052 [Written]

[ahappylie]

I am in need of a sparring partner. Preferably someone familiar with Japanese katana, knowledgeable of different styles, and willing to practice early morning hours. He needs practice with several opponents, so I'll take as many of you as want to help♥ But I do ask that supernatural powers be kept to a minimum, hm? Not that a little here and there won't help.

Thank you~

[For any looking for him personally, he's finally emerged from his room after over a week of illness and will be at House 50.]

Comments

[action]

[ahappylie]

[He appreciates that. A lot, actually. After sliding the book under the covers, he motions to the space next to him.]

I am and I do. Thank you, Ayumu-san. I'm hoping this will be the last of it now that the cold weather is passing.

[action]

[ayu_nee]

One can only hope, I suppose.

[Here, Okita, take those nasty candy things. Gross. Maybe the taste of her tea can improve them. And as she's serving him the tea, she'll just ever so casually offer:]

Should your student require it, I suppose I could volunteer as a partner for him.

[action]

[ahappylie]

Oh?

[He takes the tea offered and blows the steam off lightly as he brings it to his lips.]

That might be interesting for him. He's getting very good, but I think your skills would definitely shake things up for him.

[ayu_nee]

Hm. It hardly seems worth hiding by now.

[Strange as that still seems... well, it's true. She's been in Luceti long enough to realize that there's little reason to hide what she can do, even if she doesn't intend to start advertising it openly.]

And I could use the practice, as well.

[ahappylie]

Then I will take you up on the offer. Although with your talents, it might be more interesting for him if you simply attacked whenever you felt like it. The element of surprise, as it was?

[ayu_nee]

Without warning him first?

You do want to make him learn quickly, don't you.

[ahappylie]

I do. He needs to learn the style and quickly - what better way than to keep him on his toes all the time?

[ayu_nee]

I'll keep that in mind, then. Though he does seem quite skilled, from what I've seen of him.

[ahappylie]

Yes, I was thinking of certifying him in knowledge of the style soon. It will take time before he is capable of teaching, of course, but he is at least as good as the others were at the Shieikan.

[ayu_nee]

Is that so?

Hm. Well, he'll certainly need to earn that, then.

[Ninja plotting time go.]

[ahappylie]

Riiiiiight?

[Souji laughs a bit, then has to stop as he turns his head away to cough. Stupid cold. Stupid...lungs dying slowly. Auuuugh.]

[ayu_nee]

[See, she knew you weren't as well as you pretended, Okita. Take that.

Ayumu presses her lips together in a small frown, caught midway to the concern she still isn't quite certain she should express.]

Drink your tea, Okita-san. It'll make your throat feel better, at least.

[ahappylie]

[he's never as well as he pretends to be.

When the coughing stops, he lets out an exaggerated huff and drinks some tea.]

My throat is fine. I just got something stuck in it.

[ayu_nee]

[Of course not. She smooths out her expression again and nods slightly, clearly just humoring him.]

Should I report back to you after I've practiced with Sokka-san?

[ahappylie]

Please do. I wish to hear about his reactions, what you think his strengths and weaknesses are, and your opinion of his performance.

[ayu_nee]

Of course.

I should get back to the chores, though... and let you rest.

[Even though there aren't that many chores to do, with how few of them there are in the house now. And even though she knows quite well he won't actually rest.]

[ahappylie]

If you have to. It's nice being able to see people again. It's so boring in here by myself.

[ayu_nee]

You could go sit out in the front room. There aren't many more people, but at least you wouldn't be looking at these walls.

[ahappylie]

Oh, then maybe I'll take my tea out there~

[He sets it down besides him and slips out of bed - and yeah, he's totally already dressed in his normal clothes instead of his bed clothes. Dur hur clues to him not being the best at bed rest.

He picks the teacup up and starts for the door.]

[ayu_nee]

[Okita if you were a ninja she would fail you instantly for not paying attention to details.

But she just shakes her head slightly, somehow managing to not sigh too obviously, and follows along after. See, now they can talk while she cleans the house, or something. Maybe it'll keep him from going entirely stir-crazy.]

[ahappylie]

[He isn't a ninja though. 8D That's the great thing.

He's still coughing a little, but he flops over to the couch and bounces onto it, pulling a blanket along with him. Once he's there, he'll cover up, but also keep a look out for his pets - aka he's facing backwards over the couch, trying to look out a window.]

Is Tammy doing well? It's been cold lately. I worry for her.

[ayu_nee]

[He still fails. Fails.

Ayumu disappears for a moment and returns with another blanket, wordlessly setting it beside him before she glances toward the window in an attempt to follow his gaze.]

Tammy? Fine, as far as I can tell.

[They don't exactly... get along, after all.]

[ahappylie]

[Ew, another blanket. He eyes it and then gives up and piles it on top of him, tossing it over his head. Now he feels like he's in a blanket fort. Blanket forts are cool.

He stares out the window, but there isn't much activity from the pen.]

When it gets warmer, I'll take her on walks again. She's probably tired of being cooped up since the winter.

[ayu_nee]

Hm. I think many people are, at this point in time. But I'm sure she'll be all right— she has been before, after all.

[She frowns out at Tammy's pen a moment longer, then shrugs slightly and turns away again, dismissing the bird from her thoughts.]

Was there anything in particular you wanted for dinner, Okita-san?

[ahappylie]

[She'll be all right. She has been before. Okita pauses, wondering if that could double for Ayumu as well, then he coughs lightly and shakes his head. He keeps his voice bright as usual, using the blankets and the fact that he's looking the other way as a shield to hide what he's thinking.]

No~ Anything Ayumu-san cooks will be delicious~♪