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Date & Time: June 24, during the day.
Location: Within the city.
Characters: Ico, OPEN.
Summary: A group of children bully Ico and a fight begins.
Warnings: Violence.

[Five children surrounded Ico. Their ages varied though they were all near his age. They teased him for his strange clothing and especially for his horns. Ico was smaller than they were and he had a tendency to wander alone, which made the children feel in control. He tried to understand for as long as he could. The recent attack along with the sudden change in the citizens' mood made it obvious to him that most citizens were only looking for someone to blame.

The event escalated quickly when they began to grab his Mark and pull his horns. Within seconds, it turned into a bitter fight. Children, Ico included, shouted at each other while punching and kicking.]

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[The boy fell to the ground and two of his friends helped him up. The children regrouped and they assessed the situation. Though there were only two, Utena was older and stronger. They left while glaring at them and muttering nasty comments.

Ico adjusted his Mark and he smoothed out the wrinkles. He glared back at them until they were no longer in sight. When they were gone, he looked up to Utena and he smiled. Because the fight ended so quickly, there was hardly a scratch on him.]

Thank you. Did they hurt you?

[Utena meets the glaring with a scowl of her own, but she's unsettled by this, the sudden violence. Only when the children are gone does she relax. She smiles at Ico, but she looks a little distracted.]

Huh? [...] No, I'm not hurt. Geez, I'm more worried about you. What happened? Are you alright?

I'm okay. They started it. First they made fun of my Mark and then they're all trying to grab it.

[That angered him the most. Simply mentioning it made him frown. He ran his thumb over the edge of his Mark.]

It's very special, you know. So I pushed one of them and they started fighting.

Started it, huh...everything's been pretty tense lately. I'm glad I showed up before it got any worse. [Even she knows that's an understatement, so she moves onto another topic.]

Your...mark? Why's it special?

My mother made it. Its blessings keep me safe.

[Even if it was without its blessings, he cherished what little he had left from home.]

I don't care what they say, I'll always wear it.

It's really special to you, isn't it? [Her eyes soften. She understood that sort of thing pretty well.] I have a gift like that too. Er, my mom didn't give it to me, but someone important to me did. I've had it a long time.

If your Mark's the same way...you're right, you shouldn't let them bully you about it.

[He smiled because she understood. While he did not have the Mark for a long time that did not change its value.]

What gift do you have? May I see it?

Mm? Sure, if you want.

[She holds out her hand, where a ring glitters on her finger.] This ring, see? I've had it since I was small.

It's pretty. Oh, do you like rings? I found a few. They're in my room.

[He wanted to repay her somehow.]

[She's so baffled at the question that she laughs a little.] Oh no, I don't need anything like that. Honestly, between you and me, I don't like girly stuff like that much.

This ring's so special because someone special gave it to me.

Who gave it to you?

[He still wanted to give her something. Although a ring would not make a good gift, he had found many other items when he explored abandoned buildings. He wondered about what she would like.]

My prince.

[The answer comes automatically, and after a second she decides it is better to explain.] When I was small, a Prince found me and gave me this ring. He told me not to lose my strength or nobility, even when I grew up, so since then...I've wanted to be a prince too. That's the best way to be strong and noble, right?

[She hooks her arms behind her head.] That's what I think, anyway.

I don't think so. A prince isn't always noble and you can be noble and strong without being a prince.

[He did not mention that he did not understand how she could be a prince to begin with.]

I met a queen before. I don't think there's anyone more evil than her.

[It's rare, for Utena to be confronted directly with the unusual nature of her childhood memory, and while she isn't angry, she is a little defensive.] Maybe not all princes are noble, but my prince was. He wasn't evil at all...

[She thinks, anyway.] What's most important to me is keeping my promise to him.

I didn't mean to say he was evil. Before I met her, I thought all queens were kind. I think it's important to remember that they can be good or bad just like everyone else.

What you did for me was very noble. I'm glad and I'd like to give you something in return.

Mm... [If this was earlier, Utena would fiercely deny this, but then she remembers something. What Anthy had said, about her brother leaving her.

Her brother...leaving her alone like that. She couldn't be sure, but...] Yeah, yeah, I know. [It bothers her, so she's quick to jump on the change of subject.]

Ah, thanks, but it really wasn't a big thing! [Waving her hands.] Anyone would've done it, honest. [Not most people, but Utena is idealistic.] Say, how about this? Have you ever had a milkshake?

[Some months ago, Utena wouldn't even think to ask this question, but she's met some people who don't even know what milkshakes are. It's nuts.]

Milk shake? No. Why would it do that?

[That just sounded like milk that shook itself. He looked confused.]

[She is totally trying not to laugh, and she's partway successful.] No, the milk doesn't shake. It's a drink; it's really sweet.

Oh.

[His face turned red.]

I never drank it before. Do you want one?

Mmhmm. You've gotta try it! We can go get them together.

[—Ah, and then she remembers, and adds sheepishly:] Oh boy, I forgot to mention: my name's Utena. It's good to meetcha.

I feel the same. I'm Ico.

[He stood beside Utena with the assumption that she would lead the way.] Where do we go?

There's a cafe around...

[She looks off in another direction, rubbing the back of her neck.] I think it's called "Nora," or something like that. We should go there.

Nora Cafe? I know where it is; I work there.

[Now that he knew where to go, he began walking there.]

Do you like it? My friend owned it.

You do? I've only been a couple of times, but it's one of the nicer places around here. [A pause, and she asks, carefully:] Did your friend get sent back?

Yes, a while ago. [He was not sure what to think of it. He was relieved that Snow was not involved in this war, and yet he missed his friend.]

It's owned by a citizen now. He's nice, he still lets me work. I'm sure he'll let us eat there.

Here it is. [He held the door open for her.]

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revolutionized - 2013-09-05 20:13 (UTC) - Expand

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hornedomen - 2013-09-07 10:09 (UTC) - Expand

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