023 - Out in the darkness the whippets will cry

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She's at the batting cages, setting up one of the machines. There's something off about it, though--in the way she moves, so tense it's almost jittery. In the way she looks--pale and drawn, only her cheeks flushed with feverish color. She nearly drops the bucket of balls when she goes to fill the machine.

Swing, miss.

Swing, miss.

Swing, swing, swing. Missing every time.

Eventually the machine runs out of things to throw at her. She leans on the bat for a moment, eyes closed, and then thumps back against the side of the cage, sliding down into a sitting position. Knees to chest, arms crossed over them, head resting on her arms. She's chewing her lip now, thoughtful and still so tense she looks like a spring about to snap.]

Comments

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[smiles] That right? Congratulations! That must be a load off everyone's mind.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Off of mine in any case. [She brightens a bit more, a sort of fierce look crossing her face.] And they've taken my guard off. [Pauses, not sure she mentioned them--not sure he saw them when he was working with her. But she shakes her head and keeps writing.] All I have now is a tail, and I'll eat my warrant card if they can keep on me for more than an hour. I can start looking for the Kindershrecker again.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[nods] Well then. You sound like someone who found their purpose again.

1/2

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

I... hadn't really thought of it that way.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

It's a hopeful outlook! Optimistic, I like to call it.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Silent laugh at that.]

Didn't realize how much I've missed optimism.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[smiles wider]

Always been a fan of it.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[And it's a mark of how much she trusts him, and how good she's suddenly feeling, that she hugs him.]

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[surprised but he's happy she trusts him and isn't mad anymore and hugs her back tightly]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[And uh, she's hugging someone. And now breaking away and blushing a bit.]

sorry

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[he's amused but still quite happy]

Nothing wrong with hugging, is there?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[And this would be Misaki getting to her feet because fffff hugs.]

Want to try your hand at baseball? Try to redeem the UK after Sam's performance?

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[grins, clicking his tongue and standing with her]

Sam did that horribly? Well! I'm better at cricket but I'll give it a go.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Well, in his defense, he got better. A little.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[laughs] I suppose he was a newt? [picks up the baseball bat, swinging it around a bit] Now this is ace. Ace would approve. So! I think I'm ready.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She grins, because she was actually thinking of that line, and manages to scribble] Who's Ace? [while reloading the machine. SO cannot wait to have her voice back.]

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

A friend! [he readies himself for the machine] Brilliant, daring, a bit too fond of explosions but it usually turned out to be a good thing. She was also handy with a baseball bat.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Starts the machine and stands back, holding up a note as she does.]

Sounds like my kind of girl.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[and he swings back and slams the bat into the ball, sending it flying into the stars] She'd love some of you, I know it!

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Watches the ball's progress with delight until she loses sight of it before turning to applaud.]

Maybe we shouldn't tell Sam that you dusted him on your first swing.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[grins, leaning on the bat like a cane for a moment] We'll let Sam keep his ego, eh?

[oops, another ball. Quick hit!] Course, baseball reminds me of swords meets cricket.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Keeps watching]

Swords?

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[keeps batting! though he also keeps glancing at the notepad to talk to Misaki]

Swords, yes! I fancy myself a bit of a swordsman. Always been a hobby of mine.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[IS ITCHING TO BAT AGAIN HERSELF. Damn lack of voice. She satisfies herself with making minute corrections to his stance.]

I've actually never tried swordplay. Considered joining kendo during high school, but opted for the archery team instead. That and track. And the diving team.