naturallywavy | [ FUTUROLOGY ] ✖ IC CONTACT

[ he has been.

it's a nice look on him. ]

Yeah... It's a little scary, isn't it?

[ she resists the urge to draw her knees up to her chest and curl around them, wanting to look brave for the man. she attempts a smile, but it falls a little short of reaching her eyes. so instead, she glances down at the sword she has hanging on her hip. the very sword she'd cut him with a few weeks ago. ]

I've been neglecting my training...

I've been neglecting my training for at least 7 whole seasons _{[ seasons of anime.. not seasons in the year, but take that as you will ]} so it sounds like it is a good opportunity to pick it up again.

Everybody knows that I hate training arcs, but I was able to do something back in Chantes I am trying to do again..
_{[ A pause. He also looks at the sword at her hip. ]}

Aa? Did you want to try and fight me?

[ she jerks her hand back, turning wide and scandalized eyes toward him. ]

What — of course not!

[ NOT AFTER SHE NEARLY SKEWERED YOU THE LAST TIME? ]

I'm never raising my sword to you again!

No? How do you think we should train together, then?

_{[ yes olivia...... how will we train. ]}

If you cannot raise your sword to me again, wouldn't that already be considered a defeat for you?
_{[ he is challenging her. Though, his tone is playful, almost as if teasing her. ]}

I—

[ suddenly she pauses, mid-refute. she takes note of his tone, challenging and playful, his calm demeanor, and finally (finally) she becomes aware of how close they're sitting. and how much she's seen him smile in just these handful of minutes alone.

she purses her lips, glancing away as her cheeks warm. she doesn't want to have to point her sword at him again, still so guilty that she ever did in the first place... she was a fool then. but when was the last time she'd seen him in such a good mood?

when would be the next time he lets her take up so much of his time? truly, she'd be more of a fool to let such an opportunity pass.

she chews on her bottom lip, mulling it over, thinking fast. ]

I'll do it...

[ she glances up at him then, a sharp glint in her eyes. ]

But only if you beat me at my own game.

[ and what game is that?

she holds out her hand then, presenting it to him as if they were business men shaking on a deal. but then, in the last second, her thumb cocks out.

thumb wars. ]

_{[ He doesn't know what her own game is, but he can't imagine it being difficult. Unless it was like, you know, a dance off between them. Gintoki might would raise the white flag at the very start of it if that were the case.

Though, she sticks her thumb out and something jogs his memory in the very back of his head— he can only stare at her hand for a moment. The last time he played this game.. wasn't with the Yorozuya; they actually were a little more violent than just a little thumb wars game. A game like this went.. way back...

When it was raining outside and they all were covered in blood an mud, traveling to a new location across the battlefield after a stressful night. Gintoki could only taste the salt from his sweat and the grit from the dirt in his mouth. A dull emptiness lay in his eyes (moreso than usual), and also his friends that accompanied him. It was far too quiet as the soldiers allowed their tension to flit into the air.
"Ahaha! Say, fellas! I bet'cha couldn't even beat me at my own game after tonight! What's with that look on yer faces..?" His boisterous laughter may have startled some, but by this point, Gintoki was accustomed to hearing it. It was nice to hear it, even though he wouldn't admit it. It just meant that his friend, Sakamoto, was still alive and well unlike some of his comrades who had perished on this battlefield.

Sakamoto would sit himself down right there, still looking joyous to conceal whatever pain he was feeling and offer his hand to Gintoki, thumb curved upward.
"I'll bet'cha 300 yen," that was the starting price, and anybody who knew Gintoki knew he couldn't deny a challenge, especially if money was involved. Sakamoto's hands were rough and large— but not broken back then.

It really had been that long ago, hadn't it?

Without a word, Gintoki locks his hand with Olivia's. ]}

[ there is a storm behind those fire-red eyes, despite the gentleness of his touch.

or perhaps it's because of; a conscious effort to stay the treacherous winds and rain from the surface, where skin meets skin and damage may be done. it is as touching as it is upsetting; a flattery as much as a disappointment.

her hand is so much smaller than his, a fact so easy to spot now with their palms flush. she wishes she could be the wind that could ease the storm inside him, but she fears she may just be another reason for it to surge.

with a smile, she moves her hand, quietly locking her thumb directly beneath his. ]

Oops. Looks like I lost.

Edited 2016-04-04 21:44 (UTC)

_{[ instantly, Gintoki appears disgruntled at the result of this. Sakamoto did this all the time; he let his friends win so easily and the round would already be over. But also, the game is already over, and Olivia is going to realize how much Gintoki likes games.

With a scoff, he removes his hand only to ruffle up his hair before holding his hand out again: ]}

Best two out of three. Give me your best— what you've been training for.
_{[ ??? apparently Olivia has been training in thumb wrestling, who knows ]}

[ she blinks a little, glancing between gintoki and the hand he offers out again. she had been so sure it was an outcome he'd prefer, considering he was the one saying she should train with him... could it be he didn't actually want to train with her after all?

...

or could it be she's finally found one of his weaknesses?

her eyes narrow just a bit, the light hitting them just so that there is a faint but unmistakable mischievous glint to them. ]

Mm, I don't know, Mr. Gintoki... Are you sure you can handle my best?

[ slowly, she slips her hand back into his. ]

_{[ suddenly, he sounds pretty aggressive. Not exactly angry; just demanding.
He impatiently clenches her hand, sort of waving it back and forth. Not too hard, but not too gentle either. ]}

Of course I can handle your breast, don't be stupid!
_{[ ?????? was that Freudian slip or did he mean to say that.. it's a mystery. Before she can question it, though, he's already counting down.. ]}

3, 2, 1, go!

_{[ he's one of those guys that lifts their elbow when they're intense thumb wrestling.. the cheater. ]}

[ he does manage to catch her off-guard this time...

mostly because he's talking about her breasts again!! >:////(

despite the fact she'd already been determined to lose, the fact that he actually manages to win without her throwing in the towel this time just ignites her own fire of competitiveness. ]

I wasn't ready then...! Th-Three out of five!

THREE OUT OF FIVE..!? Oi, nobody does that anymore! What are you with kind of competitiveness? The next Hokage?

_{[ He grips her hand again, nostrils flaring slightly. His voice lowers to a rumbling murmur: ]}

Fine.
I'll wipe up after you.
_{[ this is kind of things you say when you are going to kill a man, Gintoki... ]}

Don't count me out just yet..!

[ what happened to the cute, friendly game she had so innocently suggested just a few minutes ago...

it apparently died, that's what. because now, with both their game faces on, there's no way this next game won't be a clash of titans!! ]

3

2

1

GO!

_{[ Gintoki isn't in any condition to let her win or do anything nice and sweet like that which might have been odd for his usual kind of behavior towards girl (you know.. when he wasn't being a womanizer, he was actually pretty chivalrous)

And so, he beats her and pulls his hand back, seeming pleased with his victory. ]}

Heh.
See if you try that again.
_{[ stfu Gin you're just proud cause Sakamoto always would beat you at this. ]}

[ she blinks, staring down at her defeated thumb in dumbfounded shock. she feels quite ready to challenge him to another round when—

oh right.

she remembers the reason for this in the first place.

and so, quite happily, she pulls her hand back and flashes him a beaming smile. the look of someone who most certainly was not sorry she lost, after all. ]

Oh well, [ she says, feigning a heavy sigh, ] looks like you're going to have to work me hard with your sword after all!

[ NOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED ]

_{[ UM... does she even realize what she's said.. I mean, surely not, right.. surely she didn't mean it in that way, right.. ]}

Uh.
Yeah, it looks like I have no choice but to do that.
_{[ A pause. ]}

All of that thumb wrestling wore me out though.
_{[ He curves his arms behind his head and leans back flat against the ground. ]}

We'll take a break, then train.
_{[ how lazy is he tbh ]}

Edited 2016-04-19 14:03 (UTC)

[ she didn't... but that doesn't mean she wouldn't.

but such thoughts are perhaps for another day, as right now seems to be the best time to simply indulge in each other's company. there is a fond smile that plays on her lips as she watches him recline, slowly shaking her head as one might who is perhaps more used to his antics. ]

Whatever you say, boss.

[ maybe it's a break well-deserved. ]

[ FUTUROLOGY ] ✖ IC CONTACT

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