[B]Teàrlag Cirsium[/B]

She's definitely on the warpath. After you spend a wee bit of time with other folk, you tend to really start picking up on all the cues and unconscious actions they do, and with a bit of trial and error you'll start associating those things with their feelings and whatnot. That's how I know Umeko's very, very keen on fighting those two we met earlier; the way her pale white fingers are running across the hilt of her weapons is a real clear sign. Sure, she might look pretty casual, but that's just the persona, remember?

Just gearing up for battle underneath that façade. Ready to deliver payback.

That motivation she's got is why she's near the top of the class and I'm in the middle. It's actually a pretty comfortable spot, free of any real stress, and because there's bugger-all reason for me to try work harder, it's a position I'm perfectly content with. We're all going to be sent into the meat grinder of Grimm-fighting in the end, anyway. As long as we can take a few hits, they'll be fine with turning me into just another two-bit C-list hero sent to die protecting the world.

It's not terribly wizard, but hey, that's life for you.

Just the bad atop of bad.

Anyway, so Umeko wants to beat those folks down hard. Poor buggers. Though I would be a bit more sympathetic if not for the entire dust in nose thing. I mean it's not like it matters to me that much or anything but I might ... try a bit harder and help out Ms. U over here?

I watch sparks dance across my arms, filling the air with the smell of ozone.

I guess I'll be.