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WHO: Gen & OTA TO KENOMA.
WHAT: A Very Special Episode about how good and fun it is to stop smoking.
WHERE: Around the Citadel, Achamoth.
WHEN: Early-to-mid Visoseri, starting early during the Rise to the Challenge event.
WARNINGS: None at the moment!

i. training fields ( closed to LIEM )

[ It's not like he actually enjoys physical activity in any capacity, whether it be fighting or training or labor. The construction work he'd done back home and the training he does here are mostly the same to him -- just a job, a means to an end, and something "productive" he can do to vent his energy and keep himself occupied. Gen can't really imagine what kind of muscleheaded jock actually finds this shit fun or rewarding in its own right.

That said, the taste of a smoke right after a period of strenuous work almost makes it worth it.

Late in the afternoon, after one of the semi-regular group training sessions has wrapped up and the equipment's been mostly put away, with just a few stragglers still hanging behind to chit-chat and do final cool-downs. From where he's walking by, Liem might hear the sound of a soft click, a pause, then a deep sigh of contentment. Sensitive as he is to smells, it won't take him much effort to pinpoint the bitter tang of cigarette smoke; a plume of gray directs the eye to where Gen's leaning against one of the fences surrounding the training field, looking perfectly at home as he takes another deep drag.

And, feeling that glance directed his way, he looks over. Lucky for Liem, he's caught Gen before he could pocket his cigarettes once more, and since he's in a good mood he gives a cant of the head before holding out the pack in his direction. His words come slightly muffled around the cigarette in his mouth: ]

What, you want one?

ii. citadel grounds ( the sickly option )

[ It's a nice sunny afternoon, warm but not too warm, clear skies, etc. And anyone walking through the citadel grounds, might hear the sound of a low groan and a hoarse voice calling to them: ]

-- hey. [ It only takes a glance over to spot where Gen is slumped on a bench under the dappled shade of a tree, looking thoroughly pale and miserable and unwell. But more importantly, he gives a few shallow coughs before mumbling: ] Get this thing off me.

[ 'This thing' being a stray cat that's draped itself over his throat and chest, apparently having the best nap of its life, using him as a bed while it soaks up the sun. In typical cat fashion, of course it's made itself right at home on the place where it's least welcome at the moment. And while Gen really does look like he's having a rough time of it, and would appreciate being freed of that weight on his chest without having to unscrunch himself from the inglorious position he's huddled himself into ...

The cat looks really cute. And comfy. It's even purring a little! Maybe it'd be fine to just let it continue napping there. ]

iii. training fields ( the cranky option )

[ There's sounds of a commotion coming from the training field. Some sort of argument, it sounds like? And while the shouting and the snarling dies down by the time any concerned interlopers show up, one might spot the way several guards hurriedly exit the grounds, looking disgruntled and muttering something begrudging amongst themselves. One is nursing a bleeding nose leaving a trail of red spots on the ground.

And left on the otherwise-empty training circle is one (1) horrible teenager scuffing a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly roughed-up and irate. He's sporting a few scratches and a freshly-welling bruise on his cheek himself, but either hasn't noticed or doesn't care. Instead, the moment anyone even peeks into the training field, he's quick to turn on them with snarl. ]

-- the hell're you looking at.

iv. corridors ( the tired option )

[ Some stupid hour of the night finds the corridors of the Citadel largely quiet and empty. Almost peaceful. But well ... here he is, wide awake and dying for a smoke.

Anyone who glances down the corridor towards the balcony at its very end, illuminated by cold moonlight and framed by the swing of the door left open, might spot Gen where he's practically draped over the railing surrounding that little balcony, staring listlessly out at nothing.

This really would be a nice place to smoke and relax. But instead, here he is with his nerves rubbed raw by withdrawal, practically shivering from the way he can't quite calm down. Even the slightest noise coming from the corridor has him jerking around to glance over like a spooked dog ready to attack. Sorry not sorry if you were just trying to get to your room and instead find yourself being stared down by this incredibly tired but frazzled-looking youth. ]

v. wildcard

[ I'm open to just about anything! Please feel free to hit me with whatever, but otherwise I'm around at

databomb, inktrashing#5307 on Discord, or right here on the event plotting post if you'd like to plot things first or want me to shotgun some ideas at you to see if anything piques your fancy! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Gray's mouth opens in an 'o' of surprise. He's quitting smoking? That's great news, though she wonders what brought that decision about. She doesn't want to make him self-conscious about it though, so she decides not to pry just yet.

In answer to his grumbling about the cat, Gray gently pets its head as if to soothe the insult. ]

Maybe he wanted to comfort you.

[ Or he was waiting to feast on Gen's impending corpse... just kidding. Anyway, she's pretty much used to Gen's sour mood swings by now, so she easily ignores his glare. If anything, she'd like to show support for his self-improvement. ]

Are you going to be here for a while longer?

Yeah, and it was doing a great job of it.

[ He might offer forth that snippy retort, but it's rather lacking in bite with the way his words come crackling at the edges, bookended by shallow coughs. It's almost like he'd be saving himself some trouble by being a little more quiet, but refuses to compromise his usual shitty attitude.

Still, he'd had his eyes closed for a moment to try and ward off the threat of another headache, but cracks them open at Gray's question. Squinting at her dubiously for a moment before he grumbles, ]

... I ain't moving.

[ Which is to say, he has no plans of yielding this bench to her, if that's what she's asking about? The thought that Gray might want to spend any time in his vicinity (rightfully) doesn't even occur to him. ]

[ Gray seems satisfied with his answer, because she sets the cat on the bench next to Gen along with a generous handful of cat treats from the depths of her cloak. With luck, it'll enjoy its reward/bribe for keeping Gen company at a leisurely pace and won't immediately hop back on his neck. ]

Then I'll be back in a bit.

[ Without further ado, she trots away... and returns shortly with a mug of steaming tea and a little cup of whipped cream. She sets the whipped cream on the bench for the cat, then wordlessly holds the mug out to Gen. If he feels like giving it a proper sniff, he might find that it smells like chamomile. ]

[ Lucky for everyone involved, Gen and the cat seem to have established some sort of truce during Gray's absence -- it sits as an adorable warm loaf on Gen's stomach, which he finds tolerable enough not to swat away. At least, it's bearable enough that he lets it stay until Gray's return, only giving stifled grunt when it kicks off his stomach to feast upon the bounty of whipped cream that it's been offered.

Gen, meanwhile, coughs a few times before staring at the cup of Gray's hand. It takes him a moment to realize that she hasn't simply brought it for herself, but is offering it forth to him. Perhaps predictably, that earns not any statement of gratitude, but a suspicious squint before he speaks up hoarsely: ]

You're not getting anything out of acting nice to me.

[ He really is grumpy. Her expression doesn't change as she absorbs his statement, not so much surprised as quietly weathering the unsolicited negativity. If there's a hint of exasperation in the way she stares at him for a couple extra seconds, surely that's just his imagination. The tea remains offered, and she thinks for a moment before answering. ]

... Are you getting anything out of acting suspicious toward me?

[ Touché. Though Gen's expression crumples with clear displeasure at that retort, he can't think of a good comeback for it. He blames it on his brainfog and exhaustion at the moment, but he's not sure he would have been able to come up with a good response even if his brain didn't feel like it was slowly melting in his skull.

So after a long pause, Gen sighs. He ends up stifling a labored grunt as he sits forward to take the mug from Gray's hands, then slumps back into his seat. As a side effect of that adjustment in position, he ends up opening up more space on the bench -- which the cat promptly takes advantage of, meowing loudly before tucking itself closer to Gen's side to leech the warmth off him. But it also leaves the opposite third of the bench open, if Gray wants to take a seat. ]

... what is this.

[ Gen frowns as he mumbles that question between more coughs, but he still takes a sip even before he gets his answer. It's ... not to his tastes. But it admittedly does ease some of the gross feeling in his throat. ]

[ He really must be feeling horrid if he has no retort. It's too bad for him, but Gray feels a blip of satisfaction as he gives in and takes the mug. Any interaction with him in which he isn't lecturing her or storming away is probably a victory.

For reasons she can't really explain, she carefully takes a seat on the other side of the bench. She's not sitting next to Gen, she's sitting next to the cat. But she won't attempt to pry it away from its velcro attachment to him, instead pulling out a small notebook whose edges her fingers idly worry at. ]

Chamomile. It's supposed to be calming... and good for your stomach. It was common in my home country.

[ Oh. He's heard of it before, admittedly -- this is just his first time actually drinking it. And while the taste still doesn't agree with him, at least drinking something warm is helping ease that sandpaper-scratchy feeling in his throat. Gen grunts in acknowledgement but gives no further complaint as he slowly sips at his mug.

The cat, meanwhile, is obviously delighted to have two servants to lavish it with attention. It meows before sprawling itself between the two of them, tail whapping against Gen's thigh while its head butts into Gray's legs, paws reaching for that notebook. ]

You come out here to do your homework or something?

[ Seeking a distraction from the cravings that tug at the back of his mind, Gen ends up nodding towards that notebook. Maybe Gray takes notes on what goes on around here, or something; she seems the fastidious type, as meek and careful as she is with her words. ]

[ Gray obligingly dangles her notebook within the cat's questing reach, wiggling its edge back and forth for the cat to try to catch. She smiles a little as its focus switches entirely to swiping at the notebook, its tail thwapping Gen's leg vigorously. ]

In a way. I've been given an assignment... I'm supposed out find out what people think my good qualities are.

[ She was wondering if she should ask him since it doesn't seem like now's the best time. But if he's interested, then he's free to answer; maybe he'll take it as a free ticket to dump his opinion on her. Not that he's ever needed an excuse.

[ He's quietly nursing the mug of tea, going slowly because the last thing he needs is to have to endure a singed tongue on top of the myriad other withdrawal symptoms that have been piled onto him, but Gen does look up at Gray's answer. If only so he can deadpan, ]

Who the hell's actually giving you an assignment in this place.

[ And why is she accepting it??? One of the few unquestionably good things about this place is the lack of nagging teachers and stupid homework assignments.

Not to mention, what kind of stupid assignment is that.

Still, despite looking highly dubious, Gen does grumble into his mug, ]

... and what, any good qualities?

[ Gray decides not to answer that question about who gave her this assignment because she'd like to protect Hiccup from Gen's scorn, however much Hiccup isn't here to receive it. But privately, she agrees that it feels a little absurd. Only someone as softhearted as Hiccup would try to encourage her in this way. ]

Yes, anything at all.

[ She nods vaguely as she leads that cat across her lap and back again, keeping herself occupied while Gen thinks whatever he's thinking. Maybe he really has to scrounge for something positive about her. She wouldn't be surprised if he had to struggle to come up with even one point. ]

[ It doesn't escape his notice that Gray doesn't answer his question. But also, he decides he doesn't care.

And while he does roll his eyes in very obvious fashion to make it clear how stupid he thinks this assignment is -- what, did Lottie give this to her or something for "PR purposes"? -- he speaks up easily enough. ]

Isn't this shit supposed to be a good quality? [ Said as he tips the mug gently, then takes another sip at it. Still gross, but definitely helping. Even his voice sounds a little better, with the worst of its hoarse edges sanded off. ] Fussing over other people and being nice to them. If it were anyone else, I'd ask if you got me this stuff just so I'd say something nice about you in return.

[ Gray doesn't capable of being duplicitous, though. ]

[ It takes her a moment to realize that he's sandwiched his "compliment" between two gripes, but he did technically name a quality or two that might be classified as good. It's an unexpected choice from him given how little regard he's historically held for her tendency toward altruism. He really is an odd one.

Though maybe she's an odd one too, because she finds it easier to digest his oblique-feeling praise than the more direct praise people have given her. She stops teasing the cat so that she can obediently jot down his remarks, holding her notebook high away from curious paws. She's only partially successful, her handwriting taking a hit as the cat springs up for a smack. ]

If I wanted to bribe you, I would've brought a different tea.

[ She knows it isn't very many people's favorite, but it is soothing... ]

I've heard that it's difficult to quit smoking... but it's good that you're trying.

[ The tea's cooled enough that he can take steady sips now, and Gen stares into the middle distance as he slowly works his way through the mug, watching Gray write out of the corner of his vision. She really is treating this like a proper assignment. It makes him all the more curious about what the hell this is supposed to accomplish. ]

Yeah. This tastes like shit.

[ Still, he takes another long slurp between gripes, shifting his grip on the mug. ]

And it's ... fine. I'm fine. [ He says, like a liar. ] It's nothing I can't manage.

[ There's a pause as his poor, struggling mind wades through the thick layer of brainfog to formulate another coherent thought. Then Gen mutters into his drink: ]

That's probably another thing some people would say is good about you, I guess. Being honest. [ It's not like he's unaware of what people considering being 'good' -- honesty and altruism, like Gray has in spades. It's simply that he doesn't always agree, and he certainly doesn't subscribe to those ideals himself. ] Don't think it's always a good thing myself, though. So it'd depend on who you're asking. Probably.

[ Normally she might question how being honest would be a bad thing, but he has already complained a number of times about the tea she brought him, so she supposes she sees where he finds the fault in honesty. ]

Do you think it would be better if I were less honest?

[ More like him, perhaps? She wouldn't know how to begin practicing his brand of over-honesty interspersed with under-honesty. It seems terribly complicated. ]

[ He considers Gray's question a stupid one, and expresses as much by shooting her an exasperated look. But at the same time, he's too tired to be too combative. (Incredible that this shittiness he's directing Gray's way is what he'd consider a 'mild' level of bad attitude.) Gen suppresses a dry cough before answering. ]

Better for who.

[ Another short coughing fit before he continues wearily. ]

If you mean being a 'better person,' then no. But if you mean making your own life easier -- then probably, yeah. Better for you, I guess.

[ She weathers his bite once again, quickly learning that it's best to just let him get his frustrations out of his system. She's thought many times that she isn't smart enough to decipher other people, but it goes doubly for Gen. It crosses her mind that he might not understand himself why he's so angry all the time, so what hope does she have of trying to understand him from the outside? ]

... I don't think I'm quick enough to try to be dishonest. I have a hard enough time trying to keep the facts straight without adding complications to them.

[ No one's tried to claim that she's intelligent yet, and good thing, or else she'd have to throw out the rest of their remarks out with the bathwater. ]

And who said you gotta be smart to be dishonest? I mean saying shit like that -- about how you're 'not quick enough.'

[ It's not that Gen particularly agrees or disagrees with Gray's assessment of her own intelligence; he wouldn't claim to be a genius himself, and it's not like he think he could make an accurate reading of how smart she is. What does annoy him is the fact that she'd voluntarily deride herself like that. Gen's brow furrows as he goes on: ]

I didn't ask if you're stupid. Even if I did, you didn't need to say it, you could've said nothing. Why would you just give other people a reason to look down on you? Let other people think you're weak, and they'll just use that as an excuse to bully you more. Grow a backbone already.

[ The exhaustion has definitely loosened his tongue more than usual. But also, giving this lecture(?) also feels familiar in a not-entirely-awful way. The words certainly come easy. ]

[ His words are blunt like a hammer, but they do contain some logic. She's relied on the good graces of other people for much of her life, including now. It's rare that people do try to bully or intimidate her, but when they do, she understands why she makes an enticing target; she's self-aware in that way at least, knowing that it's a consequence of her lacking a backbone, as Gen puts it.

The difference between him and her is that Gen would never stand for being pushed around, while Gray doesn't mind it terribly. It isn't exactly pleasant, of course, but she lacks an ego to be bruised. It's far from a virtue, and there's no doubt in her mind that Gen would be disgusted if she said she didn't care about being bullied. It feels like nothing she could ever say would please him... though in a way, that's liberating. ]

How should I do that?

[ Grow a backbone, that is. It seems to her that his version of backbone is the simple act of lashing out whenever possible, but maybe he has a more nuanced take... ]

[ Brow furrowed and lips pressed together thinly, Gen takes a moment to formulate an answer to that question. In part because he can't tell if she's being deliberately obtuse, in part because his head still hurts, and in part because this is kind of a pain in the ass to explain. But right now, he just wants something to distract him from the gnawing desire for a smoke, so -- he decides to indulge her a little longer. It's only after he takes a long sip at his mug that he finds the right words. ]

... be proud of yourself.

[ It's the most succinct summary of what he'd wanted to tell Chako so many years back, he supposes. Gen's frown deepens as he looks aside, giving the matter what must be a slightly surprising amount of thought. ]

There'll always be people who try to give you shit, anyway. So don't make it easier for them. Know what you are, and remember what there is to be proud of. Even if there's only a little.

[ There. If it's put that simply, even Gray should be able to understand it, right? Just like Chako eventually had, in the end. At least to some degree. ]

[ It seems she really has been conditioned to expect the worst from him, because she's too surprised to respond for a good few seconds. The cat is already slapping at the notebook she's absently lowered onto her lap in the meantime, but she pays it no mind. ]

That's actually good advice...

[ She admits, clearly having expected otherwise. Of course, actually being proud of herself is easier said than done, but if he's saying that clinging to just a tiny bit of pride might suffice, no matter how granular it is, then maybe that's a starting point she can work with. ]

What are you proud of yourself about, Minegishi?

[ Even if he might have had the energy to be annoyed that Gray wasn't expecting good advice from him, he doesn't even get the chance for any irritation before Gray turns that question back on him. Which he honestly wasn't anticipating.

It's Gen's turn to be surprised for a few moments. A much longer span of time than Gray might have expected, actually, given Gen had been the one to give that advice in the first place. A prolonged silence where Gen stares into his mug, watching his breathes send faint ripples over the liquid surface. His surprise is both at the gall Gray had to ask him that, and because it's ... shockingly difficult to answer, now that he's forced to consider it. After far too long a pause, he does finally mutter, ]

... if there's something that needs to be done, I can do it. No matter what it is.

[ Funny, how it feels like that question would have been so much easier to answer in the past. Funny, how even the answer he does give doesn't feel right any more.

With that answer forced out, Gen sighs. ]

-- and it's your homework assignment, not mine. Why're you asking about me.

... I thought it might be fun to be able to cheat off someone else's homework.

[ She lets that sit for a second as she thinks about his response. He can do what needs to be done? In other words, he isn't afraid to do the dirty work? That's the impression she gets, with how brusque he usually is. She could see him as a soldier or part of some task force, intense and driven.

Anyway. She continues with the same mild expression. ]

I'm sorry. That was a joke. I was just curious to know more about you.

[ She glances at him sideways around the corner of her hood. ]

Is it that strange? There aren't very Aions our age.

[ In the Kenoma Zone, they might even be the closest, as far as she can tell. ]

[ So she has a sense of humor, huh. Gen huffs a ragged exhale, not quite a sardonic laugh. ]

Yeah, 'cause I'm the type who'd have the right answers for shit like this.

[ He wonders if maybe Gray had expected him to say something else. That he's strong, or that he knows what he's doing, or that he's proud of everything about himself, something along those lines. Maybe he could have given one of those answers a half-year ago, but now he can't even jokingly claim to be proud of such things.

Gen makes no attempt to be polite as he takes an obnoxious, slurping sip of his tea, then lets his gaze slide over to fix on Gray once more. While it's probably true that he's probably the one closest in age to her -- ]

Age isn't that important. Most people wouldn't wanna get to know more about someone who almost made'em cry. [ It's not like he's forgotten how cowed Gray had looked back during that party when he'd yanked her hood off. Even if he still thinks that was an overreaction, the fact remains that she'd clearly been upset. He gives a half-hearted shrug before looking back into his mug. ] Your choice, though.

[ Gray by no means considers herself a highfalutin Brit, but she glances over at him again for that obnoxious slurp. It may be that she's just grown too used to eating with people mindful of their stations, but she can't help feeling just a tiny bit scandalized. But she powers on through. ]

Age doesn't mean everything... but I don't think it means nothing, either. I only recently had the chance to meet a lot of people my age, and it was a nice feeling.

[ Even though magi must be, on average, worse than the rest of humanity. Maybe it was a training period for dealing with Gen. As for his comment on almost making her cry... a lot of people have done that, so she can't be too upset about it. But even she won't admit that out loud. ]

As long as you leave my hood alone from now on, it's alright.

[ Which is absolutely not an invitation for him to start messing with her hood, and with her free hand she automatically pinches her hood lower on her head. ]

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