imperturbatus | no specific days for these prompts

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no specific days for these prompts

[A: Quidditch]
[ After the last loss on the pitch, Kise... Well. He might have looked like he was somewhat okay about it, but it drove him even harder to get better. He didn't like losing. Even if it was Rin who caught the snitch prematurely, it was the rest of them that failed to get the points they needed to win. It was the rest of them that struggled against Ravenclaw's team, which meant that Kise had to get better.

He zipped around the pitch, flying in and around spelled objects who's soul purpose was to hit him. Flying practice, he liked to call this one. And he was taking it seriously. ]

[B: Sunny Days]
[ Despite the wind being chilly, it wasn't that breezy and the sun was warm. It was too nice of a day to waste in class, so yeah. Maybe he was skipping one, but it wasn't like he couldn't look at the books right? He could keep himself on track, right?

If anyone wants him they'll find him lounging in the courtyard, long legs stretched out in front of himself and face toward the sky. Kise's cloud watching, arms behind his head and a smile on his lips. It's a really nice day. ]

[C: Outside the great hall]
[ There are very few things that can put Kise in a bad mood. A call from his agent back in Japan telling him bad news was one of them. Being picked up or dropped from contracts didn't bother him. When he signed onto something, he always made sure to tell them he went to boarding school in the UK most of the year and they'd have to deal with that, and most were okay with it. But it was the people who couldn't deal with that, that put him into a bad mood because it made him have to jump through hoops to keep contracts he liked.

His agent was telling him that he needed to get permission to take a weekend trip so he could do a shoot with some other idol or they would get him black listed.

Needless to say, he gave a frustrated sigh and hung up with his agent. ]

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[ Jeez, could Kise be any more down after the Quidditch match? Then again, it's not like anyone could blame him, or the rest of the Slytherin team.

Adela was out in the tribunes studying again, looking up at the practice every so often but going over her Charms notes for the most part. When he takes a break she approaches the edge of the tribune though, leaning over to look him over and trying to catch his eye. It's been a while, and maybe he can afford to hang out at least a little? ]

Yo, Kise!

[ Can't hurt to actually get his attention, though what are the chances that he'll hear her from there? ]

[ The thing was, Kise had noticed Adela there. Studying, watching every so often. He wasn't so absorbed in his own world that he didn't pay attention to the rest of it. He just... Didn't want to talk when practicing felt more important than socializing. But even though zipping around on a broomstick was nothing like playing basketball or any other sport, it still took the breath out of him. It was still physically exhausting. When he had to take a break, Kise whipped his wand out and canceled the spell on the balls but still hovered in the air.

He let the wind fly through his hair and cool his overworked body.

That was when he heard Adela. Normally he would have smiled and waved before heading over, but Kise was a whole different person when he felt down about anything. An abnormal seriousness took him. Instead, he flew over and dropped down into the tribune and flopped into a seat. ]

Hey.

... You know, there's still at least one more match to look forward to. And I know you're gonna be a great opponent there, win or lose.

[ She looks to Kise with a gentle smile, trying to think of how to cheer him up a little. After all, Kise just... Well, she knows that he's down about the recent game, but well... Maybe talking to Kise about what she's planning will help a bit. She can at least try. ]

I've been trying to negotiate with the other captains too. If I can get everyone to agree, we might even get to play twice as many games next year. We just have to get a consensus before talking to Sano about it. It'd make more room for rematches, rather than just one game against each house per year.

[ That Adela can see something's off about him only makes him feel worse. Like walking away, because he's too transparent and doesn't like it. He leans forward, elbows resting on his thighs so that his hair falls into his eyes. ]

I don't think anyone who plays would disagree.

[ He really liked that idea. It would benefit a lot of them, regardless of who plays next year. But he didn't know if he'd be on the team next year. Year seven's don't have a lot of time. ]

But don't worry about me, I'm just practicing.

[ Kise gives a thumbs up in an attempt to look more like himself. ]

We're friends, stupid. I'm allowed to worry.

[ She pushes at his arm then, trying to get his attention a bit better. ]

Especially if it means you're gonna miss goals for reasons other than me kicking the ball away.

I have too much pride in my play to let you get one over on me, even if we're friends.

[ The nudge had him frowning, but Adela's words seemed to lift his spirits some. A defense, but a true statement too. He wasn't someone who would let friends win just because they were friends. Everyone had to earn that win, regardless of what team they were on. ]

I won't let you win easy.

[ With that, Kise winked. A shadow of his normal self. ]

You'd better not, how am I supposed to get good enough to be a pro if my opponents take it easy on me?

[ Finally she grins, feeling a little bit more cheeky now that Kise is smiling a little again. Maybe she's not terrible at this 'cheering up' thing after all. Granted, the rumour mill's probably going to have a field day with this, but for the moment she doesn't see any harm in it. ]

We've gotta go beat up Gryffindor first though, then we're coming for you.

You're aiming to be pro?

[ It probably shouldn't have shocked Kise since this was Adela, woman who worked her ass off to get things done, but... Something about that did. Maybe it's because he didn't expect it? Maybe it's because he hadn't realized someone could think that far ahead. Who knows. But he looked stunned to find out all the same.

Then something happened. He imagined this small girl being a powerhouse pro keeper and he laughed. Not because it was funny but because he could see it. ]

The other teams are going to learn the same definition of hard to score as we know here.

You bet! I think I've always known I wanted to be a pro sports player since I was a kid, I just thought it'd be football before instead of Quidditch.

[ A beat, and she can't help laughing too as she shakes her head. ]

Can you believe I also thought I'd like beater more before winding up taking up being a Keeper like fish to water?

[ This line of conversation is easily cheering him up. Making him think of something other than the loss suffered recently. Kise's even smiling easier as he places his hands on the bench to prop himself up and leans back. ]

I don't think I can imagine you as a beater. It's too violent.

[ But now that he knew Adela wanted to go pro, he couldn't imagine her as anything else either. Maybe it's faith, maybe it's just knowing she's that ambitious, but it would be really difficult to see her do anything else now. ]

But it's really cool that you always knew. I'm still undecided. I'll probably just keep modeling until I get bored with it.

Maybe, but I thought it was more involved than anything else. I think when I first tried for Keeper, I thought I could barely get in the air 'cause all the gear was weighing me down.

And well... You're still really good at what you do, Kise. You're probably the Chaser I have the most trouble with, and I think it'd be cool to see how much greater you could get if you wanted to try.

[ The thing is, he likes quidditch. He likes the challenge that facing an opponent on the pitch presents. It all gives him a thrill the same way basketball does when he plays back home. But he doesn't know if he wants to do anything with it in the future. He could and he could be happy with it, if he chose that path. But for how long? That was the major question.

He looks proud when she expresses that he's the chaser that gives her the most trouble. Kise's grin is a bit more broad and genuine, though retains a bit of a sheepish quality somehow. ]

What made you decide you wanted it? If you always knew you wanted to be a pro...

If you mean being a Keeper, I guess I just ended up taking to it better than any of the other positions Sano had me try when I first tried playing the game. If you mean Quidditch... Well, that's a bit more recent.

[ She looks forward to the pitch then, something in her expression becoming a bit more solemn as she thinks it over. ]

I knew I wanted to be a pro sports player, but Quidditch... There's nothing quite like it. I mean, how many flying sports in the world are there, and even if I don't generally move far from the goal I'm part of the action enough for that to not matter most of the time. And... Well...

[ ... Why is it harder to talk about now? She can't help feeling silly for it, and then feeling even sillier with how it actually came about back then. ]

... I remember the first match I played last year, and we won. I was a bundle of nerves then, unsure if I'd do okay at all, and after the match... I remember asking Sano why he quit.

He told me everything without holding back, and before you ask I think you should ask him yourself 'cause it's his story to tell. Anyway, I... I think I told him something along the lines of surpassing him. Being the scariest keeper in the league, 'cause it'd be pretty cool if a student of his was the best of the best right?

[ After she gets it out she can't help hanging her head, and yeah she's embarrassed as all hell because wow now that she's said it it sounds dumb. ]

I guess it's kind of a silly reason.

[ Kise listens carefully to Adela talk, but it didn't clear up what he'd wanted to know. But he also doesn't judge her for her reasons, or push her to talk about the coach's story. She's right, it's his to tell and if he hasn't told Kise then it probably didn't have anything to do with him. Besides, it wouldn't be anything hard to look up if he really wanted to know. It was obvious to anyone that Sano was a former pro in the league.

He nudged her arm with his elbow and smiled up at her from his leaned back position. ]

Maybe, but it keeps you going. Doesn't matter if it's silly. [ Sitting up, he leans forward enough to see the pitch. ]

But it didn't answer my question. Why be a pro? You could do anything...

Oh, uhm... It's what I want to do. Do I need another reason?

[ She stared at Kise with that question, unsure of how else to answer that. She's pretty sure she can't do anything, but she feels like being a pro Quidditch player is something she can and she wants to, so why not? ]

No, I guess not.

[ He was looking for an answer there and not really getting one. Which was okay, because maybe he needed to talk to a teacher. Someone already doing what they wanted to do with their life. But Kise's also in a strange mood, where he's wondering about his own future while asking about Adela's. Being a pro never crossed his mind, but he was passionate about Quidditch. So it was making him think, knowing that one of his friends was that certain about it.

Reaching up to scratch the side of his neck, he let out a breath. ]

I think I'm done for the day. Do you wanna go do something else?

Sure. Anything special you have in mind, Kise?

[ She starts putting her things back into her bag, taking a moment before adding. ] And are you going there in full gear or should I wait outside the locker rooms?

[ Kise's mind is still sort of a dark hole at the moment, so he's thinking how to answer Adela's question and where might be more cheerful to help his own mood as much as enjoy time with his friend.

But she points out the fact he's still in uniform from practice and-- ]

Wha--!!

[ His hand goes to his face, the look of dismay crossing his features. ]

I forgot I changed into this...

[ He sighs softly, feeling stupid. ]

Yeah. Let me change first. I'll meet you down there.

[ She can't help chuckling a bit, shaking her head at Kise before grinning and getting to her feet. ]

Sure thing. See you soon.

[ Adela can't exactly fly down to the lockers but maybe she'll still be ready first anyway, considering Kise still has to change. Who knows. She'll wait for him regardless, looking around absently and wondering just what Kise might want to do right about now. ]

[Yogi sometimes found the muteness of the high walls of the castle deafening. The castle itself was never quite silent, bustling with life, but there were times when he felt like the muteness of the walls drowned the sounds. That was usually when he fled outside, into the Sun, so high in the Scottish mountains. Unless it wasn't hiding behind the clouds yet again, which happened more usually than Yogi liked.

But not today. Today is sunny and if it wasn't for the chill in the air, it would be quite warm.

He decides to check the lawns, as it should be the time for some gardening soon. It's the last year he gets to do it, might as well enjoy himself. He doesn't expect to meet his fellow blonde friend, lounging in the grass, looking for all the world like he's tanning. It feels like ages since he talked with Ryota, or anyone else other than occasionally stumbling across Gareki, so he approaches the blonde with a smile on his face.]

You'll catch a cold.

[ The thing is, Kise's enjoying the quiet. The solitude that the breezy day provided, especially since he was skipping class to do it. Yet there was someone else coming, he could hear it in the shuffle against the ground. Kise tilts his head and sees Yogi, and can't help himself from smiling when his friend tells him about what could happen. ]

Maybe, but today's worth it.

[ Kise stretches, his hand coming to cover a yawn. Then he's sitting up on the bench to make room for Yogi. ]

I know why I'm out here during class, why are you?

The weather is really nice, isn't it.

[Yogi agrees, sitting down next to his friend. He's not skipping class as Ryota is, he just had the free time. Which he nowadays used more for spending time in the library than for fun, but today he felt like he couldn't stay inside a second longer.]

I was in the library, working on the Transfiguration essay, but then the ceiling started collapsing on me and I thought some fresh air would do me good.

[The library made him miss people and think too much. He's gotten better at handling it, but sometimes he needed to clear his head.]

I thought maybe I could check the lawns, see if I can plant some spring flowers soon.

[ Too much studying, huh? At least that's what he figured Yogi meant by the ceiling collapsing on him. But man, Kise didn't envy Yogi's course load at all, if it made his light-hearted friend need to get away so badly. Especially with his own course load being too much for him to handle. With, y'know. Not exactly being the best student and all. ]

It's a good day for a break. [ A grin. ] But I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you're the one who makes this place look better in the spring, huh?

[Well. Yogi couldn't argue about the curse load, if he knew Kise's thoughts. He really had too much of it. Way too much. All because Hirato was a demanding tyrant who had nothing better to do than to torture Yogi.

The blonde chuckles when Kise grins at him, winking at his friend innocently, but with hidden playfulness.]

What, you mean you didn't know? And here I thought it was public knowledge.

[He stretches his legs in a similar manner to Kise when he feels the Sun warming him, his energy and good spirits slowly returning again.]

Yeah. [He admits with some of the playfulness ebbing away.] I guess I just like having flowers around. They're pretty to look at, make people smile... And it's the last year. Might as well give it my all.

[Even though there won't be anyone next year to do the same thing. All of the flowers will die, along with his roses. It makes the effort seem futile, but he still wants to do it, simply because he doesn't want his last year to be the one in which he gives up.]

And you? Got anything you want to do this year, no matter what?

[Ryota is not the only one bothered by their loss. In fact, Rin sometimes thinks he's the one with the sole right to be bothered by it, because it had been entirely due to his own stupid mistake. Their team did nothing wrong, they had played well. Okay, maybe aside the keeper, who obviously let Oshitari score one time too many, in spite of Rin's explicit instructions, and if they had one point more they would have won, but still. They would have gotten the points, Rin knows that. If he hadn't caught the game ending snitch too early they would have won. He's 100% sure of that.

Needless to say he's frustrated and it's that frustration that drives him to the field one evening. Coach didn't even ask, when Rin came asking for the snitch, just handed it to him like he had been waiting for Rin to come. He doesn't, however, expect to find someone else there, but on hindsight, he really should have known better.]

And here I thought Sousuke had been the only quidditch moron in the team.

[Not that he has any room to talk, holding his broom and the borrowed snitch.]

[ He hadn't heard or seen Rin coming, so when he hears his voice Kise has to duck a near miss at the last second. It lead him to ducking down and barreling toward Rin, grabbing his wand to dispell the balls. He pulled up and stopped short just in front of the Slytherin captain, and it lead him to reaching up to rub the back of his neck. ]

Maa... You say that like it's a bad thing. I just wanted to get better.

[ There were some on the team that probably thought Rin threw the match because his sister was the other team's seeker. Kise knew better. That thought never crossed his mind. If anything, he knew Rin would fight harder. He didn't know what had happened, only that he felt like it was on his own shoulders for not scoring more points. ]

What are you doing here, then?

[Rin holds up the snitch in answer, conceding smile on his face.]

Same thing as you.

[Though in his case, basic algebra seems to be the bigger problem. Which is kinda funny, considering he's got the most of Outstanding marks in Arithmancy. He knows what people think now, he's heard them talk behind his back, and frustrating as it may be, he can't change it now. The only thing he can do is prove he's not someone to throw a match. Especially not against his sister, for the sole reason that she'd end him if he did that.]

I really have no room to talk.

[His expression changes, however, when Kise mentions starts talking about wanting to get better, and Rin starts wondering if the chaser is maybe blaming himself a little. Which is why he says what he says next.]

You know we would have won if I hadn't chosen the worst moment to be an idiot, right? For every point they get in, you always score two. Five minutes, that's all it would have needed.

[He's not trying to find excuses in the 'should have's, 'would have's and 'could have's, it's not his effort to persuade people that the victory would have been their IF, he just knows what their team is capable of, and he knows they would have gotten it back. He knows it's not their fault, thus making it pointless to put any blame on them.]

It's really my fault. I'm sorry.

[ It really doesn't make Kise feel any better to hear that Rin thought it was his fault. If anything, it made him feel like a collective team fail. But he doesn't really know how to say that or tell Rin it wasn't his fault. So, he goes with the next best thing. ]

Ravenclaw were giving us a hard time. I like the challenge and pushing myself, but it was almost too much. It doesn't have anything to do with the match.

[ Okay, so the last part was the only lie. Hopefully Rin wouldn't see through that, though. ]

[Oh, really? Rin gives Kise a long look, considering to argue with his best Chaser, but in the end he just sighs. There's no sense in arguing over whose fault it is now, is there? Or making his team mate admit the real reason he's out on the pitch right now. They are Slytherins. Even if there's nothing left, they still have their pride.]

If you say so.

[It still makes him feel like he let them down. Like there's a lot he needs to fix. Like he should train harder. He knows they blame themselves as much as he blames himself. He knows how dedicated and loyal they are, and he knows they deserve a captain who can lead them to the victory they deserve. He almost wishes they'd be more upset with him.]

Want a training partner?

[ They had that kind of captain already. Kise didn't doubt that, at least. Maybe that's why they weren't that upset too?

He smiled at the offer, though. The first genuine one since he'd stepped onto the field. ]

Yeah. That'd be pretty cool. It's just flying practice though.

Never enough of that one.

[Rin shrugs and gets on his broom, looking around at the random objects hanging in the air.]

Let me guess, dodging and evasive maneuvers?

[Yeah, after last game convinced him his sister is a killer at blocking, he might need some of those as well.]

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