[CLOSED]

[volleygenius]

Who: Marui and Leia
Which: Closed log
What: Dreamotion ability training followed by comfort and cuteness.
When: Afternoon and evening of Nov. 2nd
Where: Marui's treehouse
Warnings: None expected, will edit if needed

[ Marui's dreamotion abilities are not progressing well.

He isn't used to struggling with a new skill. He picks up on most things rather quickly. This, however, is quite simply a mystery. Maybe because it's so abstract? He's been able to do tennis and cakes with it like a true genius, but everything else has been a flop. The hot spring pool he made near his treehouse for bathing is uncomfortably small and shallow, and it occasionally mistakes itself for a geyser. His attempt to kill one of those giant termites with a bolt of lightning instead turned it into a particularly luminescent firefly. (On the upside, it's decided it lives with him and provides after-hours lighting around his house.) Bubble gum he'd thought for sure he could replicate as his supply dwindled to dangerously low levels, but the end result was too sticky to chew and popped while still in his mouth and that was great and interesting, perfect prank material, but not what he needed for everyday use.

He refuses to give up, though, especially in the aftermath of all that happened at that graveyard. He's determined to at least learn how to use it to protect himself and the people he cares for. And so now that he's given himself a one-day break to recover both physically and mentally from that ordeal, he's getting to work on that. Starting in the late morning outside his treehouse, he performs some warm-up stretches, rolls up his sleeves, and then... Well. This is about the part where he usually gets stuck. What should he try to do? In the end, what he most knows how to attack and defend with is still a tennis racket.

Well, no sense fixing what isn't broken. Time to invent some moves.

By the time lunch rolls around, Marui has worked up a decent appetite, and there is one thing and one thing alone that can satisfy him: cake. (Actually, some company would be nice too after spending all morning by himself, but hunger first.) Happily, cake conjuring is a dreamotion ability he's got down pat! He's even figured out how to conjure a platter for it to sit on now instead of the unfortunate (but admittedly hilarious) result of it splatting to the ground.

He takes a minute to imagine its shape, size, flavor, decorations, colors. It's easy with cake because he's seen, tasted, and baked so many. What would be really great right now is... yes. Perfect!

It's so real to him already-- the apple slices decorating the top; the warm and nutty aromas of maple, cinnamon, and pecan; how light and juicy it is inside with steaming apple pie filling between fluffy layers of spice cake! He's excited just thinking about it!

It feels like warm tingling at his fingertips. The cake realizes itself layer by layer, stacking higher and higher before disappearing inside a warm off-white encasement of frosting. Red-skinned apple slices radiate from the center on top in symmetry. Candied pecans line the base and accent the apple slices on top. An orange maple leaf pattern wraps around the side. ]

Yahoi! [ He cheers when it's done, and eagerly carves out a slice. ]

Comments

[volleygenius]

[ Marui listens quietly as Leia recounts her experiences with this companion. It's a lot. Some things he takes mental notes on:

-They knew each other not just from this "Story Realm" (whatever that was) but from a shared native world.
-Friend did something awful in said native world.
-Friend had Issues.
-This relationship is either Very Platonic or Very Questionable.
-Leia has been blaming herself for his departure.
-Leia is self-aware enough to recognize that mentality implies she doesn't esteem him to be as much of a friend as she claims, and that it's not right for her to do.
-Leia's choices for teasing subjects sure are a... thing.

With so much there, Marui certainly has his pick on what to hone in on. It's also not a contest what's jumping to the forefront of his mind to say back to her. ]

That's right: real friends don't leave over little things like that. Try and move forward with faith that this wasn't his choice either... It's the only way he's worth those tears you've been crying.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[She's wiping at her eyes again as fresh tears stream down her cheeks. At least, this time, these new tears seem to be alleviating the pain. It's like she's finally started to accept things a little.

Gently, she laughs, her voice a little worn as she speaks.]

More like, if he totally came back now and saw me crying, he'd have a field day. I'd never find peace if I gave him that much ammunition.

[Marui backing her up at least makes her feel like her reasoning is sound. It did make sense... Alvin wouldn't abandon her.

Of course, she is now acutely aware of how much rambling she did.]

Anyhow, I'm sorry I kinda just unloaded all of that onto you. And I know you're probably gonna tell me it's fine, but still...

[volleygenius]

[ She's joking, right? Who mocks someone about their pain? Marui loves a good jeer as well as the next person, but some things were never meant to be subjects for ridicule. He wants to believe that the person Leia's missing did, in fact, deserve her tears.

Before he can comment on it, she's shifted gears back into apologizing. Speaking to him as though they don't have the kind of bond where an "unloading" like that would be appropriate.

He lifts up the hand between them and lightly pokes her temple. ]

You already know it's fine and you're still apologizing. Why?

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Leia and Alvin's dynamic is just that. They tease each other and laugh it off. It's not as ruthless as it sounds, much of it is light-hearted. Sometimes, she'd get annoyed at him when he didn't take her seriously, and sometimes she'd burn him real good without an ounce of remorse. It worked for them, but that's what happens when you have that complicated of a relationship.

The little poke to her temple seems to snap her out of it, and she turns her head to look at him with those big, sorrowful eyes of hers.]

J-Just a habit, I guess... [she pauses, while that's certainly true, she tries to offer more of an explanation.] To be honest, sometimes I feel like my only real strength is when I focus on doing my best. So when I end up needing help, it feels like I've failed somehow.

[volleygenius]

[ Leia really undercredits herself. Certainly, her drive to always try so hard is one of her more attractive qualities, but there are so many others. Her compassion. Her resilience. Her maturity in the face of difficult situations. Her fun-loving nature. And yes, her independence, too, the very thing that he's just slightly chiding her over now. But not because she wants to be able to take care of herself. ]

I see... Well, that's one easy competition for me to win. [ He leans back and peers at her with a cheeky grin. ] I have no trouble thinking up real strengths I have.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[And those sad, sorrowful eyes are quickly replaced by the flat glare she's now giving him. If his ego inflates anymore, she could tie a string to him and use him as a balloon.]

Oh, so the ability to brag without any real proof is considered a strength now? That's a really unattractive quality for a guy to have, y'know.

[volleygenius]

[ Ouch, Leia. He's trying to help you here, you know? ]

No challengers? How boring. Victory is mine, then.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Victory? What? This is a game?? Immediately, her competitive drive kicks in.

... Never mind the whole bragging comment she just made.]

Like hell, it is! Fine. I'm a super awesome journalist! I've even had a couple of articles published!

[volleygenius]

[ There we go.

He grins back, and when he looks at her it's confidence and joy and he's totally engaged here. ]

I'm a super awesome tennis player!

[ragingscoopaholic]

I'm skilled at martial arts!

[She's still not sure what to make of this, but she's going to keep going.]

[volleygenius]

I'm amazing at making cakes!

[ragingscoopaholic]

I'm a hard worker, and I never give up!

[volleygenius]

I'm resilient and fearless!

[ragingscoopaholic]

I'm passionate about my work and friends!

[volleygenius]

I'm practically bleeding charisma!

[ragingscoopaholic]

... Objection!

[Sounds fake.]

[volleygenius]

Overruled for being wrong. It's your turn.

[ragingscoopaholic]

Overruled for being an opinion!

[Where is this charisma he speaks of?]

[volleygenius]

Are you going or not?

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Moving on, but not forgotten, Mr. Uncharismatic.]

I enjoy helping people and try to see the good in everyone!

[volleygenius]

[ Try and prove him wrong whenever you like, Princess. ]

I'm a loyal friend and take good care of people.

[ragingscoopaholic]

I'm super cute!

[volleygenius]

[ There's a beat of silence. Marui grimaces a little, his cheeks taking on faint color, though it may not be very noticeable with how dark it's getting. ]

...Well. That's such a given it almost shouldn't count. But I guess you can have it.

I stay calm in a crisis.

[ragingscoopaholic]

[Of course she's mentally preparing herself to be told she's not cute or something else totally rude, so when Marui speaks, she comprehends about half of what he actually says.

And she stares at him, confused.]

... Huh?

[Her own cheeks flush a light pink. So she heard enough, but she's sure she misheard something.]

[volleygenius]

...I said I stay calm in a crisis.

[ SEE EXHIBIT A: YOUR CURRENT LINE OF INQUIRY. ]