[ It took a bit of persuading to finally get Kaname to hit the arcade with him. No, it was more like pestering. Bringing it up any time she mentioned hanging out, then huffing when she wasn't all that interested in the idea. Perhaps she was able to pick up on his secret intentions behind bringing her there. After all, it wasn't simply a chance to share a hobby with her. It was a chance to show off!
The arcade is noisy with the clicking of pinball bumpers, the zapping of laser rifles taking down hostile aliens, the buzzing of old school ticket machines printing hundreds of oh-so-valuable prize tickets. Despite no overhead lighting, the room is bright with flashing neon signs decorating countless arcade cabinets. Bandou's beaming with confidence as enters along side Kaname. As nerdy as it might be, this is his domain! ]
[Secret anything means a successful attempt at hiding said thing, which is the last things Bandou is able to do, at least when it comes to this. The gentle, repeated declination of his offer has less to do with not wanting to go and more to do with prioritizing other things to try. So finally, after a little pestering, she agrees, realizing just how much he actually wants to.
Her eyes take a moment to adjust when they walk in, so she reaches out to lightly grab his sleeve in a request he wait for a moment. The thought of swiping his sunglasses does briefly cross her mind. Once good, she drops her hand and grins a little.]
Want to show off right away or be humbled by me in a dancing game to start?
[ Bandou's smile can't help but falter when she reveals she's been on to him this entire time! ]
N-no way! Dancing games are off limits!
[ So off limits, that he's grabbing her hand and pulling her away from that section of the arcade. They're gonna play something he's good at. Maybe he'll change his mind later, but for now he's hopping on a two-player, first person shooter game. Something along the lines of Halo or Quake. ]
[An audible laugh escapes her when he grabs her hand to emphasize how off limits getting his butt kicked right away actually is. She has no qualms about going along with it, so she holds his hand in return instead of simply being led along.
It takes no time at all for her to catch on to what he's aiming for. Kaname grins a little, sort of excited to see how she'll do, since the technology back home is far more advanced-- this seems basically retro to her.]
Are you going to save me from an army of the undead or is it a competition?
[ Bandou releases one of the guns from its holster, pushing it into Kaname's now free hand. ]
We're on the same team. But scores and kill count still matter!
[ Bandou slips a few coins into the arcade cabinet's slot and takes up the other gun. With heightened determination, he slams his fist down onto the large, flashing START button and takes his stance, ready to start shooting. ]
[ The accuracy of her shots, right out the gate, takes him by surprise. Not that he thought she wouldn't be capable. More that he was hoping he'd luck out and be better for once. The realization has him missing his first few shots, and she quickly takes the lead in score. ]
Damn it! Have you played this before and just didn't tell me??
Of course not. I've barely been here two months. [Bam, she gets another one!] Combat training, remember?
[Which meant firearms, too. Maybe the explanation she gave him at the time wasn't super detailed, but it was probably enough. Since they're on the subject, Kaname can't help but smile at him.]
It just means if we're even in a zombie apocalypse, I can help keep you safe. No need to worry.
[ Finally, he gets on the score board with a few well aimed shots. ]
Yeah well, I'm gonna keep you safe just as much--!!
[ The end of his declaration is interrupted by an actual gun shot. The fired bullet is just shy of hitting its target. Instead it whizzes between their heads, shattering the arcade cabinet's screen. Bandou spins around, only to find a pair of Green clan members there. One is pointing a handgun at them, obviously ready to fire again. The other wields a slightly less intimidating metal baseball bat.
Bandou jumps in front of Kaname just in time for a second shot to be fired. A bright red flame erupts from Bandou's fists, shielding them from the bullet. All other patrons have fled the arcade. ]
What the hell do you guys want?
[ For someone who's just been shot at twice, he sounds far more annoyed than scared. ]
[To her credit, Kaname doesn't scream, dropping the fake arcade gun and spinning around when Bandou does. Her eyes do widen at their appearance, going slightly wider at her companion blocking the shot. Hearing about their abilities and seeing them in action are two very different things.
She edges completely behind him, a hand falling to his back and gripping the back of his hoodie. She's fine, and she trusts him, he shouldn't worry about her right then. It's hard to tell where they're looking thanks to their helmets, but with him blocking their view of her, Kaname can get a decent read of their surroundings.
Blessedly nearby is an abandoned billiards table, cues and balls included. Maybe they could prove useful if needed-- not that either of them want things to go that direction. Beyond that lays the emergency exit, an almost straight line from where they currently stand.]
If we can distract them for a few seconds, we should be able to make a run for it. [Kaname keeps her voice low so only he can hear her, lightly tapping him on the side that's closest to their potential escape route.]
New mission. 3000 points for each minor Red Clan member incapacitated.
[ The Green with the bat pulls out his phone, bringing up JUNGLE's mobile 'game' and showing off the image of Bandou and his bounty on the screen. Despite the helmets, the guy's voice is clear, and oh-so serious. Bandou, on the other hand, is furious. ]
3000 points?! That's it??!
[ You'd think with Greens out looking to literally send him to the ER for a mere chance to jump up a level in a stupid game, he'd drop the pettiness. But apparently this is on the same level as shooting pixelated aliens.
It's then that he feels Kaname grip at his hoodie, and her whispered suggestion of how they could get out of this stupid mess. ]
You go. I'm gonna take these guys out.
[ Alone, they won't go after her if it means zero points on their end. The issue is if he's with her. ]
Just be careful, I'll be upset with you if anything bad happens. [She yanks the back of his hoodie for emphasis before releasing it completely and slowly edging away from him. Her eyes remain on the helmeted duo to make sure they actually don't care about her leaving at all. One turns slightly to look her way, but looks back to Bandou all but dismissing her presence.
When the three of them are continuing with their stare down, Kaname heads to the fire exit and opens the door, sound echoing throughout the now quieter arcade.
There's a little more back and forth between them when the one wielding the gun raises his arm to fire for a third time. Before any of them can do anything else, a pool ball (the eight ball, actually) flies in from the side, beaning the gunman in the side of the visor, causing him to stumble to the side and drop his firearm.
If Bandou looks over, he'll see a pool cue being tossed his way. Maybe a makeshift tonfa, or something more with reach for the moment. Plus, Kaname standing by the table, finally making her way to the exit for real this time. As long as he joins her anyway.]
[ The pool ball flying out of seemingly nowhere takes Bandou by just as much surprise as it did their targets. But it gets him to look towards the pool table in time to see Kaname tossing him the pool cue. He catches it easily and immediately, it flares up in a pulse of Red Aura. That's enough for the Greens, who obviously expected this mission to be a quick and easy one. But that's the problem with these lower JUNGLE clansmen. They think it's all just about the score until they come up against a real follower of a King.
Panicked, the conscious Green leaves his companion on the floor of the arcade as he tries to book it out the door. See, no loyalty or comradery. It pisses Bandou off even more, and he launches the pool cue like a javelin at the back of his head. It connects, knocking him to the ground, as well. And probably leaving one hell of a burn mark.
Finally, Bandou joins Kaname in the alley behind the arcade. He's fuming. ]
Assholes don't understand a damn thing about following a King.
[ When he sees Kaname, his Aura finally subsides and he approaches her to make sure she's not hurt at all. ]
[A couple moments later, Kaname answers, smiling like nothing is wrong or weird at all. Sorry, not sorry.]
Hey, come on in. Have a seat, I'm just making dinner.
[Whether that's an invitation to join her remains to be seen. He's free to crash on the couch as she goes back to the kitchen to take something off the stove. A few minutes later, she joins him in the living room.
[ Making dinner in general or are they already on a date? Probably the first but he's made himself panic so much already, that after an awkward 'hello' on his end, he takes up her advice to sit down in the other room.
Thus begins his inner pep-talk:
Damn it, Bandou. Stop being nervous. She pretty much brought it up to you on her own. If she wasn't interested, she wouldn't have gotten you to come over. She's not like that. She's not some jerk who's gonna prank you again.
He's so deep into his self reassurance, that he doesn't notice she's in the room until she sits down next to him. And of course, he startles. ]
[In general, Mr. Overthinker, it is around that time of day.
If he looks into the kitchen, he'll see a pot off to the side cooling down, giving her the opportunity to have all her attention on him. Bandou suddenly acting startled does have her pause, a slightly concerned look spreading across her face.]
[ Her honest concern actually does help, even if it might not look that way. Instead of flailing, he heaves a heavy sigh, rubbing at the back of his neck. ]
[As if it will help, Kaname reaches over and takes hold of his sunglasses, gently removing them to put on the coffee table. Following that, she encourages him to shed his hat and hood.]
[ That blush is back, taunting him as he blinks to adjust to the brightness of the room. Catching her in direct eye contact doesn't help either. He quickly looks to the side while he rids himself of the other ever-present accessories. He'll nervously ruffle his hat hair before looking back up. ]
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Escaping the JUNGLE (or some other cheesy title)
The arcade is noisy with the clicking of pinball bumpers, the zapping of laser rifles taking down hostile aliens, the buzzing of old school ticket machines printing hundreds of oh-so-valuable prize tickets. Despite no overhead lighting, the room is bright with flashing neon signs decorating countless arcade cabinets. Bandou's beaming with confidence as enters along side Kaname. As nerdy as it might be, this is his domain! ]
are we in jumanji now
Her eyes take a moment to adjust when they walk in, so she reaches out to lightly grab his sleeve in a request he wait for a moment. The thought of swiping his sunglasses does briefly cross her mind. Once good, she drops her hand and grins a little.]
Want to show off right away or be humbled by me in a dancing game to start?
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N-no way! Dancing games are off limits!
[ So off limits, that he's grabbing her hand and pulling her away from that section of the arcade. They're gonna play something he's good at. Maybe he'll change his mind later, but for now he's hopping on a two-player, first person shooter game. Something along the lines of Halo or Quake. ]
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It takes no time at all for her to catch on to what he's aiming for. Kaname grins a little, sort of excited to see how she'll do, since the technology back home is far more advanced-- this seems basically retro to her.]
Are you going to save me from an army of the undead or is it a competition?
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We're on the same team. But scores and kill count still matter!
[ Bandou slips a few coins into the arcade cabinet's slot and takes up the other gun. With heightened determination, he slams his fist down onto the large, flashing START button and takes his stance, ready to start shooting. ]
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If you say so!
[The first zombie pops up and Kaname easily takes the shot. Followed by the second and third. She looks over at Bandou with a wink.]
Like that, right?
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Damn it! Have you played this before and just didn't tell me??
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[Which meant firearms, too. Maybe the explanation she gave him at the time wasn't super detailed, but it was probably enough. Since they're on the subject, Kaname can't help but smile at him.]
It just means if we're even in a zombie apocalypse, I can help keep you safe. No need to worry.
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Yeah well, I'm gonna keep you safe just as much--!!
[ The end of his declaration is interrupted by an actual gun shot. The fired bullet is just shy of hitting its target. Instead it whizzes between their heads, shattering the arcade cabinet's screen. Bandou spins around, only to find a pair of Green clan members there. One is pointing a handgun at them, obviously ready to fire again. The other wields a slightly less intimidating metal baseball bat.
Bandou jumps in front of Kaname just in time for a second shot to be fired. A bright red flame erupts from Bandou's fists, shielding them from the bullet. All other patrons have fled the arcade. ]
What the hell do you guys want?
[ For someone who's just been shot at twice, he sounds far more annoyed than scared. ]
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She edges completely behind him, a hand falling to his back and gripping the back of his hoodie. She's fine, and she trusts him, he shouldn't worry about her right then. It's hard to tell where they're looking thanks to their helmets, but with him blocking their view of her, Kaname can get a decent read of their surroundings.
Blessedly nearby is an abandoned billiards table, cues and balls included. Maybe they could prove useful if needed-- not that either of them want things to go that direction. Beyond that lays the emergency exit, an almost straight line from where they currently stand.]
If we can distract them for a few seconds, we should be able to make a run for it. [Kaname keeps her voice low so only he can hear her, lightly tapping him on the side that's closest to their potential escape route.]
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[ The Green with the bat pulls out his phone, bringing up JUNGLE's mobile 'game' and showing off the image of Bandou and his bounty on the screen. Despite the helmets, the guy's voice is clear, and oh-so serious. Bandou, on the other hand, is furious. ]
3000 points?! That's it??!
[ You'd think with Greens out looking to literally send him to the ER for a mere chance to jump up a level in a stupid game, he'd drop the pettiness. But apparently this is on the same level as shooting pixelated aliens.
It's then that he feels Kaname grip at his hoodie, and her whispered suggestion of how they could get out of this stupid mess. ]
You go. I'm gonna take these guys out.
[ Alone, they won't go after her if it means zero points on their end. The issue is if he's with her. ]
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When the three of them are continuing with their stare down, Kaname heads to the fire exit and opens the door, sound echoing throughout the now quieter arcade.
There's a little more back and forth between them when the one wielding the gun raises his arm to fire for a third time. Before any of them can do anything else, a pool ball (the eight ball, actually) flies in from the side, beaning the gunman in the side of the visor, causing him to stumble to the side and drop his firearm.
If Bandou looks over, he'll see a pool cue being tossed his way. Maybe a makeshift tonfa, or something more with reach for the moment. Plus, Kaname standing by the table, finally making her way to the exit for real this time. As long as he joins her anyway.]
Come on! Hurry!
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Panicked, the conscious Green leaves his companion on the floor of the arcade as he tries to book it out the door. See, no loyalty or comradery. It pisses Bandou off even more, and he launches the pool cue like a javelin at the back of his head. It connects, knocking him to the ground, as well. And probably leaving one hell of a burn mark.
Finally, Bandou joins Kaname in the alley behind the arcade. He's fuming. ]
Assholes don't understand a damn thing about following a King.
[ When he sees Kaname, his Aura finally subsides and he approaches her to make sure she's not hurt at all. ]
You okay? That was a pretty awesome shot.
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[Kaname can't help but bite back a laugh at the delayed phone call. Let's see what he has to say first.]
Yes?
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[ What does he have to say?? He's suddenly not sure if he had his shit together enough to do this!! ]
It's me.
[ yeah no shit, idiot. ]
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Before we go any further, my phone's almost out of battery. Mind swinging by my place to chat?
[100% lying here, but it needs to be done!]
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I mean, I could call later tonight?
[ why is he nervous? They've hung out plenty of times before. ]
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Give him like 20 and he'll finally knock on her door.
Big big breath, Bandou. You've got this. ]
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Hey, come on in. Have a seat, I'm just making dinner.
[Whether that's an invitation to join her remains to be seen. He's free to crash on the couch as she goes back to the kitchen to take something off the stove. A few minutes later, she joins him in the living room.
He can start.]
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Thus begins his inner pep-talk:
Damn it, Bandou. Stop being nervous. She pretty much brought it up to you on her own. If she wasn't interested, she wouldn't have gotten you to come over. She's not like that. She's not some jerk who's gonna prank you again.
He's so deep into his self reassurance, that he doesn't notice she's in the room until she sits down next to him. And of course, he startles. ]
--!! Ah...hey
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If he looks into the kitchen, he'll see a pot off to the side cooling down, giving her the opportunity to have all her attention on him. Bandou suddenly acting startled does have her pause, a slightly concerned look spreading across her face.]
Hi. Are you all right?
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Yeah, just getting too into my head.
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[As if it will help, Kaname reaches over and takes hold of his sunglasses, gently removing them to put on the coffee table. Following that, she encourages him to shed his hat and hood.]
There, now I can see you. Talk to me.
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You're too nice, you know that?
[ It's not an insult or complaint, though. ]
I'm not used to having people like you around.
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