daybreakacademy | Work It Out

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Work It Out

WHO: Orihime Inoue, OPEN
WHAT: Orihime tries out the training facility. There aren't any laser robots or floor buzzsaws.
WHEN: January 27th, Evening
WHERE: Legionnaire Training Facility

She was definitely impressed not only with how much equipment there was for the students, but how varied it was, too. Secret training in the woods was great for strengthening her powers, but her body needed to be strong too. While she wasn't much of a weight lifter, she did like sports. She took a peek at the basketball courts, but they were all in use, so...maybe later, she decided. Racquetball looked fun, she could easily do that on her own. But it seemed a little...pathetic? Lonely? It didn't really suit her mood.

Then she found that there were batting cages with an automatic pitcher, and she knew she'd found the best way to pass the next hour. If she was going to carry a baseball bat to the dance (and she absolutely was), then it would probably do her some good to get used to swinging it again and practice her aim at the same time.

She was surprisingly good at it. She dug in with the ball of her foot and twisted at the waist when she swung, putting her whole body into it. The satisfying crack of a bat smashing the baseball to send it arcing high, higher, hitting the netted ceiling before dropping, the vibrations it sent through her wrist and arms...she loved that. It would have sent an outfielder scrambling for sure! The machine whirred and Orihime hunkered, ready for the next shot.

She got a lot more hits than misses, and after the buzzer sounded to indicate an hour had passed, her arms and shoulders were nice and sore. She put away her equipment and rubbed at the back of her neck. It was a good way to work up a sweat, but she wasn't sure she wanted to call it quits.

So, she rented a bathing suit from the equipment check-out counter, changed into it, and stuffed her long, chestnut hair into a fitted cap so it wouldn't get damaged by the chlorine.

Walking on the textured concrete and smelling the mix of pool chemicals brought back a nostalgic wave of summer memories and she found herself smiling. She padded barefoot around the enormous pool, finding a spot where there weren't any swimmers to accidentally leap on, and hopped right into the water.

Cold!

...But then it got warmer as her body adjusted.

She scrubbed her hands over her face, blinking the water from her lashes, then pushed off with her feet to start swimming. She'd never done this in winter before, but she found herself enjoying the contrast. Her curves didn't seem to slow her down as she knifed through the water, using her strength to kick her legs and pump her arms. She was still a little sore, but the water felt good and didn't put as much strain on her muscles.

Eventually, after nearly an hour had passed, she hauled herself out of the pool and walked dripping back to the changing rooms to shower off and wrap herself in a thick white towel. She'd never been in a real sauna before, but she heard they were relaxing, so she decided to try that out. Her towel stayed firmly tucked as she took a place on one of the benches. And coughed. The steam was a little difficult to get used to, and it seemed ridiculously hot. But she stuck it out, beads of sweat clinging to her brow and body.

The only part she didn't like was the way her thoughts kept straying to the exchange of messages on her phone.

'you dont have to go with me to the dance!'

It still stung. She didn't know how to make her feelings clear, and she knew she would have to. But it was so awkward, and really, wouldn't it be better if she just kept quiet? ...Honestly, she didn't know. It was a little annoying, though, that her hours of exercise had delayed the sourness in her throat only temporarily. Maybe after the dance. It was a long time away, and she might figure out the right words by then.

When the steam was too stifling to bear any longer, Orihime left, taking another brief shower before toweling off and changing into her winter clothes. The shock of the cold January air stole her breath away when she stepped outside, a stark contrast to the balmy heat of the sauna. She shivered and zipped up her coat, gloved hands tugging the scarf higher over her mouth and nose as she hurried back to the dorms. It was pretty late, she'd have to be quiet in case Tatsumaki was already asleep.

[OOC: Places of interaction are the batting cages, pool, sauna, the walk home, and the Aube Dorm!]

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[ A soundproof room... These sorts of places are very convenient, like the practice rooms in the music building that he doesn't really go to either, but at least he doesn't have to tiptoe his way through a library to get to it.

Orihime gets the desk, and Kano pulls the chair out so he can sit on it too: feet flat on the seat and him seated up on the backrest so he can lean his elbows on his knees, chin on laced fingers. ]

Right to business~! It's less a briefing, but think of it like interview part two~ Things like how you get along with people, things you like to do, those are important for me, you see? So I'd like if you could elaborate on those~

[So...he wants to get to know her better. Maybe it's hard for him to make friends, so he has to rely on secret society business? She smiles. That's kind of sweet.]

Well...I think everyone I've met here has been really nice so far! I wasn't sure I'd be able to fit in since I don't have any fighting abilities, but no one seems to mind that at all.

[She lightly grips the edge of the desk, looking thoughtful.]

I like cooking and sewing, trying new food, learning about super powers...all kinds of stuff! What about you, Chief?

[ He can sort of agree with that- most everybody here has been nice so far, but it's more a product of who Orihime is that everybody has been really nice to her, because that definitely isn't the case for Kano. He doesn't expect it, or course, and encourages otherwise, nodding to himself as he leans back on the seat so that the chair tilts back- rocks forward again onto all fours. ]

Hm? For me, it's the same, the same~ I can't fight at all, but that's never been a problem~

[ Maybe it will be in the future, but it's not a problem for him now; Nightfall or not, he has no intentions on learning. ]

I like learning about other people, mostly! Things like cooking and sewing, it's impressive!! You were offering to make clothes from scratch, or something to that nature, weren't you? I think I remember reading that!

Oh? Because you're clever, ne?

[She can definitely tell that he's smart, so it wouldn't surprise her if he could fast talk his way past any daemon with the misfortune to cross his path. Orihime beams happily. It's kind of rare that she talks about herself to other people, so she's kind of flattered that he asks.]

Yes I did. I learned from a sewing master in middle school before I came here! Cooking I kind of figured out on my own.

[She rubs the back of her neck.]

Did you want me to make you something?

"Clever," huh? What flattery!!

[ It makes him laugh, the sort of disbelieving laugh with little weight behind it, but he looks happy enough to hear it anyways, resuming his rocking on the chair just to have something to do. ]

Nope, nope~ Clothing isn't a problem for me, so I don't need anything like that~! But it's still interesting to hear, things people pick up and for what reasons! Especially in middle school! Middle school is when kids are all rolling down hills and learning the recorder! [ out of everything that came out of middle school, recorders are probably honestly the best ]

Was the sewing master a classmate? Somebody you lived with?

Classmate, but only for one year. I think he was in a different class the other two.

[They weren't that close, and one of those years she barely remembers at all. It was just a big blur.]

Wait, did you learn how to play the recorder? I didn't get to learn any fun instruments like that.

[Unless it was during her first year in France. Part of the blur, in that case.]

He~h, no way! You didn't get to learn the recorder!? That's fundamental! Fundamental!! Like math and science, you gotta learn the recorder!

[ They're cheap is what they are, cheap plastic recorders that can be bought by the dozen and they get what they pay for- squeaky whiny instruments that are the absolute best to blow as hard as you can into it like how you're not supposed to. ]

If you get the chance, you gotta pick one up now and learn to play! What about the kazoo? Did you get to learn the kazoo?

[ Also a very fun, very annoying instrument, kazoos are top tier ]

Ha ha! No, no formal lessons! I won one at an arcade once with skee-ball tickets, and one of those plastic bird whistles that you fill with water and blow into and it sounds like a chirping songbird. That was really cool!

[This doesn't seem like secret society stuff, but she's having fun, so of course she doesn't mind that they're so far off topic. However, there is one thing she's started to notice about Kano. Ordinarily she wouldn't ask, but they are alone and as private as it gets, so...]

You don't really like to talk about yourself much, do you?

[Her question isn't harshly spoken; she says it with a smile, and it doesn't seem rhetorical either since she's waiting for his response. The only reason she noticed is because most people aren't the sort to ask her so many things about herself, and it's been flattering, but unusual enough that she realizes he hasn't offered much in exchange.]

Or maybe you do, and you just want people to put in more effort? Should I be more persistent with my questions?

[ He has more to say about arcades and plastic whistles and all of that, but Orihime's questions stops him right in his tracks, and it feels like a physical lurch and stop and running right into a brick wall anyways. ]

...Ahaha~ Does it seem like that? I didn't even realize! It's just that you're so interesting, right? So I'm really curious about you! I want to know more about you!

[ He'll dodge the probing questions and hope Orihime will just pick up the conversation where he'd directed it: obstinately back towards her. ]

Me? Oh no, not at all! I'm just odd.

[She waves it off with a couple of flicks of her wrist. At least she's aware that she's weird?]

But the chief is a man of mystery! That just makes you extra cool. I respect that!

[Which means she won't dig too deeply, not until he seems like he's ready.]

Anou...is there a special role for everyone in the club? Are we going to vote on anything?

[ "Odd" wouldn't be the word Kano would use to describe her, when he really wants to believe she's genuine in all the things she likes, and if he can believe she is, that's really something remarkable. "Cool" isn't the word he'd use for himself either, let alone extra cool, but as always, it's something he laughs off and neither denies nor addresses. ]

Hm... Well, Number One is the leader, the Danchou! Then there's number Two, and Three- that's me- and you're number Four. As for roles, there aren't any official titles, but each person plays a ve~ry special part in the club! That's why I asked about what you liked to do, you see? You definitely sound like a good fit so far~

...You're not the Danchou?

[Somehow she assumed he was the founder and leader of the secret group, since he'd taken the initiative to screen new members. If he's number three, and she's number four...then did that make her the first person he picked? That's so flattering!]

Ah! I hope I am! I'll work hard to be helpful and support the others! What's the club about? Do we have a mission?

Nope~

[ It's hard to tell which of the three had originally come up with the idea, but after he'd left for Daybreak three years ago, he'd all but presumed the gang would die with his departure; now that they'd come together again, he can't help but want to make it grow. Minako would probably be alright with it... With Ellie, it might take some more time, but he's sure she'll like Orihime— because he does. ]

The mission as of right now, is one that I'm working on~ But there will be more in the future, so as a member of the Dan, you'll have to be prepared whenever you're called upon! Can I count on you, Number Four? I want you to join, so you're not allowed to refuse~

Ha ha! I suppose I can't, or my ego would be irreparably shattered! I'll happily join!

[She's always up for an adventure, and even harbors a little mischief herself. But she does have certain moral limits, so he might wind up disappointed. Nonetheless, she's really excited, and she salutes.]

Just let me know where I'm needed!

Oh, good, good~ I didn't even have to resort to second measures!

[ Which might have been something like "Join us, or I'll send Ellie to shatter your kneecaps." A joke! Sort of. In either case, he likes keep his sisters out of the very morally questionable cases, taking those on himself or avoiding them altogether, so Orihime is safe as a new recruit. ]

Keep your phone charged and unmuted, alright? A mission can come at any time! Any one of us may contact you- you'll know it's a Dan member when you see it~

I will! Except when I'm in class!

[She'll keep the phone on vibrate though, in case it's an emergency. She can always claim she has to go to the bathroom if she's urgently needed.]

Are there any missions that need my attention, or are we clear to go right now?

[ Classes take up too much time out of the day, though... It's alright. Between Ellie and himself, they'll have enough people to cover the hours when classes are happening, so it's a good head's up for how he should split the work when more people are needed. ]

Nope, nope, that's it for now~ If you ever have somebody in mind you think would be good to recruit, lemme know! Otherwise, I'll let you go for now~

I will!

[Most of her friends are pretty well-behaved and not inclined to mischief, but there are a couple she can think of who might want to play along just for fun. Yuya, Toki, Nina, and Peter are the most likely, but maybe Lie Ren would appreciate the chance to just relax and have some goofy adventures with his peers. She'll have to feel out this secret club and submit candidates for consideration later.]

I'll see you around later, Chief!

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Work It Out

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