The awaited anticipation of the end of a long day at the Academy is often dancing on most children's minds after long hours of physical training and pouring over stacks of written strategies and lesson plans have left their bodies and minds numbed. Its arrival is the spark that reignites the flame in their hearts and gives them the motivation to burst out and seize what remains until their eyes must close and sleep encroaches on them. Seeing small hoardes of children pushing and shoving one another in their stampede to get out through the doors first was a common sight, but after the dust has cleared, there are always stragglers that trickle out with the calm step of their own pace. Kou often found herself among them, because while she had little trouble navigating through the halls of the Academy, she was still unprepared for dense crowds. Jabbing elbows, flailing arms, and stomping feet were still threats to her that she was mindful of. Ones that left lumps and bruises on her skin for days or weeks at a time. Judging by the way she has to drag her right foot behind her as she walks, she has enough on her plate to deal with for now. She lets the tip of her walking stick sweep the path in front of her to guide her way as she makes her way back to her and her grandfather's home. There was a satchel that sagged heavily on her shoulder that she needed to put away and writing assignments that needed to be done. Then the only thing that stood between her and listening to the gentle twinkle of the neighborhood chimes dancing in the wind was whatever chores and errands her grandfather needed help with.
In the midst of balancing her focus between trying to carefully weigh her steps and plan out the rest of her evening, Kou is oblivious to the three children on her tail. Two boys and a girl, all looking older to some degree than Kou herself. The boys looked near identical to one another, brothers only distinguishable by a crimson red handkerchief tied around the slightly taller one's neck. They had black hair cut short and shaggy, likely done with the aid of a sharpened knife and not much else, and they are gangly in a way that makes it look like they haven't come close to growing into their true size yet. The girl was younger than them, maybe only older than Kou by a year or a few months, and she was fair and pale. Blond hair turned near white has been tied to a bun, and her luminous blue eyes made her resemble one of the Haku clanswomen in training. She appears considerably more antsy as she follows behind the boys, but is quick to put on an eager smile when falling under their scrutiny. A desperate bid to be accepted and belong, an effort to have friends. They all kept their distance from Kou, simply observing her for now and trying to decide whether or not she was alert, but the group decided to draw near by the time they started to pass lines of adobe apartments.
With a nod to one another as their signal, the boys link their hands together and charge forward at Kou. She barely has time to lift her head to find the source of the running steps before the improvised clothesline thrusts her forward to smack face down onto the road beneath her. The force of the fall knocks a hoarse gasp of air free from her lungs and leaves her coughing up bits of sand and the muscles by her eyes twitch from behind the bandages in the midst of trying to focus. The pair laugh and clap their hands together for a victorious high five while the fair girl tried to catch up. She snatches the stick from out of Kou's reach when her trembling hand reaches out to pick it back up.
"Think we forgot about you snitching on us for ditching the training drills, huh? Thought we might take it easy on you like everyone else just because you're blind as a bat?" One of the boy asks in a cocky tone before he shakes his hand and wags a finger down at Kou. "See, I don't know what that old fart teaches you about manners, but here's some advice. First rule's to keep your head down and mind your own business." His brother's snickering in the background quiets down before he adds in, "Yeah, and your first assignment's gonna be a little game. You find and beat us, and we -might- let you have your stuff back.." He reaches down and snatches her satchel from her then the trio disperse, laughing together all the while until they find their spots. Then it is just Kou left alone with the sounds of residential life slowly filling in the silent void left by the other children. Shakily climbing onto her feet, Kou stays frozen in place, her head turning and her expression sinking. She gathers a breath of courage and shakily puts a foot forward, leading out with her hands. The hunt would have to be on whether Kou was prepared for it or not.
In the midst of balancing her focus between trying to carefully weigh her steps and plan out the rest of her evening, Kou is oblivious to the three children on her tail. Two boys and a girl, all looking older to some degree than Kou herself. The boys looked near identical to one another, brothers only distinguishable by a crimson red handkerchief tied around the slightly taller one's neck. They had black hair cut short and shaggy, likely done with the aid of a sharpened knife and not much else, and they are gangly in a way that makes it look like they haven't come close to growing into their true size yet. The girl was younger than them, maybe only older than Kou by a year or a few months, and she was fair and pale. Blond hair turned near white has been tied to a bun, and her luminous blue eyes made her resemble one of the Haku clanswomen in training. She appears considerably more antsy as she follows behind the boys, but is quick to put on an eager smile when falling under their scrutiny. A desperate bid to be accepted and belong, an effort to have friends. They all kept their distance from Kou, simply observing her for now and trying to decide whether or not she was alert, but the group decided to draw near by the time they started to pass lines of adobe apartments.
With a nod to one another as their signal, the boys link their hands together and charge forward at Kou. She barely has time to lift her head to find the source of the running steps before the improvised clothesline thrusts her forward to smack face down onto the road beneath her. The force of the fall knocks a hoarse gasp of air free from her lungs and leaves her coughing up bits of sand and the muscles by her eyes twitch from behind the bandages in the midst of trying to focus. The pair laugh and clap their hands together for a victorious high five while the fair girl tried to catch up. She snatches the stick from out of Kou's reach when her trembling hand reaches out to pick it back up.
"Think we forgot about you snitching on us for ditching the training drills, huh? Thought we might take it easy on you like everyone else just because you're blind as a bat?" One of the boy asks in a cocky tone before he shakes his hand and wags a finger down at Kou. "See, I don't know what that old fart teaches you about manners, but here's some advice. First rule's to keep your head down and mind your own business." His brother's snickering in the background quiets down before he adds in, "Yeah, and your first assignment's gonna be a little game. You find and beat us, and we -might- let you have your stuff back.." He reaches down and snatches her satchel from her then the trio disperse, laughing together all the while until they find their spots. Then it is just Kou left alone with the sounds of residential life slowly filling in the silent void left by the other children. Shakily climbing onto her feet, Kou stays frozen in place, her head turning and her expression sinking. She gathers a breath of courage and shakily puts a foot forward, leading out with her hands. The hunt would have to be on whether Kou was prepared for it or not.
