Eviseria Role-Play

Maevis has dropped her school books on the road. Though it is still in the middle of a pedestrian zone, that will not stop the cars when the lights are green. Considering the prices of each of those paper, soul-eating class devices, panic rises and she is forced to fight the urge to move out onto the pavement to retrieve them. Two cars rush by, but no damage has been done, luckily. Yet.

She pushes the button for the pedestrian traffic change many times with frantic repetition, her eyes wide with alert focus on the books as she looks each way for more oncoming cars. Sure enough, a big truck is on its way--one with big, muddy tires.

"Noooo! No, n-no, no, no, no, nooo!" Maevis' arms reach out with desperation as the lights turn red and the truck stops a mere seven inches from the expensive books. Her arms and shoulders falling with immense relief, she moves forward over the pedestrian painted strips to retrieve what the lights have saved for her.

Zac's foil scrapes over his opponents chest armor, deflected, as he receives a deft blow directly to the chest. Zac collapses to his knees breathing heavily as he looks up to his teacher. "Are you ever going to let me win? Yeesh.."

His teacher laughs heartily and offers a hand to help Zac up, which he takes graciously. "You have a lot to learn, but still talented nonetheless. Go.. clean up and get ready to go home. We will continue tomorrow."

Zac proceeds to the locker room to shower and get ready for his walk home. He smiles looking back on the several times he almost managed a blow on his tutor. "One of these days.." he tells himself. He packs everything he brought with him into his backpack and heads out of the dojo, walking home.

Across the street, he can see a young woman lose her paperwork into the street. He watches curiously as she struggles to stop the oncoming truck. He begins to approach the crosswalk as the truck stops when his light turns red then pauses and watches.

As she finishes picking up the textbooks, she rushes across the road as the lights shift into a shade of green. Honking erupts immediately to her right and she rolls her eyes as she runs forward. She thinks to herself, Already? Damn stoplights...how do old people get around in this place?

When Maevis reaches the other side, she sees a dark haired man about her height. Of course, he's taller. Who isn't, these days? Smiling briefly at him, she turns to the right to walk alongside the road against the cars zooming past at impatient speeds. The winds of the vehicles make her nervous as they push at her dress. Luckily, it doesn't mess with her clothing too much, but her free hand nervously pushes down at the dress, anyway, out of habit.

The books fall to the sidewalk and Maevis groans. This was probably what had made her drop them the first time, but she can't quite remember. Stupid habits. Crouching down, she moves to pick up the books again. Just her luck that she would keep dropping these things, especially when they are so expensive.

Zac watches and chuckles as he walks over and kneels down to help the woman pick up her books. "Seems you're having a rough evening. Let me help." He smiles as he helps pick up her books and hands them to her before helping her back to her feet.

"You look like you could use some company, do you mind?"

The man moves to help her with her books and she smiles again as he hands them to her. He offers to walk with her and she wonders if this is one of those kind of men that turn into stalkers, rapists, or any of that sort. Sadly, this world is one of those that there is really no way to tell...until you're truly alone with them. Still, she has ways to protect herself, so she decides to go with it.

"Thanks!" Maevis says as she takes the books, "I appreciate your help. Are you walking this direction, too? I'm Maevis, though some people just call me May."

"You're welcome. Happy to help." Looks around before beginning to walk. "Yes, actually I live about 5 blocks down here. Not sure how far you're going but I'll accompany you till then, if you're going further. And my names Zachary, but you can just call me Zac."

"You know, I don't usually see anyone walking around by the time I leave the dojo.. do you walk this route often?"

"Nice to meet you, Zac," Maevis says politely as they walk. "Of course, I do...but I usually am home by now. I am late today, due to some last minute library work on campus...I go to the University that's a few blocks over there."

She points across the road and realizes to herself that since he lives near here, he probably knows about the university, already. I'm an idiot. She decides to change the subject.

"I live near you, then. I live pretty close, as well, thankfully. Otherwise, I'd probably just use a car." Maevis says, blushing slightly. Of course I'd use a car if I lived far away! Way to keep stating the obvious, May, great people skills, there.

"I see. I train at the dojo over there every week night. It's an exhilarating workout, and it's fun to boot! Ever since I was little.. I've had this fascination with swords and magic, but the closest I can come to that now is fencing."

Glances down the alleyways as we walk by them, knowing all too well the dangers that could potentially be lurking in the shadows. He remembers a time when he was young, he remembered hearing about his aunt telling him stories of people she'd known who didn't keep a watchful eye on what was going on around them. It was disastrous every time.

"You know, I tried the college life once, but it just doesn't suit me. I grew bored of studying day in and day out. Never could just stick with it. Unfortunate really, but it leaves me free to do a lot of what I want to do in life." Smiles warmly towards May.

Maevis watches as he looks about them alertly. It's odd, he seems a bit strong, and if he uses a sword, then he must be physical fit, at least a little. He doesn't look like a body builder, but that's a good thing--those kind of men look ugly to her. Not that I'm shallow or anything.

"Oh, that's really cool," Maevis says, "I never thought about swordplay before. I study medicine. I'm this close to getting my degree."

She sighs as she looks at the ground before her feet. She's not very good at paying attention to her own surroundings, especially when she's as tired as she is. Zac is lucky that he doesn't have homework...homework sucks.

"How do you support yourself?" She asks curiously.

"Oh I do odd jobs around town, usually for the Dojo. I help my teacher train new members. Beyond that, I have a modest savings that I have available should the need arise."

"That's really actually pretty fantastic, I'm a little jealous that you're so close to finishing your degree. As I mentioned I never had the ability to it, but I do dream nonetheless."

Cars begin to honk their horns rapidly behind him. Turning to look back, he sees someone has run out into the street to cross to the side we're walking on. "What's he trying to do? Get himself killed? I never can understand people sometimes."

Maevis looks back at the honking as well. The honking startled her, so she jumps a little, but is relieved to see that the person that was passing is okay. She turns back around and her thoughts return to his commentary about being jealous of her almost degree.

"Hey, crossing the road's not for everyone." Maevis says, shrugging, nor is college, it would seem. I'm glad they are okay. It's cool that you teach people how to use swords...I wish I could. Maybe you should teach me sometime."

"I'd love to teach you. Just stop by the Dojo one of these days when you have some free time. I'd be happy to give you some lessons. It's not hard really, just takes lots of practice." Smiles towards her.

"The first thing about danger, is to always have your wits about you. The moment you drop your guard, is when something bad will happen, guaranteed. Always be aware of your surroundings so someone cannot get the drop on you. It's an ever going task, like your studying, you fall behind even for a moment in some of your classes and it's over."

The cool city air begins to blow, creating a wind chill that causes Zac to shiver slightly. The temperature has noticeably begun to drop since he began to walk with May. *What's with this temperature.. so unnatural. Something's up.. better keep my guard up.*

Zac talks about keeping up your guard and lots of practice. The practice she can handle, but being alert all of the time? Maevis isn't sure she will ever be able to do that...after all, she never pays attention to her surroundings. She just keeps thinking and paying attention to people and whatever her thoughts take her to. Could she ever be good at that?

She brings her textbooks closer to her chest and clasps her arms over them against the chill. It's cold...she didn't realize it would get this cold, or she would have brought a coat. Or pants under her dress or something.

"Geez, it's cold. That's my house over there--the brown one on the corner over there." She says quietly, "Do you live much farther?"

"Mm, yes it got cold fast. It wasn't supposed to be this cold tonight. Thankfully I'm not much further. Just another block. Maybe I'll see you in the morning on your way to class? Or on the way home again from the University?" Watches as May approaches her home. "Even if not, it shouldn't be this cold again tomorrow, you know? Crazy weather."

Maevis smiles and nod her head with confirmation. "Sounds good! I don't have class tomorrow, but if you want to chat, I can find you when you get off and walk with you again. Or you can come over, whichever."

She suddenly looks over to her house as they reach it and feels sad with herself. Is she really so pathetic as to miss a stranger? Of course I am, I never get out enough or actually talk to people...so much studying.

"Either way, thanks for walking me home." Maevis moves up to the gate and speaks with a playful tone, "It's always a nice bonus to get to walk home with someone that could stab somebody if they tried to mug me."

"Mm you're welcome, but a minor correction. I couldn't actually stab someone, I don't carry a blade on me. All of my fencing gear is left at the Dojo. But.. I'm not altogether useless should someone jump you or us." Zac chuckles lightly before adding, "You should come by the dojo tomorrow and I can show you a few things, or you can watch. It'll be fun."

Another gust of wind blows, dropping the temperature even further. A wind chime is heard in the distance, but all is silent beyond that. Not even the sound of traffic can be heard. The man that ran across the street earlier can now be seen walking down the sidewalk seemingly unaffected by the cold. Zac notices him being unaffected. "You should probably go inside and lock your door. This cold is unnatural, and he's unnerving. You should definitely come by the dojo tomorrow, ok? I'll show you a few things."

Maevis nods her head and smiles one last time. "You got it, I'll be there! Thanks again for the walk!"

She turns to head into the house and looks at the man that Zac had called unnerving. He just looks like an ordinary dude, to her. Shrugging, she heads inside, closing the door and locking it. With a stretch and a yawn, she decides to head to bed. Looks like tomorrow will be busier than she had originally expected.

As she gets ready for bed and dresses down, she pulls out a book and turns on her bedside lamp to read. However, she puts the book back down after just a few moments as her mind returns to Zac. I wonder how much that dojo costs...I forgot to ask. Oh, well. I'll be sure to bring plenty.

"You're welcome." Watches quietly as May closes the door and turns to walk down the sidewalk. He glances up at the sky as he begins to walk towards his house. Beyond the cold air, it's actually quite peaceful outside. He proceeds home quickly and locks the door to his own home.

Zac walks up the stairs to his bedroom and kicks back and relaxes for a bit before calling it a night. He begins to wonder if May will actually come to the dojo in the morning. With hope he closes his eyes for the night.

Zac wakes up early the next morning and decides to head over to the dojo early. He walks outside to a crisp morning and smiles at the temperature. *Much better than last night.*

Maevis is quick to fall asleep when she is finished reading and when the next day arrives, she wakes to find herself filled with dread at the coming of yet another, repetitive day. Though she has no ready plans for the morn, she prepares a very small breakfast and floats about lazily until she finally remembers her encounter with the man that walked her home.

Finally, the dread falls away and she smiles as she remembers that today won't be boring and redundant at all. She finishes her short meal, reads a few more chapters in her book, and then showers and gets ready for her trip to the dojo to meet with Zac.

She is stepping out of her house and locking the door behind her when she hears a familiar voice in front of her home calling out her name. She turns to the side, still locking the door while her face looks away to identify that of her caller. Mae smiles pleasantly and then waves as a short boy approaches her.

"Mae!" He says, "I got a message for you!"

Maevis shakes her head, a smile still on her face as she approaches him in her tiny "yard." Holding out her hand, he gives her a folded piece of paper. Rather than reading it, however, she simply folds it once more and places it in her pocket. She already knows who it is from and of course, the young boy is used to her reaction, so it is a casual exchange.

"Thanks, Ben. It's appreciated, as always." Mae says, "How have you been?"

"Good." Ben says, "Save any lives, yet?"

"Hmmm...does giving out rash medication count?" Mae asks him.

Ben replies with a scrunch of his nose and a gaze of displeasure.

Mae laughs, "I didn't think so."