[004. action | bbs]

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

okay i know i talked to people about this before but this time FOR REAL.

who's up for a trip to the beach in balamb town this weekend? sunday afternoon so people don't have classes and stuff?

we can go fishing, swim, all that stuff. it'll be awesome. plus my brain is gonna ooze out my ears if i spend another weekend on homework, and i can't be the only one, right? right?

just reply here or catch me in class or something!

- lea


[Despite the cheery tone of his bbs message, anybody who's out by the front gates this afternoon might spot Lea sitting on a bench near the fountains, hugging his knees and staring at the water. He almost looks lonely.]

Comments

Hi emolea, HAVE A NEKU

[7-days-clapping.livejournal.com]

[Neku walks out the front gate to find a certain spiky-haired individual huddling in a little ball, looking at the water. That's never good (he would know), and even though Neku's lone wolf instincts are telling him to walk away, he's going to stand there and lurk behind the boy.]

...Missing someone?

[He would know this part, too.]

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

Aaagh!

[HOW DID HE NOT SEE YOU THERE don't mind him, Neku, he's just going to be recoiling, flailing, losing his balance and falling off the bench.

And sitting up.

Shut up. He is totally smooth.]

Man, don't sneak up on me like that!

[childofmagi.livejournal.com]

[Terra was stooling down the hallway until she heard lea talking about the trip.]

There is going to be a trip? When is it?

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[Looking up from the computer and grinning at the girl.] Hi! It's not official or anything, I just wanted to check the town out. And I bet everybody could use a break!

I was thinking next Sunday.

[werepanther]

[It's not too often that Tom sees a kid just sitting there by the fountain. Carefully making his way over, he then glances at the fountain before taking a seat next to the kid.]

... You alright, kid?

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[Lea starts, but at least you weren't lurking at him, so he's not going to freak out. Not that he'd do that. He's just... distracted.

And a little embarrassed that somebody caught him. Somebody he's never met before, even. He straightens up, trying to grin.]

Hi! Yeah, just - [that attempt at a smile is looking pretty pathetic by now, so he gives up.] Just thinking.

[werepanther]

Yeah? [He snorts, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.] Thinking's good for the soul sometimes... or so people claim.

I don't know about you, but... whenever I'm down, I usually go a round or two with the punching bag. [beat] Or swim. Neither of which's probably mentally healthy, but it gets your mind off things.

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I tried the training center already.

[Pause.] And I can't swim that well. I guess you're right, thinking doesn't help much... [He casts a glance at the other guy.]

I'm Lea. By the way.

[7-days-clapping.livejournal.com]

Your fault for not keeping an eye out. [He folds his arms and ducks his head, preventing Lea from seeing the smirk that flashed briefly across his face.] What are you doing moping around here? [He had to ask twice. Ruuuude.]

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[Lea climbs back up on the bench, flops back, and darts Neku a dubious look.

The question morphs it into a downcast one.]

Just thinking.

[Crosses his hands behind his head.] So, hey, Neku. You've got friends back at home, right?

[7-days-clapping.livejournal.com]

...Yeah, I guess. [Still took him a moment. And yes, he's still trying to look very typically Neku-chill about the whole thing.]

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[Feet back up on the bench, too. He's not quite curling back up, but he's glancing away.]

What do you do when you miss them?

[7-days-clapping.livejournal.com]

...I've had a time without them. It isn't that big a deal. [Lies. Blatant lies. And yes, he knows he's being totally unhelpful.]

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

Yeah? Sorry.

[You kind of are, Neku, but Lea'll forgive you. Mostly because he's too busy brooding.] I always wanted to ... you know, go somewhere, do something big, but I figured Isa'd be there too.

Oh man, this is so stupid. [He flings an arm over his eyes.]

[lighthoused.livejournal.com]

I'm up for it! Don't think I forgot about our plans.

[ You can bet that once she finds him there will be all the cheering up. All of it. ]

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[He's gonna be blowing most of the afternoon there. The fountains look a little bit like home.]

[lighthoused.livejournal.com]

You bet it will! When did you wanna leave?

- Kairi

bbs

[magiccaster.livejournal.com]

That would be great! I'd like to go.

- MOMO

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[Besides, it's a weekend. He's totally sleeping in.]

bbs

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[lighthoused.livejournal.com]

Sounds great! I'll see you then.

- Kairi




[ Except she'll see him a lot sooner--she's heading out for a walk after classes, and spots him by the front gate with that vaguely kicked puppy-like look. ]

...Lea?

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[Jumping. Oh crap, you totally weren't supposed to see that, Kairi--

He straightens up, trying for a grin.]

Oh hi, are you headed out?

[lighthoused.livejournal.com]

I was going out for a walk, actually.

[ A pause. She debates asking, then finally: ] Wanna come with?

[vestigiaflammae.livejournal.com]

[He thinks about it for a minute, then shrugs and bounces to his feet. Hey, it can't hurt, right?]

Yeah, sure. Where are you going? Or just - [hand wave] around?

[lighthoused.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I hadn't thought that much about it. Just needed to get my head out of the books, you know? Touring campus.