Renewed energy (open)

[David Blaze]

David shut the door to his locker, turning the dial quickly to scatter the tumbler inside. He turned, walking toward the entrance that led to the main hallway, the school seemingly deserted. After hours, though only by moments, the school seemed to thin out of life quickly, Blaze usually seeing himself as one of the only ones left. He didnt mind that though, it gave him a chance to try and clean up some of the unconscious bodies that were littered about as well as a little time to think and be alone. He Wore his Black Gi and sleeveless shirt despite the rain, his sweater inside his backpack in the locker room, since he planned to work out a little today. On the back of his shirt, written in Orange and red flame, was the name "Blaze", a classic edition to his attire.

He walked at a decent pace, neither slow nor fast, though he wished at that moment that he had sped it up a little. In front of him popped out three boys, decent size, all of them smiling, grinning like a couple of children at Christmas time. David surmised that this wouldnt be a christmas he would enjoy. He looked over his shoulder as he placed his left hand in his pocket, watching as two other kids walked up behind, effectively blocking his path. He exhaled slowly. He felt calm, but irritable- this wasnt how he wanted to get his work out. He didnt say anything, instead waiting for them to speak as he watched, slightly relaxed but tense, ready for a sudden movement or rush.

"You David Blaze?"

He could just say no.

"Yeah, thats me."

But Davids no liar, and hes no coward.

"Then we got a message for you. We heard your looking for the pillars or people who hold to your "Values" for some sort of alliance, or reckoning." The boy cracked his neck. "I suggest you quit. We like things how they are, and there wont be any changing it."

David opened his mouth to speak, but the fellow held up a hand, halting him.

"You don't need to reply- just think on our warning. We'll find you again soon."

And with that, the teens left, instead of using thier advantage of numbers, heading off in different directions as if they didnt know anyone. David sighed. It was true, he would like a conversation with the Captain, but it was also true that he was looking for anyone to talk to. After his discussion with Bastille, David had decided to try his best to make some friends, a feat which he had held off doing for so long as Captain of 809 and 259. He didnt want too many for fear of being used or the chance they might get hurt, but now was the time to get something done. He walked forward, taking a seat on a bench that sat against a side hallway, leaning back and closing his eyes.

'What has this school come to?'

[Trizen Takano]

"Couldn't tell you," Trizen replied to the young man as his mouth was stuffed with a sandwich full of meaty goodness. It looked bad as it was. Crumbs on his face and his fingers were in the thick of the sandwich itself. He looked up to David as he said his bit with his eyes opened, then squinted as he thought about how that whole image might have looked. Not only was it slightly gross but it was embarassing. Very.

"So... uh..." He chewed some more then swallowed his chunk of food. He hit his chest twice and sighed as the bulk went down. "I guess you're making new friends?"

[Tash]

The girl had been watching from about ten feet away. She hadn't wanted to get involved unless anything ugly went down, and then she would have stepped in to help. But they walked away after leering at him and saying some things that she assumed weren't party invitations. Thank goodness. She wasn't one to flinch from conflict but Tash wasn't particularly in the mood for a fight today. Not like the guy didn't look like he couldn't take care of himself, but three to one was never nice odds. Even help from someone as new to the school as she was would be welcome.

She thought she should introduce herself, but before she could step forward, another guy stepped up. He was stuffing his face with a sandwich and looked fairly ridiculous but he seemed nice enough. So for the time being she stayed where she was, quite unobtrusive in her ratty, hip hugging jeans and her thin cotton wife beater. She wore her messy mass of chocolate colored dreads back in a loose ponytail, her only make up was smudgy black eye liner.

"I guess you're making new friends?"

She heard the second guy say, between gulps of sandwich.

"Did someone say new friends? Can I play?"
She chimed in, her lilting voice with its rolling accent playful as usual as she stepped in to introduce herself.

"Tash. Tash LaVeau."

[David Blaze]

David brought his head down, giving a little grin at seeing Trizen. It had been a while since he and the young kid met up and talked, but it seemed that they wouldnt be talking alone, at least not today. A female walked over, introducing herself with a giddy grin. Seemed David was fated to interact with these kids, since he did have a few questions on his mind, at least for Trizen. The new girl he knew nothing about approach and introduce herself kindly. David gave her a smile and a small nod.

"David Blaze, Pleased to meet you."

He looked over to the window.

"Lets take a walk, shall we?" He said, speaking to trizen. He looked over to Tash. "You are more than welcome to join, if you like."

[Trizen Takano]

Those eyes.

The jade green caught his attention before her name came out. Did he consciously catch it? Of course not. The poor boy was busy with the thought that passed through his mind.

'I look like an idiot with this sandwich.'
'Good! Perfect first impression, kiddo!'
'Did David actually say his thought or were you--'
'What's her name again? She's--'
'Shouldn't you say something?'
'Get rid of the sandwich!'

"Churahsen...chuuurraaaasen... oop!"

'Idiot! Speak with your mouth full!'
'Why did I try to scarf the whole thing in my mouth--'
'THEN SPEAK!'

The boy was fighting with himself while his body reacted to the stress of it all by pounding his chest and hoping for the large chunk of food to go down smoothly. Three or five pounds later, the food went down the tube and Trizen gasped for air. The aftermath with his war on the sandwich was all over his face. Crumbs rested peacefully on his shirt and even a splurt of mustard was on the collar of his shirt. It was a brilliant. Truly inspiring.

"I uh..." He cleared his throat and sheepishly put his writing hand behind his head, "Sorry.. that was stupid. I'm Trizen Takano."

'Great, so stupid has a name now.'
'Why do I do this to myself?'

David had said something a while ago, though Trizen had to focus back into reality. The fifteen year old hadn't seen anyone like Jade, as he nicknamed her, before. "Sure, I like walking."

'I like walking? ... Idiot.'
'Man, am I too mean to myself? And why am I so nervous?'

[Tash]

She smothers a giggle: the second kid was too much. He was the kind of guy who managed to act like an idiot and make people laugh without coming off as really being stupid. It was a talent and she wasn't sure he knew he had it. In fact, that's probably what made him so good. And David she liked because he was to the point. She hated it when people tried to beat around the bush and sugarcoat things. David didn't seem like the kind of guy who did that.

"Didn't catch your name." She said as she caught up to the pair, then added. "Thanks David. So you guys headed anywhere in particular?"

[David Blaze]

David chuckled a little at Trizens excapade. It showed how young he was, and it also gave him a little laugh. He turned to head out the door, pushing it open and sighing in pleasure as sunlight hit them, bathing them in its warmth. After the initial blinking from the sudden transfer from dark hall to bright sunlight, David stopped, realizing that he, Tash, and Trizen werent alone. There, standing before them, was a large group of students, nine or ten of them, all of them grinning similiar to how the ones had been grinning earlier. Speak of the devils- they were right out in front of the group. David stepped forward.

"Thought i had some time?"

"You did have some time, now we're back to take your answer."

David grunted.

"Just take my answer and leave? How do you know i wont keep trying for it anyway?"

The boy smiled.

"Because we know who you are, and you wont break your word once its been given."

David smirked. these boys sure did their homework. He gestured to his friends.

"There seems to be a lot more of you this time."

The boy looked over his shoulder. "Just think of it as an insurance policy." He laughed. "You think we'd fight you with only three people? Now way. We're not dumb."

David sighed.

"Well, you have done your homework." He smiled faintly. "Guess you also know that i'm gonna say no to your suggestion. I'll do as i please regardless of any threats or posturing."

The guy cracked his knuckles, the boy behind him fanning out.

"We were hoping you'd say that." He looked to Tash and Trizen. "You fucks better take your leave, unless you want to join him."

[Trizen Takano]

Trizen blushed slightly. He was trying to be grown up about it, but her giggling made him turn cherry red.

'It's only blood circulation, it'll calm down eventually... aaaaand I'm lying to myself.' The sophomore thought as he brushed off the crumbs from face, though missed the splash of mustard on his white pressed collar.

As David opened the doors, Trizen's eyes squinted for a brief moment as the sun's rays shone through. Sure, it was a beautiful day, but with that subconscious tingle running down his spine, he figured something had to come along and attempt to ruin the day. Attempt being the key word. They three of them were outside now. They were met by a group of idiots -- or that's what Trizen liked to call them. Takano never did understand why people liked to fight so much at this school. It was almost as though no one knew David had never lost a bout. I guess that's what happens when you fight less and become much more diplomatic.

'Wait, did I just miss this entire conversation?'

Whatever these guys were talking about, the guy cracked his knuckles and looked to Trizen and Tash.

'Hey, our names both start with 'T'! That's awesome! ... Wait...'

His ears had caught the rhythms of the guy's syllables and matched them with tonalities. His mind replayed them until Trizen was able to make the phrase about it. "You fucks better take your leave, unless you want to join him."

The fifteen year old made a face full of confusion and shook his head. "You idiot. Fuck's a verb not a noun," Trizen had no idea what the gang leader was talking about, but he felt somewhat sorry for him. He typically did for the assorted gang leaders of the school. They were so stupid.

"Look," he said plainly, "I know the sex topic must be new to you, but Doctor Clavering down in the nurse's office has a couple of brochures you could read up so that you could get to understand the umm.... birds and the bees." The last bit he said in a bit of a loud whisper, hoping that last bit would be audible only to the leader. Poor boy didn't take in the fact that the three of them were surrounded. Everyone heard that.