It took a bit of time- okay, the average amount of time+1- to fully grasp that a statistic impossibility of landing in a storybook world somehow fell in his lap and all but slapped him in the face. Was he dreaming? No. Somehow, this was all real and he needed to bust his backside in figuring this whole thing out before those- those things decide to do horrible things to his home, his family, his friends. It wasn't enough to try and learn to perfect each swimming stroke and win each competition anymore... everything rest on his shoulders, and some nights he could admit he lay wide awake, drenched in a cold sweat.
But none of that seemed clear, here. He was very sweat-free, dressed crisply as he snapped yet another book shut and placed it atop one pile, quickly turning to reach for another tome from a pile to his other side. The book topics seemed to be about the psychology of magic, willpower, and even ornithological studies. Magic and birds... what was the world coming to?
Rei sighed, and hadn't quite grabbed the next volume. Instead he reached beneath his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. What he wouldn't give to close his eyes and somehow wake up in his own bed, realize he may have had something too sweet before bed and his life was normal? But he'd wished for that so many times, and at this point was fooling himself.
He sighed in a breath through his nose and gave his cheeks a sound slap with both hands. Come on, this was like study sessions back home! Get it together! But he heard the flap of paper and impact, and turned. Exclaimed. His elbow must have struck the "To Read" pile, sending it toppling to the ground.
An oath under his breath, he moved quickly to check on them, stack them back up, hope beyond hope that he hadn't scuffed any covers, bent any pages...!
[B- Essence Practice]
For a guy who decided to take to a park to roll around in the grass next to a pond, he sure wasn't very good at frolicking. In fact, he was quietly talking to himself.
"Feet planted equal to shoulders, knees turned out. Lower hips until the knees bend 90 degrees. Place left hand on left knee and begin to roll right shoulder toward your left knee, curling your torso across your body. Hold for 30 seconds." He eased into position and held for precisely 30 seconds, and slowly reversed for the other side.
Oh, stretching! How thoughtful of this one to warm up. Seems he was just finishing up. With a satisfied sigh he stood. Alright. It's time to try again.
Rei assumed fourth position and entered a tight focus. He eased out a breath and began to dance, arms and legs the utmost of grace. He'd figured the theory of ballet dancing at least, learned all of the positions and even proper diet and stretches to hone one's body. Fortunately for him, it wasn't terribly different from his track regimen (albeit the stretches here for far gentler, he noted, rather than toning and strengthening muscle). Slowly his clothing began to shift from commoner to royalty, finely-tailored clothing dressing him from head to toe complete with crown.
Good, good. That always happens. Now, the water...?
The pond was rippling as he danced, and Rei fought to keep from staring. He knew he could make water move. He just had to get better at it...! Slowly, a thin tendril (a pitiful one, really) began to swirl and rise from the surface and Rei's mind ran with possibilities. He could ensnare foes, trip them up, maybe douse a few flames. Oh, how beautiful it would be!! He laughed joyously, twirled and leaped. Come, water! You're not a lot but that's just fine! Come and dazzle the crowd!
Splash! The tendril of water twisted high, then descended like a hose had let loose upon him. Caught off-guard, drenched from head to toe, this dancer stumbled back onto both feet.
Rei Ryugazaki | Free! | Odette
It took a bit of time- okay, the average amount of time+1- to fully grasp that a statistic impossibility of landing in a storybook world somehow fell in his lap and all but slapped him in the face. Was he dreaming? No. Somehow, this was all real and he needed to bust his backside in figuring this whole thing out before those- those things decide to do horrible things to his home, his family, his friends. It wasn't enough to try and learn to perfect each swimming stroke and win each competition anymore... everything rest on his shoulders, and some nights he could admit he lay wide awake, drenched in a cold sweat.
But none of that seemed clear, here. He was very sweat-free, dressed crisply as he snapped yet another book shut and placed it atop one pile, quickly turning to reach for another tome from a pile to his other side. The book topics seemed to be about the psychology of magic, willpower, and even ornithological studies. Magic and birds... what was the world coming to?
Rei sighed, and hadn't quite grabbed the next volume. Instead he reached beneath his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. What he wouldn't give to close his eyes and somehow wake up in his own bed, realize he may have had something too sweet before bed and his life was normal? But he'd wished for that so many times, and at this point was fooling himself.
He sighed in a breath through his nose and gave his cheeks a sound slap with both hands. Come on, this was like study sessions back home! Get it together! But he heard the flap of paper and impact, and turned. Exclaimed. His elbow must have struck the "To Read" pile, sending it toppling to the ground.
An oath under his breath, he moved quickly to check on them, stack them back up, hope beyond hope that he hadn't scuffed any covers, bent any pages...!
[B- Essence Practice]
For a guy who decided to take to a park to roll around in the grass next to a pond, he sure wasn't very good at frolicking. In fact, he was quietly talking to himself.
"Feet planted equal to shoulders, knees turned out. Lower hips until the knees bend 90 degrees. Place left hand on left knee and begin to roll right shoulder toward your left knee, curling your torso across your body. Hold for 30 seconds." He eased into position and held for precisely 30 seconds, and slowly reversed for the other side.
Oh, stretching! How thoughtful of this one to warm up. Seems he was just finishing up. With a satisfied sigh he stood. Alright. It's time to try again.
Rei assumed fourth position and entered a tight focus. He eased out a breath and began to dance, arms and legs the utmost of grace. He'd figured the theory of ballet dancing at least, learned all of the positions and even proper diet and stretches to hone one's body. Fortunately for him, it wasn't terribly different from his track regimen (albeit the stretches here for far gentler, he noted, rather than toning and strengthening muscle). Slowly his clothing began to shift from commoner to royalty, finely-tailored clothing dressing him from head to toe complete with crown.
Good, good. That always happens. Now, the water...?
The pond was rippling as he danced, and Rei fought to keep from staring. He knew he could make water move. He just had to get better at it...! Slowly, a thin tendril (a pitiful one, really) began to swirl and rise from the surface and Rei's mind ran with possibilities. He could ensnare foes, trip them up, maybe douse a few flames. Oh, how beautiful it would be!! He laughed joyously, twirled and leaped. Come, water! You're not a lot but that's just fine! Come and dazzle the crowd!
Splash! The tendril of water twisted high, then descended like a hose had let loose upon him. Caught off-guard, drenched from head to toe, this dancer stumbled back onto both feet.
"WHY!?"