*Sounds (open)

[scross]

Saiya hummed softly as she pushed open the door of the rehearsal hall. The hall was a large, circular room with a raised wood platform in the center and great acoustics. Sai came here mostly to practice the cello and piano, but it was a good place to think too, because most students never find their way into the hall, as it was tucked in a separate corner of the school. She had accidentally stumbled on the room on her first day at Ashford, and she smiled at her luck.

Sai walked to the back of the room, fumbling with her bag and earphones. She set the bag down on a chair, took off the headphones and set the music device down. Sai then walked to the instrument cabinet and took out her cello case. She carried the large instrument to the center, and started unzipping the case. Carefully taking the cello out, Sai studied the polished fine grained wood for any nicks. Satisfied, she pushed the bow onto the string, and began to play. Sai closed her eyes, playing the music out in her head. She began to relax, and felt nothing but the soft vibration of the bow on strings.

Suddenly, Sai stopped playing, and glanced at the door.

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

Terry chanced a quick peek around the corner. With a mouthed curse, he pulled his head back. One of the teacher's pets was standing just outside of the Student Council office, dutifully examining the bulletin board... and no doubt waiting for him. Terry sighed and shot his hand around the corner, aiming a rather impolite gesture in the general direction of the spy, before walking back the way he'd come.

Old Lady Brighton was starting to wise up. Finally. Oh well,[/i] Terry thought as he strode calmly through the halls. There's other places I can go to read.[/i] He grinned. There was something fun - even after all this time - about skipping class and outwitting the teachers. Since most of the classes were in session, he didn't have to worry about running into any teachers.

With a grin, Terry wandered the corridors, not really going anywhere in particular. "I've gotta do this more often," he said aloud. He almost never just walked. There was always somewhere to go, something to do. His stroll took him through the largely deserted music wing. Most classes for the choirs and bands took place either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, so by midday the wing resembled a ghost town.

Or so he thought. As he passed the rehearsal hall, a sound caught his ear. He stopped mid stride and looked questioningly at the doors, as though they would somehow give him a satisfactory answer. It's some kind of string...[/i] he thought, trying to figure out just what instrument the mysterious musician was playing. He walked over to the door, hoping that the proximity would allow him to hear better. Unfortunately, the door was well-built and muffled the sound too much.

After a short internal debate, Terry's curiosity got the better of him and he opened the door as slowly as he could, hoping that he wouldn't disturb the player inside the room. His care turned out to be pointless as the playing stopped just as he was about to poke his head in. He opened the door and walked into the room. "Sorry," he called to the girl on stage. As he approached the front of the auditorium, he recognized her. "Sai, I didn't know you played the cello." Terry made his way to the front row and dropped into one of the padded seats.

[scross]

Sai watched as a boy edged into the rehersal hall. He walked up to the front row and took a seat. Sai recognized the boy as Terry, the student council secretary and perhaps one of the few people Sai felt comfortable talking with. She waved slightly, and gave a shrug to his comment. "Hey Terry...mind if you become spectator for a few minutes?" She asked, and touched the bow to the string. Sai decided to play one of her favorites, Meditation from Thais. It was a slow song, but very pretty in Sai's opinion. She finished playing, and rested the bow against the floor.

Standing up, Sai walked over to the edge of the stage, and sat down. She hadn't seen Terry in a few days, and wanted to catch up. "So, I'm guessing you're hiding out in the rehersal hall for now? Skipping class...again," Sai asked, grinning, "You know, I think the teachers are getting smarter every time you sneak out," She laughed. At first, Sai disapproved of his behavior, but gradually learned to accept it. Nothing she did could make him not skip class, and Sai was sure Terry didn't listen to her lectures anyways. He always fell asleep, Sai thought, as she remembered the countless lectures she had given him in the student council room.

Sai sighed dramatically, "Don't you have anything better to do than skip class and annoy teachers?"

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

"Hey Terry...mind if you become spectator for a few minutes?" Saiya asked after giving him a small wave. Terry nodded and listened attentively. The piece, whatever it was, was slow and had a somewhat melancholic feeling to it. It wasn't his typical musical fare, but he found it to be captivating.

He was almost sad when it ended, but gave enthusiastic applause at the conclusion all the same. Saiya made her way to the front of the stage and sat down on the edge. "So, I'm guessing you're hiding out in the rehersal hall for now? Skipping class...again. You know, I think the teachers are getting smarter every time you sneak out." She was grinning and had apparently given up on any hopes of convincing him that going to class was a wise decision. With a sigh she said, "don't you have anything better to do than skip class and annoy teachers?"


Terry gave a little chuckle. "Yeah, it only took Brighton about two weeks," he said in a voice that stole any mystery about his feelings about the woman. "She had one of her lackeys waiting for me outside of the Council Office." He stood from his seat and walked to the stage. With a quick hop coupled with a midair spin, he sat next to Saiya, looking out into the auditorium. He briefly wondered what it would feel like to be on stage, giving a performance of his own. He shrugged the thought off. "And I can't imagine anything better to do than annoy the teachers. It's not my fault that almost every one of them is a poster child for patriotism." He was exaggerating, of course. Many of the teachers had grown up under the benevolent version of Britannian rule, not this new iron fist routine. "But that's enough about them," he said dismissively. "How's life been for you?"

[scross]

Sai held in her laughter and shook her head at it all. With a flop, she rested on the wood floor, feeling the coolness of the boards until her fingers. Her life at Ashford was almost routine now, and there was absolutely nothing that wasn’t to be expected. She briefly wondered how Terry had managed to evade the general faculty for so long, but she knew that he was more cunning than his usual lazy demeanor made Terry seem. Silently, Sai agreed with Terry’s opinion of the teachers. She, of course, didn’t skip class and was a model student; however Sai didn’t respect the teachers all that much. Sai stared up at the ceiling, and thought about her past home, Britannia. The Tokyo Settlement was fairly isolated from Britannian rule, except for a once in a while message from Britannia that reminded everyone of its presence. At these events where all of the school was required to assemble in the main gymnasium, there was always a feeling of uneasiness that she couldn’t shake off. Perhaps Sai had always noticed these little details, but never thought much about them. And there was one fact everyone in Ashford knew and ignored; the world was ultimately at war, and Britannia’s dominance might not last for long.

“How’s life been for you?”

Sai jolted slightly, and blinked. She glanced at Terry and blushed in embarrassment. “Oh sorry…I guess I was thinking about something else,” Sai apologized. “I’ve been fine. Same as usual, really. I guess I’m fairly well. But sometimes life just seems boring. Day after day, going to school, hearing the latest repetitive news…It may seem selfish of me to want a more exciting life when I have all I could ever want, but,” Sai shrugged, and waved her hand in a way that ended the line of thought, “Sorry for rambling.”

Sai sat up, and rubbed the sudden drowsiness from her eyes. She stretched out her arms, and then rested them in her lap. Sai looked at Terry expectantly, “It’s not a very original conversation topic, but how are you doing?”

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

“I’ve been fine. Same as usual, really. I guess I’m fairly well. But sometimes life just seems boring. Day after day, going to school, hearing the latest repetitive news…It may seem selfish of me to want a more exciting life when I have all I could ever want, but... Sorry for rambling.” Saiya waved her hand as if at a fly, ostensibly dismissing the line of thought.

"I asked. Ramble all you want," Terry replied with a shrug. There weren't many people that he would willingly listen to. It was always nice to hang out with at least one of them.

“It’s not a very original conversation topic, but how are you doing?” Sai asked after sitting up from where she had been laying on the stage. For a reason that he couldn't explain, Terry wished that he had his gray beanie cap on so that he could pull it down over his eyes. He blushed a little out of embarrassment and turned his attention back to the empty seats.

"Pretty good," he said unconvincingly. "Mom and Dad had another fight a few weeks back and haven't spoken since... sometimes I wish they'd just say 'screw it' and get a divorce." He shook his head a little before continuing. "On a less depressing note, I read a book the other day that was pretty cool. It was an alternate history novel where Washington's Rebellion actually succeeded. Had some interesting hypothetical situations; I'm honestly surprised that every copy hasn't been burned." He sighed. "Other than that... absolutely nothing is new. I can't blame you at all for wishing for a more interesting life. Heck, I feel the same way."

[scross]

Sai studied Terry closely. She could tell that he wasn't entirely telling the truth, but decided to drop the thought. She grimaced slightly as Terry talked about his parents. Sai didn't like to talk about her parents very much and was uncomfortable with anything close to that. No one knew about Sai's family; if anyone asked her she would reply with some vague answer. Sai almost opened her mouth to say something about Terry's parents, but decided not to. She was relieved when Terry started to talk about the new book he read, and visibly relaxed.
She smiled when Terry finished, and thought back to some history class she took a few years ago. Washington's Rebellion was in the first hundred pages of the textbook, and the teacher didn't spend a lot of time on that chapter. All she knew was that Washington was some person who didn't like the government, wanted to create a new country, and was put to death for all his troubles. "An alternate history novel? That sounds interesting; all I know about Washington was what Brittannian textbooks say. That would be interesting to read.” Sai sighed, and continued, “No wonder life is boring; we’re in school. That’s actually something you would probably say.” She smiled. “I want to graduate already. What about you? Still want to be a Knightmare Frame engineer?”

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

"An alternate history novel? That sounds interesting; all I know about Washington was what Brittannian textbooks say. That would be interesting to read.” Terry nodded. It really was a good read. The nation that never was had been much like the countries that had comprised the UFN - based on freedom and equality. It wasn't bad in theory, but good theories had a funny way of resulting in terrible realities. “No wonder life is boring; we’re in school. That’s actually something you would probably say.”

Terry laughed at that. "I knew you'd come around to my way of thinking eventually. Just watch out or the next thing you know, you'll be a slacker just like me," he said jokingly. He tried to imagine Sai skipping class, but he just couldn't.

“I want to graduate already. What about you? Still want to be a Knightmare Frame engineer?” He looked at Sai in surprise.

"You knew about that?" His own parents didn't know that. Of course, there was a lot about him that they didn't know. "Yeah, I'd still like to. There just hasn't been near enough innovation in these past few years. I've heard some rumors here and there about small improvements, but nothing too special... it's not that I want people to die. I want them to live. I want them to be safe, and from where I'm sitting, the best way to keep people from going to war with each other is for someone to have the bigger stick." He slumped forward. "Of course, we all saw how that way of thinking turned out with the FLEIJA and Damocles," he said in a spiteful voice while shaking his head. "Crap, sorry I keep getting so moody. Anyway, what do you want to do when you get out of here? Gonna be a musician?"

[scross]

Sai listened thoughtfully. She blushed a little and looked down. Sai barely remembered that Terry wanted to be a Knightmare Engineer; in fact it was only the conversation they had so far that she remembered. Sai tilted her head slightly, adding, "And what about Zero Requiem? Even something that drastic didn't keep the world at peace for long." She was slightly depressed by the line of conversation so far. Humanity would never be satisfied, it seemed. She laughed startlingly when Terry mentioned Sai being a musician. She knew it was logical after all, and why was she laughing, but for some reason the idea seemed so absurd. As much as Sai loved music, she just couldn't see her with a career as a musician. "Ah, sorry. The idea is..." She shook her head, letting a few giggles slip out. "Actually, I have major stage fright in front of large crowds. I would never be able to play as a professional." Sai admitted. She thought about the question. What would she do? She had no idea. Sai frowned and answered bitterly, "I don't know. That's the point. I mean, you have all of your ideas-but I really don't know."

She sighed. Talking with Terry had really made Sai think about things she normally ignored, and right now, Sai wanted to fume about the world. Sometimes she could only take so much monotony and fake sweetness and lies. Wasn't Brittannia and every other nation just lying? "Lies," She muttered under her breath, frowning. Sai glanced back at Terry, and tried to smile. In a cheerful and slightly strained tone, she said, "But we're really lucky right? We have friends and still laugh once in a while. That's all I'm asking for!" Sai internally chastised herself. Of all the times she picked to be bipolar, it really had to be now? Sai almost apologized for it but decided to keep her mouth shut for now. With her ever changing mood, who knew what could slip out anyways?

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

"Actually, I have major stage fright in front of large crowds. I would never be able to play as a professional. I don't know. That's the point. I mean, you have all of your ideas-but I really don't know." She was obviously upset and Terry couldn't blame her. It felt good to have a goal to strive for.

He nodded and quietly said "Good answer." While it was nice to have an objective, they were just kids. There was no point in getting ahead of one's self. Terry believed that it was perfectly acceptable for people their age to not know what they wanted to have as a career. Planning too much was a fast track to disappointment.

Terry looked back at Sai when she muttered something. It was barely loud enough to register and he didn't understand whatever she said. He was about to ask her to say it again when Sai said "but we're really lucky right? We have friends and still laugh once in a while. That's all I'm asking for!" The words were true enough on their own, but her voice told him that something was up.

"Yeah," Terry said in a thoughtful tone. He took his gaze off of Sai and looked towards the ceiling. It was almost completely hidden in shadow and was difficult to see. In an instant, he broke into a smile and propelled himself off of the stage. He turned back to Sai. "Alright, Sai. It's time we quit being so damn depressed. You're the one who said that life's boring, so let's do something fun..." He held his hand out to her, palm up and fingers outstretched. "Let's get outta here!" With any luck, the day that he had had so much trouble imagining earlier would actually be today.

[scross]

Sai stared at Terry's outstretched hand, and then looked suspiciously at him. "This fun you're suggesting..." She started, "it doesn't involve skipping class, does it?" Sai glanced at his hand nervously and then bit her lip. Sai had a very good idea of what Terry probably would do, and she was a bit hesitant to take his hand. But, still, he was her friend, and being depressed never helped anyone. Making a quick decision, Sai jumped off the stage and grinned at Terry, showing him her outstretched hand. "Okay, I will hear whatever you have to say...but, if this involves skipping class," She warned, shooting him a glare for good measure. Sai looked back at the stage, noticing her cello and case resting on the floor. "Oh, one minute," She told Terry, and stepped onto the stage again. Sai sat cross legged by the instrument, and carefully put it in the case. She closed the case and zipped it up. Sai stood up carrying the case, hopped off the stage, and placed it in the back of the hall with the rest of the instruments. Sai grabbed her bag, dropped her music player in, and pointed at the two double doors of the rehearsal hall.

"Meet you at the exit?" She called, voice echoing to the other end of the room. Sai smiled and put on her earphones, glancing at the screen of the music device and setting it on shuffle. She started walking over to the exit of the hall, weaving in between seats.

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

"This fun you're suggesting... it doesn't involve skipping class, does it?" Sai was unsure. Terry had expected that. She was a good student, not prone to his tendency of skipping at every available turn. He kept his smile and gave her a look that seemed to say 'do you even need to ask?' She hopped off the stage and smiled at him, extending her own hand towards his.

"Okay, I will hear whatever you have to say...but, if this involves skipping class..." Terry saw her glare and decided that he would have to be extra convincing. He was about to take her hand in his when she said "Oh, one minute." Sai got back up on stage and started putting her instrument away. He stayed where he was, content to watch. Soon enough, she was ready to go and making her way towards the doors out of the hall. "Meet you at the exit?"

"Sounds good!" he called back. "Be there in five minutes!" With a quickness that many would be surprised to see him display, Terry ran out through one of the doors. He kept running, making his way to the boys' dormitories; his luck seemed to be amazingly good today, because the hallways were still deserted. He sprinted to his room and changed out of his uniform into jeans, a T-shirt - with his gray-blue hoodie on over it, his beanie cap, and his signature black fingerless gloves. He snatched his wallet and cell phone, jammed them into his pockets, and was gone. Terry raced to the exit and unceremoniously doubled over, wheezing for breath. Freaking... chivalry..." he managed between breaths. He straightened up and put his hands on top of his head. "I'm never running again."

[scross]

Sai watched as Terry ran to the exit of the hall, and disappeared out of sight, door slamming shut. She smiled, and leisurely strolled over to the door. When she reached the double doors, Sai walked out. She was surprised to see Terry there, bent over. Well, not terribly surprised about the bent over part.

"Freaking...chivalry...I'm never running again."

Sai noticed that Terry had changed out of his uniform and into his regular clothes; that meant Terry wasn't planning on staying at the academy for long, and that Sai was going to be dragged a lot today. But she decided not to bring that up for now, and completely avoid the topic. "So," Sai started innocently, searching her mind for something to say, "I'm shocked. You're pretty fast when you want to be." She smiled deviously, "If only you'd actually go to PE class instead of skipping that with the rest of the classes. You might make it on the track team and not have the school counselor pestering you about sports." Sai couldn't help it; teasing Terry was second best to scolding him (which didn't have any effect anyways). Sai glanced around the halls, finding them empty. There went plan A to escape. She turned to Terry and asked sweetly, "Where to?"

[/blockquote]

[Terry Benjamin Wilhelm]

"I'm shocked. You're pretty fast when you want to be." Terry, still attempting to catch his breath, looked at Sai. She had a rather mischievous smile."If only you'd actually go to PE class instead of skipping that with the rest of the classes. You might make it on the track team and not have the school counselor pestering you about sports."

"Oh yeah. You're a real comedian," he replied, finally starting to feel is body recovering. He dropped his arms back to his sides and stuffed his hands into the pocket on the front of his hoodie.

Terry watched as Sai surveyed the halls. He figured, incorrectly, that she was probably looking for teachers or students that would report them. At last, she turned back to him and grinned. "Where to?"

Well that went easier than anticipated, Terry thought incredulously. He blinked a few times out of surprise before finally regaining his senses. "That's the question of the day, isn't it? Well, for starters, we've gotta get off campus. After that..." Terry was unsure. There was any number of places they could go as soon as they broke out. He decided to go with the best answer that he could think of. "We go wherever we want." He smiled at Sai. "Today's all about having a good time and breaking out of this rut that the teachers have been so kind to create for us, so that's the one rule: wherever we go, whatever we do, it has to be fun." He paused for a moment and thought. "So. Where do you want to go?" He decided against saying that "to class" didn't count as an answer.

[Touya Sakamoto]

-Thread Finished-

Saiya Cross: (1829 Words, Normal RP) - 193 EXP, 193 Credits [+10]
Terry Wilhelm: (2159 Words, Normal RP) - 226 EXP, 226 Credits [+10]

Thread will be moved, and changes noted.