tabularasa_rp | open 🌠 hello world! i'm your wild girl

[If the music room wasn't surprising enough, the new gymnasium certainly is, especially coming so shortly after her conversation with Cloud and Raihan about finding a place to put training equipment. Sparring with others and punching the bag of sand in her apartment can only get her so far—a girl like her needs space, and a decent range of exercise equipment to make the best of it.

Which is why Tifa can be found utilizing the facility to its fullest potential often. The treadmills and bikes will be used, and she's slowly learning how to properly shoot one of those orange balls through the hoops. Basketball doesn't exist where she's from, so it doesn't have a proper name in her head, but she's smart enough to connect the dots.

She's spent some time alone in the gym, so when someone else enters, she's quick to reel them in, bouncing the basketball in their general direction with enough force for it to make it across the room.]

You up for a game?

[As if she knows what this even is!

Or! Maybe you find her at the punching bags, chains rattling with each connecting hit. She's worked up a sweat, so when she sees someone else, she's quick to lower her fists to wipe away the beads of sweat at her brow.]

Wanna give it a go?

[If the Gymnasium was surprising, the other person currently in the gym with Tifa was probably a little more surprising. Parsee was not exactly the sort of person that you expected to see roaming gym halls, putting on equipment or clothes appropriate for it, yet here she was. She'd managed to find the most drab pair of sweatpants somewhere. They had literally no real color to them whatsoever, but they covered her arms, which was the only reason she was willing to make an appearance in this room.

She'd been exploring when the sound had caught her attention. As she made her way to the door, she glanced over at Tifa, she looked at the woman out of the corner of her eye, quiet for a moment. Rather than responding immediately, she went to the other side of the big punching bag and added her weight to it, holding it firm.]

You hit pretty hard. It's moving around a bit... let me hold it steady.

[It was a sneaky way to feel out just how strong the girl's punches felt. She had a suspicion how strong Tifa was. She was curious.]

It's pretty secure!

[At least, she hopes so. Unlike the punching bag in her room, which fell and dumped sand all over the floor the moment Cloud swung at it... She has no idea about that happening, but she's still finding sand in the strangest places in her room to this day...

But she isn't going to say no to a little help, and maybe she can convince Parsee to join her after.

Once she's sure that the bag is steady, Tifa prepares her fists again, and then swings, hitting the bag as hard as she can, but not so hard that it would send the other girl toppling over. The chain rattles and the bag thrums.]

So, what're you doing down here?

[At first glance, Parsee didn't look that strong. But a youkai was stronger than they looked. When the fist connected, the bag shifted, but it was clear enough that she'd hold it steady for the time being. Grunting, she glanced around the bag at Tifa.]

I was exploring. Been trying to figure out these new locations from time to time. Heard you working out. What about you?

Expecting trouble, or just keeping in shape?

Little bit of both.

[When she sees that Parsee can hold her own against the punches, Tifa lays on a couple more.]

Never know what's gonna come up next. Wanna be prepared for anything.

[The last time she let her guard down, the universe took the opportunity to kick her in the ass. Not this time.]

It's nice to see some equipment around here, I was wondering when it'd come up! You should give it a whirl. A good old one-two!

[Parsee grunted as the punches landed, nodding over at Tifa. She couldn't fault the line of thought. After Memetos and their first nightmares, there were ample reasons to be prepared for a fight, and if the force of the impacts were any indication she'd do just fine. She kind of wished she was this good at physical combat, but then again she had some tricks up her sleeves.]

Heh. You realize I'm more the claw and rend sort. Not really good for the health of a punching bag. Though I suppose I could still try some of this out maybe.

You get through the dreams alright?

It's great for building up that upper body strength.

[Which, if she's more of the clawing sort of fighter, it couldn't hurt, Tifa thinks. And at least she's here to hold the bag in place if Parsee does want to try.

Her head tilts from the other side of the bag to get a better look at her, expression drooping.]

I think so, yeah. There were some things I didn't need to see, but... it was all a dream, right?

I've never really been the sort to build up that strength, though I guess it couldn't hurt.

[She wasn't wrong, and frankly the few Youkai who actually put an effort into their bodily strength, like Meiling, were powerful to say the least. And if it came down to it, it was a way to get her anger out, and she had plenty enough of that.]

There were things I didn't need to be seen in there... but I think it was a dream. I don't know if it was a proper one, though. I doubt this world understands what they really are yet.

... You alright there?

Yeah, I'm fine.

[Parsee seems to snap her out of her spiraling thoughts, and Tifa corrects her expression, smiling again.]

It's just that... I saw some people down there. They were acting the way they shouldn't have been... even me? It sounds kind of crazy, saying it out loud.

Oh that... no, I understand. I saw Yuugi briefly. Sort of.

[She gave her a look that was just at the edge of sympathy. It wasn't her strong suit, but she could manage it at times.]

Someone told me there's things in that place, shadows. Like the dark versions or the darkness inside yourself. It was probably that, which is why they'd be weird. I didn't see myself, though...

Heh. I already am my own shadow.

Aerith was the one who saw me... and Cloud. Barret, too.

[Who isn't even in this world and yet, his form still found a way in there. It's a bit odd that even if it was Aerith's dream, it was still able to manifest into something more real than just her dream... if that makes any sense. None of it makes much sense.]

I know it can't really hurt us, so I guess that's what matters. It was nice to have these working again, though.

[She lifts a hand and shows Parsee the materia in her gloves.]

Don't know what I would've done without 'em. Wish we could get them working in the real world.

[It’s only moments after Iwaizumi enters the gym, gym bag still strapped to his shoulder, that a girl he’s never seen before (at least not that he can remember) offers up a basketball game. A smile comes over his face almost instantly - like hell he’d ever say no to a challenge or the opportunity to engage in a sport, volleyball or not. Basketball is definitely one he’s played before. He catches the ball with ease as it bounces up from the ground.]

Maybe. You feel like getting creamed?

Edited 2020-12-03 21:36 (UTC)

[Tifa crosses the gym to approach, with perhaps a little too much confidence in her stride for someone who's never played a game of basketball before. And once she reaches him, she leans forward, hands on her hips.]

We'll see about that. [Wink!] I've never seen a setup like this before, but don't go easy on me, yeah?

[It's never any fun when she wins something because the other person didn't give it their all!! Who knows, maybe she'll learn something.]

I never go easy. [Although...] Wouldn’t be much competition if you didn’t know how to play though. You want a practice round?

Iwaizumi, by the way. [A sportsmanly handshake for you? ]

[And a sportsmanly handshake right back! Her grip is firm despite her size.]

Tifa Lockhart. [And then she turns and motions to the hoops on either side of the gym. What's up with those???] Practice round, and learning round! How about you show me how it's done? I think I've got the basics, but best way to learn is to dive in, right?

I like the way you think. [Iwaizumi smiles, and though its still a bit teasing with the promise of a competition, it’s a friendly expression as well. He never minds sharing what he knows when it comes to sports, especially if it means he’ll end up with just one more person to play against.

[He begins bouncing the ball off the ground while he talks, keeping a steady rhythm as he does so.] First things first - dribbling.

You can’t hold the ball in basketball unless you’re about to pass it - or shoot it. [He nods towards one of the hoops.] So you dribble it while you move. Like this.

[He demonstrates, side stepping a few feet further onto the court as he continues to bounce the ball. Then, he passes it to her with one firm bounce, hoping (and trusting somewhat) that she’ll catch it.] Give it a try.

So no holding the ball... [she repeats to herself after catching it, and then following his lead, dribbling it between steps with a little less skill than he had. She's coordinated at least, but she has to remind herself to do it.

After a few more attempts, she seems to pick it up rather quickly, and then surprises him with another pass.]

I'm guessing the goal is to not let the other team score points, yeah?

[Tifa motions to the hoop on the other side of the floor.]

[Iwaizumi laughs a bit as he catches the ball, then begins dribbling again as he speaks.]

Well, that’s one way of looking at it. You’ll want to score some yourself too. [There’s a slightly teasing tone in his voice - obviously she must have figured that, but it’s funny to him that her first thought went to impeding the other team (just as important, really).]

You can try to steal the ball from them while they’re dribbling, or block them as they try to shoot. You think you can take this from me?

Won't know until I try.

[Tifa's been holding her cards closer to her chest than it may seem, because while she may not have the skill or the knowledge to really play basketball to its fullest, she does have a lot of speed—she's no martial artist master for nothing.

So, in true Final Fantasy Heroine Fashion, she goes for stylish overkill and comes at him at a full sprint, slides to come in at a lower angle, and slaps the ball out from under him mid-bounce to grab it, and she skids to a halt several feet away, her shoes leaving marks behind on the polished floor.]

Like that?

[And then with practiced precision, she shoots the ball at the hoop...

.... and misses.]

[It’s a little embarrassing how stunned Iwa looks when Tifa deftly swipes the ball from him, but after the shock fades, he’s left with a breathless and impressed smile on his face. Okay, so he wasn’t expecting that. As for the shot, it doesn’t go in, but it’s still not a bad one.]

Well, shit. I’m impressed. You sure you’ve never done this before? I’m starting to feel like I’m being sharked.

Typically you’d want to get the ball through the hoop though. [He hopes his light teasing won’t impress too badly on this stranger. It’s all in good fun!]

[The ball bounces across the floor, sad and alone on the other side of the room behind Tifa as she exchanges a grin of confidence at him.]

I'm sure. This sport doesn't exist back on Gaia, far as I know.

[And if it does, she's never seen or heard of it.

When the ball rolls over to the two of them, she picks it up and gives it a toss at Iwa, confident he'll catch it.]

Most of the boys I knew wanted to grow up to be SOLDIER, not athletes.

[Her confidence isn’t misplaced. He catches the ball with ease and turns to shoot it through the hoop. It’s not a “nothing but net” as they would call it, but it does make the basket, and he shuffles to retrieve it in one easy bounce.]

Yeah, well. We’ve got those where I’m from too believe it or not, but.

[He sends the ball back to her with another bounce.]

Not interested. [Would it be lame to say that he can’t even imagine having to kill someone?] Too bloody for me I guess.

But you know. [He cracks a small smile.] Someone here mentioned it to me - sports aren’t a bad way to get out those “primal urges”. [He quotes the statement with his fingers. It’s probably clear that he finds it to be a little silly.]

There’s no shame in defending your country, or...whatever it is you’re defending, but. Athletics are all I really know.

Basketball isn’t my sport though.

[If primal urges mean the unshakable urge to punch a certain silver-haired man in the face? Because if so, then she's all in. :)

She doesn't touch on the subject of SOLDIER any further than that—if that's the first place his mind went, then it's best to just leave it there. Once war heroes, the organization has strayed pretty far from what it used to be, according to Cloud... how much, she still isn't sure.

Best to keep the conversation light.]

I find that pretty hard to believe! You made that shot look easy. What's the sport of choice then?

[It’s subtle, but his expression changes a bit when he says it - more enthusiasm, and not just a bit of pride.]

Volleyball is my game. We’ve got a league starting up here soon, actually.

But I’ve dabbled in plenty of others. Nothing better than some good competition, right?

Keeps things interesting.

[God knows they all need that these days, huh? With the way things are right now, they all have to find their own ways to keep themselves occupied, lest they want to go stir crazy, if that hasn't happened yet.]

I'd join in the fun, but I don't know the first thing about volleyball either. Kinda nice to see everyone starting these things up... who knows how long we'll be stuck here.

open 🌠 hello world! i'm your wild girl

✨ underground academy - gymnasium

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We can handwave the rest if you want! Plurk is pantheraliam if you want to plot it out <3

for sure!!