( Chat Log - 3/5/17 ) So Close, Yet So Far
Mar 5, 2017 14:25:32 GMT -5
Post by Farfalla Rousseau on Mar 5, 2017 14:25:32 GMT -5
( Color Coding: Kisumi, Farfalla )
( Characters: Kisumi Mimsy + Farfalla Rousseau )
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( Characters: Kisumi Mimsy + Farfalla Rousseau )
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Last night had definitely left Farfalla to his thoughts, feeling defeated - Something he quite honestly wasn't sure how to handle. He could handle losing, but this definitely did not sit well with him, and he was anything but a sore loser. But, rather than wallow in self-pity, he made an effort to get up this morning to go to The Bismarck and help out with the seasonal dishes. He always fancied himself a great cook, so surely cooking up a storm would get his mind eased. Compared to the usual, he was incredibly focused, spending no time making light conversation with others, which did ring some bells for those who worked with him from time to time. One would think he was tired, but it was definitely something else. Nonetheless, he was making whatever orders were made without issue, getting them prepped within a considerate amount of time.
Although now, he was on a lunch break, wiping at his hands slowly before sighing and walking out of the kitchen and to the eating area. He was prepared to just go and sit to collect his thoughts, but lo and behold, there was a familiar face from last night. Before he could retreat back to the kitchen, he had already made considerable progress into being in plain sight, so running now would make him look cowardly. He couldn't afford being seen as that, since he had already been kicked down a few notches in the status department. "...くそ ( Shit. )..." He muttered, but as easy as it was, he had a calm exterior to show.
Approaching the Miqo'te, he simply gave a slight wave, examining her as though being here was a bit unwelcome. It /was/, but not like he'd say that. "Small world... What brings you here?"
Kisumi was resting her chin on her fingers as she eagerly awaited for her food when her eyes caught that of the beautiful man from before. She could sense his nervousness, but he was trapped in her gaze. "It's Kisu, actually. Kisumi." Her ears caught wind of the curse. She knew what it meant, but decided to make a joke out of it, her lips curling into a bright smile. "Oh, I'm always here, it seems~! And I think this is quite definitely fate! Sit! Sit!"
"I know, we've met before you know," He chuckled, albeit with some unease. Overall, his presentation was beginning to deteriorate, uncomfortable with speaking with her after last night. He's surprised she wasn't cursing at him or something. It'd be rude to just leave though, "I haven't seen you here before... Then again, I'm usually in the kitchen."
She waved her hand with a playful tone, "Well, then I guess that's the problem, isn't it?" A waitress came along with her food and drink. Yes, this wine would feel more like something celebratory than something to take the edge off, "But you're here now, right? Come on, I'll treat you to something! Oh, but I guess you do owe me for the fish, don't you?"
She gave a taunting grin. "Kidding kidding. I think you paid enough," She waved, "Go ahead."
"I'll have to decline the offer of being treated to something. But yes. You're right..." He gave a nod, "I... Suppose I do owe you an apology. I didn't think I'd get like that, honest." He gave a sigh of disappointment, feeling as those his image had been tarnished beyond recovery. He can't face the others from last night for a while, "Your meal will be on me. And the wine... so don't fret."
Kisumi held her cheeks as she mused. "Ah, I'd love to see what you look like with ears that rose and fell, but I suppose there's a strange beauty in your subtlety." She pressed a finger to her lips with a wink. "Oh, but you were really only trying to help, right? One would think that if Star included you throughout all of her personas she would have let you in on a BIT more, no? So silly of her." She took a sip.
Now that was something he didn't expect to hear from her. He figured he'd have to take the fall for what it was worth for only trying to help and reacting accordingly, yet this one seemed to understand him. "Guess people look at me and think I'm some feeble youth. And she was no exception. But whatever. I don't really care. She can do whatever she wants now."
"Oh come on, don't say that!" She grinned, "I was actually surprised. Incredibly so." She took a bite. "You two were together when Star was 'Stella'. I fully expected her to toss you to the wind when she changed back. Leave 'Stella' missing forever. That's how I knew her from her previous relationships anyway. Star was always making trouble and bouncing from one person to another, but she kept you around! And she was so worried about you that she hid information. I can relate to the feeling."
Her eyes closed fondly as she spoke. "Of wanting to lock up your most precious companion and fight on their behalf. To know they're safe and use it as motivation to come home victoriously." She let one eye open and lock itself onto Farfalla. "But you know. There's just something about fighting alongside the one you love. To be perfectly in tandem on the battlefield. To have each other's backs-- like a second body in glorious dance." Her lips curled. "That's what everyone dreams of, no?"
"She didn't trust in my strength. It wasn't even subtle, especially with how she treated me," He grumbled, his brows furrowing in the thought of previous conversations he had with Star. Last night's comment was what really pushed him over the edge, and the chaos that ensued only made his shoulders heavier with anger and guilt. "Keeping me safe is a weak excuse to exclude me from so much. She'd probably keep me ignorant to a second Calamity if she thought I wouldn't be safe." He scoffed.
"As lovely and romantic as it sounds, I don't even think she'd consider me worthy enough to fight by her side. It's why I do things alone. I won't waste my time assisting someone who doesn't hold me to an equal regard, lover or not." Perhaps he's just overthinking it, the surge of emotions clearly skewing his usual composed thought process. "Treat others the way you want to be treated, he says... Smack me upside the head..." And the rest was just muttering.
She tapped her cheek in thought with that same smile. "Well you know, if you can defeat me, then you'd be better than her in combat." She paused, letting the offer of a duel set in for him.
"...Excuse me?" Was she seriously challenging him to a duel? Even he seemed confused, unsure whether or not he'd be capable of striking at someone else within a 24 hour period. "...Has she not beaten you in a fight?"
"Not once. Not with daggers, not with claymore, and not with astroglobe." She flashed a bright smile. "So what do you say? After all of your boasting, can you blame me for itching to see you in action? Or, don't tell me it was all talk."
"I wasn't boasting... I was just letting her know that these scars aren't from burning my hands on skillets or gathering flowers for some woman. My intent is not for people to praise me as some formidable warrior. I just want people to know I can handle danger and everything to come," He was still practicing caution. He's more of a tactician than anything, but he can still fight. "And to prove I'm not all talk, I accept."
Kisumi pressed her fingers together in joy. "Perfect! Well, then, I won't take any excuses for when you lose. You'd better eat now!"
"I'm not a sore loser. I can accept defeat so long as it's being handed to me fairly."
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At the Wolves' Den Pier, the two dueled one another... Farfalla loses the first duel.
Kisumi held her hand out for the other, "Whew! You actually got my blood pumping there for a hot second! Ah~! What a rush!"
The fight was over as quickly as it had started, leaving the boy on the ground in defeat. Nonetheless, he gripped the woman's hand to have himself pulled up, wiping at his clothes to rid himself of the dust and dirt. "...I'll admit, I didn't think it'd end so quickly."
"Well, if I had hesitated, you would have had me in a heartbeat!" She turned her brows sheepishly, "Has Star seen you fight? Now I'm just BAFFLED!"
"No..." He shook his head. "She... Usually just wanted to go out. Or stay at home and exhaust me in more ways than one..."
"Oh then she doesn't know..." Kisumi's voice trailed off like a rolling velvet carpet. "Farfalla! This is your chance!" She bounced on her toes in joy. "If she keeps underestimating you, then you'll just have to show her! She's just support in combat, always staying behind, as healers should, but what if she gets in trouble? What if she goes somewhere alone?" She clenched her fists to rally his spirits.
"You have to show her. Make sure she never takes her eyes off you of you!" She motioned toward the arena. "Again!"
There's plenty to say, but he wasn't sure what to disclose. A hand rested on his chin as he thought, before having it drop to his side to nod. "Yeah... You're right. I'll just... Have to show her what I'm made of. And I'm missing an arm..."
Since there'd be a second round, he carefully fidgeted with the prosthetic to ensure it wouldn't jam up randomly. Not like he'd be slapping her around, but better safe than sorry. It's not really meant for combat. "Again... I'm good to go."
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Once again, Farfalla loses the duel.
"Ah! Almost! Almost!""やれやれだぜ ( Good grief )..." So close, yet so far.
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Farfalla is defeated again.
"Dammit. That one hurt..."
"So about your arm.." She grabbed it gently. "It's fake right? Does it do anything?"
"Nothing fancy. Just functions like any other arm. Can't feel anything though."
"So you've never thought to make it more..." She tapped her cheek, trying to find the word. "Convenient? Like, to rig a knife in with a spring trap! or hide a rope in there!"
"I've no reason to get technical with it. Although... I wouldn't mind putting in a gun. Just in case," He chuckled slightly, examining the arm with a subtle hint of sadness. "It's weird. Maybe this is why people think I'm not competent."
Kisumi chuckled with a teasing drawl, "Well it's have to be a REALLY tiny gun... You said you work in those kitchens, right? You cook? And you can do it with that arm, too? That's incredible!"
"It's good for grabbing boiling pots and reaching into fires without being worried of burning myself," He gave a shrug, not finding its use very impressive. "But yeah. I don't need any gadgets or gizmos. It just serves as an arm. Nothing more."
She tilted her shoulder cutely with a smile, "Well you seem smart enough, I'm sure you'll think of much more ways to utilize it!" She began to exit the arena. "Oh, by the way. There's only one person who's defeated me so far... A warrior called Davilles. Works for the Maelstrom." She shrugged while keeping her pace, "While I'll always be down to spar, if I'm not around, I suggest you ask for his tutelage."
He gave a soft sigh, a bit disappointed in losing, but he took it as something to learn from. He would make note of the name mentioned, and since he too was in the Maelstrom, he'd definitely have to look into it. "I'll make note of the name. I'll... Beat you eventually. That's a promise."