You feel the eyes upon your back as you march your way up the aisle. It's nothing you can't handle, but it's still strange to you that everyone is so mad at you for just doing this. That they believe you've done something wrong by simply responding to someone calling your name. Though, if Estelle notices it she doesn't make it obvious. She just keeps smiling as you get closer and closer to the stage. The blonde gives you a cheeky smile as you make your way up the stairs.
There's this unspoken tension in the room. One that Estella and her helper don't really seem to notice, nor care about. The blonde helps Estelle back into her wheelchair, pushing the woman towards you. You both meet in the center of the stage, Estella looking up at you with a smile on her face.
She looks you in the eyes with her only working one, "It's good to meet you, Sole Participant. I look forward to seeing your prowess in the Tournament."
...OK. You have to admit, this Estella girl is good at hiding her emotions.
[CSC: Feelings + Motives = 35 + 33 = 68 VS DC 60: Success! +3 Estella and Irina RP!]
But even you can tell that this whole song and dance is stifling her. Maybe she's tired from the trip here. Maybe she doesn't like having all these eyes on her. Maybe she has yet to fully acclimate to being back in school after so long.
Whatever the reason, it's making it easier to discern that she's starting to get tired of all this pomp and formal stuff. And, to be honest? So are you.
In addition...
[Read The Room]
...you can tell that everyone in the room has some kind of expectation of you here. Well, all the rich fuckers that don't include your Club or the blonde that's helping Estella. All the others, including the Principal and other staff, save Sensei, seem to be expecting you to do something. Something that they all know you're supposed to do.
[Perception: Environment: 3 VS DC 30: Failure!]
But, for the life of you, you don't know what it is! Maybe if someone bothered to tell you, that'd be different!
But, right now, you feel like you know exactly how to help Estella feel a bit better.
First, you hold your right hand out for her to shake. She nods, reaching out for your hand with her own. When she's halfway there, you strike.
Your other hand moves towards her prosthetic and grabs the hook. The steel is cold against your palms but you don't mind. You simply crouch, then pull it until it's level with your left hand. Then, with an honest smile on your face, you start shaking both the girl's real hand and fake hand in your own.
"Pleasure to meet ya, Estella! Thanks for calling me up here," you let out a good-natured chuckle, "And just call me Nagai. Everyone else does."
You look at Estella's reaction...and are a bit confused.
She's just staring at you, surprise evident in her wide eyes. She doesn't seem angry though. You think she didn't expect you to act the way you did. Raising an eyebrow, you let go of her hands and stand up straight. You look at the audience to see that their stares have become murderous. Meanwhile, the Principal looks like he's about to eat his tie. The only one of the staff that doesn't seem upset is Sensei Hamza. He's just staring at you with an intense expression...but you don't think he's mad at you either.
You tilt your head at Estella and ask, "Did I do something wrong?"
Estella slowly shakes her head. Before she can speak, the blonde woman moves to stand next to her. She crouches to be level with Estella's ear, leaning forward to not quite whisper to her, "Hey, Princess? I don't ask you for much do I?"
Estella raises an eyebrow at the blonde, "I'm going to say, 'no', Irina. If only so I can see where you're going with this."
The newly named Irina nods, then jerks a thumb in your direction, "Right, right. So, as a favor for me, can you pull some strings and hire this kid ASAP?"
"...Why do you want me to hire Mr. Nagai?" Estella's face takes on a strange expression. The kind where you've known someone for a long time, and know when they're doing something that's gonna give you a headache.
You wouldn't know that feeling though.
"Are you kidding? Do you not see what I see?" Irina stands up and walks over to you. You're on guard but don't feel any threat from the woman. She's almost as tall as you are. Coming up to your shoulders at least. She points at your face, "Look at this earnest face that could never tell a lie to anyone, and is completely oblivious when it comes to high society taboos."
You just get more confused as she continues. She stands to the side and does her best to copy your typical posture. Her back is straight, her arms are crossed in front of her chest, and her chin is held high. She speaks in a poor attempt to mimic your voice, "The confident stance and deep voice that carries the promise that all will be well while he is here."
You start feeling a bit bashful. You don't really sound like that. At least...you don't think so.
Then she does something even you didn't expect.
She moves closer, grabs your arm, then pulls your sleeve up and starts poking at your muscles.
[All Martial Arts Supernatural/At 100+]
"And look at these chiseled, firm muscles! These are the kind of gains you only get from following through on a routine, or being a damn strong fighter! Bet we could grind meat on his abs if we took his shirt off," she says, her surprisingly cool hands poking and groping your biceps. Caught off guard, it takes you a moment to gently remove yourself from her grip. And take a step back.
Given what you've seen of her, you don't doubt that she would remove your shirt to prove a point.
Estella crosses her arms over her chest. She, somehow, manages to make even an unamused expression look elegant, "And everything you just said is supposed to convince me, how?"
"Prinzessin!" you do a double-take at the language Irina just used. Wha...what was that? It certainly wasn't Japanese or English. Does she know more than those two languages? Irina moves to Estella, grabs her hand, then directs her attention back at you, "He's clearly the earnest, strong, compassionate type! He'd make a perfect edition to your flotte. He can be the one who rallies all to his banner, while destroying any who dared to stand before you!"
The whole room seems to freeze at Irina's words. Multiple students in the audience have their mouths hanging open. Even the Martial Arts Club Members seem surprised at the blonde's words. Your brother is the only one to retain his composure in spite of all of this. You can do little save stare at the strange blonde woman.
Estella doesn't look amused.
After a minute of silence passes, Irina can't hold her composure any longer. She starts to give a full on laugh while standing to her full height. She walks over to you, holding her stomach while patting you on the shoulder, "Hahaha! Oh, that was so worth it. Seeing the looks on everyone's faces? Priceless!"
She straightens herself up, then holds her hand out to you, "Name's Irina. Irina Proch. Nice to meetcha, kid."
You look down at her outstretched hand. Then you take it in your own, returning her smile while matching her grip, "Hayato Nagai. And thanks for the offer, but I'm not sure if I really wanna work security in the future."
"Wait...you thought I was serious?" Irina's surprised expression disappears as soon as it came. She gives you a toothy grin before turning back to Estella, "Oh, we need to hire him now! He'll be so fun to tease!"
Tease?
Estella interrupts any thoughts you may have on that by wheeling herself over to you. You notice she's able to use the hook rather well. Makes you wonder how long she's had to get used to it. She looks at you and bows her head slightly, "I apologize for my Chevalier. She is good at her job, but can be a bit...aggressive."
Irina moves back to Estella, one hand going to the handles on the back of her wheelchair, while the other gently pats the woman's shoulder. Irina gives a fake pout as she replies, "Aw. But I thought you liked it when I got aggressive. You always would-"
Estella coughs into her hand. This gets Irina to go quiet. Then Estella gestures towards the podium with her left hand, "As I was going to say, would you like to say a few words to the audience before we have to leave? It would be poor form, if I called you up only to be accosted by my Chevalier."
You wave your hand, "Eh, it's fine. It's fine. No harm done. As for the speech..."
[] Sure, you can do that. What could be the harm?
[] You'd rather just head back to your seat. You don't like the atmosphere of the room right now.
[] Write in...
If you decide to do the speech, how long will it be?
[] Make it short and sweet. You're not one for long winded speeches...outside of fights.
[] Make it long and passionate. You have to follow after Estella and get the crowd hyped up.
And what will it be about?
[] The people who helped you get this far. Yamato, Hose, Seteke, Sakura. All of them.
[] How hard you worked to get here. How much the Martial Arts Club means to you. How much the School means to you.
[] How you're gonna absolutely crush this competition. How you're gonna win every match and bring home the gold.
[] Nothing in particular. You're just gonna...talk. No real focus.
[] Write in...
