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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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[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.

[samantha_grey]

Let's.

[And after a visit to the locker room, the two were off for the rest of the night. This hadn't gone as bad as she'd feared, but god... she had picked a tough nut, hadn't she?]