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[splendid_solitude]

I'm sorry, but I'm not here right now, so leave a message and I'll get back to you when I feel like it.

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[splendid_solitude]

[Asuka nods. Anything to dispel the awful mood hanging firmly over her head.]

Anything you want to know...I'm more then willing to put it out there.

[samantha_grey]

So, [She thought about it a little and tapped her chin.] You spent most of the time alone, saving the world year after year. Did you ever pick up a hobby? Thinking of maybe trying one here?

I hear pottery's soothing.

[splendid_solitude]

Back when I was a kid, I used to play video games when I was bored or lonely. But it's been hard to find the batteries, or time, for that kind of stuff lately.

Do you guys have that kind of stuff around here?

[samantha_grey]

[Success!]

You know... i think there was some guy adverising a market thing with games on the network just today or yesterday. And the televisions in the big houses are set up to allow that.

You might have to go to Utgard to get something imported, but I think you could do something like that. [She tapped her lips, leaning back with her head looking up to the sky.] I lived out on a farm most of my life, so I didn't play many games like that.

[splendid_solitude]

That sounds great, I'll have to see if I can get a hold of a portable system or something.

I bet my skills aren't what they used to be though...

[She had a very specific item in mind, one she had owned in her youth and had spent many long hours with ignoring the world around her.]

Really? I wouldn't have pegged you of all people as a farm girl.

[samantha_grey]

If it's like riding a bike, you'll be fine.

[She might be able to get that as a present in an event too.]

Well, I didn't pick up the farm accent. [As she snickered, the laugh had a rough tone to it.] Mom was Irish-blooded and moved to the farm to get away from dad. I only spent time with her for almost nineteen years. Learned herbs, medicines, potions, magic, stalking possoms and small game... and how to get eggs from pissed off chickens without getting pecked to death.

Spent the rest of my life fighting crazy people with powers and hiding from my dad.

[splendid_solitude]

Sounds like you've had quite the life. But wait, does that mean your demon blood comes from your dad's side of the family?

As for me, my dad is German and a few other thing and my mother was Japanese. And I've pretty much been a pilot for as long as I can remember.

[samantha_grey]

Yeah. Dad was an incubus, mom was human. Totally human. And it wasn't all bad. It was really nice when it was just mom and me. We were really close.

Did you spend much time with your parents, or did you spend most of it with pilot trainers and such?

[splendid_solitude]

Only when I was little, I mean about a decade ago I still talked to my dad on the phone from time to time. But we never were really together as a family.

I got used to it, though. And it's not so bad being alone all the time, you know. It gives you plenty of time for hobbies and all sorts of other things.

[She sighs.]

But at this point, I think it's most likely that my entire family is dead.

[samantha_grey]

[She looked over at Asuka for a long time, listening as she talked about it. She wasn't the most empathic sort, but this was hard to miss. Rising a little from the water, she rested on one of her elbows.]

Asuka... have you ever cried about this?

[splendid_solitude]

About my family? Maybe, when I was a kid. But I don't need to now.

<small[Asuka was stern in gaze and body language as she sat in the steaming water, signaling that she would budge no further on the topic.]

[samantha_grey]

... [She looked like she thought about pressing her luck. And then, she nodded. If that was how Asuka wanted to handle it, it was how she wanted to handle it. It had taken years before she'd cried about her mother's death.]

Fair enough. [She looked back at the sky.] You should let me know if you get ahold of one of those video games. You can kick my ass at it.

[splendid_solitude]

[That was a smart move on Samantha's part, for the barrier Asuka had erected between her heart and the rest of the world was strong as steel and reinforced by two decades worth of pain and anguish.

As her friend backed off, however, Asuka managed to restore a bit of her former cheerfulness as she stretched, raising her arms above her head and attempted to relax once more.]

Trust me, you'll be the first to hear about. Now the only question is what kind of game to get...maybe a fight game?

[She did ever so enjoy beating the living hell out of things when she wasn't feeling all that well, after all.]

[samantha_grey]

Those are the ones where you've got two characters and someone keeps mashing their finger down on one button to kick the crap out of the other one, right?

[Samantha's grasp of games like Tekken was button mashing. As long as she wasn't playing Ryu with his stupid hadoken...]

[splendid_solitude]

I mean that's the basics, but there is far more skill involved then just hitting the same button over and over till someone falls over.

But hey, I guess I can teach you if we have time. That way I won't win every single match.

[samantha_grey]

Hey, it worked. I remember this little blue light just kicking the guy and knocking him down over and over again. The guy said I was cheap.

But yeah, I wouldn't mind you teaching me. It could be fun. [She snickered.] Just no accusing me of being cheap if I find a way to beat you over and over again, alright?

[splendid_solitude]

Of course not, a win is a win no matter how you got there. But you can't complain either if I beat you over and over again.

[After being in the spring for quite some time, and experiencing a wider range of emotions then she was expecting on her first date, Asuka was beginning to look a bit flush in the face.]

Hey, I think it's about time we get out of here. I'm getting all red and pruny.

[samantha_grey]

[She blinked and nodded, starting to pull out and offering a towel over to Asuka as she stood on the water's edge. She'd probably get around to putting a towel around herself at some point.]

Sorry, demon blood and all. I get used to being red and hot, so I don't always notice if I've been here too long. Didja want to go somewhere else in here, or we can towel off and I walk you back?

[splendid_solitude]

[Asuka pulled herself out of the spring, took the towel Samantha had offered her and wrapped herself in it.]

I think I'm ready get out of here, but thanks again for inviting me out tonight. I've had a lot of fun.

[samantha_grey]

[Samantha started to towel off, smiling at her as she led the way with slightly shaky legs at first. They had been in for a bit, after all.]

Good, I'm glad. You want to pick the place next time maybe?

[There was a hint of hope in her tone. She was really hoping she hadn't screwed things up earlier.]

[splendid_solitude]

[As she dried off her rather copious amount of hair, Asuka glanced at her date, her gaze lingering for a second as her mind settled just how to answer Samantha's question.]

Well,I'd like to hang out again sometime. Maybe we could set something up when I'm able to get a hold of a videogame or two?

[samantha_grey]

[While the gaze lingered, did Samantha's eyes turn to return that look, briefly a little smoky? It could be hard to tell when there was so much steam. She did smile, though, so that was a good sign, and Asuka seemed to want to meet again.]

I'd like that. We could meet over at your house, or I have a pretty basic tv I never use set up at my place.

[splendid_solitude]

I'd be fun to hangout at my place, and it's not like I have people coming over...ever.

[She awkwardly smiled. The whole "having friends" thing was still rather foreign to Asuka, leaving the young pilot with little clue how to act in situations like this.]

So, do you want me to walk you home? Or will you be ok by yourself?

[samantha_grey]

[As they were starting to walk back towards the hallways, she glanced back at Asuka and smiled a bit more warmly, winking.]

Isn't this supposed to be a date? I'd love it if you escorted me back to my house.

[splendid_solitude]

Right, I should have known that.

[Asuka rubs her head in embarrassment before offering Samantha her hand.]

Let's get going.