Originally Posted by
Alexstrasza
"I am sorry, but I refuse, Miss Bianchi. A plane can fly, but can it pierce through the night at such monstrous speeds? Can it achieve lift-off in spite of not having wings? And most importantly, can it be, allegedly, folded in half for compact transportation? I do not believe so."
Vivienne gave Alexstraza a quizzical head tilt, perhaps trying to understand what kind of question Alexstraza was asking her. Was it not common sense that Planes were some of the fastest methods of transportation in existence?
"...yes? Planes go... very fast... that is how... they go across the Atlantic... the Pacific... in a few hours..."
Hearing the praises that they were giving the scooter though, Vivienne could not make out exactly how much exaggeration there was in relation to its performance. This was Prushka's scooter after all, someone who was part of the Turnside, so it having unusual properties wouldn't be out of line... no matter how ridiculous or cutesy it was.
"But no... they are not very portable... Miss Feroce however... can work with a compromise... there are planes... that can take off like helicopters... like in that... James Bond Movie... The Living Daylights... maybe that is... what Miss Feroce wants? Convenience of a Helicopter... speed of a Plane... compact as a scooter... very ambitious project..."
Caesarina was engrossed in her plans. Whatever came out of this brainstorming and designing session would be something... interesting to see, for lack of a better word.
Originally Posted by
Alex Terrot
"I have made... some breakthroughs, I'd say. Not much in terms of concrete evidence, but I am planning on doing some legwork eventually - see where that leads me. But you are right. This town... it has many mysteries it hides... such as this food, perhaps. How can simple corn taste so delicious in the right circumstances?"
Vivienne nodded at Alex's reply, taking note of the journalist's claim to have made forward strides in her investigation. It was something that Vivienne had gotten a glimpse of the end of. But how much knowledge Alex Terrot had that couldn't be found in her room back then... the answer to these questions could only be found out one way:
"I will... take you up... on your offer from yesterday... so that... we can find out... why the corn tastes nice..." Vivienne answered Alex. She did not seem neither determined nor halfhearted, but her intent gaze that met Alex's was possibly the one way she could convey how serious she was about this ordeal. Prushka, being the other person who knew here how Alex's path ended, would probably understand Vivienne's choice too.
Originally Posted by
Colt
“We’re the same age, aren’t we? You don’t have to call me Mister… it’s kinda strange for me. Colt is fine. If you really want to be polite you can go with Colton, but I really do prefer Colt.”
"Okay... Colt... I usually just... try to be as polite as I can..."
There was a certain train of thought that came to affect Vivienne's view on calling Colton Davin by his given name. One could trace the source of this strange, extremely un-occidental way of thinking to Vivienne Bianchi's heritage.
"Miss Tsukioka is... Japanese no? In Japanese culture... only couples call each other... by their first name... so I thought maybe... Miss Tsukioka would be bothered... because if we go by these societal norms... calling you by your given name is... reserved for your other half..."
Originally Posted by
Colt
“Well I dunno why, but if you were to ask me I’d vote for a beach party too. I mean, the water is a bit cold, and it’s a bit chilly out, but the waves are calm and the beach is so pristine. And besides, the beach is the perfect place for people to loosen up and get to know each other…”
Originally Posted by
Sakura (T)
"W-well, why the beach? I have to agree with Colt. This really is the best place for people to mingle and just have fun. There's just something that eases up in people when they've seen each other half-naked," Sakura said and chuckled mischievously. "Not to mention, well... the summer's over, right? And that's the one thing we can't really experience together, since we'll only be here for a year... so I figured we'd deserve at least this last echo of summer, and since the weather was this fine... why the heck not!"
Their explanation did make sense. From a cursory look of the laughter and chatter filled beach, the general consensus appeared to be that what they had envisioned, and what they had achieved, had aligned perfectly. It appears though that with this question, Vivienne had discovered a source of sadness for Sakura Tsukioka... but what was it which she felt sad about? That the Summer was gone? That this 'project' would only last a year? Or... that they couldn't experience it together due to the short length of their stay? A very short length indeed...
"I see... it makes sense... but... I just feel... that it may make it easy to catch a cold too... the first things I would have thought of... in this weather... in this place... would be a picnic in the forest... maybe some camping... but perhaps... next time..."
An idea for Sakura Tsukioka when she would feel the need to organize another outing, if the opportunity ever came. The comment about the cold though was indeed real, for while none may remember it, Vivienne only had a small swimming blazer when she 'first' came here last week. This time, she had come much more prepared, with a large coat around her shoulders. It kept the latter and her neck warm at least, as well as protecting the entirety of her backside against any unpleasant draft...
Originally Posted by
Colt
"Hmmm... I reckon my day started pretty terribly, but things took a turn for the better when a charming lady agreed to a beach date with me. Well, it ended up not being the most date-like... date, but I'm having fun. What about you, Vivienne?"
"I... am sorry... I... do not know... because I cannot feel anything... anymore..."
An answer that would definitely elicit raised eyebrows, and awkwardness. She had tackled this topic before, when Prushka had tried to forcibly solve Vivienne's problems... but no one else other than Prushka herself, Pyry, Ubon and Hisa had truly understood why Vivienne Bianchi was always emotionless... thus perhaps it was time to add some people to that circle of people who understood, or at least heard her explanation. Wherever they believed her or not, was something else entirely. At any rate, there was nothing to be gained keeping the people she was talking to right now in the dark. She could have said 'yes' and be done with it, but Sakura Tsukioka seemed like the kinda of person that would have required a more heartfelt proclamation.
If the empty girl was going to ruin the atmosphere, she might as well ruin it with an explanation.
She sits down next to Prushka, but her eyes look upwards, towards the blue sky, darkening gradually as the evening slowly banishes away the sun's light. There are no clouds, there is only an endless, dark and cold blue. No different from the depths of the ocean. No different from her soul. She begins to speak, tone as always devoid of any hint of emotions. What is left for every one hearing and listening to her, is to imagine how she would have sounded, was she a normal person.
"I am here... at this school... with the hopes of fixing my 'problem'...
...it is... hard to explain... but... if I was normal... if Vivienne Bianchi was really here... she would be happy... because she has always valued having friends, discovering new things... and having fun... but...
...I cannot anymore... be like her. I cannot be happy... and I cannot be sad... I can only think of how I should be... not of how I am... because... in a sense... there is nothing... when I look at myself."
She looks at everyone around the table. What will be their reaction to all of this? Acceptance? Outrage? Rejection? Would Alex Terrot feel sympathy, since it seems like she too had been hit by traumas of her own?
Vivienne Bianchi
07.09.1994 (WED)Evening Phase
Clear Skies
End's Beach - Picnic Tables
[/QUOTE]