((Continued from Give Me a 'P'!))
Gotta get better. Can't let the guys down again.
Thump. Thump. Thump. The sounds were distinctive to anyone who had ever played or watched basketball. Somebody was dribbling the ball, fairly slowly, by the sounds of it.
Can't be the weak link. Won't be the weak link.
Thump- the sounds suddenly accelerated, coming far more rapidly, and in moments, another sound which would be familiar to most - that of a ball dropping cleanly through a net. It didn't make much of a noise, it was true - that was exactly how it should be, but maybe those close by could hear...
No... that's enough. Train. Train. Train.
Keiji Tanaka tossed his head back, sweeping the little braids he kept his hair confined in back out of his eyes and onto the top and sides of his head. The bandana he wore to stop just this from happening didn't seem to be working too well, so he adjusted it slightly, moving it higher to prevent the same thing happening again.
Keiji wiped his sweaty browd with the back of his forearm, then quickly went to retrieve his basketball from where it had rolled to a stop against a wall. Despite the fact his breath was coming in ragged gasps - since he had been training for more than an hour already, the thought of stopping didn't once cross Keiji's mind. His shirt might have been clinging to him, totally drenched as both a combination of the heat and the exertion, but Keiji didn't have anything to do for quite some time yet, and this was a good a place as any.
Thump. Thump. Thump...
This puppy dog is never giving up.
Determination
[[ Holy hell, what's this? Riser actually posting something? >3 ]]
An irritated sigh escaped through the lips of one Izzy Cheung as she made her way through one of the emptied halls of her –hopefully—soon to be former high school, after all once they got through prom and then the end of the year trip all that would be left would be graduation and then they'd be signing themselves off to another x amount of years of schooling. This though caused Izzy to sigh a bit loudly as she went through these thoughts, namely because with as little time as they had left before graduation she had yet to send a thing out to any college whatsoever, though it wasn't as if she could forget this little fact – not with her parents constantly badgering and reminding her ever little chance they where given about continuing her education at some elite university after the high school chapter of her life came to a close. But it wasn't like that she didn't want to continue her education, after all she didn't want to spend the rest of her life asking 'do what fries with that?' kind of job – she really did what to go to college, she just wanted interested after thirteen years of schooling to just go right back into it as soon as this part of her education was over.
Sipping somewhat at the drink in one hand she down the hall toward the gym, rather unable to believe she had went and left her bag in there after her own physical education class had ended earlier that day. Though she guessed it was better to leave a bag of her training clothes instead of say her purse... again, sighing once more as she pushed through the doors leading into the gymnasium, quickly catching the familiar sounds of a basketball bouncing up and down against the polished court. Pursing her lips somewhat at this and wonder why someone would bother hanging around after school to play instead heading down to the courts near the beach, though just as quickly she reminded herself that the courts tended to be full all the time with people from around the city playing, guessing that at least hanging around school meant that you at least had somewhere to play... practice, whatever.
Slipping into the court area, eyeing the wall of benches on either side of the court Izzy took the moment to just she if she was able to see her bag without to much work, tisking when this didn't help too much as her eyes finally fell on the single person causing all the noise. Narrowing her eyes somewhat as she moved to rest her hand against her hip, figuring that as the basketball manger she should know all the players – at thus should know whoever this was, but frowned a bit remembering that just because the other kid could play didn't automatically mean he was apart of the team... and these past three years working as the manager most of her time was spent cooped up in the office going over plays, videos of past games, and figuring out training for the team. A lot better than her position as manager on the hockey team where she might as well be their personal water-girl, sewing or ordering new jerseys, and making sure they where fed whenever they had away games or practice ran later with those hockey jocks she felt more like a mother than a manager.
Without much thought though Izzy found herself watching the currently unknown boy from behind as he moved about the court, almost lost in the rhythmic sounds of the ball dribbling up and down, and that squeaks of his sneakers against the court. But just as fast she caught herself staring, shaking her head somewhat, brushing one of the lime green strands of hair out of her face as she remembered why she had came here in the first place, glancing away and heading toward where she remembered having last saw her bag when gym class had ended. After all, didn't want to distract the boy or anything – though if this guy was anything like the rest of the team, he'd probably continue playing through even if there was a earthquake, mudslide and wildfire threatening them. Though with her actually moving out of the doorway, gave her the chance to take a quick glance at him and try to see if she knew him or not...
Tilting her head somewhat as she found herself watching him for a moment, well not really him, more like the way he was playing because though she had played the game only a few times in her life, she still would herself oddly interested in watching it even though her short figure kept her from ever being able to play it well enough. Blinking somewhat as she faintly recognized the boy to be someone she kind of new, Kenji... Keiji was it? She had a class or two with him during the day she believed, and then with the whole basketball thing, chewing thoughtfully on her lip as she turned away and returned to her mission or locating her bag hopefully sometime before she had to leave for her class, though spared a thought toward the boy wondering why he was here all by himself.
But shrugging, Izzy decided it wasn't any of her business and continued scanning around the benches for any sign of her elusive bag.
An irritated sigh escaped through the lips of one Izzy Cheung as she made her way through one of the emptied halls of her –hopefully—soon to be former high school, after all once they got through prom and then the end of the year trip all that would be left would be graduation and then they'd be signing themselves off to another x amount of years of schooling. This though caused Izzy to sigh a bit loudly as she went through these thoughts, namely because with as little time as they had left before graduation she had yet to send a thing out to any college whatsoever, though it wasn't as if she could forget this little fact – not with her parents constantly badgering and reminding her ever little chance they where given about continuing her education at some elite university after the high school chapter of her life came to a close. But it wasn't like that she didn't want to continue her education, after all she didn't want to spend the rest of her life asking 'do what fries with that?' kind of job – she really did what to go to college, she just wanted interested after thirteen years of schooling to just go right back into it as soon as this part of her education was over.
Sipping somewhat at the drink in one hand she down the hall toward the gym, rather unable to believe she had went and left her bag in there after her own physical education class had ended earlier that day. Though she guessed it was better to leave a bag of her training clothes instead of say her purse... again, sighing once more as she pushed through the doors leading into the gymnasium, quickly catching the familiar sounds of a basketball bouncing up and down against the polished court. Pursing her lips somewhat at this and wonder why someone would bother hanging around after school to play instead heading down to the courts near the beach, though just as quickly she reminded herself that the courts tended to be full all the time with people from around the city playing, guessing that at least hanging around school meant that you at least had somewhere to play... practice, whatever.
Slipping into the court area, eyeing the wall of benches on either side of the court Izzy took the moment to just she if she was able to see her bag without to much work, tisking when this didn't help too much as her eyes finally fell on the single person causing all the noise. Narrowing her eyes somewhat as she moved to rest her hand against her hip, figuring that as the basketball manger she should know all the players – at thus should know whoever this was, but frowned a bit remembering that just because the other kid could play didn't automatically mean he was apart of the team... and these past three years working as the manager most of her time was spent cooped up in the office going over plays, videos of past games, and figuring out training for the team. A lot better than her position as manager on the hockey team where she might as well be their personal water-girl, sewing or ordering new jerseys, and making sure they where fed whenever they had away games or practice ran later with those hockey jocks she felt more like a mother than a manager.
Without much thought though Izzy found herself watching the currently unknown boy from behind as he moved about the court, almost lost in the rhythmic sounds of the ball dribbling up and down, and that squeaks of his sneakers against the court. But just as fast she caught herself staring, shaking her head somewhat, brushing one of the lime green strands of hair out of her face as she remembered why she had came here in the first place, glancing away and heading toward where she remembered having last saw her bag when gym class had ended. After all, didn't want to distract the boy or anything – though if this guy was anything like the rest of the team, he'd probably continue playing through even if there was a earthquake, mudslide and wildfire threatening them. Though with her actually moving out of the doorway, gave her the chance to take a quick glance at him and try to see if she knew him or not...
Tilting her head somewhat as she found herself watching him for a moment, well not really him, more like the way he was playing because though she had played the game only a few times in her life, she still would herself oddly interested in watching it even though her short figure kept her from ever being able to play it well enough. Blinking somewhat as she faintly recognized the boy to be someone she kind of new, Kenji... Keiji was it? She had a class or two with him during the day she believed, and then with the whole basketball thing, chewing thoughtfully on her lip as she turned away and returned to her mission or locating her bag hopefully sometime before she had to leave for her class, though spared a thought toward the boy wondering why he was here all by himself.
But shrugging, Izzy decided it wasn't any of her business and continued scanning around the benches for any sign of her elusive bag.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler riserugu. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
((Continued from A Meeting of the Minds))
It wasn't that he'd become a complete freak of nature since his horrific Survival of the Fittest experience, but Adam Dodd knew that things within his mind; his instincts, rather, were certainly a lot different. For instance, wide open spaces were things that he usually gave his best to stay away from. Ever since he'd been traipsing around with a shotgun slung around his chest and spare magazines in his knapsack, he'd figured that avoiding the open spaces meant less of a chance that his head got shot off by some lucky son of a bitch with a scoped rifle. Even after he'd gotten back, and gotten over most of the nightmares, he still liked to keep to back alleys, enclosed spaces, and usually found himself travelling via car or bus.
So to find Adam Dodd in a gym, which in itself was a wide-open space, was not the most common sight to see. Usually when it came to sports, one might find Adam Dodd in a hockey rink, the only large open space that he actually perferred to enter, and not, say, in a gym, shooting baskets. But today was a little bit different. Adam had wandered in earlier, ignoring the lone, solitary basketball player shooting on net, and had proceeded to make his way towards the end of the bleachers. The large bleachers were built into the wall and were the retractable sort, but due to the basketball game scheduled to take place the following day, they were out and extended. Adam knew that they took a hell of a long time to extend, and as such, if a person were to sit underneath them, there wouldn't (or shouldn't) be the danger of getting crushed.
And of course, sitting underneath them was exactly what Adam intended to do. The underside of the bleachers were an area that he visited relatively frequently, often to try and sleep on days where his reoccurring nightmares kept him awake. As he made his way underneath the bleachers and to his usual spot around the center, Adam fumbled taking his IPod out of his pocket to listen to. He'd neglected to bring his knapsack to school today, mainly because he hated carrying the thing around (bad memories) and since the end of the year was nearing, he simply kept most of his textbooks and notebooks in his locker.
As he neared the spot where he usually sat down, he saw an unusual sight. It appeared as though there was a schoolbag that had fallen through one of the cracks in the bleachers and to the underside. Furrowing his brow, Adam bent down to pick it up and look at it. It looked like it was likely a girl's bag, but it was impossible to tell. Looking at the pack for a moment, he sighed to himself and picked it up, the intention of taking it to the lost and found on his mind.
Adam hadn't taken two steps though, when his fatigue set in again, and he looked down at the pack again. It was fairly rounded, and didn't seem to have anything fragile in it...his fatigue made the decision that much easier for him. The lost and found would have to wait. Placing the pack down on the ground, Adam sat down and extended his legs. Yawning a bit, he turned on his IPod, and then put his head down, using the pack as a pillow.
Good deeds can wait a couple minutes, anyway...
Shutting his eyes, Adam sighed a little, and hummed along to the music coming out of his IPod, unaware that anyone else might be able to hear him if they were that close. Frankly, he didn't care. His perceptions were that he was in a dark, secluded place, and could relax a little. It reminded him a bit...
...the crashed helicopter...Lamika...
Shaking his head, Adam pushed the thoughts out of his mind. It had been a long time ago, and it was something that he'd tried his damndest to put behind himself.
Life was back to normal now.
At least, as normal as one could be.
It wasn't that he'd become a complete freak of nature since his horrific Survival of the Fittest experience, but Adam Dodd knew that things within his mind; his instincts, rather, were certainly a lot different. For instance, wide open spaces were things that he usually gave his best to stay away from. Ever since he'd been traipsing around with a shotgun slung around his chest and spare magazines in his knapsack, he'd figured that avoiding the open spaces meant less of a chance that his head got shot off by some lucky son of a bitch with a scoped rifle. Even after he'd gotten back, and gotten over most of the nightmares, he still liked to keep to back alleys, enclosed spaces, and usually found himself travelling via car or bus.
So to find Adam Dodd in a gym, which in itself was a wide-open space, was not the most common sight to see. Usually when it came to sports, one might find Adam Dodd in a hockey rink, the only large open space that he actually perferred to enter, and not, say, in a gym, shooting baskets. But today was a little bit different. Adam had wandered in earlier, ignoring the lone, solitary basketball player shooting on net, and had proceeded to make his way towards the end of the bleachers. The large bleachers were built into the wall and were the retractable sort, but due to the basketball game scheduled to take place the following day, they were out and extended. Adam knew that they took a hell of a long time to extend, and as such, if a person were to sit underneath them, there wouldn't (or shouldn't) be the danger of getting crushed.
And of course, sitting underneath them was exactly what Adam intended to do. The underside of the bleachers were an area that he visited relatively frequently, often to try and sleep on days where his reoccurring nightmares kept him awake. As he made his way underneath the bleachers and to his usual spot around the center, Adam fumbled taking his IPod out of his pocket to listen to. He'd neglected to bring his knapsack to school today, mainly because he hated carrying the thing around (bad memories) and since the end of the year was nearing, he simply kept most of his textbooks and notebooks in his locker.
As he neared the spot where he usually sat down, he saw an unusual sight. It appeared as though there was a schoolbag that had fallen through one of the cracks in the bleachers and to the underside. Furrowing his brow, Adam bent down to pick it up and look at it. It looked like it was likely a girl's bag, but it was impossible to tell. Looking at the pack for a moment, he sighed to himself and picked it up, the intention of taking it to the lost and found on his mind.
Adam hadn't taken two steps though, when his fatigue set in again, and he looked down at the pack again. It was fairly rounded, and didn't seem to have anything fragile in it...his fatigue made the decision that much easier for him. The lost and found would have to wait. Placing the pack down on the ground, Adam sat down and extended his legs. Yawning a bit, he turned on his IPod, and then put his head down, using the pack as a pillow.
Good deeds can wait a couple minutes, anyway...
Shutting his eyes, Adam sighed a little, and hummed along to the music coming out of his IPod, unaware that anyone else might be able to hear him if they were that close. Frankly, he didn't care. His perceptions were that he was in a dark, secluded place, and could relax a little. It reminded him a bit...
...the crashed helicopter...Lamika...
Shaking his head, Adam pushed the thoughts out of his mind. It had been a long time ago, and it was something that he'd tried his damndest to put behind himself.
Life was back to normal now.
At least, as normal as one could be.
Up and down, up and down both sides of the bleachers Izzy searched in hopes of spotting her bag –checking her watch ever so often as she moved—though she knew she shouldn't worry to much as her practice didn't start till much later in the day, it had been rather annoying still though to have already skated half-way home only to realize the missing bag and have to turn around and skate herself all the way back to school. Finding her hands moving to press against her hips again, and letting out another annoyed sound as she once again returned to the area she had remembered sitting in, and the last place she had remembered seeing it before their gym coach had them move outside to run laps. Maybe someone had taken it to the lost and found? That would be the most logical thing and probably the reason why she was unable to find it now, glancing off toward the exit of the gym and figuring it would probably be best to head there next.
Though as Izzy turned to start moving off she caught herself hearing something rather odd – and glancing off toward the lone basketball player it was clear it wasn't coming from him, then just was she hearing? Humming it sounded like... blinking at this thought she found herself turning toward the bleachers and gazing over them, before a thought suddenly hit her. Turning again she started moving, this time toward the end of the bleachers unable to believe she hadn't thought of this before as it was a fairly common thing to happen, especially during pep rallies and the like, so there could be the chance that the same thing befell her bag – if not there was always back to the lost and found theory, because she highly doubted someone would steal something like a bag with a marital arts uniform in it. Then again when it came to some of the kids at this school she wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what happened, either way making her way to the end of the bleachers and slipping in under them.
It wasn't dark – per say, there was enough light spilling in for Izzy to quickly note the figure laying in the certain of them and it seemed, this figure was also the source of the humming, though she was rather confused as to why someone would lay under the bleachers of all places. But sighing, she simply shrugged to herself and began to move toward the figure – all the while gazing for her still missing bag, had the figure not been busy humming along to whatever was flooding his ears through his earphones she might have asked him, but neither wanting to scare nor disturb the person she quietly continued her search. But quickly she found herself at a bit of a stand still the closer she came to said figure, not only recognizing him but also just what he happened to be using as a make-sift pillow of sorts. Not to hard to recognize her bag she had made herself out of black and lime-green material to partly match her hair at the moment, mostly black expect for the large strand she had bleached out of boredom and then applied bright green dye too, the bag itself mostly covered in buttons and badges she found around town in stores and thrift shops and was currently the opted thing to nap on for the red-haired boy-man-thing currently resting on it.
It wasn't too hard for her to also recognize Adam Dodd either, after all she was the manager-mom of the hockey team and actually knowing all the players was far easier than it was for the basketball team. Though of course there was the issue, sure she knew Adam from the team that he was good at what he did on the team and at practice and all, and perhaps in a class, and the fact that he looked more like a college senior than a high school senior and had a rather... dominating air about him whenever he came down the hall. But beyond the simple impressions -- he was a complete mystery too Izzy. Sure she could go on the rumors that flooded the school about him on every turn about Adam, about his time spend fighting for his life in that 'game' that had been busy taking over the new stations and the internet since it all sparked up.
Izzy though hadn't bothered with it, it wasn't something she could see as anything but revolting and rather sad that this had to happen... that all these families where losing their children and all the kids where losing their lives for no reason what so ever. All that aside, because she wasn't going to dare judge him on all that like others seemed too. Adam seemed rather interesting, and someone that might be cool to talk with; she had never brought herself to do such... he always seemed rather unapproachable almost. But she did know that sneaking up on him probably wouldn't be in her best interest, the boy seemed jumpy at best when it came to people coming up from behind, having seen it a number of times at practice – but with him laying there listening to music, it didn't give her too much choice in the matter and allowed herself to sigh once again and continued toward him, trying to make herself, hopefully, know as she came up toward him.
"Um... 'cuse me, Adam?" She half mumbled, half managed to get out as she approached the laying figure.
Though as Izzy turned to start moving off she caught herself hearing something rather odd – and glancing off toward the lone basketball player it was clear it wasn't coming from him, then just was she hearing? Humming it sounded like... blinking at this thought she found herself turning toward the bleachers and gazing over them, before a thought suddenly hit her. Turning again she started moving, this time toward the end of the bleachers unable to believe she hadn't thought of this before as it was a fairly common thing to happen, especially during pep rallies and the like, so there could be the chance that the same thing befell her bag – if not there was always back to the lost and found theory, because she highly doubted someone would steal something like a bag with a marital arts uniform in it. Then again when it came to some of the kids at this school she wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what happened, either way making her way to the end of the bleachers and slipping in under them.
It wasn't dark – per say, there was enough light spilling in for Izzy to quickly note the figure laying in the certain of them and it seemed, this figure was also the source of the humming, though she was rather confused as to why someone would lay under the bleachers of all places. But sighing, she simply shrugged to herself and began to move toward the figure – all the while gazing for her still missing bag, had the figure not been busy humming along to whatever was flooding his ears through his earphones she might have asked him, but neither wanting to scare nor disturb the person she quietly continued her search. But quickly she found herself at a bit of a stand still the closer she came to said figure, not only recognizing him but also just what he happened to be using as a make-sift pillow of sorts. Not to hard to recognize her bag she had made herself out of black and lime-green material to partly match her hair at the moment, mostly black expect for the large strand she had bleached out of boredom and then applied bright green dye too, the bag itself mostly covered in buttons and badges she found around town in stores and thrift shops and was currently the opted thing to nap on for the red-haired boy-man-thing currently resting on it.
It wasn't too hard for her to also recognize Adam Dodd either, after all she was the manager-mom of the hockey team and actually knowing all the players was far easier than it was for the basketball team. Though of course there was the issue, sure she knew Adam from the team that he was good at what he did on the team and at practice and all, and perhaps in a class, and the fact that he looked more like a college senior than a high school senior and had a rather... dominating air about him whenever he came down the hall. But beyond the simple impressions -- he was a complete mystery too Izzy. Sure she could go on the rumors that flooded the school about him on every turn about Adam, about his time spend fighting for his life in that 'game' that had been busy taking over the new stations and the internet since it all sparked up.
Izzy though hadn't bothered with it, it wasn't something she could see as anything but revolting and rather sad that this had to happen... that all these families where losing their children and all the kids where losing their lives for no reason what so ever. All that aside, because she wasn't going to dare judge him on all that like others seemed too. Adam seemed rather interesting, and someone that might be cool to talk with; she had never brought herself to do such... he always seemed rather unapproachable almost. But she did know that sneaking up on him probably wouldn't be in her best interest, the boy seemed jumpy at best when it came to people coming up from behind, having seen it a number of times at practice – but with him laying there listening to music, it didn't give her too much choice in the matter and allowed herself to sigh once again and continued toward him, trying to make herself, hopefully, know as she came up toward him.
"Um... 'cuse me, Adam?" She half mumbled, half managed to get out as she approached the laying figure.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler riserugu. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
Music, to Adam, was somewhat of a safe haven. All he had to do was shut his eyes, visualize the lyrics, and focus on them. In doing so, he was able to avoid the horrific sensations that clouded his mind when he dreampt. As a matter of fact, if Adam were to doze off while doing this, he would often have normal dreams in which SOTF had no semblance of place or reality. At this point, Finger Eleven was the music of choice on Adam's IPod, and as he hummed along, he was unaware of anyone in the immediate viscinity; that is, however, until the song ended, and heard someone call out his voice.
Hearing shit that wasn't there wasn't something that was foreign to Adam; it seemed to happen once in a while - the doctors called it 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'. So as he opened his eyes with a start, he was almost glad to see someone standing in front of him, because to see anything else would be...disturbing, to say the least.
A reoccurrance of his PTSD wasn't something he was looking forward to, in any case.
As he opened his eyes and involuntarily sprung to a defensive position, his tired legs, and injured knee decided it would give out on him, and land him square on his ass. Blinking a few times, he saw that it was not indeed Danya, or another kid with a rifle, but in fact was a female form; someone who he'd fairly recently identified as Izzy Cheung. It was her, who in fact, he'd voted for in the meaningless (to him) Prom Queen vote.
What, did she find out, or something? That'd be an awkward fuckin' conversation...Yeah, sorry, you were the first person I saw in the hallway...
Blinking again, and looking down at his almost sad-looking posture on the ground, he looked up at the girl standing in front of him and a sheepish look slowly made its way across his face. He slowly raised a hand in a greeting.
"Hey...old body just isn't what it used to be...I, uh, hope I didn't startle you or anything. I just...kind of startle easily. What's up...Izzy, is it?"
Hearing shit that wasn't there wasn't something that was foreign to Adam; it seemed to happen once in a while - the doctors called it 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'. So as he opened his eyes with a start, he was almost glad to see someone standing in front of him, because to see anything else would be...disturbing, to say the least.
A reoccurrance of his PTSD wasn't something he was looking forward to, in any case.
As he opened his eyes and involuntarily sprung to a defensive position, his tired legs, and injured knee decided it would give out on him, and land him square on his ass. Blinking a few times, he saw that it was not indeed Danya, or another kid with a rifle, but in fact was a female form; someone who he'd fairly recently identified as Izzy Cheung. It was her, who in fact, he'd voted for in the meaningless (to him) Prom Queen vote.
What, did she find out, or something? That'd be an awkward fuckin' conversation...Yeah, sorry, you were the first person I saw in the hallway...
Blinking again, and looking down at his almost sad-looking posture on the ground, he looked up at the girl standing in front of him and a sheepish look slowly made its way across his face. He slowly raised a hand in a greeting.
"Hey...old body just isn't what it used to be...I, uh, hope I didn't startle you or anything. I just...kind of startle easily. What's up...Izzy, is it?"
Izzy had to admit, though she had been preparing herself for the jumpy boy to be well... jumpy she still found herself to be taken back and surprised at the very sudden movements of the other, almost bounding back herself and only by the grace of god managed to remain still and not do something stupid like scream or the like. Instead took a deep breath as the other seemed to go about straightening himself where he had fallen out all over the ground, blinking in turn to all the blinking that seemed to be sent her way as she leaned forward somewhat, resting her hands against her knees and hopefully wonder that she didn't... upset him or something, and swallowing a little – but he was using her bag as a pillow, what was she supposed to do? Wait for time that suited him better or something?
Busy fighting with her conflicting thoughts she almost missed the hand raise in greeting or sorts toward her – though once she did, she found herself blinking a bit, because really, in the time she had been manager on the hockey team she had barely gotten much of a 'hello' out of the boy, in fact him speaking right now was probably the most she had ever heard him say, let alone to her. Izzy making a small sound in the back of her throat as he finished up, chewing against her lip again before sighing and allowing herself to smile and shrug a bit, unsure of why she was so bothered about him – he seemed nice enough, probably like a lot of the other guys on the hockey team, just this one happened to be the current holder of her uniform bag. Finding another soft breath of air leaving her again as she glanced toward said bag.
"Yeah... it's Izzy. And no, you didn't startle me to much anyway – though I really wasn't expecting someone to be laying around down here, 'ya know?" She mused, laughing a bit as she glanced over the area in question. "But guess I should be saying the same thing to you too. Seeing that you being startled is what startled me, so forgive me if I spooked 'ya there Adam."
Turning her gaze back on Adam, she shrugged a bit again and focused on her bag with a bit of a nod of her head, "Reason I'm bothering 'ya though is because I happened to have lost my uniform bag earlier, and seeing as I have my changquan class later it's kid of important that I have it, and I'm rather amused to see in the time I've lost it, it seems to have become a pillow for someone." She mused, smiling a bit again.
"Though I'm just happy I didn't have to go searching for it in lost and found, they never get rid of anything up there, and it turns into a trip in itself just to find your way back out of there."
Busy fighting with her conflicting thoughts she almost missed the hand raise in greeting or sorts toward her – though once she did, she found herself blinking a bit, because really, in the time she had been manager on the hockey team she had barely gotten much of a 'hello' out of the boy, in fact him speaking right now was probably the most she had ever heard him say, let alone to her. Izzy making a small sound in the back of her throat as he finished up, chewing against her lip again before sighing and allowing herself to smile and shrug a bit, unsure of why she was so bothered about him – he seemed nice enough, probably like a lot of the other guys on the hockey team, just this one happened to be the current holder of her uniform bag. Finding another soft breath of air leaving her again as she glanced toward said bag.
"Yeah... it's Izzy. And no, you didn't startle me to much anyway – though I really wasn't expecting someone to be laying around down here, 'ya know?" She mused, laughing a bit as she glanced over the area in question. "But guess I should be saying the same thing to you too. Seeing that you being startled is what startled me, so forgive me if I spooked 'ya there Adam."
Turning her gaze back on Adam, she shrugged a bit again and focused on her bag with a bit of a nod of her head, "Reason I'm bothering 'ya though is because I happened to have lost my uniform bag earlier, and seeing as I have my changquan class later it's kid of important that I have it, and I'm rather amused to see in the time I've lost it, it seems to have become a pillow for someone." She mused, smiling a bit again.
"Though I'm just happy I didn't have to go searching for it in lost and found, they never get rid of anything up there, and it turns into a trip in itself just to find your way back out of there."
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Adam scratched the back of his neck a little sheepishly. He really should have gone right to the lost and found, though things had seemingly worked out for the better. The girl standing in front of him had a very good point; the school's lost and found was so labyrinthian in design that some students would get lost in it from time to time. It seemed almost unusual for Adam to be having somewhat of a normal conversation with another student, as socializing wasn't something that he found himself doing all that much. Not since...
He'd found himself as somewhat of a figurehead of sorts, he was 'that kid', the one that everyone whispered about as he walked down the hall. At first, he'd been put off quite a bit by it, but now...now he'd just managed to get used to it. Nobody actually said much to him, and he didn't say much to anyone.
That's how it is when you've got demons to throw down...
But here was Izzy, a normal-seeming girl, who was having a normal-sounding conversation with Adam in a somewhat abnormal area. The underside of the bleachers wasn't exactly the kind of place that people went to hang out, usually it was saught for people like Adam, looking to have a nap, couples who wanted to fool around without being seen, or the odd couple of students who dealt drugs. Mostly populated by couples and people looking to do homework, Adam never payed it much mind - especially when it came to what people thought of him.
Those days...those days're long gone...
Looking up at Izzy, he smirked a little bit. Not a full smile, but a small smirk, which was really the most that anyone was able to get out of Adam on a regular basis these days.
"Yeah, uh...sorry 'bout that. I saw your bag down here and thought about taking it to the lost and found, but...I dunno, I got tired. I don't sleep a lot at night anymore..."
Adam trailed off, and shrugged.
"Gotta catch a few Z's here and there, you know?"
Grabbing the bag from behind him, he slowly made his way to his feet, and held it out in front of him for her to take.
"Here's your bag. Hope it wasn't a problem that you didn't find it 'till just now..."
Adam trailed off, as he looked the girl in the eye as she stood before him. She was short, and her dyed hair made her stick out in a crowd. It had been her hair that'd drawn his eyes to her when he'd been randomly selecting his Prom Queen vote. It had been the hair...
Adam blinked as a chill ran down his spine. Grimacing a bit, he shook his head a little, and managed a weak smile.
"Sorry...it's just, ah...well...you kind of remind me of someone...I've seen you around, I think. You're at most of the hockey games, aren't you?"
He'd found himself as somewhat of a figurehead of sorts, he was 'that kid', the one that everyone whispered about as he walked down the hall. At first, he'd been put off quite a bit by it, but now...now he'd just managed to get used to it. Nobody actually said much to him, and he didn't say much to anyone.
That's how it is when you've got demons to throw down...
But here was Izzy, a normal-seeming girl, who was having a normal-sounding conversation with Adam in a somewhat abnormal area. The underside of the bleachers wasn't exactly the kind of place that people went to hang out, usually it was saught for people like Adam, looking to have a nap, couples who wanted to fool around without being seen, or the odd couple of students who dealt drugs. Mostly populated by couples and people looking to do homework, Adam never payed it much mind - especially when it came to what people thought of him.
Those days...those days're long gone...
Looking up at Izzy, he smirked a little bit. Not a full smile, but a small smirk, which was really the most that anyone was able to get out of Adam on a regular basis these days.
"Yeah, uh...sorry 'bout that. I saw your bag down here and thought about taking it to the lost and found, but...I dunno, I got tired. I don't sleep a lot at night anymore..."
Adam trailed off, and shrugged.
"Gotta catch a few Z's here and there, you know?"
Grabbing the bag from behind him, he slowly made his way to his feet, and held it out in front of him for her to take.
"Here's your bag. Hope it wasn't a problem that you didn't find it 'till just now..."
Adam trailed off, as he looked the girl in the eye as she stood before him. She was short, and her dyed hair made her stick out in a crowd. It had been her hair that'd drawn his eyes to her when he'd been randomly selecting his Prom Queen vote. It had been the hair...
Adam blinked as a chill ran down his spine. Grimacing a bit, he shook his head a little, and managed a weak smile.
"Sorry...it's just, ah...well...you kind of remind me of someone...I've seen you around, I think. You're at most of the hockey games, aren't you?"
Izzy found herself giving a bit of a curious glance to the small bit of silence that followed, filled only with the sounds of the basketball still dribbling from beyond the underside of the bleachers – having a bit forgotten her current location but turned a to look back at where Adam was still sitting on the floor with a tilt of her head as he began to speak, shrugging her shoulders because really, someone sleeping on her bag was the least of her concerns more pleased with the fact that she didn't have to venture into the lost and found room and become missing herself. After all, she had the chance to poke her head into there once or twice and the sight of all those things piled in there was enough to turn anyone away, namely her; make the mistake of causing a avalanche of that stuff and no one would ever locate her.
But she found what amused her most was the sight of the smirk on the other boy's features, having not seen anything but rather serious looks on his face it was an interesting change that she found unable to smile about, he looked a lot more approachable with a smile—well smirk on his face, didn't seem as... as she had figured, though having never spoken with him it would be rather mean to judge him just based on those rumors she heard in the halls. Izzy was taken out of her thoughts though as she watched him grab her bag, figuring he was just going to hold it out for her to take and blinked a bit when he stood, and his words. Shaking her head as blue eyes blinked a bit and she glanced up –like always—toward the figure and mused again.
"It's really no problem like I said, after all classes don't start till later – and it's just a uniform, I might have been worried if I had left my rollerblades here, ya know?" She muttered, rubbing a hand through her hair and glancing off once more, sticking her tongue out somewhat. "Then I might actually have to take the bus, or actually bothering driving or some—"
She broke off in her sentence as Adam seemed to have the look that something seemed to be bothering him... or something, wondering if she should have just taken her bag, thanked him and left. Biting down and chewing on her bottom lip, turning her focus on the floor under her feet, though him speaking once more caused her to look up with a curious sort of look at his statement that she looked like someone, just curious as too who, maybe. But as he continued the curious look was dropped and she found herself pouting a bit, though nodded anyway.
"Yeah, every practice... every game for two years I've been there. I'm the one that's always sitting in the stands sewing up whoever ripped their jersey, filling water bottles, making sure you guys and your bottomless pit stomachs are fed when we go on away games and all." She said laughing a little, as she rubbed a finger a bit against her cheek,
"But I guess it's pretty easy to forget I'm there – you always seem pretty focused during practice."
But she found what amused her most was the sight of the smirk on the other boy's features, having not seen anything but rather serious looks on his face it was an interesting change that she found unable to smile about, he looked a lot more approachable with a smile—well smirk on his face, didn't seem as... as she had figured, though having never spoken with him it would be rather mean to judge him just based on those rumors she heard in the halls. Izzy was taken out of her thoughts though as she watched him grab her bag, figuring he was just going to hold it out for her to take and blinked a bit when he stood, and his words. Shaking her head as blue eyes blinked a bit and she glanced up –like always—toward the figure and mused again.
"It's really no problem like I said, after all classes don't start till later – and it's just a uniform, I might have been worried if I had left my rollerblades here, ya know?" She muttered, rubbing a hand through her hair and glancing off once more, sticking her tongue out somewhat. "Then I might actually have to take the bus, or actually bothering driving or some—"
She broke off in her sentence as Adam seemed to have the look that something seemed to be bothering him... or something, wondering if she should have just taken her bag, thanked him and left. Biting down and chewing on her bottom lip, turning her focus on the floor under her feet, though him speaking once more caused her to look up with a curious sort of look at his statement that she looked like someone, just curious as too who, maybe. But as he continued the curious look was dropped and she found herself pouting a bit, though nodded anyway.
"Yeah, every practice... every game for two years I've been there. I'm the one that's always sitting in the stands sewing up whoever ripped their jersey, filling water bottles, making sure you guys and your bottomless pit stomachs are fed when we go on away games and all." She said laughing a little, as she rubbed a finger a bit against her cheek,
"But I guess it's pretty easy to forget I'm there – you always seem pretty focused during practice."
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Adam raised an eyebrow at the mention of his intensity during practice. He didn't talk much in the dressing room, but when he did, the team usually listened to what he had to say. He supposed that it was for that reason that he'd been named an assistant captain, but aside from casual conversation he didn't socialize too much as it was. He never really had noticed that he passed it off strictly as focus.
"Focused...isn't quite the way I'd put it..."
Adam scratched the stubble on his cheek. He found that as he got older he seemed to have an ever-present display of stubble. He did, however, avoid growing any facial hair, as it proved to be a too-frightening reminder for him.
"And hey...uh, don't like, take it personally or anything. I wouldn't deliberately try and ignore you..."
That, of course, was when he caught himself, and for the first time in a very, very long time, a smile crept upon his face.
"Actually...you know what? I take that back...I would try and ignore you...not that it's personal, but ... I'm not exactly much of a social animal anymore. I mean...I'm sure you're like, a wonderful person and all, like, you've been really nice and stuff, but..."
He shook his head a little, getting tongue-tied. For all that he'd been through, it was almost as though he'd forgotten how to talk to people.
And to think, I was all into the student council and shit back at Barry Coleson...
"...sorry. I'm not exactly used to talking to anyone...it's been awhile since I've, uh...felt like being social."
Absently scratching at the hair that covered the mass that had used to be his ear, and had since healed over into a somewhat unattractive lumpy mass, he sighed a little.
"...yeah, uh. Sorry again. I...I don't really like to talk about, uh...about the whole thing. But like...I think it's pretty cool everything that you do for the team. To be honest, I'd never really thought about who did any of that stuff. So, uh...thanks!"
Jesus, Adam...how many fucking times are you going to apologize for something that you've got absolutely no fucking control over?! You're moody on a good day, downright fucking manic on a bad one, and here you are with the first bit of essential voluntary random interaction that you've had since god-knows how fucking long; and you're making a complete ass out of yourself.
Adam mentally cursed himself, and then looked back at Izzy, and smiled again, something that internally unsettled him. He hadn't made a habit of smiling at all, and it was a reflex that seemed almost foreign to him. He knew, exactly, though, what it was about this girl that evoked the reaction within him.
It's the hair. It's the goddamn hair.
"Damnit, I...I'm sorry, again. You probably think I'm some pretty messed-up head-case who doesn't know how to talk to people. I just...I ramble...I guess, when I get...y'know..."
But Adam, you ARE a pretty messed-up head-case who doesn't know how to talk to people. That's EXACTLY what you are!
Internally smirking at his internal monologue's tendancy to be a bitch and to point out the inaccuracies in his statement, Adam fired back out loud with a point that managed to flow itself within his previous statement.
"...and I DO know how to talk to people. I just kind of...forgot."
Finally, Adam stopped himself and looked at the girl in front of him, who he assumed must almost definitly be thinking of vacating the premesis immediately after his (to himself, anyway) near-lunatic ramblings.
"Focused...isn't quite the way I'd put it..."
Adam scratched the stubble on his cheek. He found that as he got older he seemed to have an ever-present display of stubble. He did, however, avoid growing any facial hair, as it proved to be a too-frightening reminder for him.
"And hey...uh, don't like, take it personally or anything. I wouldn't deliberately try and ignore you..."
That, of course, was when he caught himself, and for the first time in a very, very long time, a smile crept upon his face.
"Actually...you know what? I take that back...I would try and ignore you...not that it's personal, but ... I'm not exactly much of a social animal anymore. I mean...I'm sure you're like, a wonderful person and all, like, you've been really nice and stuff, but..."
He shook his head a little, getting tongue-tied. For all that he'd been through, it was almost as though he'd forgotten how to talk to people.
And to think, I was all into the student council and shit back at Barry Coleson...
"...sorry. I'm not exactly used to talking to anyone...it's been awhile since I've, uh...felt like being social."
Absently scratching at the hair that covered the mass that had used to be his ear, and had since healed over into a somewhat unattractive lumpy mass, he sighed a little.
"...yeah, uh. Sorry again. I...I don't really like to talk about, uh...about the whole thing. But like...I think it's pretty cool everything that you do for the team. To be honest, I'd never really thought about who did any of that stuff. So, uh...thanks!"
Jesus, Adam...how many fucking times are you going to apologize for something that you've got absolutely no fucking control over?! You're moody on a good day, downright fucking manic on a bad one, and here you are with the first bit of essential voluntary random interaction that you've had since god-knows how fucking long; and you're making a complete ass out of yourself.
Adam mentally cursed himself, and then looked back at Izzy, and smiled again, something that internally unsettled him. He hadn't made a habit of smiling at all, and it was a reflex that seemed almost foreign to him. He knew, exactly, though, what it was about this girl that evoked the reaction within him.
It's the hair. It's the goddamn hair.
"Damnit, I...I'm sorry, again. You probably think I'm some pretty messed-up head-case who doesn't know how to talk to people. I just...I ramble...I guess, when I get...y'know..."
But Adam, you ARE a pretty messed-up head-case who doesn't know how to talk to people. That's EXACTLY what you are!
Internally smirking at his internal monologue's tendancy to be a bitch and to point out the inaccuracies in his statement, Adam fired back out loud with a point that managed to flow itself within his previous statement.
"...and I DO know how to talk to people. I just kind of...forgot."
Finally, Adam stopped himself and looked at the girl in front of him, who he assumed must almost definitly be thinking of vacating the premesis immediately after his (to himself, anyway) near-lunatic ramblings.
A flash of confusion flirted across Izzy's features as Adam began to speak in response to the statement she had made concerning his state during practice, but though she couldn't terribly tell the different between her view of him just being focused and well whatever it was that Adam actually was during practice, Izzy just nodded nonetheless to his words and simply went along with it. It wasn't to terribly important if she knew or not she figured, glancing off again and gazing through the bleachers –having almost forgot where she was for a moment—before turning back to the boy as he addressed her, blinking somewhat at his words and smiling somewhat about to shrug her shoulders and say something like it wasn't that big of a deal, or whatever.
But she found her smile a bit vanishing at his own smile, tilting her head a bit and wondering if she was really seeing what she thought she was seeing – she thought that little smirk had been something she wouldn't ever see grace the his face. Though her bit of shock left just as fast as her smile had, finding herself pouting somewhat at his words toward her, but shrugged in the end – because she couldn't take it personal, from what she had seen Adam didn't seem to go out of his way to talk with anyone, it was usually the other way around. Listening as he continued on, figuring the rest of the statements said her way... like the wonderful and nice just to be compliments and taking them with a smile.
Though she didn't understand his reason for saying he was sorry, sifting from one foot to another and simply nodding to his words, a bit understanding what he his words though tilted her head again at the thanks, blinking at first and not really getting it but shook her head, laughter escaping her. "You're welcome." She said lightly, gazing toward him and noting a second reappearance of another smile this time returning the smile with one of her own, happy at least she didn't seem to be annoying him or something... that would just be awful. Shaking her head though, she gazed back to Adam as he continued along in his... ramble? Ramble would work. In his ramble of sorts, of apologizing for something she figured he really couldn't help and just decided on remaining quite for the moment.
Finally though Adam seemed to stop, and Izzy found herself simply staring back at Adam who had probably said more in the moment than she had heard all year, but at the same time she found herself blinking as she moved to cover her mouth, cheeks puffing out for a moment as she tried to with hold the urge but found the laughter escaping her anyway but caught herself quickly, calming herself and shaking her head; giggling lightly. "I-I'm sorry, really sorry there... I – it's just so weird." She admitted, leaning back in place somewhat, "I've seen you speak once or twice on those topics, and you always seemed so calm – and then the other guys on the team really look up to you, so I figured... that it would be the same way one-on-one, but it's not." She muttered, blinking after a moment though and making a small sound.
"Not-not that it's a bad thing... it's probably really awful of me but I thought I had you figured out in my head, from what I've seen... and I feel bad, but what I heard too. But it's completely different, you aren't that scary at all, in fact you seem pretty approachable now. But hey, if you ever wanna learn how to talk to people again, ah – I'd be happy to talk with 'ya. Your choice of course, I don't think I'm that interesting... only thing I'm good at is video games, and skating... though even that's questionable at times." Izzy mumbled lightly, running fingers through her hair and glancing off. "B-but look at me, now I'm rambling, probably bothering 'ya too..."
But she found her smile a bit vanishing at his own smile, tilting her head a bit and wondering if she was really seeing what she thought she was seeing – she thought that little smirk had been something she wouldn't ever see grace the his face. Though her bit of shock left just as fast as her smile had, finding herself pouting somewhat at his words toward her, but shrugged in the end – because she couldn't take it personal, from what she had seen Adam didn't seem to go out of his way to talk with anyone, it was usually the other way around. Listening as he continued on, figuring the rest of the statements said her way... like the wonderful and nice just to be compliments and taking them with a smile.
Though she didn't understand his reason for saying he was sorry, sifting from one foot to another and simply nodding to his words, a bit understanding what he his words though tilted her head again at the thanks, blinking at first and not really getting it but shook her head, laughter escaping her. "You're welcome." She said lightly, gazing toward him and noting a second reappearance of another smile this time returning the smile with one of her own, happy at least she didn't seem to be annoying him or something... that would just be awful. Shaking her head though, she gazed back to Adam as he continued along in his... ramble? Ramble would work. In his ramble of sorts, of apologizing for something she figured he really couldn't help and just decided on remaining quite for the moment.
Finally though Adam seemed to stop, and Izzy found herself simply staring back at Adam who had probably said more in the moment than she had heard all year, but at the same time she found herself blinking as she moved to cover her mouth, cheeks puffing out for a moment as she tried to with hold the urge but found the laughter escaping her anyway but caught herself quickly, calming herself and shaking her head; giggling lightly. "I-I'm sorry, really sorry there... I – it's just so weird." She admitted, leaning back in place somewhat, "I've seen you speak once or twice on those topics, and you always seemed so calm – and then the other guys on the team really look up to you, so I figured... that it would be the same way one-on-one, but it's not." She muttered, blinking after a moment though and making a small sound.
"Not-not that it's a bad thing... it's probably really awful of me but I thought I had you figured out in my head, from what I've seen... and I feel bad, but what I heard too. But it's completely different, you aren't that scary at all, in fact you seem pretty approachable now. But hey, if you ever wanna learn how to talk to people again, ah – I'd be happy to talk with 'ya. Your choice of course, I don't think I'm that interesting... only thing I'm good at is video games, and skating... though even that's questionable at times." Izzy mumbled lightly, running fingers through her hair and glancing off. "B-but look at me, now I'm rambling, probably bothering 'ya too..."
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As if he had just emerged from underwater, voices suddenly imposed themselves, quite clearly, on Keiji's hearing. The ball had just swept through the net for what felt like the thousandth time in his practice, and the speakers just seemed to appear from nowhere. Keiji looked across at the pair of them standing in the bleachers and realised, judging by their expressions, that they had probably been there for some time without him even noticing.
Keiji felt a little guilty, truth be told - he had been so concentrated, so focused, on the basketball and the simple rythmn of the activity he had zoned out completely. Only now did he realise quite how bedraggled he was. His headband was sopping wet, and his shirt clung to him, stained dark by his sweat. Keiji began to feel a little self concious, then considered that it was unlikely he was being observed. After all, the pair had obviously entered without him seeing - and they didn't feel the need to disturb him.
However, Keiji now began to feel a little awkward. Before long, if indeed they hand't already, both of those speaking would notice that the sounds of the basketball and him moving around the gym had ceased, and of course, they would look up to see him watching...
As he dealt with most problems, Keiji simply shoved it out of his mind and looked at the two of them thoughtfully. Now that he took a closer look, the identity of both was known to him. One was the guy that everybody knew - Adam Dodd. Even though Keiji had never watched the program which had made hm famous - or was it infamous? It had been the talk of the school for the time it was running, and for weeks, months afterwards, and had recently resurfaced with the second version going underway too.
The second of them, the girl, was vaguely familiar also. Izzy Cheung was the manager of the basketball team, so it would be rather stupid of him not to recognise her. Then again, Keiji wasn't exactly the brightest button in the box, but still - when somebody came to every training session near enough. Keiji briefly wondered what to do, but then came to the conclusion that sneaking off wouldn't exactly look good if he was seen - he just had to hope their conversation wasn't private to avoid any accusations of eavesdropping.
Waiting patiently with a bright smile to be noticed, at the same time, Keiji edged towards the door. If they called him over, it wouldn't matter, if he managed to slip out... even better.
Keiji felt a little guilty, truth be told - he had been so concentrated, so focused, on the basketball and the simple rythmn of the activity he had zoned out completely. Only now did he realise quite how bedraggled he was. His headband was sopping wet, and his shirt clung to him, stained dark by his sweat. Keiji began to feel a little self concious, then considered that it was unlikely he was being observed. After all, the pair had obviously entered without him seeing - and they didn't feel the need to disturb him.
However, Keiji now began to feel a little awkward. Before long, if indeed they hand't already, both of those speaking would notice that the sounds of the basketball and him moving around the gym had ceased, and of course, they would look up to see him watching...
As he dealt with most problems, Keiji simply shoved it out of his mind and looked at the two of them thoughtfully. Now that he took a closer look, the identity of both was known to him. One was the guy that everybody knew - Adam Dodd. Even though Keiji had never watched the program which had made hm famous - or was it infamous? It had been the talk of the school for the time it was running, and for weeks, months afterwards, and had recently resurfaced with the second version going underway too.
The second of them, the girl, was vaguely familiar also. Izzy Cheung was the manager of the basketball team, so it would be rather stupid of him not to recognise her. Then again, Keiji wasn't exactly the brightest button in the box, but still - when somebody came to every training session near enough. Keiji briefly wondered what to do, but then came to the conclusion that sneaking off wouldn't exactly look good if he was seen - he just had to hope their conversation wasn't private to avoid any accusations of eavesdropping.
Waiting patiently with a bright smile to be noticed, at the same time, Keiji edged towards the door. If they called him over, it wouldn't matter, if he managed to slip out... even better.