imperturbatus | 5th Bite is freshly in love... and then some

Anywhere

[Rin can't believe his luck. Two weeks ago he was cursing his fate and now he has been rewarded with this joy. With someone to hold, to kiss, to love. It's a complete 180 from two weeks ago and it shows in his mood. He's grinning and laughing everywhere he goes, feeling mischievous and in a good mood. Suddenly he's nice and practically beaming at everyone he talks to, probably leaving not a few people confused. He's almost skipping on his toes and his game is better than it had ever been and he has a newfound motivation in lessons. Except... his grades haven't maybe changed as much, like he doesn't learn as much as before, but anyone who has seen him with a certain white haired Ravenclaw student can probably guess he's got better things to do.]

Dark corner

[Except there's one catch. That whitehaired Ravenclaw was a boy. And though Rin tried not to promote it too much, he isn't hiding it either and answered honestly to everyone who asked. Yes, he and Seth were dating. Usually people were okay with this... But not always. Rin has long ago learned that what other people said, or thought is by no means important, but that didn't mean it couldn't hurt him... or worse. His usual reply to any form of discrimination is a flash of sharp teeth, a warning growl and a seethed 'Get lost', but some people are just really resilient to that. Especially the ones who may not be taller, but had twice as broad a chest as him.]

What you a pansy?

[Is what he would face at least thrice a week, pushed against a wall and surrounded, and that is still the better case. He'd fight back, but usually he's gravely outnumbered.]

Toiletts, yet again

[Since encounters like that begun to happen in quite the frequency, Rin started to carry some make up with himself to be able to cover up the bruises. Taking a trip to the nurse's office each time it happened would be like begging for the teachers to get mixed up in this and he doesn't want that.

Thus, usually after such an encounter, he can be see hurrying to the nearest rest room, covering a part of his face, or keeping his head down, hair falling into his face, concealing it. This heightens the risk of bumping into someone, of course, but if he does, he just hurries further, not wanting to deal with the various looks of pity, or contempt.

Once in front of the mirror he washes his face and dibs the marks gently with powder, staring at his reflection in the mirror with an angry look, tears shining in his eyes. But these tears he doesn't let fall. He keeps telling himself that they're not worth it, that this is the kind of situation that - as a certain friend would tell him - can be solved with punches, no need to loose precious fluids over it. But it still hurts. Hurts to be hated for who you were... Rin wonders what was so wrong about loving someone, but he can't find an answer, or a reason. So he just bites back the hurt and let's the anger contain in, as he quietly sneers at his reflection.]

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[She's heard of the news from the gossip grapevine, of course, especially since Seth is in her own house. Ordinarily it's not something to poke her nose into- Kirigiri doesn't care either way whether another couple goes against what she's used to. (Besides, she knows objectively Japan is on the conservative side. But basically it's not her problem.)

But a beating in a dark corner, on the other hand, is definitely begging to be her problem. She pauses when past the dark corner and then doubles back again, nonchalantly pretending she's not paying rapt attention to the hushed threats just out of notice.

It takes a while's loitering behind a corner to piece together an idea of what's going on. But there's no hassle once she decides what to do- she takes a step out and towards the small gathering, lifts her wand, and shoots a Stunning spell at a bully's back before anyone can say anything.]

Hey.

[She may look fragile but she thinks that should show people she's willing to play their game of Beat Shit Up if they really want to.]

[Not again... How many people were about to find him in these humiliating moments, Rin asks himself when he watches the stunned bullies fall to the ground. He looks at his savior of this time. He recognizes her as he's seen her around, but he doesn't really know her.]

Yo.

[He growls, wiping a trail of blood from his busted lips with the back of his hand.]

What's up?

[She usually finds people dead. Trust her, it's an improvement.

Rin seems to have fallen back into prickly lack of recognition again; shame, he had been nicer back in Hogsmead. But this isn't at the forefront of her concerns right now. Kirigiri looks over the boy's wounds, then points her wand carefully.]

Let me try a healing spell.

Episkey.

[She still can't make a teapot dance properly, but she has been spending her limited time developing a very specific skillset useless in most occasions. Except the ones where people get hurt, because she specializes in scenarios where people could get hurt.]

Not much is up, I've got a break now. Do you want to go to the hospital wing?

[He watches the wand point at his face, wrinkling his nose, but doesn’t protest. Seriously, people need to stop butting their noses into his business… he thinks, flinching at the sting as his lips heal quickly, under the influence of the spell.]

Thanks.

[He mumbles, fingering the spot. He shoot her a dark look at the question though.

That won’t be necessary. I’m perfectly fine.

[Seems like he wants to keep it quiet. Fair enough; people do that for reasons, and Kirigiri won't push the issue given how Rin's act of indifference screams 'ignore me'.]

Okay.

Maybe put some gauze or bandages on so you can claim you already got it checked out.

Do you have lessons soon?

How about a concealing charm, so that no one will notice at all?

[He suggests in a dry tone, because no point in lying, if everyone knew something was up anyway. He nods.]

Transfiguration, in a bit.

Oh- that works, yes.

[Oops. It's hard to think of magical solutions intuitively even now, especially when she's still acclimating to her magical lexicon. She's not sure what other advice she should give- her first thought is 'brush up on hexing them the next time round', but who is she to tell if it's hard for any senior student to take on multiple others?]

Maybe you should travel with a friend or two until people lose interest. Do any of your friends know about this?

[Rin snorts sardonically.]

I got the feeling the entire school knows.

[But the idea she’s proposing doesn’t sound bad. He should give it a thought and ask someone, maybe Gareki, or the twins to walk with him.]

Maybe.

[He answers her.]

Maybe yes about your relationship, but about getting beaten up? Word would get to the teachers if everyone knew.

[There are prefects around, after all.]

Eventually the gossip mill'll find something else to obsess over.

[This is the best she can do by way of reassurance; she has a feeling Rin wouldn't fall for anything sappier, anyway.]

But try to preserve your body in the meantime - it's just as easily pragmatism, as it is cowardice.

No, I meant exactly about that.

[The amount of people who saw was already grand. Rin could only imagine how many much more just knew.]

Eventually… [All passes eventually, he had no doubt they’d find something more interesting than him, give it a week or two. He sighs.] I’m trying. I got some good stuff that helps against bruises.

Do we need to make a public example out of these people to scare them off...?

[At this rate it's a wonder people keep trying to beat Rin up at all. What Kirigiri threw out as a suggestion is a pretty extreme idea for dealing with adults- possibly criminal adults in the way of a case- but she tends to overestimate the viciousness of her peers. Her thoughtful tone suggests that she isn't kidding around with the seemingly bad idea.]

Mmm, keep hanging in there.

It's not dignifying, but if you need a hand I don't ask too many questions. [Well, not in certain situations like these.]

Huh?

[Public example? Like hang them from the candelabras and drawing funny faces on them, and using their bodies to write a nice message? Rin grins. He’s really starting to like her. And she doesn’t ask many questions, huh?]

I’d like that. I like the way you think.

[But wait.]

Wouldn’t it be obvious it was me?

Not if you didn't, and have a solid alibi to prove it.

[It was her idea, after all. When she comes up with ideas she generally doesn't assume people will sign on until they do. But Rin's enthusiasm about it is nice.

Kirigiri flashes one of her unusual smirks, tapping her wand against her cheek.]

Or, if you're careful. There are many ways to get a hit on people that minimizes risks of repercussions, if one looks in the right directions. If this continues, you could think about it.

Or suggest it to any rash friends who'd rather pick a revenge fight in broad daylight, I don't recommend that.

[Rash friends?]

I have a few. But, I think I’d rather go the elegant way about it~

[No witnesses, no helpers and an alibi. Sounds great~]

I’d be ready to listen to your suggestions anytime. I’ll definitely think about it and you’ll be the first to know.

5th Bite is freshly in love... and then some

Dark corner

Dark corner

Re: Dark corner

I AM LAME I FORGOT I’M SO STUPID SORRY

It's fine!!

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