last name before. Then again, he probably hadn’t told Aleece his yet either. Wasn’t a big deal where he came from, but that was probably because it was such a smaller community, and a bit more carefree then a military academy. He guessed that’s how it was at Knox. Everyone knew each other by their last names rather then first, the state and discipline of a military school. Made sense to him, at least as much as it could given his limited military knowledge, which was at most a Military father.

“Sure, take your time.” Turning to the courts he resumed his ‘lazy’ position with his back against the wall as he watched Aleece begin her one-on-one with the Knox basketball boy. He’d be lying if he said that he didn’t watch her in her shorts rather then the bouncing ball on the court. Common adolescent behaviour to say the least. Perhaps it was where his eyes were looking, or the fact that he didn’t know basketball all to well, but he was pretty surprised, possibly even shocked that she feinted so well and moved in for the kill. It all seemed to fall back on martial arts for him, at least in terminology. He figured throughout the next couple of weeks, maybe even months he’d be able to help her tune her mind from basketball to self-defence.

As she scored what he believed was called a lay-up, his hands seemed to immediately start clapping without the accord of his brains higher function and reasoning. He wasn’t the only one, a few of the guys on the squad… Do they call it a squad, or is it strictly a team? Either way, he wasn’t the only one clapping, as the tall basketball player seemed to be dismissed by the shorter girl with a classy sort of finesse. Pushing his back off the wall his clapping faded from excited applause to mild enthusiasm, then dipped down nothing as he hooked his thumbs in his pant pockets.

“Good going. Your pretty fast.”

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