here be random shit [it's an open post for open post things ]

[sarcaskick]

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[auriferous]

[ He’s not wrong, she had been about to say something to that effect, if not quite so elongated. But other than her eyebrows jumping below her fringe, there isn’t much on her face to give her away. ]

If he’s no longer with us, then he probably didn’t teach you everything you know.

[sarcaskick]

[ That's a very dangerous remark for him to respond to, and he takes a rare moment to consider his response. ]

I picked some things up here and there after, but a lot of it came from him.

[ And, before she can inquire further-- ]

What about you? Where'd the golden child learn her skills?

[auriferous]

Truthfully, it just makes sense.

[ When their pizza is set down in front of them, Pyrrha’s fingers skim just beyond the edge of the metal disc holding it. It spins a fraction, despite being too hot to touch, and the pineapple slices are left sitting in front of Mercury. ]

I always found it pretty simple to figure out when a fight goes right and when it goes wrong. Of course, the professors at Sanctum had plenty of wisdom to impart.

[sarcaskick]

[ She's not that different from him, then. Though his tutor was a brutal one, it had imparted on him the kind of instincts that told you very quickly where you stood in a fight. It's what helped him take down Coco and Yatsuhashi.

It's what told him the right time to take down Marcus. ]

So it's second nature, huh? I get where you're coming from.

[ He'll be the first to grab a slice, taking a bite, chewing - and talking with his mouth full: ]

I don't think most people get that. You can learn all the tricks in the book, but instinct can't be taught.

[auriferous]

[ Pyrrha is far too polite to call him on it but she does make a point of taking a bite, chewing, swallowing, and then replying. ]

Exactly.

[ It feels disparaging to her friends at Beacon to be so pleasantly surprised to hear her feelings put into such clear words, but — her smile gives her away, and quite unwittingly so. ]

Are you excited for the finals round?

[sarcaskick]

Eh. I don't know.

[ He takes another bite of his pizza, barely swallowing before offering a reply. ]

I've only had one interesting match since I got here.

[ A very deliberate pause. ]

... Well, alright, two. But with the same person, so that barely counts.

[auriferous]

[ There’s an untidy flinch somewhere about her breastbone as she deciphers his meaning. Pyrrha does her best to push it down. Fortunately, the sight of half-masticated cheese and sauce and pineapple rolling around in his mouth helps.

Not that she’s, uh, paying especial attention to his mouth. ]

Well, if Yang gives you too much trouble, you could always forfeit midway.

[ As previously mentioned, Pyrrha is never going to be done teasing for that ]

[sarcaskick]

You're really upset about that, aren't you?

[ Prepare, Pyrrha, for Mercury to reach across the table to take both her hands in his, eyes wide and apologetic with definite, total, definitely unironic sincerety: ]

I hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

[auriferous]

I doubt you’re capable of hurting my feelings.

[ Her hands stay where they are, as if it’s a challenge to be answered and nothing more.

At least until she wants her next slice, anyway. ]

[sarcaskick]

Ooh, so resilient, so cold - so distant. What strength from the people's champion.

[ He... he's not letting go... ]

[auriferous]

[ Those last two words prompt a brief spasm of tension at the base of her spine. She does her best to ignore it by leaning forward slightly, a minute shake or her head. ]

You can just call me Pyrrha, you know.

[ She said it before; it bears repeating, even if her tone is markedly warmer now. ]

[sarcaskick]

Whoops. Bad habit, I guess.

[ He says, not sounding even remotely apologetic. ]

Sorry, Pyrrha. This humble warrior begs forgiveness.

[ He says, not sounding even remotely apologetic. ]

[auriferous]

[ Regardless of his less-than-apologetic tone, Pyrrha can’t quite unhear champion of the people, or whatever it had been. She takes her hands back so she can continue eating. ]

I’m not so sure ‘humble’ is the word we’re looking for.

[ Weirdo. ]

[sarcaskick]

You think so? Wrong "H" word? Let's see... Hungry, maybe.

[ He follows suit, snatching up his slice to take another bite. ]

Hilarious?

[ He chews as if in thought for a few moments, snapping his fingers in an "a-ha!" moment. ]

Handsome, that's the one.

[auriferous]

[ Hungry, fine. Hilarious? He hasn’t made her laugh yet, although she’d hardly be in the mood for it if he tried. As for handsome, well — ]

Hubristic.

[ She reaches for one of his pineapple slices. ]

Hyperbolic, hebetudinous...

[sarcaskick]

[ His eyes dart down as she reaches for one of his slices - rude?? - but return to her face at that last word. ]

You just made that one up, didn't you?

[auriferous]

[ She needs the calories, even if they come with disgusting fruit. She does, however, affect a bit of a wrinkle around the brow when she takes a bit. Ugh, the sweetness. ]

Did I? I suppose it’ll have to be one of life’s little mysteries.

[sarcaskick]

[ He squints for a moment before lifting his hand, pointing at her. ]

Haughty.

[ --and right back to cramming pizza in his mouth before she steals more of his ]

[auriferous]

[ Him being so defensive over his food is such a stark contrast to how he behaves every other second. Pyrrha files it away with nothing but the most charitable meaning applied to it - food insecurity growing up, perhaps?

Whatever. She can’t take his H-word attack lying down! ]

Haphazard.

[ Yeah, you tell him, Pyrrha ]

[sarcaskick]

[ I mean, she isn't wrong. He knows it. Who cares.

But he puts on his best hurt expression, eyes wide and lips pouty. ]

Hurtful.

[auriferous]

[ ...

Dips her fingers into her water glass and flicks a few droplets into his face ]

[sarcaskick]

[ There's the slightest flinch as the water splashes his face, the gesture catching him off-guard. ]

... You realize I'm not a cat, right?

[ But hey if that's her game it isn't like he's going to take it without fighting back, so... he's going to do the exact same thing right back at her. Maybe with a little more water, because he likes to give back more than he gets. ]

[auriferous]

[ He hits her with just enough water that a few droplets coalesce and trail down her chin, which she wipes off with a napkin. At least she doesn’t have to look at his fake pout anymore. ]

You kind of behave like one.

[ As it happens, Peach has been staring at them the whole time from the front counter of the pizzeria. They probably shouldn’t make a mess. ]

Well, I’m full. Shall we?

[sarcaskick]

You get a lot of cats kicking you in the chin?

[ Or she calling him a pu--

No, probably not. Doesn't start with H, anyway.

He shoves the last bite in his mouth, chewing quickly as he starts to get up. ]

Guess there's no point hanging around.

[ ... ]

So, are we swinging back to the school, or do you have more sights to show me?

[auriferous]

[ She'll dash up to the front counter to pay, do her best to avoid getting drawn into conversation with Peach, and rejoin Mercury in time to hear his question. ]

We should probably head back. I wouldn't put you through a city tour a second time.

[ Said with a faint smile. She noticed his misery, even if she (somewhat deliberately) let him stew in it. ]

Unless...

[ Holding the door for him, Pyrrha looks up and to the distance. Huh. ]