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 Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:00 pm
He'd heard it far too often, far too much, and perhaps one time to many. Practice makes perfect. Yea, yea, so it did. But what of it when little to no practice made perfect? That, now that seemed far better. Which was why, for the upteenth time, Lucien found himself skirting away from the grounds during the rather specific hours denoted to 'bettering oneself' and instead making toward the town for a treat. The boy wasn't exactly lazy, but he wasn't the most diligent worker either. He just did as much as his duty really required and not a thing more. So if he was already more than able to handle anyone on the grounds, well, far be it for him to waste his time trying to fix what wasn't broken.
Because he was brilliant at it already.
Alas, that brilliance didn't always expand too much farther than fencing. Because if he had a lick of sense, he'd know to at least change from the bright colors before playing hooky. As it was, he was still often found most days, but... then again. How much use would it be when the fennec sported an equally bright set of hair and fur himself? Couldn't change that. "S'not like the people in town care~" He chimed cheerfully to no one but himself as he strode along the stone path toward the main markets. Lucien's stance was anything but guarded. Rather, sneaking up on him would have been easy. He was humming lightly as he went, the sword at his side seeming more like it would be a joke than a potentially dangerous weapon in his hands. Really, his entire demeanor was more like a child in a candy store rather than a well trained musketeer. Which, was part of why things went so well for him most of the time.
No one ever took him seriously until they'd already lost. Which made life easier for him. All the more reason to smile about it and continue on as he was. Which did lead him straight to a bakery he was particularly fond of as the fox rounded a corner and walked in the door. "Morning~!" The woman at the counter was given a wave even as her look darkened a bit to the stare of 'Again?' at seeing Lucien at that hour. The burden of being favored really. Still, the cheery pink haired boy didn't seem to miss a beat as he waved a hand. "Prettier with a smile." He added lifting his hands to his face in a gesture to show what to do before he moved over to where the delicious scent sweets was wafting from.
Yep, kid in a candy store. Now to just pick... a few...
Oh, if only his parents knew what he spent money on instead of properly training. They'd definitely send him less of an allowance.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:58 pm
When he failed to spot that familiar, annoying streak of pink at the start of practice, Jack said nothing at first. This was normal. It was easier for him to count how many times Lucien had been punctual rather than tardy. Frustrating as it was, Lucien’s tardiness and well, his entire existence, wasn’t going away anytime soon, and only the weak failed to adapt. Besides, he had more important things to worry about than the school’s aggravatingly easygoing star pupil. Techniques didn’t come as naturally to Jack as it did to Lucien. Repetition and practice was vital. He needed to be finishing his sets, not running around town for a frivolous prodigy. Combined with his position as a head, Jack’s hands were full.
Also he didn’t want to see Lucien’s smiling face; it angered him too much.
But fifteen minutes into practice, while he and the instructor wandered around the training field to observe the younger students, Jack finally paused and asked a question he already knew the answer to. “Ackerman. Where’s Lucien? He’s late.” Again. The young man ground his teeth together while pressing his lips into a thin, disgruntled frown.
“Not sure, sir, but I think I saw him heading into town earlier this morning.”
Large ears flattened while a feral growl rumbled in his throat, which sent the small student into a frightened shuffle to flee the head’s potential wrath. A slender hand curled into a shaking fist. “That brat…is he thinking of skipping practice?” He mumbled a few words to the instructor before stalking off the field, his tail quickly flicking back and forth.
Compared to Lucien’s obnoxious strawberry hair, Jack’s brunette locks made it easier to blend into the crowd. To prevent any extraneous stares, he opted to stroll around without his hat and cloak, revealing the long-sleeved shirt and wrappings underneath. At this point, the only thing attracting any attention was the rapier at his side while his boots clacked against the cobblestone street.
His ears continued to twitch when he began his search for the younger student. Jack glanced inside certain stores with trained familiarity due to a certain somebody’s numerous outings. And as he came to the end of the street, there was that familiar bright speck of pink in the distance. Instantly, his back straightened out and he lifted his head a bit higher before he walked over to the bakery slowly and quietly.
He gave himself a moment to reel in his growing anger, and placed a finger to his lips to silence the bakery employee. But as cool as he tried to appear, there was no escaping the red hot fires crackling in his eyes when he calmly placed a hand on Lucien’s shoulder.
“While everyone else is hard at work, I see you’re setting up a fantastic image for the academy as one of its top stars, I see. So, what’re you getting this time? I hear the rolls are particularly tasty.” After everything he’d been through due to Lucien’s past shenanigans, Jack looked ready to turn the other fox into a kabob with his sword.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:18 pm
"Mmmn and this, one?" His finger lightly shifted between the items before him, never being so rude as to touch what he wasn't ready to buy, but it was obvious making decisions wasn't one of his particular good skills. Or at least not when he wanted one of everything. His other hand left one finger resting, a might bit curled, against his lips as he thought. This was, after all, to be a very important thing in his day. His tail idly flicked back and forth as he waited about, even as Jack had entered.
Had he paid any attention to things around him perhaps those ears on his head would be for anything but show. Sad as it was for a star pupil, he did make a mockery of the school in more ways than one. Being alert in general situations was one. At least he knew to pay attention in a fight? Still, he was only about to reach down toward a display of freshly baked donuts, which were a distinct brown shade suggesting chocolate origin to add to the sugar intake, as a hand fell on his shoulder.
He was slowly turning to look when the voice that followed along with it caused both ears to fall. Oh yes, he knew that tone. That tone, that voice, and that... well no reason to worry. It was just Jack. "Actually I was thinking sweets, rolls are only good with butter.' Was the reply the fellow student got as Lucien shifted to straighten up a bit. The brief moment of surprise and dread was quickly wiped off his face to be replaced with a happy smile as he quickly lifted one of the donuts he'd been eyeing for himself for the lead to see. "You know, I hear this place makes the best chocolate ones. You were here for one too, right?" He remained cheerful as ever, even as he noted that... perhaps running was in order. But no, Jack would never start something like that in a store. Too much pride and 'FOLLOW THE RULES' in him for that.
Besides, it'd be downright rude.
"You know if everyone works hard, they might get as good as me." He added idly with a nod as an afterthought, closing his eyes briefly as he did. Yup, maybe. "With a bit of luck." He did have an ego afterall. "So do you want a doughnut too?" He stared toward the other with as much feigned innocence as he could muster at that point, moving a hand halfway as if to select another. "My treat even." Because that would fix everything.
Absolutely everything.
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Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:46 pm
Jack’s brows furrowed and his eyes widened slightly at the other boy’s leisurely response. His ears had been pointed upwards, but now they were flattened against his head; bits of fur were even standing up as he was 10000% ready to skewer this fox alive. Maybe the butcher down the street would give him a good price for fennec fox meat. Then at least Lucien’s existence could become useful. Right now the strawberry-haired boy was being an absolute menace and pain in the a**. He narrowed his gaze while tightening his grip on Lucien’s shoulder. “Could you cease the joking and come to practice on time for once?” he grumbled between gritted teeth. In fact, just coming to practice on his own volition would have made the older student happy.
It was a bit (perhaps very) unsettling to see that the head student had placed his free hand on the hilt of his rapier. Perhaps he really would skewer Lucien after all. But after a moment of consideration and adjusting his grip on the hilt a couple times, Jack finally released his hold on his weapon in exchange for grabbing the back of Lucien’s shirt and tugging him backwards. “You’re as arrogant as ever, I see,” he snapped with a disapproving twist of his lips. His anger subsided enough to allow him to promptly answer, “No.”
An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he cocked his head at Lucien. His face contorted as if to say Really, Lucien. Really? As if such simple bribery would work on a stickler like Jack. When he tugged on Lucien’s shirt again, he tugged even more forcefully. Looking far too tired for a young man like himself, Jack turned toward the woman manning the counter. “Pardon me, but I’m afraid I’ll have to take this slacker off your hands.”
But then he held out a hand toward the employee. “Whatever he ordered just put the cost on my tab. And if he didn’t say anything yet just throw something in.” Jack gave Lucien a slow, pointed look. Just take these sweets and cooperate with me for now.Raja It's a bit smaller than I'd like BUT I TAGGED
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Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:24 pm
Yeeup, Jack was far too much of a goody two-shoes suck-up to ever do anything bad in town. Which was about all that did allow Lucien the casual behavior. Had it been anywhere else, the utter look of disdain that seemed to have settled on the fellow fox's features would have been more than unnerving. Rather, he would have had to be on absolute best guard. Becase Jack could keep up with him in a fight. Unlike the more boring people he usually got to spare with, he actually did have to try with the lead. Which was also part of why he did let it go. Even if it was tempting to see if he could really break his composure for once. Just maybe. There had to be limits to it, right? The corner of his lip tweaked a bit upward at the comment, a subdued laugh escaping him at that point. "Maybe, maaaaaybe-" He stated, tilting his head to one side, looking to the heavens a bit as he did. Like he might have actually been considering it as he watched Jack's hand fall to a less than grand location(at least for him). "If it's worth my time?"
He quirked a brow thoughtfully at that point before dismissing the comment. He had reason to be arrogant, and he was certain Jack had an ego as large as his own, even if he tried to hide it. So the fennec could shove that bit right back in his mouth. He didn't really fight back as he was pulled off, offering a smile and a gesture in farewell to the store's keeper as he worked to catch up and even get ahead enough to walk normally. "I didn't take anything. You act like I'd eat something before I paid." He huffed a bit at that, puffing up his cheeks in a mock anger as he glanced over his shoulder before looking ahead again.
"You know, I'll come to practice if it's not so boring." He added, tilting his head back and forth as he crossed his arms behind his head. "Well- sometimes." He wasn't THAT bad. Just difficult. Most of the time.
Which meant all of the time. "Otherwise, I don't really want to go. It's a waste of time." Another quick look over his shoulder was taken at that point, mainly to decide if he should run, or if the fellow star pupil was actually considering his words. Because honestly, with the looks he'd gotten it really could go either way. Hopefully, though, it was his way.
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Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:44 am
He breathed deeply, air blowing out of his nose as he forced himself to mull over his words. Jack couldn’t remember how many times Lucien had told him that. “Worth my time” his a**. It was always worthwhile to attend practice, whether the jewel be learning a new trick or helping others improve their form. There was always something to be had by coming; that was what Jack believed religiously. Why couldn’t God have made his life easier by making Lucien at least understand a bit of his upperclassman’s philosophy? Any softness on his face disappeared, replaced by annoyed exasperation. “You know I would make it worth your time, so just come to practice.” No matter how calmly or modestly Jack phrased it, it dripped with rightful confidence. Every skill and move in his repertoire had been earned through blood and sweat, and now he was at the top of the chain. No matter how talented Lucien was, he still had to acknowledge Jack’s talent.
The quirked brow didn’t go unnoticed, and even Jack had to admit, “There’s a difference between arrogance and confidence.” Supposedly. Apparently. Maybe in another case…
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you really didn’t pay.” Some might have found the puffed cheeks cute, but Jack coolly popped them without batting an eyelash. “And like I said, I would make coming to practice with your time.” So what if it would cut into his own, sweet practice time? Jack would rearrange his schedule. Whatever it took to discipline this bratty genius with a sweet tooth.
“Sometimes I have to wonder how you’re still able to attend school with all of your truancies,” Jack hissed, glaring. “Hurry up. I don’t care what I have to do to get you to come back. I’ll do anything, so you may as well return with your dignity still intact.” Only God knew what exactly Jack was planning to do to force Lucien to follow him if he refused, but it didn’t sound good.
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