(no subject)

[iguanasolution]

Who: Frank Zhang (Class 3.1, age 17) & Open
Where: Outside the school grounds
When: During the event
Rating: PG
Summary: Kind of a catch-all for the event
The Story:

a; RUNNING

[He’s had to train for months- years, really, to be able to run this many laps without stopping but he thinks it has been worth it. What he feels when he does it, how he feels after he’s finished running... it’s hard to explain, and he usually doesn’t really try to. It’s not the same as when he practices fencing, or combat skills- that comes naturally to him, and he won’t deny it’s one of his favorite moments during the week.

But while running he’s completely alone. When he runs no one really expects him to get better, no one judges, no one… anything. When he runs he’s just keeping in shape and feeling like you’re leaving all the worries behind, feeling like you are outrunning them is great. He’s too tired to go through it, sometimes, and he still pushes because he knows the day he doesn’t do it he misses it.

But he’s done enough for today, so he stops running as soon as he reaches his mark and reaches to drink some water from the bottle, using the little towel he keeps around his neck to whip the sweat out of his face and hair.]


b; READING

[And after a shower, nothing helps him relax more than sitting down under a tree and reading his (old and obviously very used) copy of The Art of War. He isn’t sure why he’s so attached to the book, he has no intention whatsoever to find himself in the middle of a war. Maybe it’s because it was a present, maybe it’s the way the book has of making it look as if war is actually avoidable or something that can be ended instead of finality.

Thing is, he finds himself very enthralled into the book and doesn’t even notice anyone approaching.]
 

Comments

B. Reading

[humanities_greatest]

[Not all athletes were actually lazy with their classes. Integra was the orphaned daughter to a rich family name, she had to be exemplary, hadn't she? Studying kept her on her toes competitively and it kept her out of trouble. That being said, a bit of light reading under her favorite tree was in order yet her spot was apparently taken by a member of the fencing club. She recognized him as a very good fencer and she hesitated a moment. There was another side to the tree after all.]

Care if I join you? I don't mean to interrupt.

[iguanasolution]

[He was so focused on his reading being talked to kind of startled him, but he grinned once he looked up and recognized the girl from the fencing club.]

Not at all. [He shrugged at her, motioning at the tree.] It's big enough for the two of us after all. Integra, right? Studying for an exam?

[humanities_greatest]

That's me. [Good, so she was recognizable. She hoped it was her skill he knew her by and not that hair on her. She took a seat beside him making sure to keep a comfortable distance, she had manners after all.]

It seems that's all I'm ever doing, studying for something. [She glances at the book.] That's a good book.

[iguanasolution]

You and me both. That's the student life, right? [He smiles at her, before looking down at the book.]

Yeah, I've read it... a couple times now. My father gave it to me and he's- [He doesn't give him many gifts, unless Frank's done something to prove himself.] well... I appreciated it. So I always carry it around.

[humanities_greatest]

At least you have something to read whenever your sick of studying.

[She leaned against the bark of the tree and sighed.] I've been too exhausted to read for recreational purposes as of late.

[iguanasolution]

[He tilts his head, actually looking at her. She always looked... determined, ready to take any challenge. She is even better than he is at fencing, and even if Frank really dislikes boasting- well, there aren't all that many kids who are actually better than him.

But now that he actually looks at her, she does look tired.]

I feel like I'll suddenly grow old just by asking, but... you're actually getting some sleep, right?

[humanities_greatest]

[She gave a light laugh, offering a smile.] I try my best. It's a horrible habit I've picked up. Not sleeping.

B

[jivitadana]

That's a good book.

[Minato smiled a little, slightly apologetic since he might have broken Frank's train of thought. He often saw his classmate reading it or carrying it around with him in class. For his part, Minato had his violin case with him after having finished up with band practice.]

Re: B

[iguanasolution]

[He did seem like he had been startled, at first, but judging by his immediate grin just after that he didn't seem to mind all that much.]

Yeah, it really is. My father gave it to me once, and I carry it around ever since.

[jivitadana]

[Minato smiled back, nodding.]

I take it you've read it more than once?

[iguanasolution]

What gave it away? [He shows him the book, which has obviously been through a lot. He's taken care of it but it still looks like it's been read plenty of times, and there's a lot of bookmarks on it.]

I guess it's a little weird, since we aren't getting tossed into a war any time soon. But I like it.

[jivitadana]

[OOC: Whoa whatever happened to my html in my last tag? Anyway. XD

Minato tilted his head a bit, taking a look at its cover once more.]

It could be just for interpersonal relationships too.

html is mean

[iguanasolution]

[He laughs a bit, shaking his head to himself.]

I don't know, it'd feel too much like manipulating them. Though things like, uh... [He looks down at the book.] “Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.” I guess stuff like that is good advice.

[jivitadana]

[Minato nodded, agreeing since it did seem a bit manipulative. It wasn't the art of war for nothing. But still helpful in understanding how people worked.]

Reading that is probably a little better than having to prep for the culture festival.

[Not that the culture festival was a bad thing!]

a.

[mph]

[ Tommy's speed as a runner isn't so much from training but natural talent. He's always loved doing it, and if he learned how to start off properly or press his feet into the ground for more traction over the years then that's better for him. The truth of the matter is that he doesn't care how much faster than anyone else he's running, but that he feels fast, and that he's on the move.

It doesn't matter to him that Frank clearly just finished. He claps his classmate on the back and grins. ]

Hey, I'll race you.

[iguanasolution]

[Frank grins at his classmate as he reaches for his bottle of water, taking a sip before he speaks. Tommy reminds him a bit of Leo, a classmate he had once- but he's definitely faster than the kid had been. Frank doesn't do this for competition, but Tommy... it's like he's flying instead of running, sometimes.]

So you can brag about winning when I'm tired from finishing my circuit?

[mph]

Hey, you might actually beat me this time. Don't you want to put it to the test?

[iguanasolution]

[A vague wave with one hand, saving the bottle in the little bag he uses for that very purpose as he (very obviously) holds back a laugh.]

Fine, fine. A short one. But if you win I'm allowed to say it was because I just finished running. ...This time, anyway. [Okay, he might do it for the competition. A little.]

[mph]

Okay sure, enjoy your handicap. [ He waves it off without a concern, getting onto the ground in start position, heel up as if there were a block to rest on. ]

Ready on three.

[iguanasolution]

[He copies the position a little awkwardly. He never actually runs for speed, he does it for endurance, so he's never quite had to learn these things.]

Okay then, ready.

( b )

[rues]

[ clarisse comes up behind her older brother as quietly as she can, because she knows he gets really in the zone when he's reading. she's only trying to startle him a little, but she isn't about to say anything as lame as "boo." she stares over his shoulder for a moment, immediately recognizing the book frank has in his hands. she pretends to yawn, finally making her presence known. ]

Boring. Why do you keep reading that dusty old thing anyway?

[ it was dad's — and probably belonged to a whole line of dads before that. she doesn't know why frank holds onto it when it's the last thing dad gave him before he walked out. if clarisse had any say, she'd have burned the stupid book a long time ago. ]

[iguanasolution]

[The yawn gets his attention, but as soon as he realizes it's her trying to distract him he actually makes it a point to react as little as possible. He loves his sister, he does, but nothing makes him happier than riling her up a little bit even with the dumbest little things.]

“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate her. Pretend to be weak, that she may grow arrogant.” [He quotes, purposely changing the gender- then raises an eyebrow as he turns to look at her, a grin on his face.]

I don't know, I've found it useful over the years.

[rues]

[ clarisse looks entirely unimpressed with his stupid quote, and gives him an annoyed look. seek to irritate her is right, and he's done it, but she knows he's just trying to mess with her, so she's doing her best not to fall for it. this time. ]

Ha ha, real funny, Frank. [ she shoves his shoulder to show him she isn't amused, but it's also to get him to scoot over so she can sit next to him. she peers over his arm at the text, watching the tiny font dance around on the page. there's no way she's going to try and read any of that. ] So, what else does it say in there? [ she's never really asked before, because she never really cared. she still doesn't, but she is a little curious. ] Maybe if there was something really useful in there Dad wouldn't have bailed. [ is she bitter? maybe just a little. ]

[iguanasolution]

[Frank tries not to show his discomfort at her last comment, but he can't help but purse his lips. Frank hates and wants to honor the man at the same time, and he thinks Clarisse has seemingly inherited the exact same kind of bipolar emotions towards their father. She's just more open about her dislike- and he can't blame her at all. He isn't sure if it's because Frank's a guy and Clarisse a girl, but it seemed like his father was a complete different person when talking to each of them.

He pushes those thoughts away and goes back to the book. He's gotten used to reading to her by now (when she actually wants to be read to).] This chapter is basically about driving your enemy to confusion. “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

I do that a lot with wrestling and fencing, actually. It's not war, but it helps.

[rues]

[ clarisse remembers frank reading to her as a kid after their dad left, how he'd sort of taken over as bedtime storyteller when their mom was too exhausted from double shifts (which was almost always). he probably thinks she doesn't remember, that she was too young to, but she does, and it's always been kind of a source of comfort, him reading to her, not that she'll ever admit that to him. she had to learn fast to be her own person, to be independent, and whether she likes it or not, she's always had frank's support. she knows at least he'll always be there for her. ]

I guess that makes sense. Make 'em think they have the upperhand and then totally kick their ass. [ she gives frank a sidelong glance that says "oops" — she knows he doesn't like when she curses, but that's what happens when you hang out with a gang. ]