Midna-Phobia

Project Freelancer

Over the next six hours North did the best he could to stave off boredom. He went through all his gear and checked it meticulously, even giving every piece a good and through clean, although they look like they had already been cleaned for him before he left. Once that was done he then proceeded to do the same with South’s gear, which again seemed to be fine, though he made sure to leave her technical stuff alone. If he broke something she wouldn’t be happy and he wasn’t sure if there would be any time to fix it.

He then made sure to have something to eat before taking his shift at the helm of the ship. It was kind of nice, driving the ship. He’d been trained in it in some of the advanced training he’d elected to do, but it had been some time since he’d got to just sit back and drive a really big bird. That hour seemed to pass the fastest and they were getting closer now, so Alaska was returned to the wheel. He made his way into the back and attempted to wake South. It was probably better she’d slept this long, she would have been really bored otherwise.

The girl jarred awake and he offered her something to eat, which she rejected once more. “Not hungry.” South insisted once more with a loud yawn as she stretched out her limbs, luckily those suits were really comfortable to sleep in.

However this time North wasn’t going to let her off so easily. “Eat.” He insisted. “You haven’t eaten since last night now. You’re going to need food in you for this. Even if you’re not hungry. Please.”

South sighed, but figured he was right and slipped her helmet off once she had been assured it was alright and began eating. However she found once she began she was a lot hungrier than she’d thought she was. So the girl did something she didn’t often do and restrained herself. They still had a long flight back.

Those Closest

Kaya looked at him curiously. “That’s not stupid at all.” She said, thinking she was being supportive and helpful. “I read something once… ‘the future is as close as tomorrow’ or something like that. I guess what they were trying to say is don’t dismiss the future because you think you’ll never get there. It’s only a year left until you graduate… you’ll be surprised how quickly the time passes.” The second part of his statement made her frown slightly and she looked to him again. “Do you know what you’re going to do after you graduate? Have you really thought about it?”

Personally she knew exactly what she’d like to do. It didn’t mean it was going to happen, not without a lot of work certainly and Kaya was also aware that plan will change and was very open to this fact. If something came along that veered her off the path she had set out for herself then she’d happily let it lead her astray. Worst case and it didn’t work out she could return to her original path later. Best case she found something that made her even happier. She figured it was important to take things in life as they came. Who knew, maybe today’s fight was the start of something and she just didn’t realise yet.

Those Closest

Kaya pouted slightly at the remark. "Oh he better understand." She knew enough that she was certain she could get him removed from being their teacher of he continued to force her to fight. Usually Kaya didn't use her intellect for evil, but when the situation presented itself where she was being forced to participate in activities that were against her beliefs then it became a very personal matter and there were no limits. There was a loud shout from the crowd as something obviously violent happened and she turned to look to Bryant, who seemed zoned out and kind of sad looking.

"Hey... You okay?" She asked gently, placing a hand gently on his shoulder and attempting to look into his eyes. "What's got you looking so sad? Worried I could maybe beat you in a fight now?" Of course she could never bring herself to fight Bryant, fighting itself went against her beliefs but to fight her best friend... Never. However she doubted her lame attempt at a joke was helping. She never had been exceptionally funny. The strange thing it had been so sudden too. He had seemed happy when he'd congratulated her on winning. What was he thinking about?

Project Freelancer

I beleive it's assumed everyone is on board haha.

Those Closest

Kaya looked to Bryant as he congratulated her and she blushed slightly before shrugging. "Thanks." She said, deciding to just accept the compliment rather than try to dismiss it. She had done a good job, as stupid as she thought the exercise was. "I had an unfair advantage though. Ashley had never seen me use my powers. I've had years of watching her fight to know how she was going to act." She also knew how Cody fought and Bryant too but she'd never offered to give him any advice. He fought off instinct and feel. A methodical approach would just mess him up.

As they made their way back to the benches she paused besides the teacher who had just instructed the next pair to get ready. "If you make me do that again I'll be lodging an official complaint." Kaya warned before she moved to sit down, wiping off the pen from the back of her hand. She had been lucky. Too many things could have worked against her fighting Ashley. As much as she had a plan, a strategy and was able to roughly predict the other girls movements there were so many things that could have disrupted her plan. It was nice to hear Bryant say she'd done a good job though, it didn't happen often.

Those Closest

As Kaya continued to dodge and avoid Ashley’s attacks she was beginning to become aware that she was going to have to do something. The match wasn’t going to end until one of the parties was considered incapacitated and that didn’t sound overly pleasant to her. She wasn’t going to hurt Ashley, that went without saying. But she could think of plenty of ways to incapacitate her. She just needed a few seconds. All her Alchemy relied on her having some kind of alchemic circle drawn and activating it. However things like that took time. If they were rushed then there was a chance it could backfire on her.

Ashley probably knew this; she wasn’t giving her much time to do anything. Small ice particles continued to be fired at her and Kaya continued to dodge as best she could. A few passed far too close for her liking, grazing her arms, legs and face and leaving small red marks as blood pooled to the surface. Taking a risk she quickly made her mark in the ground at her feet, they were in some weird, rocky dirt terrain so she was easily able to draw things without the need of a marker. It was quick, Kaya having done it with her foot as she moved around. Hopefully Ashley hadn't even noticed it.

Bryant would probably recognise this circle. It was one she used to heal him, a kind of variant to her usual alchemy that acted very differently to the normal stuff and could be used in very unique ways. Moving with a lot more intent now she quickly rushed at Ashley, which seemed to catch the girl off guard and the two moved to a more close range fight, Kaya only lingered love enough to make her marks before retreating, Ashley seeming to prefer to fire at her from a distance rather than give chase.

Once back at her original location she quickly placed her hands on the first mark, causing a small explosion right beside Ashley, sending her sprawling to the ground. Taking a moment Kaya took out a pen and quickly drew something down on her hand. As the other girl began her composure Kaya placed her hands on the ground, which began glowing and sparking before the earth around Ashley began moving and changing, growing around her to encase her in a kind of hardened dirt cocoon where only her head was visible. Looking back as she was declared winner Kaya simply stood and left the arena. This was about as stupid and pointless as she had expected it to be.

Those Closest

Kaya sighed loudly and rested her head on his shoulder once she’d done as much as she could. “You worry me so much sometimes.” Sometimes it seemed like Bryant had no concern for his own safety whatsoever. She knew he did, and that he was usually very careful when he practiced… at least she hoped he was. But he didn’t seem to care at all when he got hurt. He’d probably make a great hero one day if that was what he decided to do with his life. And honestly she could very easily see him being a hero.

"Kaya Grant and Ashley Zell!" He announced "Front and center!"

“What?” Looking up sharply her eyes narrowed for a moment and she turned to Ashley, seeing Cody saying something to her before she stood up and walked over to Mr. Steele. “Excuse me sir… with all due respect I’ve opted out of sparring since my first day here. I don’t believe in using my powers against other people.” There were a few other choice reasons she didn’t use her powers, such as considering using them in a format like this to be a waste of time but she didn’t want to insult the teacher. He seemed to have really been enjoying that last match, maybe too much in her opinion.

Mr Steele looked at her and seemed… confused possibly, by her words but Kaya held a firm look. However he merely smiled at her and slapped her on the back. It was probably meant to be gentle, it wasn’t. “Nonsense Grant. Sparring is a great way to learn new techniques; the practice will keep you alive one day in the field.”

Kaya was about to protest once more, stating that she had no intention to become a hero like most people here however someone took her by her arm and began leading her towards the training room. “Come on now Kaya, you don’t want to fail the class now do you? They may make you repeat.” Ashley said as the pair of girls made their way into the training room.

Kaya stood there, her arms folded over her chest as she glared at the other girl. “I’m not going to fight you Ashley.”

The other girl simply shrugged slightly as she began circling Kaya, like a shark getting ready to go in for the kill. “Fine by me. It’ll be that much easier to mop the floor with you.” Her movements were quick, a sudden, lighting fast lash and Kaya barely had time to move out of the way as small arrows of ice headed straight for her. It seems Cody wasn’t the only one who had been practicing over the holidays.

Those Closest

Although Kaya tried to ignore the match as much as possible, pretend she wasn’t interested and that it was stupid. Which it was. However her concern for Bryant was overwhelming as she heard the boys yelling and she ended up clutching her book to her chest as she watched. There was an instant, a fraction of a moment when she saw a look of pain cross Bryant’s face, as well as a look of pride cross Cody’s and her eyes fell to where his hand was and saw the strain on Bryant’s arm. She’d spent enough time putting him back together to know his arm had been broken.

“Stop the match!” She shouted as she stood up, however the class was rather riled up at this point so her shouts were drowned out by the plethora of screaming. Moving she attempted to make her way to the teacher. “He’s been hurt!” She insisted, looking back to the match. He didn’t look like he was in a lot of pain, but that was the way he worked. He had a very high pain tolerance. Eventually he managed to subdue Cody and the match ended, Kaya quickly hurried off towards Bryant, looking at him worriedly before she turned to look at Cody with a glare.

“You really hurt him!” She accused angrily. “You knew what you were doing and you intentionally ignored the rules anyway.”

Cody simply scoffed and bumped Kaya as he passed. “Calm down. We all know you can put him back together again.” He said as he went off to Ashley.

Kaya frowned slightly before she turned her attention to Bryant, taking hold of his arm gently. “He shouldn’t have done that.” She said softly as she led him away from the training room to a place where she could heal him. “And you! What was that?! What is this?!” The girl demanded as she indicated to the burn mark on his arm. “Seriously if I did half the stuff you did you’d die of worry.” She informed him as she began preparing to heal him. Putting the bones back together was actually the simplest part. Burns were actually the hard part.

If Kaya got hurt nearly as much as Bryant did he’d never let her do anything either. “Sit still or you’re gonna end up with things in places you don’t want.” She warned, an empty threat really. But it certainly made things easier for her.

Project Freelancer

North made it to the hanger shortly after the others and slipped aboard with South, smiling as he passed her a bag, which she carried over a seat, strapping herself in. North sat beside her, the pair pulling on their helmets as Alaska instructed. The ship eventually took off and they were able to move freely throughout the ship, though this was ill advised unless necessary due to risks of sudden veering to avoid space junk. North turned to South and was about to say something when he paused, waving his hand in front of her face before he chuckled softly. “She’s out cold.” He informed everyone else as he unclipped and stood up.

Probably just as well, the girl hadn't been sleeping well recently. He’d hopefully get her to have something to eat before they landed. Moving into the cockpit he moved to sit in the co-pilot seat, checking over their course and current speed. “It’s going to take us at least six hours to reach this thing.” He eventually noted, looking to Alaska before shrugging. “I guess the project really doesn’t want to be associated with this mission. Makes sense I suppose, we should probably drive in shifts though so that you’re not exhausted by the time we get there.” He advised, not trying to imply she was weak, more that he thought they’d all perform well when better rested.

Those Closest

Kaya sat back contently as Bryant leapt at the chance to fight Cody. It was a boy thing. She understood that. Well at least she understood it was something boys liked. She doubted she’d ever fully understand what they saw in it. Then again she’d also seen a lot of the girls take to it too. Then again Kaya had always been very mature for her age. Bryant… not so much. He probably wasn’t immature, just the right amount for their ages really. He was a typical guy and she loved him ust the way she was.

Blinking for a few moments Kaya realised what she’d just thought and blushed deeply, pulling her book up to her face until she heard the entire student body give out a big ‘ooooh’ and she looked up to see Bryant flying through the air and landing on a car, causing her to wince slightly. “Come on Bryant.” She whispered softly to herself, never having been one to get up on her feet and shout out. Nor was she ever one to condone violence, she’d still rather see her friend win rather than the guy who bullied her.

“Cody! Kick his butt!” She glanced over to see Ashley on her feet shouting, jumping and clapping.

Kaya really hoped Bryant didn’t mind she wasn’t as openly supportive of him. Still, he knew her and her distaste for these physical combat classes and he never seemed to mind. At least she hoped so. Cody, at least, seemed to have improved a lot over the holidays. He had certainly never been this closely matched to Bryant before.