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Who: Nicholas [

knighting] & you!
What: He's the LCHS football field practicing his kicking. Feel free to use this post as a open catch all for any Friday shenanigans if you want.
When: backdated to April 4th: Friday afternoon, after classes are over.
Where: LCHS football field
Warnings: Uh... he curses sometimes on accident?

It's Friday after classes have ended; the school still has a fair amount of people at it just before everyone heads out for weekend plans, even if those plans require staying away from the still not so cleaned up downtown. Since he's new in town, Nicholas doesn't have any plans for this Friday afternoon; and since it's a pretty nice day outside given the weather they'd been having recently, he decided to grab a bag of footballs from the athletics club at Bancroft Academy and haul them all the way to Locke City High School football field for a chance to practice his kicking.

The season won't be starting till August but it's never a bad thing to practice right?

Lining up the football on the stand he takes two steps back. He's got regular sneakers on as his cleats haven't been unpacked yet. A quick intake of breath then he's coming forward and kick- Please don't fall short, he pleads with himself. He doubts any one is watching but it'll kill his pride if the damn thing doesn't at least go through the goal posts.

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He'd tried to grab at him again, really he had but the gum had been faster this time, swooping past him and grabbing a hold of Akira before sticking both it and the boy to the wall. "How?" He questions, his hands going up in confusion before he's glancing down at his right hand. Where nothing had been before, a black saber rests now sheathed and very, very real.

"Wha-" He starts, shaking his head quickly as he yanks the sheath off and comes towards Akira. "I'm going to cut you out." He explains, working at his arms first, hopefully Akira will be able to get his hands free and brace himself on the ground so he won't hit his head.

"It's just sticking you right?" Please say yes, he's seen some pretty bad horror movies and he doesn't want to find out the thing is eating the artsy kid he'd call cute.

Akira's been sideswiped by the fact that, first of all, a sentient and giant piece of gum exists, and secondly, that Nicholas suddenly has a black sword. The pulse is thankfully, quick, and there's no blood. But this person in front of him is definitely part of these memories he's continuing to get.

Worst of all, there's a sinking feeling in his gut. His hair looks so similar, and although Akira never saw the face when he was little, the nightmare of all that blood stayed with him. There was a sword, wasn't there? Wasn't it black?

"Uh-" Is about as elegant as Akira's words can get right now as he attempts not to screech out in terror. He begins rapidly nodding while upside down once he regains his wits.

Surprisingly, gum slices pretty easily, though it sticks to the blade and it only seems to take a few cuts before it begins to stretch out, and Akira drops to the ground with a thud, landing on his head. At least it was only a foot or two, but he's doubled over, covered in gum, and clinging to the top of his head.

"Ow. Shit. That hurt."

Dropping the sword to the ground next to Akira, Nick checks him over visually for any blood or signs he'd cut him in the process of getting him down. The sword had been sharp, very sharp. It wasn't like the ornamental ones used for dress uniforms for the Marines- this was very real and could do a lot of damage if you knew how to use it.

Which he did not, thus is stayed on the grass, the tip covered in gum he'd have to peel off later. "Are you okay? I didn't cut you right?" Nick asks quickly, shifting so he can see his face easier. The moment he leans forward for a better view, the dropping sensation happens again. Fuck- he's felt this at least three times in the last week! Twice today-

He goes still as a vague memory covers his current vision and his worried frown turns annoyed. A memory of offering a boy, this boy though he had rattier hair and threadbare clothes, a position as his personal valet. And while he didn't really know what that meant he got the feeling, much like the feeling that headless body had given him, that it was important.

"Why the hell did you say no!?" He questions, blurting out his thoughts before he could stop himself. Yep- it's officially this kid will think he's crazy.

First he's concerned that he cut him, then he's yelling at him. Akira's plopped onto the grass, trying to peel sheets of wet gum off of him unsuccessfully.

"What...?" Gawking at the kicker, he starts shaking his head as he assumes that he meant an answer to the question of it was just sticking to him. "I didn't say 'no' or 'yes'?"

Yup. He thinks you're kind of crazy, and a bad aim, but... that swords brings a new wave of apprehension. "Where did you get that?" Akira reaches up to drag a whole chunk of gun off his shirt. He's not going to be able to explain a mass of gum at home.

"... The network?" Akira ventures a guess, openly approaching the subject.

Blushing bright red in embarrassment, Nick looks away from Akira when he's called out on his outburst. Maybe he can quietly escape now- hide behind the bleachers for a few hours or something while he figures out what to do with his wounded pride and this sword... but then he's mentioning the network and Nick's gaze shoots back to him with wide eyes.

"You're on it too?" He questions, kind of answering Akira's with it. "I mean... fuck- Yes, and this sword just appeared in my hand. I don't carry shit like this around all the time."

Some of the gum seems to be drying and flaking off with bits of paint. It's a lucky break to have even a little less of the sticky stuff on him. Akira looks like he just got slimed in a game show, as he continues massaging his aching head and neck.

"Yeah," He adds softly, "That's good because I might have thought you were crazy otherwise." A bit relieved that he's not, Akira smiles brightly. As he opens his eyes, they settle on the sword and apprehension seeps into his body language.

Akira holds a hand out, "Maybe you should give me that before you hurt yourself." His eyes are fixed on the blade, a frown spreading across his face. "... I.. don't really want you to carry it around."

"I can throw it in a poster tube. No one will know."

The moment his hand reaches out for it, Nick's hand is immediately pulling back, it's an instinct he's never had before and one that surprises him till he looks at the blade then to Akira.

"No- nah it's okay." He leans to the side a bit and grabs the scabbard that he'd tossed to the ground earlier. "I've got this, it'll be fine. Besides my dress uniform has a saber. I can hide it in my room no problem." Or so he says- he's pretty sure he'll have to hide it in the posters in his room or under his bed. As it is, he starts picking at the gum on the sword, which thankfully easily comes off with just a few gentle tugs.

"I don't really like swords. The first weird memory I got," Akira follows the movement as Nicholas pulls the sword away from him protectively, ".. was of a blond with a sword like that. There was a lot of blood."

His eyes flick up, searching for understanding that Akira considers that weapon dangerous. Although they've met twenty minutes ago, he's experienced the same sensation a few times. He just refuses to admit these two people are the same. It's not possible."

"I should.. g-go clean this off." Still holding his head with one hand, pushes up from the ground.

"Yeah uh- probably a good idea before it gets too set in." Nicholas says, joining him in standing, a hand held out in case Akira sways. He did hit is head, he could faint or something.

He's seen that happen when playing football. Usually from some really hard tackle or landing wrong after catching the ball.

"You gonna be okay?"

"Not in the least." Akira responds, words drawn out slowly. He's still forcing a bit of a smile. This has been really ridiculous. Nowhere near the level of giant serpent, but still dumb.

"I need to.." He stops midsentence, having forgotten what he was talking about, attention trailing off. After about ten seconds, he finally pats at his side. "My bag?" Then he remembers the banners and bag were left on the field. Another thing he can't just leave. "The banners.."

"Let me get them. Just- just stay here okay?" Nicholas says, eying him worriedly before he's running across the field towards where Akira's bag was. He grabs everything- even the tackle-box and the banners. The bag of footballs he'd brought with him is slung on one shoulder. He looks much like a pack mule when he's making his way back over.

In the time it takes Nicholas to gather up all the supplies from the field, Akira has tried rubbing his eyes. Man, he must be really dizzy. He's not familiar with things like a concussion.

He's not quite where Nicholas left him anymore. There's some gum sticking to a drinking fountain near the men's restroom. Gum on the door handle. It's easy to track him into the bathroom. Akira has pulled off an open sweater, shedding a good chunk of the gum. His face is splashed with water and he's made a vigorous attempt to clean himself off. His arms and face are clean, there's just speckling of stickiness on the collar of his t-shirt.

"Hey you shouldn't be wandering off alone." Nicholas calls into the bathroom as he wanders in, dropping some of the stuff he'd grabbed at the door. "You might have a concussion or who knows what else."

He's hanging over the sink, just kind of staring. "...hey.." The call is listless. He hasn't even turned to Nicholas as he enters. He's dropped his shirt onto the floor.

"Is it normal for people to see lights with a concussion?" Akira rubs at his eyes again. "I can't .. I can't get them to go away."

"Shit." Nicholas is coming over and putting a supporting hand on his shoulder. "Yeah- c'mon the nurse should still be here right? Schools not been out for too long but we need them to check you out real quick. See if you need to go to the hospital."

He's had a concussion once, he still remembers how scared he'd been because he'd just been a kid and had Freya crying over him getting hurt.

Well, he didn't expect that his afternoon would go from painting to having footballs kicked at his head, a strip of gum attacking him, and getting a concussion.

Nicholas' steering him along, but then there's a bit of resistance. "Nurse is the other way," Akira explains with a weak chuckle. The hallway is mostly empty, but there are still some clubs finishing up.

As they pass a door, Akira pauses. "We can leave the banners here," With a light gesture toward a double set of doors, "The drama room." It's the auditorium, easy to tell by the way it has a school entrance and is easy to find. His attention raises to Nicholas, eyes squinting at his face. There's still a lot of lights. Akira's attention gets distracted on them where they float around passed Nicholas' head.

He stops just outside the nurses room, someone is in there, he can hear them shuffling but he stops because there's that damn dropping sensation again.

Pausing, his hand grips on Akira's shoulder before he finally takes a stuttering breath and chuckles a little. No fucking way.

"Hey let me see your eyes real quick." He says, shifting so he's in front of him and already moving some of Akira's bangs to the side to see his eyes. This is pretty forward even for him but he has to check.

Where dark brown, nearly black, eyes were on the football field, Akira's eyes have changed now. They're solid black, and golden lights are floating around in them, reflecting slight ringed designs around the iris.

That is pretty forward! Akira stiffens awkwardly, already entertaining weird thoughts in his head. Maybe this guy kicked the ball toward him purposely. Maybe he's making a move on him. Oh my god that's embarrassing! Is he really making a move? That comment earlier and now he's using a dumb excuse like his eyes to get all close.

".. What are you doing?" He manages, able to feel the way his cheeks begin burning. There's no real filter here, so his eyes roll to the side, avoidably after Nicholas gets one good look. "Wow. This, this is really awkward. If you were trying to kiss me... you know dating and stuff normally happens first. I've known you all of an hour? And I'm not gay.. or I don't think I am? I don't know." He adds nonchalantly. Obviously that topic isn't taboo with him or his family, but he felt the need to blurt it out.

There's two seconds of him just standing there blushing before he backs up quickly his hands up in the air in front of him. "What? No. Fuck no! I'm not making a pass at you!" He stutters out, his voice loud.

"No no, your concussion! I was checking because of your concussion!" He damn near shouts, back up another step and while it sounds all well and good there's still a blush on his cheeks.

Thankfully though he's saved by the nurse actually opening the door, presumably because he was making such a fuss outside of it.

Akira looks skeptical, but still confused. The nurse has already heard all that she needs to hear - the word concussion. Akira can hear her questioning the Bancroft student what happened. Did he hit his head?

He's being steered into the room. It's strange how much this slightly out of body and surreal experience feels right at home. Sit or lie down. Don't go to sleep. Keep your head propped. There's something about a mild concussion in there, and the nurse telling Nicholas to keep an eye on him while she calls Akira's parents.

Akira shifts from staring at the privacy curtains to turning his head toward Nicolas. "You're lucky you have all that junk... she didn't notice you have a sword."

Akira's voice snaps Nicholas out of whatever little world he'd been in, watching the other teen being examined before finally being told to rest for a while. Somehow he'd been roped into staying with him to make sure he was okay till his parents showed up.

"You're in drama right? Prop sword." He answers with a grin. He wasn't necessarily good at lying but it was an easy one to tell and it made perfect sense.

"So.. you're a part of that network... um- how long?"

Akira tosses a complement his way, smiling slightly, "Nice idea." He hadn't really thought of using school as an excuse to be carrying things like that around, but it'd definitely work.

"My first echo was when I was little,"... As he starts to explain, Akira can feel the first tightness of an anxiety attack coming on. "I've only been reading the network for two months or so— Listen,"

He seems to be rushing his sentences. The last thing he wants is to have a panic moment in front of a stranger. Although he's not quite sure how much of a stranger this person was in a former life. "I'm good here. Thanks for helping, but you don't have to stay."

The chair he'd been told to sit in is right next to the bed Akira is in so he's able to hear him clearly even if he doesn't speak loudly. The compliment gets a smile out of him, praise of any kind was always a plus, right?

He'd been ready to stay till Akira could leave, maybe question him a bit about the network while he had a live person in front of him- instead he's being told he can go. Should he stay? "You sure? I can stay for a bit until your parents get here." He's worried about leaving him alone without the nurse.

"I'll probably go to the doctor." He admits, "The nurse said it was a mild concussion, but I'm still seeing this.. this..." Akira waves his hand in the air, unable to explain properly.

"Here, though.." He bends until he's able to scoop up the tackle box and rummages around inside the case until he pulls out a blue marker. There's nothing inside to write on. Akira motions for him to give him something. A piece of paper, a book, hand, arm. He doesn't care.

As soon as he does, Akira starts writing down his network number. It's a struggle to remember all the digits, but then it comes to mind pretty clearly again and he has no problem finishing the long string of numbers.

"There."

It ends up being a hand that is written on, the back to be specific and he's glad there's some dashes in the numbers because he's read that you could start communication on your own skin and that's creepy. He'll transfer it to his phone when he gets back to the school, if he'd had it with him he could have just put it in now but of course- it's back in his dorm on his desk.

"You're sure? I mean it- I don't want to find out you slipped into a coma or something just after I left." Talk about guilt if that happened. "I'll contact you when I get back to my dorm- just let me know you didn't die okay?" He's probably being over dramatic, but this has been a very weird day and the kid still has some gum in his hair.

Also the fact he might know him from this 'past life' bullshit? Doubly worried about him disappearing.

"Fine, fine.." Akira complies, lifting a hand to wave it in Nicholas' direction with a convincing smile. "It's not like I haven't been hit on the head before.

"Please let my tombstone never read, 'He didn't make it out of a sticky situation'." With that, he's shooting him away toward the door. It's pointless to stand there and worry.

And he's been officially shoved from the room. With a little sway back and forth in indecision he finally leaves grabbing his stuff from the doorway and starting the long walk back to his dorm.

What a day!

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