Eleven Zephers

[soccerwhisperer]

[Outside in the gardens, Tenma is setting up a table of hot drinks and hot drink condiments. It's got everything from hot chocolate to coffee, both regular and decaf, and all sorts of holiday creamers, marshmallows, peppermint bits, you name it. After finishing up, he gives it a proud nod and opens his journal]

I know inside the castle has that weird kissing thing going on, but that shouldn't be an excuse to stay inside your rooms all month! So I set up a bunch of hot drinks in the garden, so you don't have to hang out inside the castle with all the germs.

[he pauses]

Bring sensible shoes if you want to play soccer afterwards.

[ooc: A kissmas can be worked out]

Comments

[encryptedlock]

Oh yeah? Got hot chocolate with marshmallows?

[Important questions.]

[soccerwhisperer]

Of course! Some of the marshmallows are even different colors.

[encryptedlock]

Count me in, then. At least for the drinks - haven't played soccer in a long time.

[And he'll make his way down from his room, in full armor of course.]

[soccerwhisperer]

You can always watch.

[don't mind him staring because full armor, really? That's like, so cool to his 13 year old brain!]

[encryptedlock]

[It wouldn't be the first time someone's called him a robot, but his body language is definitely human. He waves once he gets in sight.]

Nice spread you got here. I'm York.

[soccerwhisperer]

You have a nice armor yourself. I'm Tenma!

[encryptedlock]

Nice to meet you, Tenma. Now, what's good and what haven't you tried yet?

[soccerwhisperer]

Well... I like hot chocolate with some of those coffee creamers. Something I haven't tried yet... Umm... that... decaf coffee?

[encryptedlock]

Never really figured out the point of decaf coffee myself.

[York pours himself a mug of regular coffee with some of the multicolored marshmallows on top, then...sips it through his helmet? How is he even doing that?]

Hey, not bad.

[soccerwhisperer]

[Probably the same way half the people in his series drinks and eats things, seriously]

Some people just like the taste of coffee.

[encryptedlock]

Caffeine is magical. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.

[He leans back on his feet and continues to sip, after a few moments tilting his head to one side in imitation of a smile.]

So what made you decide to host out here? All that kissing?

[soccerwhisperer]

I won't, hehehe.

[he blinks at the question and smiles]

Yeah. I heard that the kissing stuff usually happens inside the castle, so everyone tries to avoid each other. But what about outside? I think it's sad people can't hang out with each other because of something silly like that.

[encryptedlock]

Hey, it doesn't put a dent in wanting to hang out with my girlfriend, I'll tell you that much.

[But he laughs and takes another long drink of his coffee.]

Besides, it's one of those things where if you try to avoid people, they're just more likely to sneak up on you. Better to just act normal and carry breath mints.

[soccerwhisperer]

I agree! Going out of your way to avoid it makes it more embarrassing and weird if it happens.

[encryptedlock]

[York holds out his mug and nods, as if to toast.]

Right on. Besides, I bet it'd only make you give a short kiss anyway, not a full-on makeout like some of us have to deal with.

[soccerwhisperer]

I'm sure you guys get short kisses too.

[encryptedlock]

[York rubs the back of his neck through his armor.]

Only when it's with kids. The rest of the time, it seems to like making things as difficult as possible for us.

[soccerwhisperer]

So... That helmet doesn't stop any kissing?

[encryptedlock]

[York shakes his head and takes it off as an example.]

Nope. Magic makes me take it off, whether I want to or not.

[soccerwhisperer]

Can it do it in the middle of battle?!

[encryptedlock]

--Sure hope not. But I haven't had anything here I've actually had to fight in a long time.

[Except as training, but that doesn't count.]

[soccerwhisperer]

Then why do you wear your armor all the time?

[encryptedlock]

[York snorts a little and puts his helmet back on.]

Because any time I've ever been really hurt here, it was when I took it off.

[soccerwhisperer]

O--Oh... I'm sorry I asked...

[encryptedlock]

It's no problem. You know what they say - look for trouble and it'll find you, sure enough.

[soccerwhisperer]

Sometimes it finds you anyway.

[encryptedlock]

And that's why I wear armor.

[He tips his mug toward the kid and takes another drink out of it (straight through the helmet).]

[soccerwhisperer]

Oh... Maybe I should start wearing armor too... But it's hard to play soccer in armor.

[encryptedlock]

[He starts a little.]

Naw, you don't have to worry about it. For one thing, if you ever do get in trouble? Just call out for help. Chances are pretty good one of us will be in hearing range. We got your back.

[soccerwhisperer]

Really? You mean it?

[encryptedlock]

Course I do! That's what we train for, you know.

[To get into danger so that normal people won't have to.]

[soccerwhisperer]

T--Thanks! If you ever need a stand in to play a sport, I'll be that guy!

[encryptedlock]

[York laughs.]

Tell you what, if we ever end up building a Grifball arena here, I'll let you know first off.

[soccerwhisperer]

Don't think I know that one.. But if it's anything like soccer, I'll learn fast!

[encryptedlock]

[It's not really. There are teams and a ball, and that's about it. But hey, worth a shot.]

Let you know, then. And good luck with your game later.

[soccerwhisperer]

Thanks. There's not a lot of people here who love it like I do, but as long as they have fun, it'll be a good game.