synergetic | I could change my life to better suit your mood

I could change my life to better suit your mood

At this point, Flayn was really just bored.

Chin in hand, elbow propped on the balcony railing, she gazed down at the early dusk creeping across the city. She looked carefully at every light in the distance, and mused to herself if that was where her friends were just then. The plans were to meet up, the boys' club and the girls', and start seeing who could be a good doubles pair and while Flayn was very excited by seeing who would be chosen, she really just wanted to spend more time with her new friends. Who got to play for the mixed double exhibition was really just another thing to talk about, but it didn't have to be the only thing. There would be clothes, and the food, and what someone did in class, and what someone else did after class...

She never noticed how often her father wasn't home weekend nights until she actively wanted to go out for them herself. He wasn't enjoying himself at all, of course. He tended to come home rather irritated by who needed him, which served him right, yes, but didn't solve her problem.

Honestly, she saw the logic of him not wanting her gallivanting about town while his availability was dubious, but she highly doubted he was seeing the impracticality of such a request. Or the mounting unfairness.

She was busy formulating a plan to redirect.

If she wasn't allowed to go out, could she invite someone in?

The details were unclear. The problem would be showing him that it was okay to say yes. She was still working on it, but had every hope of success.

She sighed, still looking out across the city. Perhaps if Father came home to find a friend already there, and nothing had gone wrong...?

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[Honestly, has a teenager really lived if they make it all the way to adulthood without doing something rebellious? Some people just need a little helping hand.

It's become common knowledge through the grapevine the kinds of struggles Flayn is having getting out and enjoying a social life. For a while, it was simply accepted. As the pattern became increasingly clear-- and worse, was beginning to jeopardize club initiatives-- well. It was time to take matters into their own hands.

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission. This is today's lesson.

Getting the address and traveling there was simple enough. Happily, the target is already outside. That will make this even easier.

It's a familiar figure Flayn will spot running up with an expression of elated mischief, accompanied by a friendly wave.]

Heyyyy~! Flayn-chan! What're you doing up there? You don't wanna keep everyone waiting.

Well, no, I don't...

[Leans across the railing to get a closer look, and to see where to wave to.]

Did I forget to call, and say I wouldn't come...?

[This poor, innocent child. A giggle precedes the answer.]

Flayn-chan, do you want to go?

If it were at all up to me, I would already be there!!

[A tiny hand comes down on to the railing, and Flayn looks at it in surprise. The impact didn't hurt as much as she expected. Perhaps she was getting stronger?]

[Oh, that's cute.]

Mmh... I hate to be the one to point it out, but you know, it actually is all up to you, isn't it?

[Silence while those words hit her brain and soak into it.]

I... [She pulls her phone from her dress pocket.]

I suppose I could... try asking again, very nicely.

Might there be a bargaining chip I have not thought of, Aya-san?

[CHILD...

This poor child. She doesn't understand anything.]

There sure is. Get your shoes and bring me your phone. I can only show you after that!

[It's become common knowledge through the grapevine the kinds of struggles Flayn is having getting out and enjoying a social life. For a while, it was simply accepted. As the pattern became increasingly clear-- and worse, was beginning to jeopardize club initiatives-- well. It was time to take matters into their own hands.

Getting the address and traveling there with a couple of picnic baskets was simple enough. Happily, Flayn is already outside. That makes this even easier.

It's a familiar figure Flayn will spot running up with an elated smile, a friendly wave, and one of the baskets. For now, no one else is in sight.]

Found you~! Hurry and come to the door, Flayn-chan! Brought something for you.

[Door? Which door? In surprise, she looks around. Not their door. The ground floor door?]

...That was very nice... [Still thinking, but her excitement gets the better of her. Not only nice, but thoughtful! What a surprise! She ran from the balcony at her top speed.

There were people here, in this place, that she shared with them, and they had lovely bright minds that spun hundreds of thoughts a day, and out of all that, they came to her.

She was in the elevator almost before she comprehended her own actions, and giggled as she felt for her own elevated pulse. A similar dash out and she almost fell straight into Aya-san with her bow, breathing hard.]

I hope that was satisfactory...

[What a strangely adorable girl. Flayn gets a warm giggle in reply.] Perfect! I came ahead, the others should be-- ah, here they are!

[As if on cue, Yukimura, Sanada, Marui, and Mimi emerge from behind the brick wall running parallel to the sidewalk, Sanada having been saddled with the other basket (with Marui in the party, two were warranted).]

"Good evening, von Aegir-san," Yukimura says with a mysterious smile. "Forgive the intrusion."

"If Flayn can't come to the party, the party'll come to Flayn!" Marui winks.

Edited 2023-02-01 06:05 (UTC)

[Mimi springs forward to wrap Flayn in a floral-smelling hug, and that neatly disguises the slight wobble in Flayn's knees. Flayn is free simply to beam a smile at them all, and starts exclaiming as coherently as she can.]

"I cannot believe you made this happen..."

[And just for her? She isn't quite brave enough to say that aloud for risk of being disabused of the idea. Mimi grins, though, and accidentally-on-purpose knocks the hat off Sanada's head while he's conveniently knelt to start spreading things around.]

"It's not very much but I have a friend who's family owns a convenience store!" Mimi accidentally sat on the hat, and Sanada's hand introduced itself to his face.

"It is very much indeed!" Flayn argues, a little helplessly, stepping out of her shoes and sinking on to the blanket.

[The basket is placed in the middle of the blanket next to the one Sanada set down before its carrier settles down next to Mimi with a playful grin, eyes on Sanada even as the words are directed at Mimi.]

He's much cuter without the hat, isn't he?

[Yukimura hides a smile behind his hand. It's nearly inaudible, but there was definitely a little laugh in there.]

"In any case, we're here, right? Let's enjoy it." [Marui says to Flayn, and turns his attention hungrily to the baskets as he reaches for the nearer lid.] "Now, let's see what's inside these...!"

[Yukimura lowers his hand and voices an affectionate warning before the redhead can make contact.] "Marui..." [It's enough to freeze Marui's hand and draw his attention.]

"Those contents are for everyone. Let's lay everything out before making any claims."

[Marui begrudgingly pulls back, looking profoundly sulky.] "I know..."

[Mimi giggles innocently, pulling Flayn down to sit next to her and across from Marui.]

"Isn't he, though? Sora-san used to have the same problem, you know... took me ages to convince her..."

[Sanada, highly doubting she used the same tactics against a respected friend that she used against him, a disrespected acquaintance, opened a thermos of tea with rather more strength than strictly necessary, and handed Flayn the first cup poured.

Taking it as an invitation to weigh in on the conversations going around, she smiled brilliantly.]

"Sanada-san is still cute with his hat on," she said, defending him in thanks for the drink.

[Sanada has to stop and process that comment a moment, before muttering something that sounds suspiciously like "What does any of this have to do with tennis?"

Flayn giggles a little when Marui withdraws at Yukimura's warning, and reassures him.]

"I'm just as excited to see what's inside! But a little suspense is good, too, I suppose!"

[Yukimura, aware of how hungry Marui must be even without the pitiful "I'm starving" he laments in response to Flayn, begins setting out the various picnic items, a nice array of dishes and nibbles.

It makes it a little easier to not focus on Sanada getting teased. That Aya. She's doing this on purpose. Not that he can blame her-- teasing Sanada is unquestionably fun. It's really quite cute how clumsy and awkward he is with flirts. But Yukimura has the feeling Sanada doesn't completely appreciate his best friend's clear enjoyment of his struggles with the opposite sex, so he's trying not to encourage it too much.]

"Do you think so? Tell me more!" [Aya said, egging Flayn on to back her defense with description.]

"There's no reason to put her on the spot," Sanada mutters in Yukimura's general direction, mouth barely moving. "How can she answer that question, we've barely been in the same room before now."

[His face is slowly reddening, however. Flayn is looking directly at Aya as she thinks.]

"Well, he's very attentive to the first years, so I think that's sweet! He's always yelling suggestions at them, you know, to run around more or swing harder!"

"Well, he certainly knows how to command attention." [Aya says with teasing ambiguity.

Personally, Marui wouldn't really call it sweet. ~~He knows for a fact the first years don't.~~ Invested, maybe. But more importantly than that, can't Yukimura set that food out any faster? He is actually dying here.

As though reading his mind, Yukimura pauses and turns his head to address Aya with a rueful smile.] "Okay, that's enough. As much as he deserves the recognition, Sanada isn't what this meeting is about."

[Sounds like he's after a subject change, or at minimum a focus changer. Well, he guesses he can help out. For the team and all. He looks down at the tamagoyaki Yukimura just unlidded, still waiting in his hand to be set out, leans over, and snatches the end piece right off, popping it in his mouth as he makes a show of leaning back and enjoying it.]

"Marui...!" [Yukimura sounds torn between incredulity and exasperation.]

Delish! [He says with an enormous, 100% shameless grin.]

"That's right, that's right!"

[Mimi starts doling out her contributions to the basket-- candy, mostly.]

"This little get-together is all about seeing who has the most chemistry with Marui-kun!"

[So she'll turn the spotlight right back on him, with a knowing little smirk.

Flayn faces him, too, very attentively.]

"Then we should ask Marui-san what he's looking for in a mixed doubles partner, shouldn't we?"

[Mimi has the right pace! And the right treats; Marui eagerly accepts any that come his way. The attention, too, is nice, even with the angle she puts on it. He's not easily flustered like Sanada, and anyway, it's just a joke.]

Well, that's one way to look at it. [He grants with an easy smile.] I don't think this is really about me either, though.

Do not sell yourself short!

[Flayn says, very eagerly, while Sanada forces himself not to roll his eyes.]

"There's no danger of that..." [Under any circumstances, he doesn't think.]

Well, thank goodness. But Marui-san, clearly you were the natural choice, since it came to be so immediately!

Edited 2023-02-11 08:57 (UTC)

[Oh, Sanada. Yukimura loves it when he lets his dry sense of humor show. He's correct, of course. Marui is known for many things, but modesty is not among them. How cute for Flayn to rush to his defense.]

"Sure." [The redhead accepts.] "And that's why there's no need to worry about me. I'm gonna support my partner and create a genius combination with her. That's all there is to it. Now, let's have a nice picnic with all this yummy food!"

[Yukimura doesn't say anything this time as Marui begins collecting items from the spread. Instead he looks to Flayn with a smile.] You're both correct. The men's candidate was an easy decision-- and Marui's adaptability was among the deciding factors. You don't need to be concerned with what works for him. The objective is to select the women's candidate that best represents the interests of the girls' club and the school.

"That's right!" [Aya adds in.] "What do you think those would be, Flayn-chan?"

[Oh, she knew this. They'd talked about it.]

Well, it is supposed to be a learning experience, I believe... though not so much of one that we cannot win, of course.

[People were very competitive here, and her eyes gleamed with excitement. She wasn't really competitive for her own sake, too wrapped up in novelty and new experiences she'd never even dreamed of, but there was a rush... a bolt of absolute joy that came with success, and she was liking that more and more as she improved.

It was the success rate that held her back from voicing her own personal and total enthusiasm. But wouldn't this be the fastest way to improve herself? Her fists clenched in her skirt. It was with Marui-san's aid that she was able to first score, wasn't it? That she even found herself here? He'd already pushed her so far, how selfish would it be to ask that she be placed where he could push her further still...?]

Edited 2023-02-11 10:04 (UTC)

[She wants it. He can tell from the way she holds her fists, from the energy in her eyes, from what he's picked up about her behavior having spent time with her. She's ever ready to step up when called upon but not eager to nominate herself. It's understandable, a good quality really. She has social awareness of her own image. What she lacks is the benefit of full context. She doesn't know that he hasn't been to any arranged hangouts with other members of the women's club as possible fits. She may not have been around long enough to know that Tachikawa was unlikely as a contender for the role. She was in the club to be with her friends more than to become a star player. All together, it suggests Nami and Aya may already be leaning Flayn, especially when they have proof the two of them are capable of winning together despite multiple hurdles. It's certainly not just anyone who can be part of a winning combination their first time holding a racket, no matter how good their partner is. Doubles was a challenging step up from singles regardless of experience, yet she'd taken to it like a fish to water.

He swallows down the big bite of an onigiri he grabbed up.]

That's true... Well, we did win our first doubles match, didn't we? And you've been practicin' real hard.

[He has noticed, then? She pushes her hair behind her ear, thinking very carefully about that and not anybody else's... observations.]

L-lightning cannot be expected to strike in the same place twice.

[Sanada raises his eyebrows.]

"Can't it? The whole point of a lightning rod is to attract it. Stand up tall and make yourself seen."

[Mimi almost feels bad about the hat now... almost.]

"You have been practicing very hard, it's true. We're all impressed, and a lot of the girls want to work at it that much harder. You're a bit of a trend-setter, Flayn-chan."

[Words spoken like a true vice-captain. Sanada is 100% correct, and Tachikawa's follow-up supports it. If he were Nami, he'd be having a serious discussion with von Aegir very soon. Anyone who could not only show talent and rapid improvement but inspire others to work harder for the same was a future leader of the club.]

Von Aegir-san, not to put too fine of a point on it, but if the goal is to strengthen the women's club for the future, and your hard work has inspired your teammates, that's already a solid reason for club leadership to consider you for the women's representative. An exhibition match is a perfect opportunity to amplify that influence-- and to show others the rewards of those efforts.

[Marui, seeming to sense that this was as good as a done deal now, looked to Aya.] "What do you think? Can Flayn and I play doubles again? It's a good chance."

[Aya looks down with a satisfied smile.] "You're going to have to ask Nami-chan about that. Give it a try."

[Yukimura's and Marui's eyes widen at the same time, because while the voice is certainly still Aya's, the intonation of that phrase-- Give it a try-- was distinctly--]

[The face between the twin braids of hair looks back up with a wild grin of duping delight that is no longer Aya's at all. The voice is the next piece to drop.]

Puri.

[Sanada slams his cup down.]

Niou!

[He's on his feet and using all of his height.]

It's one thing to impersonate me and harass the first years, but this is beyond the pale!

[Sanada can have his opinion, he's entitled to it. Niou is confident this was ultimately a good deed that's causing a bit of chaos now (and perhaps some embarrassment for dear vice-captain considering all that flirty teasing?). He dropped the act before representing her for any serious decisions. No harm done.

Either way, that's definitely his cue to exit stage left, and quickly. He springs to his feet, and by the time he's risen the disguise is fully dropped; no trace remains of the peppy vice captain of the women's tennis club.

He does steal a fond glance at Flayn though.]

Time for me to go. Good luck in your nomination; I'm cheering you on.

[And with that he sprints towards the sidewalk. Let's see how sensitive Sanada's prey drive is today.]

I wasn't done-- Fujimiya is off-limits! What would Nami say if she saw you right now?

[He sprints right off after, still yelling.]

What would Nami do if I told her right now?! Here you are using a girl's face to-to tease and what if someone else saw and started to thi--

[Mimi giggled helplessly.]

It's too bad they don't warm up like that before practice!

[Leave it to Niou to keep everyone on their toes. Yukimura can appreciate Sanada's indignation-- it was certainly bold of Niou to even flirt with him. Then again, that probably is part of what made it a convincing act.]

Dear, dear... He really caused a stir this time. [Yukimura stands and offers the girls a graceful slight bow to excuse himself.] Apologies, von Aegir-san, Tachikawa-san. We've only just sat down. I had better smooth this out. Please enjoy the picnic.

[Unfortunate but necessary. He briefly looks down at Marui, who only gives him a thumbs up and a reassuring grin. Thank you, Marui. At least there's one thing he doesn't need to worry about.

He turns and moves swiftly after Niou and Sanada.]

Edited 2023-02-13 01:50 (UTC)

[Flayn blinks once, twice, three times.]

I'm... not sure I understand what just happened...

[Mimi tosses her head back and laughs.]

Nothing that doesn't happen normally, right, Marui-kun?

[She picks herself up, and gives Flayn a wink.]

Anyway, I think I should call the real Aya-chan and let her know we've got things settled, more or less? She can take it up with Nami-chan, and then it'll be done by the time we get back to school, I'm sure.

Use this time productively!!

[And she speeds off... though, considering she's pointing her phone in the direction the others ran, not talking into it, she might not be calling Aya immediately.]

[Marui laughs at Tachikawa's quip.] For sure!

[Their picnic group sure shrunk quickly! From six to two in a matter of seconds. Oh well. He waves as their latest departure follows in what looks suspiciously like a bid for pictures of this fallout, then turns his attention back to Flayn.]

Well, it'd be a shame to let all this food go to waste, right?

[That's his signal that she doesn't have to worry about him jetting off and leaving her, too.]

[And that's a relief, she has to admit. She is rather sad to lose the crowd, but it's easier to just... focus on Marui.]

D-do you think they'r right about... me being the choice?

I rather want it to be so.

[Marui helps himself to another piece of that tamagoyaki while Flayn asks about the upcoming decision. After swallowing, he flashes her a big, relaxed grin.]

Well, it's not really my decision either, so we'll just have to wait and see. It'll be fun if it's true.

[He plucks up a dumpling and pops it into his mouth next.]

But you can trust Yukimura-kun to know what he's talking about when it comes to team decisions. For him to place his bets on your candidacy, I'd be surprised if you aren't at least in the running.

I doubt Nami-san ever asks for his advice, but I wonder if it's not something they've discussed. Still, how... how very flattering!

I was very touched by what Mimi-san said.

[And she reddens just a bit, trying to hide it behind a rice ball.]

[That's a pretty cute reaction, half-hiding behind that rice ball like that. Marui can't help grinning.]

She has a good pulse on what's going on in the girls' club. I can believe what she says.

Can you? I'm not sure I can. I have not done anything special... how can that be inspiring?

[She takes a bite of her riceball before she can keep talking.]

What're you sayin'? You won a doubles match your first time playin'! That's genius.

[red, red, red blushing all over.]

You don't think anyone could have done that, with a good teacher?

Not at all.

[He knows, he's paired up with plenty of other people in practice matches in his years in the tennis club. He snatches up another bite from the spread, chewing for a moment before continuing.]

Doubles is different from singles. You can win in singles with skill, or stamina, or power. Combination is what makes or breaks a doubles match. The two best singles players in the world will get their asses kicked in doubles, if they don't have teamwork.

It's not something you can teach with a few minutes of instruction.

[That is encouraging, certainly.]

I only did what I could... [Immensely happy, though, she adds:]

I want to do more, though! If I'm extrapolating what you said properly, then, having done so well blind, by actually developing a relationship, we should be nearly unstoppable!

Damn right! [He winks. That's the spirit he wants to see! Hunger to do even better, a desire to rise to the challenge.]

So let's become good friends, huh?

I think I'd want us to be friends even without tennis.

[She gestures to the picnic.]

I was too surprised to say it before, but everyone rearranging things like this was especially kind. I am sorry to put you through so much trouble!

Of course. [He agrees. That's his thinking too. It's why he can say such a thing now even without knowing whether she'll be picked for mixed doubles. It's just the icing on the cake if it ends up helping them with the exhibition match, too.]

Well, it worked out for a minute at least. Too bad everyone else left so quick-- but it's more food for us! Here, you tried these? [He reaches over to where Sanada had been sitting and picks up a tray of mochi, holding it out in offering.] These are good!

[She finishes one pretty quickly, before... yes, she'll have to have another.]

Maybe it is better this way? It allows us to focus on each other, particularly if there's any information you really need to impart, to help perfect my doubles performance?

For now, I've mostly focused on reacting... but I should be thinking ahead more, maybe...?

[She settles into their conversation, mostly trying to ask questions about tennis, but other things sneak in, the topic meanders, and that's no sad thing. Marui-san is a fascinating person who's accomplished so much, and--

Suddenly, she senses movement behind her, and turns to look.]

[He hadn't even bothered listening to what they were saying, but he was simply-- annoyed, frustrated, upset at being... what, exactly? Disobeyed? Or thwarted?

When Flayn doesn't offer an excuse, he raises his eyebrows.]

Marui-kun, do you need to call your parents?

[Flayn's eyes narrowed and she leapt to her feet. While she moved quickly, her voice remained low and measured.]

He does not. They know perfectly well where he is, I imagine, given that we've had these plans in place for some time.

[It's a nice picnic. The food is good and so is the company. They talk tennis and doubles mostly, but if a few errant pieces of gossip or personal information slip in, well. That's just how conversation is.

Seeing as he's sitting across from Flayn, it would be difficult for him to not notice her approaching father, but the reality is, however surely he can feel that displeasure emanating off of him, he simply doesn't feel nervous. They're not doing anything wrong. It's a lovely afternoon to sit outside and have a picnic and talk, and his body language reflects as much.

Interesting that he knows him by name, though. He doesn't remember meeting the new headmaster yet himself. He looks up from where he sits, perfectly unbothered and just innocently puzzled at the man's suggestion.]

Hm? Why?

[Flayn hops up before anything further can be said. Marui thinks at this point, he should probably stay out of the conversation and let them figure this out.]

[Why indeed.]

It was very rude of us to have to change everyone's plans at the last minute.

[Especially if the conjecture was correct, and Aya and Nami were mainly thinking of her as the candidate to begin with!

Seteth frowned.]

"I don't know at all what you mean. Things come up, it has nothing to do with anyone, and a little flexibility is something that even high school students need to learn."

"Please do not be disingenuous," Flayn said patiently. "Just because something came up for you, that doesn't mean it has to affect me so strongly. You're very quick to answer your cell phone, are you not? Everything would have been fine to begin with."

"You can't know that, Flayn," and he wanted to support that with evidence, he really did.

"No more than you knew something disastrous would happen," she said. "I know you had a very long day, and I'll be happy to join you in a moment, but as all of my friends were kind enough to modify their plans to accommodate us, this interruption is rather bad form."

She took a deep breath. Maintaining her composure was difficult, but paramount. She could see him having the same internal talk with himself about that. The audience was a little bit of a godsend, in that regard. The stakes were higher.

Seteth sighed. Something in the way he looked at her, she thought she saw a break in the clouds on his face, and his voice softened.

"Flayn, I'm not sure you understand where I'm coming from."

"I do, though," she said earnestly. "But now isn't the time to discuss it; you know as well as I do."

That was a dismissal, wasn't it? He wasn't used to that from students or his own child, but they'd already caused enough of a scene and-- he was tired. It was a long day.

The door closed behind him.

[Marui, increasingly aware of how awkward it was for him to be present during what was very much a family-only discussion, did his best to give them what privacy he could in focusing his attention on other things. If nothing else, it would help them save face. He checked his phone and traded a couple of texts with Aya while munching on a few of the remaining food items until the voices seemed to peter out and he heard the sound of a door.

He missed the content of the discussion through this self-distraction, but his ears still registered the tones and volumes and the conversation's flow. Flayn was leading it. It was kind of cool of her, being able to manage her father's unease so efficiently, even if it makes him a little sad for her at the same time.

He looks up and offers an understanding smile.] Time to clean up?

Do not mind him. Yes, please.

[She's a little distracted as she packs things back into the baskets, folds up the blankets, and hands them all back to Marui-san.

But it passes and she smiles apologetically.]

I shall see you in school and then we can really get to work!

[She can hear something like tea implements in the kitchen, and she goes straight to her room, not really wanting to go back into the fray. Plenty of homework to get through before she wants to deal with that again.

She's steadily working through it when the tap comes at the door. There's a patient silence while she discards a few more petulant ways to answer it.]

"Come in," she sighed.

There's an answering sigh before the door opens, and she can see Seteth placing his last few thoughts in order.

"I'm not angry with you," she says preemptively, hoping that puts a few more things into place for him.

"Well... you have a right," he said. "I would not be angry with you for being angry at me, right now. Or... any time recently, if I am being honest."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I could change my life to better suit your mood

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1/something will come back to this later