[Let's see if she's still saying that when after the race. Seto wouldn't say that he was grateful for their meeting here, but that's because he didn't say a lot. Not when it became too personal. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Ann had become important to him, the thought of being separated long-term was currently not on his radar.]
Giving up on the whole country, huh? [No that he could blame her from the sum of her experiences. He refrained from giving her the bad news that the same corruption and ugliness of humanity existed no matter where she might go. The change of scenery at least, might do her some good. She was wiser now, and would know how to better assess potential threats. The sewing supplies would be difficult because of their miniscule nature compared to most other thing, however he'd found some slightly larger tools he required so.. perhaps..]
[It truly was a roller coaster of emotions, but he wasn't planning on backing out of it now. The bets were truly set now. Setting his focus on on the task at hand he compartmentalized the rest to reexamine on his own terms. Mentally, he was feeling much more prepared than where this started. No games, just competition. It came down to what it always did. Winning and losing, and he was no loser] Pretty.. [He sneered at that, not sparing his hands a look.] Sometimes I wonder if you really consider your adjectives before utilizing them.
[There's nothing in the stipulations that says he can't hide.
At least from her perspective Ann could see herself falling for someone, even if it was not Kaiba. This prospect was never a notion he'd entertained and in fact he had told Wei Wuxian as much months prior, not that the guy was here to corroborate the claim now. Romance had seemed- inefficient? Time-consuming? A distraction from more important matters? Now there was this strange alluring and unknowable quality to it. Also- chick flicks are ok, but dating sims are dorky? Same vein to him. Ie. Both are lame.
Although she was already envisioning her victory, there was one wrench left to literally throw into the works. The throw was accurate, like always, and if there had been time he would have boasted about it, but time was of the essence here. Maybe he should have considered the consequences but all he knew is that losing was not an option, and there simply wasn't time to dawdle. It was now or never.
The giraffe does the trick, though as it's flailing it's instinctive, it's not actively trying to play interference or harm anyone. When the girl smacks into it's leg it bleets in surprise and confusion.
Once Kaiba has secured the win- or so he thinks -he comes to a stop, breathing heavily to try and catch his breath after the exertion. Feeling that familiar sensation of smug satisfaction, he wheels around to see just how far back she is, his lips quirking upwards. It's at this point he considers that either Ann or the creature could have been hurt in his zealous need to win. They both- appear fine. Ann having gotten to her feet already by the time he looked and the as yet unnamed giraffe tilting it's head down to look at her while she gave it some pats]
[It's a relief until she starts on that tirade about cheating. Pulse still racing and heart rate still up he's ready to defend his actions]
Cheater?! What do you call all that parkour nonsense?! In a regular foot-race that's not generally allowed! [There they were both shouting at one another. That was fine. This was normal. Ish. This he could handle. When she doubles over his expression drops, thinking that the initial assessment of her wellbeing might have been in error] I didn't expect you to smack right into it, Takamaki... [As if that was a suitable excuse, and somehow her fault] You were the one that insisted the race proceed even if a monster appeared- and you're the one that lost!
no subject
Giving up on the whole country, huh? [No that he could blame her from the sum of her experiences. He refrained from giving her the bad news that the same corruption and ugliness of humanity existed no matter where she might go. The change of scenery at least, might do her some good. She was wiser now, and would know how to better assess potential threats. The sewing supplies would be difficult because of their miniscule nature compared to most other thing, however he'd found some slightly larger tools he required so.. perhaps..]
[It truly was a roller coaster of emotions, but he wasn't planning on backing out of it now. The bets were truly set now. Setting his focus on on the task at hand he compartmentalized the rest to reexamine on his own terms. Mentally, he was feeling much more prepared than where this started. No games, just competition. It came down to what it always did. Winning and losing, and he was no loser] Pretty.. [He sneered at that, not sparing his hands a look.] Sometimes I wonder if you really consider your adjectives before utilizing them.
[There's nothing in the stipulations that says he can't hide.
At least from her perspective Ann could see herself falling for someone, even if it was not Kaiba. This prospect was never a notion he'd entertained and in fact he had told Wei Wuxian as much months prior, not that the guy was here to corroborate the claim now. Romance had seemed- inefficient? Time-consuming? A distraction from more important matters? Now there was this strange alluring and unknowable quality to it. Also- chick flicks are ok, but dating sims are dorky? Same vein to him. Ie. Both are lame.
Although she was already envisioning her victory, there was one wrench left to literally throw into the works. The throw was accurate, like always, and if there had been time he would have boasted about it, but time was of the essence here. Maybe he should have considered the consequences but all he knew is that losing was not an option, and there simply wasn't time to dawdle. It was now or never.
The giraffe does the trick, though as it's flailing it's instinctive, it's not actively trying to play interference or harm anyone. When the girl smacks into it's leg it bleets in surprise and confusion.
Once Kaiba has secured the win- or so he thinks -he comes to a stop, breathing heavily to try and catch his breath after the exertion. Feeling that familiar sensation of smug satisfaction, he wheels around to see just how far back she is, his lips quirking upwards. It's at this point he considers that either Ann or the creature could have been hurt in his zealous need to win. They both- appear fine. Ann having gotten to her feet already by the time he looked and the as yet unnamed giraffe tilting it's head down to look at her while she gave it some pats]
[It's a relief until she starts on that tirade about cheating. Pulse still racing and heart rate still up he's ready to defend his actions]
Cheater?! What do you call all that parkour nonsense?! In a regular foot-race that's not generally allowed! [There they were both shouting at one another. That was fine. This was normal. Ish. This he could handle. When she doubles over his expression drops, thinking that the initial assessment of her wellbeing might have been in error] I didn't expect you to smack right into it, Takamaki... [As if that was a suitable excuse, and somehow her fault] You were the one that insisted the race proceed even if a monster appeared- and you're the one that lost!