飛べFLY HIGH！！ (open)

[asas]

who: shōyō hinata & you! and closed prompts!
what: some snake’s den open prompts, and pre-event closed prompts! shōyō is a warmblood and a nightwalker; due to the nature of the event at snake’s den, i’m up for +18! if you have any questions or would like to plot something, you can pm me or contact liberos!
when: january!
where: the red, beach, the gate, and others!

content warnings: jumping really high, ig (there’s nothing right now, really— i’ll add for any as they come!)

ᴛᴀʟᴇɴᴛᴏ

[ shōyō wasn’t much of a stage seeker as bokuto (he remembers the time he was introduced to the black jackals and the big hoot was just scrabbling for the introductory crowd’s attention right behind the curtains (and then outside of it). but, talent shows? he sees no reason not to join in with his own act, especially when he’s been itching madly for some fun. playing volleyball was a hit and miss, not enough people yet, and he’d quell just a drop out of an entire mountain of thirst with a little bit of practice with those who had wanted to do something with him. what can shōyō do? when he’s next up and announced, all five feet and nine inches of him bounce to the center of the stage. my name’s shōyō hinata and i could fly! oh— and i need volunteers!

it may be you, or a friend, or a bundle of trenchies who’ve decided to answer the call as shōyō points out any takers to come up on stage. he fixes everyone into a mixed group, pulls back and does his quick second warm ups. anyone backstage probably saw him already getting his blood pumping, so all he needed now were some toe hops and stationary sprints.

once he’s ready, he runs, short stops right before the volunteers before saying, playfully: warm ups! what was it that bokuto would do to get the watchers excited? right— clapping! shōyō claps his hands above his head a few times to get a few others to do the same as their drum roll. once he’s ready, shōyō has his eyes high above the heads of his volunteers, really as if he’s seeing something. his highest peak of concentration comes in the form of rio vision; he pulls up into a long legged sprint that turns short, pulls his arms back into a full swing behind him (technique, but they look like wings), and once he’s pivoted his feet to kick the stage’s floor with a loud bam!, shōyō’s already soaring high above their heads. he jumps over all of them. again and again, before actually ending the performance. his highest jump reaches 3,5 meters— almost twelve feet off the ground. not the highest of vertical jumps, but for his height? it really does look like he’s soaring.

after all of that, he’s hardly panting, and off the stage shōyō looks so undeniably pumped!!!! that he comes jouncing down like ah . . . yes, they are the same. ]

It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing formal clothes! I can go all, whoosh, boing! Without feeling all tied up! Ah— Do you want me to jump over you too?!

[ madam generosity has gifted him with a sporty formal look for starters— pale shorts and summer blazer with an orange little bow tie to compliment the white! due to his warmblood, sleepers will also find that it is much easier to set your goals straight or feel confident around shōyō. it doesn’t give you the same energy to keep up with him, though . . . so good luck?! ]

ᴅᴇᴘᴏɪs

[ shōyō didn’t need much of any relaxers to talk to people, neither encouragement. he was naturally social and flocked to those who were shy, alone or isolated, or hell! maybe you’re already having a good time and he stops by anyway. he’s simply like that! ]

Heya! So— wanna dance, or something?! You can pick the something if you don’t wanna dance!

[ if he hasn’t come to you, perhaps you come to shōyō, and he’s all out attacking the food bar. maybe he’s in your way or you just want to talk to him, for some reason, whether for his impressive calves or unbeatable energy that he’s managed to keep constant throughout the evening (even when the music and tone of the party has gone down several notches)! but once he looks around— ]



[ no words. only (rigorous chewing noises). ]

Comments

@ jason

[asas]

[ places to actually practice knife fighting was a little difficult to come by, and shōyō had become avoidant of using the gate. because . . . caged monsters? he’d have to fight a monster, that was caged up and— it just didn’t feel right. like trying to put down a trapped animal just because it was dangerous. he’d eventually encourage the beach, but with a floor so unsteady, it might not be the best of places to learn.

so, the gate it was. and, look at that! there was free training space, plenty of practice weapons and no use of monsters actually necessary.

(although he’s been hearing talk of a battle for entertainment in the main coliseum two hours after noon . . . ) ]

It’s huge . . . [ enough that his voice echoes, but sadly, when he sniffs the air— there is no whiff of icyhot spray. he missed it dearly. shōyō himself, to jason’s knowledge, was an obedient and dedicated student. he never complained and always kept trying until he got it right, he had energy to take him through an entire day’s worth of working out around the clock, and he had the athletic build to back that up. push ups? sit ups? squats and lunges, they were all no problems when part of his daily routine as is. he might’ve even asked for a few overtime classes— and he has the potential to catch on quick. ] —So, what’re we gonna do today?

@ paul

[asas]

[ when paul was told to come to the beach as the sun rose, it was no bluff— shōyō was there an hour before sunrise, meditating by the shore and emptying his thoughts into the icy sea’s breeze. he didn’t have an alarm like he did on his watch, or his phone. but, he’s soon to learn that his omni did, and his omen, a female common crow, begins to do just that: crow loudly to signal that exactly an hour has passed, and that it was time to come back to earth. well— this one, anyway. ]

Wow, already. [ yes, already! caw! goes the bird, snipping her beak at the rubber of shōyō’s discarded sneakers in the sand. it’s chilly, but— luckily, with warmblood, shōyō doesn’t feel it too much. ] I know! [ excitedly, though who knows what picanha was going on about; probably food. ] I brought breakfast, don’t worry. I’m right on time.

[ a little container boxed with breakfast, indeed! it’s a little different from home, but all the same, it works: dried fruit, boiled eggs and cooled porridge and a canteen of juice. he’s doing everything to maintain his schedule from home— in a place like this one, he was bound to sleep poorly, and if shōyō could at the very least avoid as much of that as possible, his mind and body appreciates it.

he eats with his mouth partially full, when talking to a materialized part of himself, and after giving thanks and digging in, he puts his thoughts out there: ]

Mm— [ he points, waits to chew off most of what he’s spooned himself, before swallowing and starts up. ] Think he likes dried tangerines? [ the crow groans, and barks up a click and croak. ] You’re only saying that because the plump ones are the best.

[ because they are! ]

[hearuthinking]

[Jason let out a low whistle of his own taking it all in. It sure did look like a coliseum to him. The space was plenty big enough for training, too, which suited their purposes. He turned to his new student and smiled a little at his enthusiasm]

All right. First thing: keep your head on straight. Pay attention to where you are and what's around you. You gotta learn not to panic when shit goes down. You ain't always gonna have time to think through your next move, so you gotta trust your instincts. Say a monster comes outta that gate. What do you do?

[terriblepurpose]

[Paul is surprised to have been beaten to the beach, judging by the look on his face when he spots Shōyō. He's brought the weapons, as promised, two simple, workmanlike training spears with blunted tips held in a tied rope carrier he fasten to sling over his shoulder.

He did suppose that being able to jump that high (3.5 meters!) would required a high level of discipline, but he didn't expect that it would outstrip his own, or he would have been here before dawn too. Not out of competitiveness, of course. Simple preparation.]

Shōyō? [Paul calls out as he approaches, even though he's fairly certain (given the temperature) this shouldn't be anyone else.] It's me. Paul. You're already here.

[As if that's not readily apparent.]

What's a tangerine?

[asas]

[ if a monster came out, alright. that’s all he has to think about! it’s pretty easy for shōyō to answer. instinctual and direct, so he does so quickly, as if (and truly because) he didn’t really think about it: ]

Definitely run for the way out.

[ he still had zero skill to attend to a monster; it was the smartest thing to do! attacking it would probably just be instant death. ]

[asas]

[ aha, yes! shōyō can’t quite stick another verbal greeting in now that his mouth was full with someone nearby (it was rude; picanha was okay, but paul didn’t need to see a half munched egg shredding it up on someone else’s tongue. instead, bright and easily recognizing the other from his attempted selfie, shōyō hums out an approval that’s coupled with a wave. the crow too, hops in place, circles with another three or so hopes before finding the energy unbearable to keep still with. she’s taking off!

it gives shōyō at least a second to swallow what he has, pluck out the aforementioned (and sadly shriveled) tangerine slice, and hop (very much like the crow) to his knees and then bare feet. ]

A fruit! Here, sit down a bit— [ hand clap! he’s offering one to warm up the morning with these nippy winds, and guiding them down. hopefully, paul (dune paul, where there’s too much sand) is alright with sand. ] I was having breakfast and brought you some, if you want!

[ he sees the goods, but he seems to be refraining from saying anything right off the bat, or else poor paul won’t know what to respond to! for now.

(his eyes aren’t doing as much of a terrific job of refraining, for the record.) ]

[hearuthinking]

Right, you haul your ass outta there. There ain't no shame in a retreat. But hypothetically, if you were gonna stand and fight, the eyes are usually a good weak spot to aim for. Make it harder for them to see you. If they got legs, try those too so they can't run you down.

With me so far?

[terriblepurpose]

[Paul is, in fact, all right with sand. He sits down next to Shōyō after unslinging the spears and thrusting their ends deep into the sand to keep them upright, accepting the slice of fruit with a slight, friendly smile. He smells it first, for the experience (and for poison, as a reflex) and then takes a small bite when it seems clean enough.

It's good, even if eating citrus next to the sea feels almost too familiar. He casts that thought from his mind and eats it as his eyes trace Shōyō's Omen in her energetic path. She suits him, like so many Omens do their Sleepers.]

Thank you. That was good. [Paul's breakfast was a cup of tea, as it is too often lately, so he's very sincere about that.] What do you think? Do they seem like your kind of weapon?

[He does notice the looking.]

depois (mid-late jan)

[queenofsarcasm]

[Stiles is now Stella. She has all of Stiles' same memories with only slight adjustments for the fact that she's female. She's read about The Shedding and knows it's happening now to a few people and that unsettles her. It calls into question her perception of reality when she thinks too hard on it, so she comes to the Red to wind down.

A couple of flutes of champagne later and a familiar looking guy is coming over and asking her to dance. She's not used to being asked that since she's not at all within the popular girl sphere at school. But she knows she's pretty and when she's dressed up like this, she gets attention in crowds who don't know her as more of a nerdy outcast. She looks the boy up and down.]

I- uh, sure. Yeah, of course. Why not? I mean, I can dance and you're… obviously asking to uh, dance. So we should… dance! [Can you tell she's not used to this kind of attention? She downs the rest of her champagne glass and places it on a passing tray.]

[asas]

[ oh, god he got it right. and a few extra pointers just in case running isn’t an option! awesome, the eyes, ]

Like how they say you should punch a shark in the eyes! Uh-huh.

[ an affirmative nod; he’s on the right page. ]

[hearuthinking]

[That gets a little chuckle out of him]

Right, you got it. Now let me see you make a fist.

[asas]

[ shōyō finishes a spoonful of cooled porridge with a slice of another dehydrated tangerine before darting his eyes back to his visitor. teacher? mutual student. ]

‘ve always thought knives would be easier, [ small, compact, sharp, dangerous. it was more an obvious choice than one thought out. so, he confesses openly: ] but I dunno a thing about weapons.

[ so he’s not exactly his own proper guide, and he knows that. shōyō might even be some years over paul, but this offensive sort of lifestyle wasn’t one he had to deal with. his days consisted of taking buses or biking to and from practice, preparing for games, waking early, sleeping early, sleeping well, eating well. following the spears and how they poke right out of the sand like flags has shōyō’s eyes now fixating on the metallic glint from the base to the exposed tip, a featherlight brush of his free fingertips riding one of the pole’s bodies up until there’s no surface left to reach.

he’s very physical about things, where booksmarts may lack, so feeling it, feeling the vibration of it hush up his arm like a whisper was like opening the first page of a manual. ]

People can’t get close to you with one of these, huh?

[ knives, you need proximity. the spear— you can keep your distance. he’s feeling around for what may suit him, but perhaps he’s already given the yes away. ]

[asas]

[ was it the eyes he’s seen somewhere before—? shōyō had been looking directly into them for that precise reason, and realizing that his staring is absolutely intense for the circumstance, he ducks his head for but a moment to bounce back up from the flare of his own shyness, caused by, you know— his energy. too much of it! shōyō is far from any sign of aggression, which isn’t exactly of his nature to start. there’s no combativeness, or defensiveness, or some outside need to protect people less favored, like himself. shōyō is simply just being shōyō right now, and he’s glad to be giving stella a dorky little grin in realizing that he’s actually scored a dance with a (very, beautiful) young lady. ]

G—Great! Awesome! [ he’s. forgetting something, isn’t he? oh, yes, and that was offering his hand? his arm?? he offers both! ] I’ve actually never danced at a party like this, with someone, but— there’s no secret to it!

[ —now where has he seen her before? or someone that reminded him of her? staring, again, despite his best intentions. ]

[asas]

[ step two— as he was taught, well, more or less. shōyō might need a few small adjustments in stance, but nothing a little guiding wouldn’t fix. he has the gist of it, at least: both arms up, protecting the head, front and side.

firm? yes, his best at the very least! he’s putting all his flexing into what he has absorbed is a good fist. ]

How’s this?

[terriblepurpose]

[Paul observes Shōyō tactile exploration of the spear approvingly. There are many different types of intelligences, an even broader array of aptitudes. Paul had an idea that Shōyō might be worth teaching, if he wasn't bragging; this is only more evidence for the hunch.]

No, not if used properly. [Paul nods, adopting the tones of instruction: clear, patient.] There's no shame in not knowing, only in not asking.

Spears are one of the first weapons any civilization makes for a reason. You have more options with a spear than a knife. I've been practicing more with them myself since I came here. [He evaluates his fellow pupil again, eyes shaded.] Why do you want to learn to fight?

[hearuthinking]

[He crosses his arms and waits for Shōyō to get into position. Then he takes a slow walk around to observe the stance from all angles]

Not half bad. Don't hold your body too stiff. Remember to keep your thumb over and behind your fingers or you're more likely to break your own bones when you swing.

[He raises his own fists and goes into a fighter stance. He does a few harmless swings]

Eyes, gut, groin, knee. All good spots to aim for. You said you're in sports, right? You been keepin' up with work-outs?

[asas]

[ truth! and shōyō’s glad that his ignorance is temporary— he asks about anything he doesn’t know. alas, what’s spurred this desire wasn’t bloodlust, and shōyō’s gaze gaze out to the sea, briefly along with the morning winds. ]

I got beat up real bad a couple of weeks ago. In a trap. Like one of those— things that snare your legs up a tree.

[ it was more like being stuck as a pinhata than losing in a fight, but even then. if he knew how to hold his own or had a weapon on him, he could’ve gotten away. sleepers, they recover faster, and there’s also healing magic to account for— but shōyō still bares the fading remains of brown and yellow hematomas, scabbed scrapes and ankles reinforced with stretchy bandaging. thank god for his bag that came with all his usual goods, for even his knees are benefiting with some colorful tapes. ]

I never had to think about getting attacked like that— you know? My focus, and my job was always volleyball. [ he needs his body. it’s the greatest tool he has. ] I don’t wanna hurt anyone. I just wanna stay safe.

talento

[hopticulture]

[It's a cute, incredibly normal-looking (albeit, short) girl that he approaches, the formal clothes she's been given complimenting her overall look. Haru kind of recognizes the guy, but doesn't expect him to recognize her.

After all, she's completely aware of how different she looks.

She stands a little under 3 inches shorter than him, but it's nice not having to crane her neck up to look at a guy. Clasping her hands behind her back, she leans forward, tilting her head in a rabbit-like gesture, her loose twintails falling forward over her shoulders as she does so.]

I don't think it'd look all that impressive if you jumped over me. Not after that stunt.

[Her voice is the same, at least.]

[terriblepurpose]

[The way Paul nods, that was another correct answer. He looks away, out over the water, and leans over his knees as he watches the waves slowly and ceaselessly rolling to shore. When he speaks, he's slightly quieter.]

I was in a trap too. [Which he should have anticipated, but that's a failing of his own to deal with.] Not my favorite experience.

If you want to stay safe, the best thing to do is avoid fights. You don't seem like someone that seeks them out, which is good, but if I teach you this, walking away from them is another thing you have to learn. Will you do that?

[There is play in training. Paul has always found the joy in the sport of it. But he understands better now why this lesson was something his teachers repeated until he was bored to the ears with it. Being able to pick up a weapon is not nearly as important as being able to put it down.]

[asas]

[ cute……… very cute. look at her hair, her dress! and she’s shorter than him even, what a twist! the girl gets the blunt end of shōyō’s energy and, sadly (or not??) shōyō too has to suffer the consequences of being energetic. it was funny, he wasn’t entirely shy to the point of losing his voice, but he was beginning to get flustered. ]

O-oh— thank you! It could still be, if you think so! [ shōyō certainly doesn’t recognize her by sight, but he’s still a young man drawn to all his senses; he’s heard her, before. ] Say, ah— Have . . . You been on TV? Or the Omni network?

[asas]

[ making those adjustments—! shōyō watches carefully and gently sways with the motion of jason’s demonstrative hits, as if preparing to block them, had they been real. ]

‘Course I have! All morning and then some in the afternoon if I can!

[asas]

[ shoyo’s nod is one of understanding and empathy. he’s sorry, and he definitely gets it. paul seems to know much more than him, so the attention the older athlete gives is utmost and respectable. a nod, a nod again, ]

Uh-huh, [ shōyō rolls his wrist to emphasize that he has a few ideas coming; very expressive. ] ‘Cuz like, the only reason I wouldn’t be walking away is if they won’t let me in the first place. Best thing to do is do what you need to to leave, right?

[ sounds on point, to him. shōyō is competitive, but there’s a stark difference in healthy competition and a dangerous situation you need to get out of. ]

I don’t think there’s anything to prove in staying in one. I can do that.

[hopticulture]

[Despite herself, Haru chuckles at Shōyō's flustering, posture straightening as she brings a hand up to stifle her amusement. It's a weird feeling, touching skin instead of fur, but oddly enough she's starting to feel less out of place in this human form at this moment.

Maybe it's because this guy is talking to her as he would any other human girl which feels nice and equal compared to how people usually speak to her (or it has something to do with his Bloodtype, but she doesn't know that).]

Not sure what I'd get out of it. Watching you jump over other people was entertaining enough.

[At his question...ah, here is where her ears would flap, but instead she scrunches her nose in thought. To tell or to not tell...]

TV? No. I do use the Omni to talk with people here and there but that probably isn't where you know me from.

[She looks at him expectantly.]

[hearuthinking]

That's good, keep that up. The same sorta shit you do to keep fit in sports will help you in fightin' monsters. Hell, you could use a fuckin' volleyball as a weapon in a pinch. You work with what you got.

[terriblepurpose]

[Paul extends his hand to Shōyō, after another evaluative pause. The empathy did it as much as the answer. Whatever volleyball is, this student of the art seems disciplined and moderate.]

All right. [There's a nearly reverential seriousness to him now that may seem out of place, but Paul only has his own teachers to go by.] Every time you pick up a weapon, my hand will be on the hilt with yours as long as you call me your teacher.

Remember that. That's what I ask in exchange for the lessons.