Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Brand New Start; Ash, Open
Topic Started: Aug 11 2015, 04:12 AM (372 Views)
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

*the sound of a tape rewinding sets the scene, followed by a quiet backbeat playing, setting the tone for the day...*

A blue pickup pulls into the school parking lot about 1 PM on this Thursday in October, and a tall linebacker of a man steps out, wearing worn-out jeans, and a blue plaid longsleeve flannel shirt with a black tee underneath, a circular, retro design on it referencing an old series of games from years past, Pokemon. The game reference looks out of place on a guy who otherwise looks like he'd be better fitting in a football locker room than an internet cafe, but who knows, looks can be deceiving.

He grabs a handheld camcorder off the passenger seat, and flips it on, holding it out at selfie length with one big hand.

"Alright, guys and gals. You wanted me to keep a V-log of the move, so here's me landing the big ol' blue bearmobile at Ravencroft. I wanna thank you all for yer support, it was a tough call deciding to go back to school again after these couple years, but even a knucklehead like me knows how valuable a good brain can be. Life's been tough, but it means a lot to know that I have you fans, and my family back home, cheering me on."
He gives a big smile, running his free hand back through his scruffy, chin length brown hair.
"But you guys don't subscribe just to see me look all big an' blubbery here on camera, so I'm gonna keep this brief. I promise I will have some new content up by the end of the week. Might be more V-logs, might be me doing real Bear Knuckle reviews again, I REALLY want to tackle that relaunch of the SHIELD stable after like, what is it now, 9 years. I'm as psyked as you guys are!

He looks around, turning the camera and panning around the parking lot, getting a full view of the place."Idunno how much I'll have time for with the whole move in and school thing, I haven't done it in a few years now. Last I heard, this place is supposed to have some great sights, so who knows, I might just wander around with the camera and see what kinda crap I can get into."
As he settles on the front door of Ravencroft High, from all the way out in the parking lot, he ducks back on camera so the front door is over his shoulder.
"So, this is your friendly neighborhood big Blue Bear, signing off. Peace out, Internet, and as always, remember your right to bear arms. Hooah!"
He makes a big flex for the camera as he does that, then cuts off the video after a few moments, turning the camera off and tucking it into a thoroughly battered camping backpack sans-rig, which he slings on his shoulder. Looking over at the door once more, he closes the truck door with a loud THUNK, and leans back against it.

Oogh... what the hell're you doin' here, Ashi? You know this is just gonna end up with someone pushin' yer buttons and you gettin' kicked out again... He thinks to himself for a few minutes, just staring with that look a deer gives to an oncoming car, somehow profoundly stunned by the fact that he's finally on his own, at a prestigious school, even though right now it's just to see if he can finish high school three years late. You would never expect to see fear in such a big guy, someone who's been in as many fights as Ash has... but fear isn't the right word here.
Uncertainty, that's the one.
But... perhaps fear might be close enough. After all, some people are just creatures of habit, so set in their ways that even the slightest change is as dangerous as a bear to a passing salmon.

Of course, little does Ash know, finishing high school is likely to be the least of his problems at Ravencroft...
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

Get up, get out there, get to school. Make something of yourself, don't let it have all been for nothing. Something inside her was still pushing her forward, as numb as she felt. It didn't matter if she was covering stuff she had already gone over, she was throwing herself into the work. It was better than being at home, at any rate.

Her apartment wasn't too far from the school, but far enough that she was considering purchasing a bicycle for the journey. But every time she thought about spending part of her inheritance on something like that, she balked. There was something wrong about it, something she couldn't put her finger on. It would be nice to be able to get back during lunch time though; on foot she'd have to return as soon as she got back to be on time for the next class.

Instead, she was under this tree on a slope overlooking the parking lot, eating her lunch. It wasn't much, a sandwich and some raspberries, but she wasn't that hungry anyway. Autumn was starting to make itself known now, and she pulled her raincoat closer over her uniform. This skirt was too short, no good for climbing trees, not if she didn't want to give everyone on the ground a good show. She found herself gazing at the branches wondering when exactly was the last time she actually did such a thing. Too long, if she couldn't remember.

Her musings were cut short by a blue pickup rolling into the parking lot. She liked to people-watch sometimes, and she wondered what this guy was doing. He seemed a bit older than her, and he wasn't wearing the uniform. Maybe he was here on business? But then he brought out a camera, and started to talk into it. That was certainly an interesting move. From this distance she couldn't hear what he was saying. Her lunch was finished, and she was packing the plastic box away into her messenger bag, tidying up around her while she watched.

Now she was leaning against her knees, eyes locked on the man. He was flexing in front of the camera now. Why was that? Then he turned it off and put it in his bag, but instead of going in, he just leaned against his car. She was waiting for him to do something, but he just stayed resolutely where he was.

Chloe wasn't sure why she picked herself up, neatly strapping her bag over her shoulder. Maybe she just wanted to talk to someone who wasn't her sister or her aunt. Down the slope she went, approaching the car. Years of sneaking up on her friends to surprise them meant she had gotten quite good at walking softly, sometimes unintentionally. The angle of approach wasn't one he would have seen, so it was only as she was saying something that she realised that she had possibly unintentionally appeared out of nowhere to this man.

"Are you ok?"
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

Sure enough, Ash was off in his own little introspective world, and was completely oblivious to the world around him - including the girl sneaking up on him. And once she appears near him, he suddenly breaks out of his reverie with a start... not an obvious one, but he clearly jumps just a little.

"Hzwhah?"

He blinks, looking at her, then realizing she used words.

"Oh. Uh..."

Yup. Words. Things apparently beyond him, for the moment.

"Oh! Right. Hi. No, I'm fine. Just, uh... thinking. Yeah." He chuckles lightly, knocking on his head. "Thinking's really hard sometimes, you know, when yer just a big ol' meathead like me. Takes a lot of effort."
He puts on a broad smile.
"But, uh... right, manners. Sup? Name's Ashton. Call me Ash."
He offers a big hand to shake.
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

It would have been rude to lean against his car, so she just stood there next to him, the expression on her face remaining neutral as he jumped, just a little. It was funny, but she didn't feel that much like laughing. Instead she just watched as he tried to process what had just occurred. Before he offered an explanation.

"My name is Chloe", she said, shaking his hand. It was like a slab of meat compared to hers. "What are you thinking so hard about, if you don't mind me asking? Is it something to do with what you were doing with the camera?"

There wasn't a specific reason she was asking, idle curiosity more than anything. The day had been an uneventful one so far.
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

Rather than a handshake, Chloe was soon tugged into a manly sort of bro-hug by the handshake, a big pat on her back as he half hugged, half shoulder-bumped her... probably leaving her dizzy afterwards by the suddenness of it, but he seemed to act like that was completely normal.

"Oh, the camera? I'm filming for my YouTube show. Bear Knuckle Reviews? I talk about pro wrestling and stuff. Sometimes video games."
He scratches the back of his head, thinking a moment, and looking remarkably unsure of what he's saying, as though talking about it in front of a person, rather than a camera, was more difficult. Probably why he entirely dodged the question about what he was thinking about...
"Uhh... I told all my fans that I was going to be moving across the state to go back to finish high school, and rather than just take a break, they were all like 'hey, bear guy, you should film it as you go!' and I was like 'uhhh okay I guess'... soooo... yeah. Basically that."
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

It was a rare hug that called be described as stunning, and this managed to be one of them. As Chloe tried to remember who, and where she was in the aftermath of bro-hugageddon, she heard him take about his show. Neither wrestling nor video games were huge interests of hers, she played a few games idly on her phone if there was nothing else to, but that was the extent of her knowledge. Being polite, she didn't say any of that.

"Oh, that's nice," she said flatly. It had been harder to muster up enthusiasm lately, in almost all aspects of her life, "It's good to meet someone with fans. You must make them very happy."

Aware that the tone of her voice might falsely imply she was being sarcastic, she tried to speak a little more with a bit more energy, but it just wasn't coming to her.

"It can be hard to go back. I've had to repeat a year because-", she paused a moment there, then skipped to a different subject, "You're not wearing the uniform though."
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

"Psh, you think you got it bad, I'm 21 and here to finish my last year of high school." He says offhandedly, his tone as much casual as almost meaning it as a sort of medal of honor, as though blatantly trying to one-up her.
And then the color drains from his face as he realizes that was pretty dumb. He facepalms. "Wait. That came out wrong. Dammit."

He sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Well... yeah. Don't worry, I'm a bigger screwup than you. Can't even words right when I'm not on camera. Least you have this whole talking thing down good."
He chuckles a bit, as though to take the attention off his lack of ability to operate the english language.
"But, uh... no, I just got here. Like, right now. I heard there was a uniform but I didn't want to go ordering one til I checked in with the boss o' this place. Dean? Principal? Whatever the hell they call them around here. This place is kinda weird, but my mum said it was a good place for new beginnings an' all, so, hey, what the hell. Not much to lose, might as well give it a go."
He shrugs, still shouldering the big backpack.
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

Ash started talking and Chloe listened, just fixing her gaze on him. It certainly didn't seem like he had really done much in the way of planning, and she hoped it wasn't going to be a problem for him. Instead she waited for him to finish. It wasn't her desire to be the bearer of bad news in regards to what he should know, but she had been doing a lot of that lately it seemed so what was one more.

"It's a principal, for a high school," she said, taking a few steps towards the front door, "I can show you where the reception desk is, if you want. I think if you simply go marching up to the the man in charge you'll be removed from the premises."
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

"That's... yeah. You know what, yeah. That'd be great." He scratches the back of his head. "Cause, uh... that was what I was gonna go do."

He proceeds to follow her in, as they head in to head to the reception. And then, Ash manages to say a sentence that, coming from someone more articulate, was probably a backhanded insult... but from Ash?
No, Ash is just really blunt. Like a sledgehammer.
"So, how'd you end up botching a year of school? You don't exactly look like the dumb type. Or the violent hooligan type." He chuckles. "I'd know, I'm basically both."

You could say he has a way with words. A one way, in fact, going down a dead end road.
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

There were a few awkward moments between the question posed to her and the answer she gave, as mentally she gently probed at the truth, finding it too big to fit into words. Instead, she shrank it into something that would fit into her mouth without her choking on it.

"I'm not. There were family issues", she said, a sad softness in her voice betraying the burden that had been placed in her shoulders.

Down the corridors she went, other people enjoying their break time and paying no mind to her at all, no one as much as giving her a second look. Without intending to, she had made herself invisible in this place.

"I should say, I think there may be an age limit on attending high school," she said, her voice returned to its neutral tone, as she kept an even pace through the corridors, outdoors past a small garden, then indoors again, "I don't wish to ruin your day but I think 21 may be too old to be allowed in here."
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

"Family issues... yeaaaah, I hear you there." It was rare for Ash to not blurt out the first thing that he thought of. There's a few things that stay out of that automatic reflex, and it looks like his family is one of them. Seems he and Chloe have that in common - Chloe might recognize his tone as much the same as hers.

As she talked about his age, he shakes his head. "Nah. I called ahead. Told them about the situation I was in, and my mom talked them into giving me one chance." He shrugs. "But, uh... knowing my luck I'm gonna fuck that one up too. Either way, no worries, I like to take life one day at a time. Easier to wrap my thick head around."
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

That was good news for him, and not something she had anticipated at all. Probably because things had been so bad for her lately, the only outcome of this she saw was a grim one, and it surprised her into silence for a few moments before she stammered back to life.

"O-oh! That's... good for you."

Chloe went a bit red in the face, embarrassed by being wrong-footed like that, so she turned away slightly so as not to show that off.

"Well, if you work hard, you'll probably succeed." she said. He did seem to be being awfully difficult on himself, "You have to get your head down and push through."
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

"Hah! Yeah! That's what I always say. Nothing's ever a match for a well aimed headbutt to the face." He says, gently punching his forehead with his left hand.

"But, uh... 'pologies if I'm hittin' any nerves, but you look all wobbly. You take a bad hit lately or something?" He scratches his head, a sympathetic side probably the least expectable thing out of a guy who might be a lumberjack on the weekends, but Ash has learned one thing in his life, and that's that sometimes everyone needs some random stranger to remind them that life isn't as shitty as it seems.
"Or is it that family issues stuff?" He frowns, as he says that, as though he's hesitant to go there, partly because he knows it means he might have to go there too. "Or... nah, no, I guess it's not right for me to bother you 'bout stuff like that..."

They get to the principal's office, and Ash pauses outside the door. He's about to go in, but then turns around. "...but, uh... if you wanna wait, we can chill for a bit out in the parking lot or something after I check in. I've got a cooler fulla soda and convenience store food in the truck, and I'm pretty sure I've got a blanket somewhere in the all-my-worldly-posessions in the there too. Make a picnic of it or somethin'?"
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
protowizard
Member Avatar

There was still a lot of lunch break, and not an awful lot to do in it. It wasn't that she planned to tell him what had happened, she didn't really plan to tell anyone at her school. But even though, some part of her that she thought she had buried was pushing her towards it. Maybe it would feel better, or maybe she was just plain bored. Something had to change though, even if she didn't consciously know it yet.

The probing about her state of being caused her to reply with a flat, "I'm OK," that didn't really sell that she was fine, but she was OK, wasn't she? A quick answer didn't come to her.

"We can do that, if that's what you want. I have already had lunch though so I won't eat much."
Chloe status: Unawakened
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Anonymoogle
Member Avatar

"OK's never good enough. OK means you're just getting by. Life's for getting out there and living, not just getting by. Trust me." He chuckles a bit. "Don't worry, I can eat enough for both of us."
And with that, he heads into the principal's office, and closes the door behind him. It'll be several long minutes before he comes back out, giving Chloe plenty of time to think about things in the oddly quiet hallway.

When Ash finally does come out, some fifteen minutes or so later, he's holding a folder with the school's logo on it, and looks genuinely overwhelmed. He's looking through some papers in the folder, making a frowny face. "Aw frig... uniforms only go up to 2XL? Uuuuugh..." He glances around, once he's back out, seeing if the new friend he made decided to stick around...
Ash's Menu Screen!
Persona: Ursa Major ~ Level 1
Status: None
Boons: Defender's Power
Summon Count: 0
HP 5/5/5
■■■■■
■■■■■
■■■■■
3S/1M/5E/3A/1L

FALLOUT RP(G): Excelsior State Chronicles
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums with no limits on posts or members.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Ravencroft High · Next Topic »
Add Reply