005 [Audio/Action]

[aerialassault]

[Audio]
Yo. Everyone.

[It was midday that he addressed the village as a whole, without any lead-in or hint of apology in his tone for being so goddamn casual.]

I'm lookin' for a friend of mine. He's got long hair and has a pet pig-- lemme know if you see him.

[Action]

[It was training, Souji had been insisting for the last few weeks when he set an enraged, squealing Saizou upon him without any warning. Speed training for a little game between the two of them that they both had a stake in. And, finally-- after many days of running from the grumpy little pig-- the game was on.

Cliff had 24 hours to catch Souji. Truth be told, he had no idea what the little prankster was up to.

He'll be anywhere and everywhere around town that day, searching every corner and under every table for any hint of that teasing smile...all the while remaining on high alert for anything that would attempt to dive-bomb him.]

Comments

[Voice]

[misterbrief]

Good, so then he's not going to try and attack me for no good reason?

[That thing with Albel happened just a few days ago, so.]

[Action!]

[aerialassault]

Yes, ma'am.

[Nodding in understanding, he took a few steps backward to give her space and, resting his hands on his hips, watched her work.]

[Voice]

[aerialassault]

Nah, he'll only find ways to tease you.

[He had heard the commotion when Albel returned that afternoon, but had decided to leave this mess up to Fayt. There was only so far he could go with getting Albel to be sensible...]

Sorry 'bout the idiot too. I don't even wanna know what goes through his head sometimes.

[aerialassault]

A day-- and he's a master at playing games.

[The only reason he even agreed was for the challenge of it-- and the possible reward if he won.]

[fervidity]

Are other people allowed to help?

[aerialassault]

There's no rule about it.

[fervidity]

I bet he didn't think of that.

[but Kushina did because she's a prankster too]

[Action!]

[faithfulflame]

[And Rei takes the pillow, draws a sigil around it, and begins to chant in a low tone, calling up the spell that she'd done for homework not even a month ago...]

[ahappylie]

Like I said that day, Fayt-kun, nothing really strikes me as strange anymore. [He may have been angry at Fayt's father for experimenting on unborn children, but he would never be angry or even scared of Fayt. To live with the burden of power and ability beyond that of your peers was something Souji knew, even if it was on an incredibly small scale in comparison. He knew why Fayt would want to keep his power a secret and why Souji would be certain to do just that.

He smiled faintly and kept trimming Fayt's bangs.]

We'll see how he reacts to my asking. Right now he's probably running all over the village out of breath just trying to find me.

[Voice]

[misterbrief]

Heh, there's no need for an apology. I took care of business, you know that. And I'll do it again too if I need to. I've no qualms putting morons in their place.

[aerialassault]

Or maybe he did and didn't say. Who knows?

[Action!]

[aerialassault]

[He slowed his breath and listened to the words, both out of respect and fascination about the magic of another culture. This was the first time he had actually witnessed an intentional act that wasn't the Symbology from his homeworld.]

[fervidity]

You should know.

[aerialassault]

Well, he didn't tell me anything about it!

[Voice]

[aerialassault]

Yeah-- you're saying it. I'm just rattling my brain over here trying to figure out a way to let him blow off steam without taking you on. I understand frustration, but there's a limit.

[fervidity]

If he didn't say anything, then there's no rule.

So I'll help you look.

[Action!]

[faithfulflame]

[A moment later, Rei's hands snap over to a bottle of water and pours a tiny bit onto the pillow.

The water doesn't seep into it, instead it starts to move and shift, taking on a definite shape...]

[aerialassault]

Thanks, Kushina. I'll owe you something big if we win!

[Action!]

[aerialassault]

[Curious-- that was entirely unlike the Symbology, 'magic', that he was more familiar with. Cliff leaned forward a little, trying to get a closer look at what the water was doing...]

[Action!]

[faithfulflame]

[It was forming an arrow, pointing towards the village.]

There, that's about as good a spell as I can manage. I'm still a beginner with them, but he'll be in that direction.

[Voice]

[misterbrief]

He can grow up and learn to share, that's what. I can't believe how incredibly stupid he is.

[Because let's face it- after all that, Albel was just dumb to continue on with what he did.]

video;

[wildsaber]

[Making friends? Yeah... Assuming they don't give up 'cause he forgot them.]

I dunno. I'm not really the best with that... but I can try.

[etherealblast]

Right..... [If Souji asked, Fayt would have probably told him he wasn't angry. His dad and his team had only done what they'd felt was necessary. If it hadn't been for that..... who knows if they'd have had a way to stop everything? They might not have been able to stop Luther, let alone reach him.

Even if he had to hide for the rest of his life, having an existence at all was more than preferable.]

Yeah, he probably is. But don't worry too much, alright? Even if he somehow manages to find you before his time runs out, I have a feeling he'll be willing to tell you regardless.

[fervidity]

Don't worry about that.

[She's not doing this for something in return.]

Just worry about finding your friend in time.

[ahappylie]

[He didn't respond right away, focusing on finishing Fayt's bangs and keeping the hair from falling into the boy's eyes. They'd all been very honest with him up to now and suddenly, strangely, Souji felt a pang of guilt. Cliff knew about his death and the fact that there was no stopping it, but did Fayt? It didn't seem like something Cliff would think to mention, and after all that Fayt had shared, Souji thought maybe he should return the favor.

But at the same time, it was the one thing he hated talking about more than anything else in the world. People's eyes changed when they knew his fate, and the idea of having Fayt stop looking at him with such innocence was unbearable. Cliff had found out by accident on the draft all those months ago - but was it worth telling Fayt the same?]

We all have stories and shadows, Fayt-kun. Some we want to talk about and some we don't.

Anyway, I think if he finds me before time runs out, he'll have a different plan for his prize and we might not be able to talk as much.

[He snipped a rogue long hair and sat back a little, looking at his handiwork.]

Does that look alright?