Overload {Open}

[Mei Mei]

open for one other person

The day had started out as normally as every other day that seemed to pass her slow and peaceful life. She awoke to the annoying ring of her alarm clock, and the distinct scent of fried rice wafting through the gap between the bottom of her bedroom door and the wooden floor beneath it. After washing up and getting changed, she'd eaten breakfast with her family before walking off to school.

That was then.

Right now, she was walking through a hallway with a mountain of books stacked in her arms, blocking her view of all that was in front. She took a few shaky steps forward, listening out for anyone that might be infront of her. Stopping a few steps from her last position, she sighed. Where was she now? While complaining in her mind about the weight of the books in her thin arms, she'd failed to keep track of her surroundings.

There wasn't much use in staying in one place though. Perhaps if she wandered around, she'd find her way again. She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of the musty books, worn down from too much page flipping and careless use. They were library books, and as much as she hated touching something so dirty, she had to return her library books before they were due, or else something bad might happen. Say a fine or generally something she didn't want to happen. Prevention was a good thing, she supposed.

Her grip on the bottom of the book stack tightened slightly, and she walked forward, balancing the books with utmost care. She doubted anyone would be wandering the halls right then, and let her level of alertness drop significantly. She didn't know the time right now, but this school was huge. No one would be here.

A Happy Mei Fact # 21 : She has a tendancy to trip when her guard is lowered.

Her shaky steps had been the cause of her accident. While trying to regain her balance, she'd tripped over her own sandled feet, falling forward with the books spilling out of her arms. Expecting to land on the tiled floor and in the middle of her books, she shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the impact. But instead of falling where she'd expected, she'd hit something. No, not something. Someone.

["Unfettered"]

ITS TOO MUCH CAPTAIN, SHE CANNOT TAKE IT!

To begin...

"Unfettered" had woken up like any other day, in the past few months. Contemplative, irritable, a confused, frustrated, pensive... and then, calm, after the initial 'wake up' from the incessant strange dreams he was getting every night. Like some problem he hadn't been able to figure out on his own or something, that he'd need to think of at night as well. Scratching his head furiously, clawing the hair out of his face, he'd sit up, and walk downstairs, take a look at the still destroyed restaurant. Repairs having only gotten to about 13%. He really wished that M.A.P. didn't have to work so much on this, so much as the cooking that he so enjoyed, but an employee was an employee... and he had to get some profits in, somehow.

That was then.

Prior to the moment that this particular story was about to take place, he was patrolling the hallways still. No one had really bothered to take away his S.H.C.P. badge, nor had anyone stopped him... yet. Still deep in thought, he had 'Ambition', his bokken, hilted on the back of his belt. Jeans on, black coat on, scarf (granted, it was cold in California this month, but it wasn't that cold...), and of course, all of his 'God' gear on, underneath... But, for the sake of keeping himself warm, especially due to the nature of his Qi... well...---

---Of course, this was when our good German happened to notice a large tower of books walking his way. With little legs... He didn't want to stop moving, and was decidedly trying to take his pathway 'slightly' to the right (he was lazy...), and in that moment, wanted to see if he could just pass by to tower's right side a little bit, without even grazing the poor person who had to deal with holding up all those books.

That is when the miniature library skidded towards him, his defenses completely down, his eyes widening, as 'it' fell on him.

"Hoy!---"

Falling hard on his rear end, the tiling of the hallway making the fall only that more unpleasant, his eyes were wincing shut to prevent the tear ducts from making any false moves... But, there was more then just books scattered all over him..

"...What the hel-...?"

..That was odd.

'It' felt warm.

He opened his eyes.

...

..A girl?

Kinda stared, impolite, yeah... but surprise.

At what though?

[Mei Mei]

She landed -- not so painfully -- on something rather soft, and yet it wasn't soft. Softer than the floor, but not similar to a pillow. Mei was pretty much leaning on her hands, the said apendages on the boy's chest, not exactly where she thought they'd be. It took her a couple of seconds to shake the shock of her fall, realize her books were scattered, and that she'd just not-so-gracefully landed on another human being instead of the tiled flooring that she'd expected to land on moments ago. Shifting her gaze upwards, her eyes met with that of a guys, and immediately she reacted.

Shooting herself backwards, she broke off the eye contact as quickly as it'd been made, averting her orbs to the ground, and started gathering the books that had sprawled out on the floor, some pages bent, damaged from the fall. If one were to look closely at her, they would see a tinge of red on her cheeks. Gawd, she'd just fallen on a GUY. And sure, her mind was telling her that her state of embarassment with the situation assured her that she was straight, but it didn't make the embarassment go away.

"I'm REALLY sorry!!"

One of her hands was now positioned in front of her lips, her fingertips gingerly touching her skin while her other hand was gathering the colored books in a small pile in front of her. She knelt behind her books, her back to the boy, as she grabbed another book, making sure it was closed properly before gently placing it on the rebuilding tower of knowledge. But as the book tapped against the one underneath it, dozens of worries and questions plagued her mind, overloading her 'thinking space', as she called it, with thoughts she didn't normally come across.

Had he taken it the wrong way? Had anyone seen? Oh gawd, was there anyone around? Thoughts similar to those circled her mind in the form of a disasterous cyclone, making her feel as if she were a drowning surfer in the middle of a storm. She stood up hastily, turning to face the guy with her hands by her sides and a somewhat sheepish grin, abandoning her quest to pick up her library books for the moment.

"Uhm...yes..."

She walked over to him, cautious of him incase he made any sudden movements to lash out at her for her lack of attention. Mei reached her hand out as if to help him up, but hesitation stopped her a little short, only momentarily before resolve came, and let her hand reach out to a longer extent. It would be probably be worse for her if she'd just run off with her books without doing anything. He might actually hunt her down or hold a grudge against her. The sheepish grin changed into a sincerely apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."

["Unfettered"]

...Not Again.

A subtle glance... and then she was away, shooting herself up, her hair trailing after her. Comical. Something "Unfettered" would figure would be in one of those.. animations? Animas? Animes?... Whatchamacallits. The strange 'warmth' left his chest, almost immediately. ...Not like he was desperate or anything. In fact, it was kind of the opposite scenario with this guy. But... it wasn't a bad thing. Actually kinda wished it would've stayed there longer---Huh. That's a guy for you. Regardless, his face remained rather stoic, albeit his hair fluffed all over his own face, covering up his eye-patch, he stayed in the same position that he was in, just sort of watching the girl begin to pick up her books. If she'd waited for a few moments, she might have given him a chance to do the 'gentlemanly' thing to do. As it was...

"I'm REALLY sorry!!"

'I should probably be the one apologizing, seeing you about ten yards away...'---But his eye darted up... and caught wind of a tint of red, before he was even able to vocalize his own feelings. Did he just imagine it? If so, just his mind playing tricks on him... if not, why? Neh. Quickly, he turned his own face downward, attempting to use the momentum of his head to throw a good 'bunch' of his hair in front of his own cheeks. Could not stand to see women blush like that. Or the thought of it. It was irritating, it was annoying... yet that always hit upon a weak-spot. Usually. Sometimes. Sorta. Thing. In turn, though, it was actually a good thing he was looking down, more towards his chest, as he propped his shoulders up, pushing his elbows back on the floor to push himself up. If he'd really...

...He shook his head. Over-analyzing. A trait both men and women did far too often. Focusing, forcing himself to consider that it was just in his imagination, he quickly used the rest of his arm strength to push himself up, into a sitting position. Just watching pick up her books. He should help her. This was partially his fault, anyways. Of course though, when she'd stand up suddenly, he'd still be watching her. Taking in the series of events that were going on. He was a guy, after all. One-track mind. Only way to keep themselves focused was to subconsciously dismiss all other matters, including self-awareness at times, and just mull over. As if his own mind hadn't caught up yet.

"Uhm...yes..."

Awkward silence, awkward grin? A part of him was already taking this in the wrong way, but it couldn't be helped. He'd just have to force it from his mind. Fortunately, several recent memories provided more than substantial aid in that feat. Watching her closely, as she approached him, his hands half-clenched, just in case she turned out to be one of 'those' people walking around this school, he was genuinely surprised, as she bent his way. Not so much at the hesitation, but at the fact that she actually proffered to help him. "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."

Nice smile. He gave her one of his own, although not as 'gracious'. Still some reservations kept in his mind. But even so... "..Ditt---No, I saw you. My fault as much as yours, if not more, ja?"

His own hand would reach out, slowly. Before taking a final shot out, and clasping her hand firmly. If she'd then pull him up, he'd push back with his other hand to help her with the momentum, put not so much of the strain on her arm. Taking note of the warmth in her hand (again, he's a guy), maybe have it linger for a few more moments, before awkwardly letting it go immediately. Then... for a moment, just sort of look her over. 'Check her out', if you will, look her up and down... not for sexual extent, actually (though---...no, he had to keep those thoughts dead. -_-, but to see if...

Hmm.

"Ja... so... new? Or have I juzt not zeen you around?"

Tilting her head slightly, positioning his left arm around his waist, as he propped his right elbow onto it, to have his hand hold up his chin. Some flakes of hair filtering through to reveal an 'eye-patch' on the other side of his head... A bit of a concentrated look in his remaining eye.

Devising something already?

[Mei Mei]

When she was about to hold out her hand to him, she noted that his hand was half clenched. For what reason, she had no idea. Not even a vague clue, actually. But when she smiled, she noticed a small pause before he smiled back. To him, his smile was reserved, even slightly. But to her, it was like any other smile a 'good' person would have to offer. Sure, she had to be cautious since she didn't know him an all, but she still knew she had to keep an open mind when it came of other people.

He reached out for her small hand, he would talk to her. Saying something about actually seeing her there. She took a firm hold of his hand, and using a moderate amount strength and effort, pulled him up until he was able to stand properly. She did observe how his free hand assisted him to stand. Heeeehhh...Maybe he thought she was weak. Jeez. And he'd actually SEEN her comming. Didn't he know how to move around someone who obviously couldn't see one meter in front of her due to a stack of frickin' library books? Cheh. She kept her newly steaming thoughts to herself, looking down at her hand that was still locked with his. She tilted her head downwards very slightly, but her eyes were locked on his face.

"Uhm.."

There was an awkward pause, and somewhere in the world, a gay baby was born. He must've noticed her stare of 'you can let go, you know', since he let go of her hand nearly immediately after she gave him the look. She also took a slight step backwards when a pair of eyes seemed to scan her, adding to the nervous feeling in her gut.

Then, she just stared awkwardly as he gave the same pose that Kyouya from Ouran high school always did. The fact that the pose was the same would've irked her enough to make her jump didn't quite pull to be true, as her concentration was focused on the eye patch he wore over his previously covered-by-hair eye. Sadly enough, the primary thoughts that entered her head were of suspicion and fear.

'Oh gawd, he's a gangsta. I just ran into a gangsta. I bet his nickname is..'

"Pirate..?"

The fact that she'd just said the last word out loud didn't register in her mind, as she just stared in shock at the eye patch. A german gangsta pirate was REALLY awesome, in her mind. But that was deep, really deep in her mind. So deep that she wouldn't realize it there and then. But she did realize she'd just said 'pirate' out loud, like an idiot. She covered her mouth with her hands, steadily becomming shaken, physically and mentally when her thoughts started running along the lines of 'I am going to die. Oh my GAWD.'

"Sorry, sorry, sorry."

Her hands dropped to her sides, before her right hand reached up to cover the right half of her face. She took a deep breath, and sighed. Calming down, she leaned the weight of her head on the hand covering her face. Mei gave the boy look that showed she was a little distressed. Maybe the pirate would take pity on her instead of making her walk the plank or something.

"You going to kill me?"

["Unfettered"]

YO-HO, YO-HO, A PIRA---Wait, What?

Awkwardness, silence, the extended holding of hands... Too many things about this girl made him pensive. Constantly thinking as to what it was that was irking him. For she was surely making him distracted about something. ...Although, he probably knew what it was. He just didn't want to get around to admitting to the fact that these little series of past occurrences were starting to mount-up. Heavens, if she just reacted like most of the students here, get pissed at him, attacked him, he could've at least just looked at her like any other person around here---

"Pirate..?"

That certainly threw him off.

A subtle double-take, just to make sure he'd heard correctly. His right eye-brow raised up a few more centimeters above normal, his arms dropping from his 'thinking' position, to just laying about lazily at his sides. Just as suddenly as the girl clapped both her hands over her mouth, as if to take back the words. It took "Unfettered" a few moments to realize that a psychological reversal had just taken place, in the past few moments. Twice.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry."

Face, stony. Wasn't changing its rather 'surprised' look, but wasn't changing about. Inside his mind?... She was already either in the process of cooling down, or further dwelling in her reaction, as she lowered her arms, pressing her hand over her face. Over... this. Granted, she probably had a reason for acting this way, but for a guy with his one-track mind, "Unfettered" wasn't currently processing that sort of mentality at that moment.

"You going to kill me?"

His stomach buckled forward, as his head followed after. Face still firm like a rock, but he nearly burst into laughter at the final passing thought she ran by him. Straightened his back, raised up his right hand, pointing up a finger, as if to make a 'first off' sort of comment. Paused. Glanced at his finger. Slowly lowered it back down. ...And then proceeded to bend down the rest of his body, picking up a book, sorting through it methodically to prevent any further bent pages. And another. And another. Didn't even look up.

"...Vell... Do you vant me to or something?"

...Or something.

Hah. Right...

Paused to look at one of the title. Glanced back up at her, and then piled it back onto his arms, crouching down in a kneel-like position.

...Never knew. She could be one of those 'morbid' girls... But a joke was a joke. Methodically, his mind was elsewhere, already processing the logic. A bit rude perhaps, failing to even make eye-contact at her latest statement as he was scrounging up the books, or else just really focused, but...

"I crashed into you. You named me 'Pirate'... Zay I help you vith your books, to verever you need to get zem, and we'll call it even, Miss...?"

[Mei Mei]

[Late Reply, sorry ]

Mei just watched as he stared at heer oddly for a moment, before flopping his arms, then laughing rather...loudly. It was her turn to stare at him oddly. Maybe he wasn't so dangerous after all. Or it could just be a plot to make her lower her guard. If she thought about it that way, it made sense. She tensed, but if he saw her sudden change, he most likely wouldn't have noticed. She was about to make a movement backwards, and maybe even run, but he'd stopped with his hysterics and raised a finger.

Her head lowered very slightly, as if expecting him to say something. Was he going to poke her to death now? Or was this another little plot for some unknown reason. But to her surprise, he lowered his head, saying absolutely nil, and began to pick up some of the still-scattered fountains of knowledge known as books. The fact that he said nothing just went on to unnerve her even more, and she was sure he would attack at any moment now, so she had to keep her guard up, and her attention focused on him.

"...Vell... Do you vant me to or something?"

She wasn't expecting that. She really wasn't. Mei was a very cautious person, and at a time like this, she wasn't going to let up with her suspicions. The obvious answer was 'No, I don't want you to kill me', but the little voice in her head told her that this was a trick question. Somehow. But if she answered with a 'Yes, please do kill me', then he'd either comply, or call a hospital or something. Both were results that she did NOT fancy.

"Um...No. I'd rather live, please."

With a question like that, if she'd stayed silent, he might've taken that as a yes. She watched him pick up the books that she'd dropped. She wanted just to call out to him and say 'No! it's okay!', but then she might actually offend him, and he might really kill her. Or rip up the books. In the case that that actually happened, then she'd have to pay for the books.

"I crashed into you. You named me 'Pirate'... Zay I help you vith your books, to verever you need to get zem, and we'll call it even, Miss...?"

She let her guard drop a little, a smile making its way to her thin lips. He was unexpectedly...nice? She still had her suspicions, seeing as he had an eyepatch. Normal people didn't wear eyepatches. She knelt down to pick up a book catching but a quick look at his eyepatch. Thinking about it, maybe he was making a fashion statement? Or it could be a medical thing. She dusted the cover of the book, placing it on the pile.

"Yes please. Thankyou lots."

["Unfettered"]

What's With These Fandangled Asians!?

"Um...No. I'd rather live, please."

A chuckle followed.

"Yes please. Thankyou lots."

"Ihr Empfang." he'd reply politely. 'Your welcome'. ...Was she scared at him, or something? So cautious, glory-geeze. He was tempted to confront her, but first, he had to pay her back. Didn't know if she'd take to him friendly... Finishing up piling it up, he positioned his body, and began to crouch up...

"...Mind taking a few off? Eet vill be eezer vith ze both of us, ja?"

...She didn't answer his question though. That was entitlement enough to poke some fun at her.

"...Miss... Shorty?"

A flash of a grin, obviously not serious, as he looked over at her---Whoa. Struggling to keep the books just under his nose.

[Mei Mei]

"Ihr Empfang."

The words had confuzed her as soon as they'd come out of his mouth. At first, she thought it was a swear word or something, but after repeating it a few times in her mind, she realized that he spoke something other than 'engrish' as she called it. That would, infact, explain his accent. Though how she noticed just then instead of earlier kind of worried her. Kind of. It was...german. Probably. She'd heard a little german before, in some manga she'd read, there was a few german characters. He didn't look like one of them though. Pity.

"...Mind taking a few off? Eet vill be eezer vith ze both of us, ja?"

A quick smile that accompanied a nod would be the only reply he would get.

"...Miss... Shorty?"

Hahahahaha No. Her smile, now forced, wavered a little, and she was now struggling to hold back her inner violent banshee from killing the pirate man. A fact about Mei that most people never found out was that while she was a very nice girl on the outside, she had this inner, angry banshee. Of course, it would be hidden from the world. No one had to know about her strangely violent urges when they came up.

"It's Mei, Mister pirate."

She stood slowly, as still supressing the slight urge to gouge his eyes out and feed them to dogs, vaguely wondering if she should see a psycologist about her violent inner self. It was starting to worry her. Calming down a little, she placed the last book on the top of the book pile that now stood to about her waist height.

"Mira Jing Meixue. I go by Mei."

["Unfettered"]

...That Sinking Feeling

"It's Mei, Mister pirate."

Completely oblivious of the fact that she took his insult really personally. Just quietly returning the smile... he found his eye darting out of the gaze of hers. ...Wonderful. Another new troublesome tangent. Almost becoming a stereotype for him. But his face gave off no look of 'discomfort', as she took her own share of the pile.

"Mira Jing Meixue. I go by Mei."

"...Zen I guess I'm Mister Pirate. At your service, Mei Fraulen."

..Typical German honorarium. He began walking towards the library, as soon as she put on the last book. Then stopped for a moment. Look up. Glance out the window at the right, slightly pensive...

"...Vy iz it zat all the Asian girls I meet are so accursedly cute?..."

Calamity Scorn.

-First kiss. Broke off relations with her, didn't like her attitude, but still cared for her. Certain about his feelings, but at a loss of how to handle it.-

Mitsuki Park.

-...Something still fresh in his mind. A gal with great personal codes. Unrequited. Became impatient with her lack of motivation... yet concerned about how little help she received. She needed to go down, lose the title of School Captain, for her own health. And for his own ambitions. And a few other complicated things (at least) in his head over that girl.-

Now...

Shaking his head, he'd continue to the library, keeping in pace with Mei, but he'd stop if she stopped. Couldn't tell if he was grinning in spite of himself or frowning on the verge of something. Wonderfully unnecessary High School Drama.

[Mei Mei]

"...Zen I guess I'm Mister Pirate. At your service, Mei Fraulen."

She didn't push for his real name. Mister pirate was good enough, right? If he didn't want to tell her his real name, she had to respect his decision. Books in hand as they headed for the library, she snuck a quick glance at him as he paused in stride before starting up again. Gawd, he was a strange one. But she had to assume that most people here were rather...different.

As he caught up to her, she gave him a questioning look, eyes trying to find the reason for his sudden stop. She could understand if he was just a person that just kept thinking, and needed to have a mental pause once in a while. Turning back to the path that the two walked, she was silent for the most part. But as they turned a corner, she had to turn her head upwards and ask the Pirate man the question that was pretty much killing her brain.

"Mister Pirate, why you have an eyepatch?"

A quick pause, then an after thought.

"If I may ask."

["Unfettered"]

Some Things Best Left---?

"Mister Pirate, why you have an eyepatch?"

Pause.

...

"If I may ask."

..But the 'damage', so to speak, was done. For a moment himself, he kept silent. Debated whether or not just to ignore her question... with memories of a certain 'gal' taking ever so unkindly to such treatment went, and bite him on the ass. He'd reasoned that he actually liked that girl though... However at the same time...

...Dammit.

Still.

"...If you may ask nosy questions?" Asked, almost as if it were just a casual/obvious question.

But he kept on that same expression. Somewhere close to grinning and frowning. Perhaps a bit harsh, but her question only bubbled up more and more unwanted memories. Aye. That was the day that bastard took out his left eye. That bastard, who took his eye and bit into it. That bastard... to whom he took a chair leg and shoved it into the bastard's heart. A bastard he'd killed, right in the auditorium, in front of majority of the student masses... of those that could see it, anyways. Coincidentally, also the day that Mr. Asiv decided to go and die on him. And the day before he was shipped back to Germany...---And that's as far as he'd let himself go. Jonathan? "Thrush"? Neither mattered, yet both were part of him.

He had to stop being such a self-reflective prick and get his head out of his ass sometimes. "Unfettered" glanced at Mei Mei as they continued to walk. Not wanting to stop over something silly, yet at the same time, not in the mood to explain. How do you explain that? 'Oh, I got into this fight with this punk during a meeting, he tore out my eye, bit into it, and then I killed him'.

>_>

...

"...Let'z just zay I'm a bigger idiot zen you perceive me for".

Wasn't just going to leave her hanging like that. Of course not. And he decidedly insulted himself after being relatively harsh to her for no explained reason on his end... Verbally, anyways. "How about you, zo?" gently bumping into her, lightly enough so that it was obviously 'playful'. A grin on his face, trying to change the near-interrogative mood. "Ver has Mei Fraulen been hiding herzelf all this time? Or is she new, ja?" Doubtful. Chances were, he'd never seen her before. Hundreds of students went to this school, after all, and it certainly wasn't his job to monitor every single damned one of them.

"Granted, your zo short," this time just kidding around (sort of), completely oblivious to how much he'd insulted her previously. "...If it hadn't been for ze castle of books you valled yourself in, I doubt I'd have noticed a rather reizend as you."

...

Now what did that mean?

Notice how he managed to keep a straight face, remained casual, and kept on looking forward. Not that he had any suddenly 'OMG' feelings for her, but there was this compelling feeling to state the obvious. In a different language.

Some things best left...

...

[Mei Mei]

As soon as the question had left her, an awkward pause arrived, the two staying in silence for a few brief moments before her question was met by another question, asked casually, but his choice of words blantly told her that she'd probably just hit a sensitive note there.

"...If you may ask nosy questions?"

Regret welled up inside of her, butterflies entering her tummy, making her feel awkward, regretful, and now, a little more quiet than usual. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to return library books today. If she'd done it tomorrow, she wouldn't be in this silent, awkward mess.

Inhaling deeply, she held her breath for a moment as the silence continued, and let go, gaining enough confidence to speak up. She dared look up at the pirate, only to make eye contact for a split second before averting her gaze as quickly as she could, suddenly losing the built confidence.

"...Let'z just zay I'm a bigger idiot zen you perceive me for"

Mei looked up almost immediately, a slight blush apparent. Not out of any romantic feelings, but from knowing she'd hurt him -- though not on purpose -- by allowing herself to ask a stupid question. She bowed her head slightly, and spoke meekly.

"Dui bu qi."

Pause.

"I mean, I'm sorry."

Another pause.

"For asking such a question."

She averted her line of vision again, balancing the books in hand very carefully to avoid slipping up again. She miserably hoped that she wouldn't have many more days like this in the future. Days like this were never her favourite times. Seriously. But before she could mentally beat herself up some more, she felt the older boy bump into her lightly.

Now, what was lightly for him, wasn't necessarily light for her, and for a moment, she stood still to balance the books before the mini tower toppeled over. She looked up again, to see him smiling down at her, before it was his turn to interrogate.

"How about you, zo?"

She blinked, not understanding his question well.

"Ver has Mei Fraulen been hiding herzelf all this time? Or is she new, ja?"

It was a valid question, she supposed. Though having been here for half a year, hiding and keeping a low profile was what she thought she ought to do. After seeing some of the more violent students at the school, she decided it was for the best. And for her health, she really didn't want to be left in a puddle of her own blood in a dirty school hallway. Who knows how many people had stepped all over the floor with their dirty shoes?

"Granted, your zo short,"

She had to stop herself from smiling evily, surpressing the various schemes and plans that started to come out from the depths of her complex mind. Instead, she grinned sillily, and commented cheerfully.

"I've been here long enough. But I stay low,"

"For my health's sake." an after thought.

Mei noticed that he seemed to be sporting a less serious front now, and she supposed that after he'd gone through the trouble of probably trying to seem cheerful, she might as well try to stay as friendly as she could, and watch her words.

"...If it hadn't been for ze castle of books you valled yourself in, I doubt I'd have noticed a rather reizend as you."

She blinked once. Twice.

"Reizend?"

["Unfettered"]

OOC: Sorry. Its short, but its to the point... I'll try to pick up my speed. ^_^; Sorry! ._.

Clarification

..Okay, maybe not the best choice of words, given the already awkward situation...---

"Dui bu qi."

Too quietly... he must've misheard, something.

"I mean, I'm sorry."

---Wait, Eh?

"For asking such a question."

...

Oh. He gave off a light laugh, sorta waving off with a few free fingers, as if it wasn't anything...

---...Crap.

That was a light bump. A light bump. Wincing at himself, he smiled apologetically, murming quiet 'Erbärmlich's, as he bent down to help her out, if he could. Waiting...

...But, as she smiled suddenly, at his 'last' comment... he was beginning to wonder if he was going about this in the correct 'light-hearted' way that he thought he was... >_>;

"I've been here long enough. But I stay low,"

"For my health's sake."

..After making the comment on how 'reizend' she was, and failing completely to notice it... he'd shrug, tucking the books he had under one arm, using his chin to pressure it into place, and using his left hand to help pile the books back up in her own piles...

---Oh. She was looking his way. Blink.

"Reizend... 'cutie'... zat zort of ting." he responded briefly, even non-chalantly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, as he'd try to help her with the last book, before resuming his walk onward.

A sure sign of the fact that he was slowly becoming jaded to how he used to react, two years ago.