Shelter from the rain/Karaoke [ENDED]

ENDED

Juuri's fine silver hair hung, soaking wet and in tangled knots, down her back, sticking to her body and making her squirm. The first shop they saw as the pair ran down the deserted streets was the one unanimously voted to be their makeshift shelter. It wasn't until the Relentless unit tramped in, cold, wet, and completely miserable, that they noticed it was actually a late night karaoke bar and restaurant. 'Karaoke? Hm... But I should probably change my shirt first.' Juuri thought, peeling the clammy fabric off her stomach and back. ”Would you like to change into a dry shirt? I have an extra.” Thinking twice, she decided she'd rather Ai take the shirt, which was hopefully still dry. After all, she wouldn't want the girl to lose her voice, with the continuous chance of battle around them. Who's ever heard of a spell battle fighter without a voice?

The young woman tied her messy hair up in a huge ponytail. ”I don't want you to catch a cold or anything,” she smiled. ”Then, we should karaoke. The person singing right now is KILLING my ears. And I want to hear you sing!” 'Hopefully Ai doesn't get stage fright... Well, even if she does, she'll get over that one quickly.' She thought determinedly, walking to the ladies room. The person on stage was singing a VERY bad version of "It's Raining Men", though that song had always been bad either way, and the headache forming in the sacrifice's mind was AMAZING. 'PLEASE get off stage soon!' Juuri shouted in her head. Bad singing was being taken to an entire new level.

nori: updated thread to ended

Ai's light brown ears clung to her head as the water dripped off in continuous waves and her tail hung limply. All in all she knew that both her and Juuri probably looked like drowned rats. A small shiver ran through as she realized how cold she was.

Cringing as she followed her partner she couldn't help but notice the horrid singing coming from onstage. Wincing a little she shook her head as a dog would to get some of the water off as she allowed a frustrated growl to escape her. That singing was really getting annoying.

Her head cocked at her partner's question and she laughed a bit. "I'd feel really bad taking your shirt from you and leaving you in a wet one. Besides, I have an undershirt on and it shouldn't be too wet." At the end she broke into a small coughing fit.

She flushed in embarrassment and began to take off her jacket and overshirt. Reaching into her left pocket she produce a bottle of medicine. She popped the top off and dry swallowed two of the white pills.

"Sorry about that. I have to take medicine everyday." she said as she smiled shyly.

The news floored Juuri. Of course, it was understandable that she wouldn't realize Ai took medicine everyday, as they weren't around each other 24/7. But the cough and the pills made up her mind. "No way. First, you're GOING to take my shirt. That's an order. Then you're going to explain why you have to take medicine daily. It worries me, and I didn't even know!" She tried her hardest to hide the shame at the fact that she couldn't even tell her other half was sick.

Walking dejectedly into the bathroom, Juuri opened her bag and pulled out a simple light green tee shirt. 'This should look really good on Ai,' she thought, spirit lifting, if only a bit. 'I hope she's all right...'

Putting on a fake grin she turned around to face her fighter. Being an actress, she thought maybe, just maybe, she could succeed in hiding her feelings. But the feeling from the unit string reflected her distress to herself, and (probably) obviously to her partner. "Here you go! It should look good. And it'll be warm. I don't want you getting sick." She said in an oddly cheerful tone. Of course, she was telling the truth, there were no lies.Juuri was just attempting to hide things, which she had honestly never been good at.

Ai, being the fighter couldn't refuse. "Yes, I'll take the shirt." Following her she stopped just beside Juuri. She caught notice of a mirror and studied her reflection before speaking. What was reflected back she didn't like. A pale, sickly weakling.

"I collapsed when I was four. I had been playing outside in the rain and then boom I woke up in the hospital. I had a serious case of pneumonia; I was in the hospital for four and a half months. Ever since then I've had these attacks and my immune system has been very low. I have to take medicine for it plus medicine for whatever illness I have that accompanies it. Usually it is just a chest cold, but sometimes it gets worse." Ai turned her orbs to her partner and observed her expression.

She was pretty good at reading emotions and she knew her sacrifice was troubled. "Don't blame yourself, we fighters are made to obey our sacrifices end of story. I may not like it sometimes, but I accept it." She gave the girl what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

As an after thought she addressed her again. "Thanks for the shirt by the way."

[[Before I reply, I'm just going to say to everyone who reads this that this post is still open, join if you want.]]


Even though Ai told her not to feel guilty, Juuri still felt bad. "You're welcome." She stated, yanking off the blue shirt in front of the sink. Although she still had on her black tank top, Juuri hoped no one threw open the door and walked in. Of course it was a public bathroom, and it wouldn't surprise her if someone did just that.

She spoke, back to Ai, as she wrung out the cotton shirt over the sink. Figuring the fighter was probably in a stall changing, she didn't bother to turn around. "I didn't know you had been sick. I'm sorry. But it's really crazy that the effects pneumonia would last this long. I hope it goes away soon. You shouldn't have to suffer." She called over her shoulder.

Ai struggled with her shirt a moment before replying. "I know; I didn't tell you because that would've been just one more thing you'd have to worry about. I'd rather you just focus on potential spell battles than worry about me. I assure you I'll be fine. And quite frankly I think there is something more that caused me to collapse, but I'm no doctor so..."

Ai trailed off as she finely situated the shirt into place and exited the stall. The shirt was a little small, but it was comfortable. She laughed lightly as she observed the girl ring the shirt out. "Like I said don't worry about me. But a better question is why is fate so cruel as to put us in a karaoke bar?"

the still damp shirt was clammy torture to put back on. Plus, the air conditioning had chilled it, giving Juuri shivers as it slid over her arms and head, and forced her rapidly drying silver hair to stick to her tank top. When did the room get so cold? The fear of sickness crawled through her, and Juuri hoped there were no lasting effects on either of the pair. Especially not Ai. "There's really no reason for me to focus absolutely on spell battles. We've never been in one, and all I'd really have to do is decide whether or not we'll agree to fight, and guide you to defeating the opponents. You have more to worry about than I do." Juuri glanced at Ai through the mirror she stood in front of, while pulling her long hair out of her ponytail holder. The extra shirt fit nicely. It was snug on the girl, but definitely not in a bad way, and the bronze in her chin length hair shone quite brightly, almost like highlights.

Her flesh broke out in goosebumps and she started shivering violently at the cold material on her skin. "Wh-what in the world d-do they have this ac s-set on?!" She turned around and asked Ai as she brought her hands up to hug herself. "He must have s-some sick s-sense of humor, God, to first p-put us in a karaoke bar, then to put us soaking w-wet and COLD into a karaoke bar. I can't s-sing like this! Even though I w-want to... My v-voice will shake so bad you won't u-unders-stand me!!" Juuri was miserable, and her teeth were chattering. But Ai looked fairly warm, so all was well. The sacrifice smiled despite herself.

Ai felt bad. She didn't like when someone sacrificed something for her benifit. Gritting her teeth in an anger that rarely broke through she gestured to her partner. "Let's go!" Stomping out of the bathroom she quickly paused outside of it and glanced around.

Narrowing her eyes she located where the manager was stationed and continued over to where he was. Arriving in less than a minute she glowered until the man noticed her. When he looked at her questioningly she railed on him. "DO YOU MIND TURNING THE EFFING AC OFF?!! IT ISN'T EXACTLY A HEATWAVE OUT THERE!"

The man stared at her in fright and quickly nodded while he backed away to the ac control. Ai sighed in satisfaction as she heard it turn off completely and the heat kick on.

A not exactly sober and wet May enter the unfamiliar place. When she got inside she heard a horrible sound. Some where between a dying cat and a tone-deaf walrus. She winced as she heard the noise. She then winced once again as her head began to ache. She had some strong stuff and now was completely drunk. Not good for her. She usually found herself in bad situations at night and when she was drunk it only made it worse.

Pride welled up inside of the sacrifice as she watched her fighter yell at the manager. She was sticking up for her, yay! Juuri let a smile spread on her face almost as quickly as she felt the cold air turning warm around them. "Thanks, Ai!" she stated, grabbing the other girl's arm and leading her towards a table. "Come on, I want to sing Evanescence. I love Amy Lee's voice!"

'I tend to drag Ai everywhere, don't I? Juuri asked herself. Not wanting to bother the brunette, she let go and turned around. "So where do you wa- Oof!"

She hadn't been looking where she was going, and accidentally bumped into a rather inebriated looking blonde. Jerking around to see what she had hit, her nose caught a whiff of something strong and alcoholic. Juuri glanced at Ai questioningly but didn't pay too much attention. "Um... I'm sorry for hitting you. Are...Are you alright?" She asked, bending a little to be level with the young lady. She couldn't just bump into the poor girl and leave her there, drunk and looking as though she were in pain.

May looked at the taller girl. She nodded but only ended up gripping her head in response. Maybe she should text Zain and ask him for advice. She didn't think she was sober enough even to do that. Her head spun as the her world seem to shake. "I need some water." May groaned out.

Ai laughed a little when her partner started to babble. When the other girl dropped her hand so she wouldn't be dragging her is when Ai felt it. The feeling made her tail's fur stand on end and her ears to stand alert.

Ai's face froze when the jolt went through her initially. Another fighter was in the area. She winced a little at the feeling, it wasn't exactly painful, but then again it wasn't pleasant either. She glanced at her partner but Juuri was preoccupied with helping a short blonde haired girl who seemed to have had a little too much to drink.

The brunette's bronze colored eyes narrowed as she looked around in question.'I wonder who it is?' It wasn't that she was scared but she was a bit wary and a bit curious too. She had never met another fighter before so this could be a chance to ask questions if the other fighter was willing to answer them.

May turned her head toward another girl. She winced at a feeling she got. Another Fighter? She thought when she noticed the girl staring at her. She needed to contact Kyo. She looked at the small piano thread that connected them. May hoped she wouldn't need to fight. She needed Kyo if they were though. She hasn't even been in one before though.

[I'm kind of filling in for Ikiru until she gets home.]


Juuri looked around frantically until she spotted the bar. She turned back quickly and watched as the girl's expression changed slightly. Quickly glancing at her partner she nodded slightly. 'I won't leave this girl alone like this. Ai can watch her while I'm gone and make she nobody messes with her.' "Ai take care the girl while I go get her a glass of water!"

Ai noticed the girl's expression as she nodded to her partner. She girnned a little. "You've got nothing to worry about Juuri. I'll guard her! " Ai turned back to the girl and decided to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Ai Kurotsuki! What's you're name?"

[Okay!]

May sighed as she sat on a chair. Her head was scrambled. Her thoughts were jumbled. She tried to focus on one thing. Kyo. Where are you? She thought hopelessly. She should've just answered Kyo's question. She sighed as her head cleared some what. She winced as she heard even more horrible singing. These people need to learn to sing. "May. May Lerner. Yours?" She answered after a few moments.

Ai cocked her head to the side. She could still feel the clash between her and the other fighter, but she didn't care at the moment. "Um, Ai Kurotsuki. Anyway nice to meet you May!" A small, shy smile lit her face again. "Um do you want me to go tell that guy to shut up the horrid singing, because it really looks like you have a headache?"


[I'm gonna combine Juuri and Ai's statements so I don't have to post them separately. ^_^]

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Juuri shoved her way to the bar. It was crowded and it was loud; epescially with the guy singing horribly in the background. Clearing her throat she used her naturally loud voice to grab the bartender's attention. "HEY! GIVE ME A WATER!!! "

The man stared at her strangely and quickly sat a bottle in front of her. Snatching it up she threw a bill at him and quickly scampered away.

May nodded and smiled at the girl. She did have a horrid headache. This was the last time she ever drank so much. She had work tomorrow too. Great. She sighed as she messaged her temples. She studied the wire connecting her and Kyo. She was worried for Kyo. There was a storm outside and knowing Kyo she was outside. May hoped someone was with her.

[[Thank you Wolf! I'm finally home. My fricking car stalled on the way and I got delayed. >_<]]

Juuri really wished the man singing would shut up and sit down. 'As soon as we get this girl taken care off, he's coming off the stage and I'm going ON.' she thought, quite determined to end the horrible noise.

As she returned to the girls, glass of water in one hand and flipping her hair over her shoulder with the other, Juuri noticed the almost pained look on Ai's face. 'I wonder why she looks like that... Hopefully everything's alright.' She handed the blonde the glass, and smiled proudly. "Hello, I'm Juuri Mizukuro. I take it you've already met Ai?" she asked sweetly.

May nodded. "May." was her only response as she drank the water. She sighed as her head cleared some more. May winced as her headache got worse. She wanted to lie down but she had to find Kyo first before she did anything. She was worried about her. May wondered if that guy would get a clue and get off.

Ai smiled a bit but it quickly formed into a frown. She glanced at her partner as she felt her worry. Should she tell her or should she not? Shrugging she lightly tapped Juuri on the shoulder and smiled at May. "Juuri can I talk to for a moment?" She looked around then pointed near the bar; she really didn't need anyone overhearing what she had to say. "Over there to be precise."

Juuri didn't want to leave the girl sitting alone in a karaoke bar at eleven at night, drunk. But the urgency in Ai's voice made her realize something was REALLY bothering her fighter. "Um, yeah, of course. We'll be right back. Please don't go anywhere ok?" she smiled at the short blonde.

Walking over to the bar, the man who had previously given the girl water now gave her a dirty look. She rolled her eyes and turned to face the brunette. "Is everything ok? You seem really... Off." Juuri frowned.

Ai rolled her shoulders as the jolt ran through her again. It was really starting to bug her. "Yeah, sorry about that, but there's another fighter in the area." Ai had a tendancy to be painfully blunt or to the point; she didn't like to play around, most of the time.

"Wow, I've never met another fighter before but I didn't think the clash of fields would be this funny feeling." Ai winced again then grinned. "On another note I would really like to meet this person though."

Thinking for a moment, Juuri remember something the woman who deceived her once said. "You're supposed to be able to pinpoint the 'ring' to whosever it is, I think. Where do you think it's coming from?"

Trying to figure out who it was, Juuri turned a bit and glanced over her shoulder, sweeping both amethyst eyes across the room. Ai didn't inform her of the ring when they first got here, and she didn't see any new people, except May.

'MAY. That must be it!'

Juuri whipped her head back around, hitting the man next to them at the bar with her long, now dry and wavy, hair. "I think I know who it is. Where is the the strongest and most concentrated?" The sacrifice strongly disliked the disadvantage of not being able to sense other pairs.

Ai had forgotten about that tidbit of information. She nearly laughed out loud when Juuri's hair hit some guy. The only thing that stopped it was the fact Juuri looked serious. Concentrating intensely the ring had indeed gotten louder and stronger when she focused on May. She smiled proudly. "You're exactly right!"