As the night continues on, most of the class has gone to bed, preparing for the day to come and finally calming down from the day had. But for a few, emotions still run high so they continue to hangout even as the shadow of night hangs over head.
"Have you guys, like, really checked out the rooms yet? What do you think?" Saika asks the pack around him. Wolf, Killian and Tadashi sit with him in a circle, some cards and other things laid before them.
"The rooms aren't meant to be that impressive. Only livable." Tadashi says back directly, holding his sword in his lap. Saika pouts a little.
"Sure but what if I wanted to have someone over?" Saika asks. Killian then chimes in with a smile.
"Yeah, like our partners." He says. Saika looks at him confused.
"Partners..?" He asks curiously. Tadashi looks at him with subtle disbelief.
"The Hunter-Vanguard partnerships we're assigned after the Eval Tournament? Weren't you paying any attention?" He asks, a little frustrated.
"I got distracted! You know how short my attention span is! I don't do well in lectures." Saika says back.
"Yeah, but have you seen the size of the rooms? I don't think any partner is gonna wanna stay with each other! Haha!" Killian says with a laugh, slamming down some cards.
"I feel sorry for whoever your partner is then." Wolf says with her eyes closed, poking fun at him. He leans closer to her and smirks at her.
"What? You saying you wouldn't want to live with me?" Killian asks, playfully.
"That all depends. Bet you'd want me to be your little housewife, huh?" Wolf asks, teasingly, leaning towards him as well. Killian smirks cockily as he leans even closer.
"Bet you'd like that, wouldn't you?" He teases back as they lean close before Tadashi interrupts them.
"Not in front of the child, guys, please." Tadashi says while cleaning his sword once again.
"Hey! I'm not a child! And where do you keep getting that thing?" Saika asks, looking at his sword with shock, as Wolf and Killian giggle, Wolf sticking her tongue out.
"Hey hey hey Wolf dog!" Yoko shouts, suddenly rushing up behind her. Wolf sighs frustratedly, turning to them with closed eyes.
"How many times am I gonna have to say it? It's just Wolf. Not human dog, not Wolf dog, just Wolf- woah!" Wolf says frustratedly before opening her eyes wide, seeing a large bookshelf slammed down in front of her.
"Behold! I have crafted you a bookshelf! Where I come from, this is a symbol for love! I think…" Yoko says with a pondering look while staring at the poorly made shelf. Wolf sweats.
"Great. Well, I love you too, I guess?" Wolf says back causing Yoko's eyes to light up with excitement.
"Really?! I mean, of course you do! I am a powerful dragon and you are a human. It's only natural to love me. Isn't that right, other humans?" Yoko asks smugly as Saika, Tadashi and Killian pay them no mind.
"Got any 8s?" Killian asks, suddenly playing a card game out of nowhere. Yoko is shocked by the disregarding.
"A game of cards! I must play and best you, human, for I cannot allow such disrespect to maintain!" Yoko shouts as they jump in and grab a handful of cards, among other things on the floor. They stare at it for a moment before smirking and slamming the hand down. "Ahha! I have won! Observe."
They reveal to be holding a few cards, a coupon, and a sticker in no particular order. The others sweat as Wolf chuckles and shakes her head, looking around. She then notices Phoenix stepping out to the front yard area. Wolf watches her with an interested look before speaking up.
"I'm gonna head outside for a sec guys." She says while standing up. Killian looks at her then notices Phoenix and quickly stands and grabs Wolf.
"Ow, hey!"
"Oh no you don't. I think she needs a little time to herself." Killian says as he looks in Phoenix's direction with a soft smile on his face, holding Wolf.
Outside, Phoenix makes her way down the short stairs from the dorm building. She stops right out front on the grassy area and takes a deep breath, taking in the night air. After a moment, she opens her hand and stares at it, almost examining it as if to find answers from her hand.
"I know I'm strong but that was something else. What happened? It did feel a little… different.." She says in a whisper as she thinks back to just a bit ago.
A couple days before the pack is taken to the ASA, Phoenix and Killian stand facing each other in an empty field. Phoenix looks determined as Killian smirks.
"Alright, you called me out here as a favor. Now cure my anticipation and tell me why." Killian says excitedly. Phoenix looks down a little but still with a determined face.
"I… want to test something." She says. Lillian's face instantly shifts to confusion.
"Test.. something?" He asks. Phoenix looks at him and explains.
"When we fought the Stranger at the mall, I started to feel something build up deep within my chest. Something unlike anything I've felt before. Maybe… maybe if there's a chance it might be a power of some kind, I'd like to try and find it." She says, her eyes shining with determination as Killian quickly understands.
"And you want my help to find out." He says. Phoenix nods a bit.
"Yes. Now… hit me!" She shouts while stretching her arms out and closing her eyes tightly. Killian looks shocked.
"Oh, that wasn't at all what I was expecting, are you sure about this?" He asks, concerned. Phoenix relaxes a bit but keeps her stance as she speaks.
"I am. I only felt the rising tension in my chest after getting beaten up by the villain. Maybe it's some kind of impact absorption thingy? Whatever it might be, we have to try. So don't hold back!"
Phoenix shouts. Killian shakes his head a little before smirking and pulling his fist back.
"Alright, but you asked for this. Don't come crying to me afterwards!"
He shouts as Phoenix tightens up. Killian then throws a punch at her, slamming into her cheek and sending her tumbling back across the grass. Phoenix lays there for a moment, eyes swirling and steam coming from her face. Killian looks at her confused and surprised as he looks at his fist.
"Huh? I really had a feeling something would happen."
"You didn't have to hit me in the face, you cunt!" Phoenix shouts, sitting up quickly. She gets up, a little upset looking but gets back into position again. Killian is surprised but understands and gets ready.
'This really hurts and it's only gonna get worse. But I… I think I feel it again.'
Phoenix thinks as Killian shouts and slams his fist against her face one more time but this time, something else happens. In a flash, a bright light is seen as Killian's eyes grow wide, then a burst of force blasts him back, sending him tumbling backwards along with weird, red fiery energy that dissipates as quickly as it came. Phoenix opens her eyes with surprise as she gently places her hand over her cheek.
"That one didn't hurt at all. It worked!" She says excitedly. Killian slides across the ground on his back with his legs in the air before quickly jumping to his feet with an excited look and a big smile on his face.
"Woah! That was crazy! You really do have powers! It must be shock absorption or something!" He shouts. Phoenix has a big smile on her face as her eyes shine brilliantly, clenching her fist out in front of her.
Phoenix has her fist clenched in front of her again as we come back to real time. She stares at her hand for a moment before snapping her fingers in an attempt to recreate the feeling from earlier. Nothing happens and she looks upset so she does it a couple more times when suddenly the same kind of flame ignites from her hand. She is shocked and jumps back a bit but then smiles.
"W-woah! Now that's cool. How long was I able to do this?? What even is it? I should show Wolf, she could probably figure it out." She says, surprised then confused then confident in Wolf's ability to categorize it before being startled by a voice.
"Getting some late night practice in?" Alston asks as Phoenix shakes her hand, dissipating the flame. Alston smiles at her as Phoenix calms herself a bit.
"Haha yeahhh, I guess so. Not quite sure what it is exactly. And none of the teachers have really explained anything, so…" Phoenix looks a little upset as Alston giggles.
"I get why you were the first thing she brought up now." Alston says casually as Phoenix looks at her surprised.
"What?"
"Wolf. We were catching up, and one of the first things she told me about was you and how you met. I understand why that is now."
Alston explains with a cool look. Phoenix blushes a little and rubs the back of her head while looking away awkwardly.
"Aw, really? Probably just cause I yell at her all the time." Phoenix says bashful. Alston just stares at her.
"Hm." Alston hums with a smile on her face before getting closer to Phoenix. Phoenix looks confused a bit as Alston examines her.
"I think I'm beginning to see the appeal too. Just look at this body." She says, staring at Phoenix's exposed tummy by her croptop. Phoenix blushes as Alston continues speaking. "And no, it wasn't the yelling. She told me how when she was at her lowest, when she was all alone, it was you who came to her. You chose to be her friend when everyone looked past her."
She says while checking Phoenix out. At first, Phoenix was flustered but gets caught up in Alston's words.
"She.. really said that?." Phoenix asks with a blush from the thought of Wolf's words for a moment before her look drops just a bit. 'I guess I… kinda liked the idea of being the only one there for her… but now she has so many friends. Old ones, new ones. I probably won't… be special for long…' She thinks with a softly sad look on her face. Alston stops and looks at her warmly.
"You really don't realize how important you are, do you?" Alston asks softly as Phoenix looks at her with a blush on her face and confusion in her eyes, snapping her out of her thoughts, before Alston smirks and closes her eyes, throwing her arms behind her head. "Whatever. I don't know you well enough to care just yet."
Phoenix snaps out of her thoughts and looks a bit upset at Alston's words.
"Gee, thanks…" Phoenix says as she stares at Alston looking off into the night sky for a moment before she speaks.