[center][h1][color=f26522]Darius Stone[/color][/h1][/center]
[center][b]Sagamiyama - Ouga's Shop
Saturday - Midday
Interactions: Mitsuaki [@Morgannis] - Mikazuki [@Letter Bee] - Ouga [@Sho Minazuki] - Et All

Darius was, when he first arrived, a touch distracted- While the others greeted each other and set about their match, he slowed from his jog to catch his breath in a secluded corner. A grimace pulled at his features, body half hunched over with an arm pressed to his middle. The healing he had received, when he first accepted Ouga's offer, had been substantial, had certainly saved his life- but it had not been perfect, and he was reminded of that now. Not so long ago, a short run like the one he took with Mikazuki wouldn't have even phased him, and he might have made it thrice as fast. Now, he was left panting softly, a sharp pain radiating out from the still-scabbed wounds across his abdomen. 

This time, at least, they hadn't broken open. It was progress, given how often he had torn his sutures over the past few weeks. It was a few minutes later on that the pain receded, letting him straighten up with a soft groan, collecting himself and smoothing his expression before he stepped back into the open. It wouldn't do, after all, to let these kids see him in pain. They had enough to worry about.

He managed to compose himself enough to catch the latter half of the sparring match, nodding greetings to the others and flashing grins, hoping they might believe he had simply snuck off to the restroom briefly. As Mitsuaki and Mikazuki sparred, he joined the others in cheers and encouragement, grinning broadly all the while. They moved well, and their techniques got sharper every time he saw them, since they had all begun their training with the Shinigami. When Mikazuki was finally knocked flat, he winced sympathetically, though he still whooped and clapped for Mitsuaki's success- and once Ouga had his say, stepped in to give his own congratulations, brushing some dust from Mikazuki's back with a few pats, and offering an approving squeeze to Mitsuaki's shoulder.

[color=f26522]"You boys are moving well, better every time. Ouga has the right of it though, there's always room for another step forward. Still, soon enou--"[/color]

Whatever else he had intended to say was cut off by the arrival of Shouko. The woman's demeanor never failed to put his back up, a faint grimace tugging at his lips as he straightened, caught just the same as Ouga, effectively talking to ghosts in the street. Somehow, it felt worse when she was right. Still, he turned to follow the others back inside to hear whatever it was that Shouko had to tell them, muttering softly under his breath on the way.

[color=f26522]"I've had bleeding Master Sergeants with less ice in their veins..."[/color]