Picnic in the Park

@"hyperhurricane" @"Bolt" @"Paradox"

The bullets admittedly caught Emman by surprise, if only because he was in the middle of drinking, making him gag a bit. It wasn't much, but he did frown intensely in her general direction for suddenly shooting a gun in the middle of a picnic. "At least use blanks, Miss Cross. Putangina pasalamat ka di tumalbog at wala kang natamaan ha... wala akong pakialam kung studyante kita, papatulugin kita tapos ibabalik kita sa nanay mo. Saksak pa kita sa loob nya ulit eh. (You better be fucking thankful the bullets didn't bounce and you hit no one... I don't care if you're my student, I'll knock you out and send you back to your mom. Maybe even stick you back inside her.)"

In contrast to Emman's tempered irritation, Eph jumped and squealed at the sound of the gunshots like a terrified kitten, dropping to a terrified fetal position at the ground, her tail curling around her in drunken fear.

Then Adelene snatched his bottle, and Emman felt the veins comically pop in his temples. He had to keep his calm though - she'd only racked up two offenses: firing a gun in a crowded public area, and stealing his entire bottle. There was room for one more.

"Eph, don't drink if you can't stand straight after doing what I just did. Now," Adelene pointed the gun at Eph, which would have counted for the third offense - threatening another student - but then she put it away, so that brought her offense tally down to two and a half. As a side note, Eph had two offenses on her list from slapping Leon and the kissing shenanigans (he demoted it from two offenses to one after she made it clear that she was, despite being stupid, meaning well). "Get up, sit down, behave."

Eph sat on her knees with a teary-eyed and sad "Yes..." dragging on for a while as she looked at the grass. The grass seemed so beautiful there through the alcoholic haze of her thoughts, peaceful and serene. Not caring about anything, least of all the admonition of someone who she sincerely enjoyed the company of and now most likely hated her.

Perhaps the coconut was amplifying her emotions, but Eph could barely remember a time in her past when she was this downcast, save perhaps Millia's last days. She had to reach out again, as she felt that she was going to be losing someone important forever (never mind that she only knew her for less than an hour so far). With a cloud of alcohol on her breath and a cloud of mist in her eyes she bowed low and began to cry weakly. "I - I'm sorry... I'll behave, I'll behave..."

Emman chose to open up his second bottle, as the other one lay empty on the grass, when Adelene managed to rack up her third offense - or the last half offense he'd been counting - by dodging the all-important question. With some intensity he stood up, took a deep breath, and began to lecture Adelene in subtly furious Filipino.

"Alam mo, medyo sumosobra ka na ha... Nagbibilang at nagtitimpi na nga lang ako dito sa tabi tapos bigla-bigla na lang ganyan yung gagawin mo. Tangina konting isip din naman paminsan minsan oh! Bumaril ka sa gitna ng maraming tao - tarantado ka ba? Pano kung nagkamali ka tapos may natamaan ka? Pano kung may nagulat tapos naaksidente? Pano kung lumihis yung bala? Alam mo, hindi ka pinagaral dito ng kung sino man para magpakabobo... tapos mambastos ka pa eh no? Agawin mo buong bote ko para namang madamot din ako ha? Inalok na nga lang kita tapos bigla mong kunin ng walang paalam man lang? Yun lang naman sana eh! Kahit ibigay ko pa buong bag ko eh kung magsabi ka ng maayos!

Tapos ngayon iiwasan mo pa yung tanong ng batang to kahit nakita mo na binuhos nya loob nya dun? Ano ngayon kung medyo ewan yung timing - bat nagsisinungaling ba siya? Sabihin mo na lang ng deretsahan na di mo pa kayang sagutin ngayon! E di tapos! Hindi yang pakaewan pa kayo dyan na parang dalawang tanga na nagiiwasan kahit na pareho naman ata kayong may gusto sa bawat isa - shet!"

Realizing that he'd ended up mouthing off in a different language (which was actually intentional so that he'd not end up getting too harsh), he turned to Allan, picked up his fallen bottle, and turned his back on the scene. "Ikaw. Pabantay ng gamit - dinekwat ng walang paalam yung isang bote eh tangina kuha muna ako. Balik agad ako. Tapos... shet, ikaw na bahala magsabi sa kanila kung ano sinabi ko. (You. Look over my stuff for a while - one bottle just got snatched so I'll have to get some more. I'll be right back. Also... you go ahead and translate for them.)"

Then with a solid kick on the ground he went flying off into the distance, propelled by some unseen force to retrieve more drinks.

==> Allan
@"Paradox" @"DerLampman" @"Bolt"

Emman offering the last cup to Allan was out of nowhere but he didn't even refused. He just took the cup and drank it up in one gulp. "Sir, I don't actually try to sound anything. But thank you for this and please stop this before someone gets hurt," he said, his volume low enough for only the two of them to hear.

He swears he'd probably need more than that to addle his mind enough to help him ignore the downward spiral this picnic was going into. He just honestly wanted out of this. Yeah, he could walk out, but a part of him felt guilty if he'd left Adelene with this group. He was already tuning out most of the things happening up until the gunshots.

That, of course made Allan flinch. He hated hearing gunshots. It threw him into a trance about almost every vision he'd seen that involved guns and it froze him in place while part of his attention was still just watching Adelene unleash her rage. He'd known she would be scary when angered but this was another level. The pat she gave him didn't feel all too assuring now. Still, because of that, Eph seemed to have finally been tamed. Emman on the other hand.

Allan had nothing to say while Emman lectured Adelene. While earlier, Allan would have dismissed the teacher for someone below standard but he had to admit, the guy was terrifying. He was that kind of teacher that he'd always be intimidated with — the kind who you don't want to make the wrong step around.

And to think he'd never encounter this kind of teacher here. As he thought Emman had ended his speech, he was relieved because maybe he could excuse himself but then Emman turned to him this time.

"You. Look over my stuff for a while - one bottle just got snatched so I'll have to get some more. I'll be right back. Also... you go ahead and translate for them."

Shit.

Half of him wanted to be amazed with Emman's exit but the other half was just wow, thanks Sir Trinidad for leaving this shit to me. He looked at the three people that was left with him and he was admittedly speechless. "S-so.." he stammered out, "Do you actually want to hear what he just said... erm... on full or just the gist of it?" Why was he here again?

Adelene had no idea how to react.

She knew Emman was going to get mad about the alcohol but... he spoke in a language she didn't know so the intimidation she felt was a little baseless. She didn't understand a word he said, all she understood was that he was angry.

Seriously though, was it her fault? She was trying to make a point and it worked. Eph's stopped.

But Eph was crying like a small girl and she actually felt bad about snapping at her. At... At all of them. She sighed, pulling away from Leon for the meanwhile to pick Eph up and hug her. Hug her for real.

"Oh Eph, I'm sorry. I was just... I was panicking. I'm not used to this."

She was used to battlefields and gunshots and blood and agony, not embarrassment.

She turned to Allan, shooting him an apologetic look as well. He seemed struck by her shooting. "I'm sorry too, Allan. When I shot those bullets, I was sure no one would get shot. Honest, I knew what I was doing. But I'm still sorry. Maybe... No, it really was too much. I let blood get to my head."

She was rubbing Eph's back in huge circles, trying to comfort her.

"Um... I'd appreciate it if you tell me what Mr. Trinidad said in the best way I can understand. Although it's not hard to guess why he's angry."
@"hyperhurricane" @"Bolt" @"DerLampman"

Leon had lost all sense of what the fuck was going on at this point. Hell he had even forgotten for a moment where he was and why he was at the park till the past few minutes came back like a flood after the bullet shots rang out. Leon wasn't a little startled as he had zoned out, but more just simply brought back to his own little world.

With Adelene getting things under control in his little zone out he felt a little...Alright very bad as Adelene scooted away from him and started comforting Eph who had basically reverted to a child. Letting out a sigh his sword disappears as he stares at the ground. He knew he was very far forward and Adelene did not know how to react. Hell he went with the heat of the moment and knew it was a mistake to ask her like this.

With Emman going off in who knows what language Leon just sat there. All he really could do was sit. He couldn't think of a reason why he should sit, or even to leave. This whole day was like a wall that just got hit by a truck. Leon did feel bad for Eph and knew the girl was trying to just have fun. But going as far as she did made Leon remember furiously why he avoids alcohol and dislikes it.

"Just forget I said anything Adelene. My chin is fine don't worry about it. Been hit by worse. I'ma just keep to myself. Not leaving, just think I made this far too awkward to say anything more."

Leon tried to keep his normal tone of voice, but there was a slight hint of sadness and Leon beating himself up over what just happened. He was blaming himself more then he was Eph. He understood after thinking it over that she was doing, but Leon didn't want to admit that he was being rude. It was clear from his face he knew that.

He just wanted things to go back to normal. Or for someone to hit the damn rewind button and redo this entire mess. That would work too.

Adelene was rubbing Eph's back until Leon finally spoke. She let her go and turned to him, and then to Allan and...

She was getting confused. It felt like... she needed to do something or everyone was going to end up feeling bad.

"Oh, Leon, hush. It's all become awkward but it's not... it's not entirely your fault." She patted him on the head. Hoping he'd smile at her at least. Hearing a sad Leon was like seeing a normal human being in this enchanted island. And seeing a usually cheerful person being sad and upset was like a rush of ice cold water all over her.

"Leon, a sad face doesn't suit you." She was going to suggest that they should hang out later to shoo the bad vibes away, but she felt that it might not be appropriate. She turned to Eph again, patting her gently, before looking at Allan again.

"Allan, you okay?"
@"hyperhurricane" @"Bolt" @"DerLampman"

==> Allan
@"Paradox" @"Bolt" @"DerLampman"

"Yeah, I'm fine... It's just--" Allan heaved out a sigh. Things spiraled down quicker than it should. But nothing could be done unless someone could rewind time and stop this entire mess from happening.

He was rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to figure out how to piece together what Emman had said and he was debating whether he should keep the parts were Emman went a little... er... on the offensive. God, this was a huge mess. Even Leon who looked like he was the most care-free person in this group got silenced by the mere sound of Emman's rage. What more if they actually heard it in full like he did?

He groaned as he let the pressure simmer down. "Okay but how do I start this," Allan began, "Sir Trinidad said he was being patient with you until you shot the bullets because he thinks that was... really reckless of you-- not that I don't think you could mess up! But yeah-- um--" Okay, forget it he wasn't translating that part. That was straight up talking down on Adelene and he did not want to say that, even if it wasn't his own words.

"Ah... most of the parts is just him saying--" Nah, it was inevitable, "Okay, translating the last part he said that you're avoiding Leon's question and that even it was a bad timing you shouldn't do that because he wasn't actually lying so Sir Trinidad says you should just tell him straight that you can't give him your answer now if you really can't instead of you two looking like idiots avoiding the question even though you obviously like each other."

Allan didn't seem like he was breathing up until he was done and as soon as he finished talking, he covered his mouth with one hand. For anyone sittig near him, they could probably hear him catching his breath after that.

Evelyn reacted on instinct at hearing that loud noise. Reaching into her book she grabbed the handle of her knife and looked forward at where the sound of the noise originated from. Puzzled yes, but determined. While the knowledge of people here that were able to do things if there was a large commotion about whatever it was.

At seeing the lumbering undead entering the picnics area an apology was brokenly spoken to Tamara before Eve ran over to Emman.

"Sir.. Dead you being hearing that?" Standing at his side her body took on a full military stance as if she was prepared for anything. Given Emmans previous interaction she was wondering if he was remotely curious about the potential danger.
_______________
@"Derlampman"

---

@"Evelyn Pierce" @"hyperhurricane" @"Bolt" @"Paradox"

Emman was back so quickly it was like he never left, as he'd flung himself with such speed back to the nearest store that if he weren't used to his own power he would probably have ended up with crushed organs.

He came back, falling in from the sky for a bit of increased drama which he meant nothing by. But then Evelyn came up to him concerned, and the vein popping in his temples were almost visible.

Emman took a deep breath, walked over to Adelene, gave her a stern nod, and placed his right hand on her left shoulder, right below her chin. Ignoring all the eyes on him, he nodded gravely, said, "Don't want to do this," and then slapped her right on the cheek. Then he threw a thumb over his shoulder, pointing toward Evelyn standing at attention.

His voice was cold now, a far cry away from his usual boisterous manner. His eloquence somehow increased several tiers, and even though his accent was still stiff, it was much more clean and understandable now. "You involving other people - what did I say? You be thankful no one got hit that we know of... you do that."

Eph tried to cut in with a defense for Adelene. "Sir, it was my fault - not hers -" she began -

"Shut up. What you did was your fault, what she did is her fault."

Before Eph could respond, Emman was suddenly by her side, and with a quick poke to her throat, Eph was unconscious. She fell down and Emman caught her, planting her by the tree. It was rare that he became serious, and even more rare that he would do so in front of his students, but pulling out a gun in public? He didn't appreciate it one bit.

"No more weapons, no fighting. Okay?" he said to everyone at large, his voice softer and yet more intimidating.

Allan had translated probably everything Adelene wanted to know, but it didn't really help; instead, it made her feel terrible. Much more terrible than she was already feeling guilty.

And then Emman came back almost too quickly, she didn't even realize he's gotten back right in front of her, at least not until he was holding her shoulder and chin and emitting a heavy aura...

And then her cheek suddenly stung, her head was suddenly turned to the side. Things processed out slowly in her head, but when she reached up, to touch her face, she figured the instructor had just slapped her. A black tribal-like swirl surfaced on the sore skin, but it faded quickly.

The look on her wide eyes was both shocked and guilty when she looked at him and at the person he pointed. She was pretty sure there wouldn't be any ricochet... how would...?

It didn't matter. What mattered was that Adelene just snapped and used her power to aid her. And it disturbed others, and angered her self-defense instructor. She was a little bit too dumbfounded to Emman's slap to react appropriately when he poked Eph unconscious.

Emman's intimidating aura worked on her perfectly, but it was mostly because she also cannot believe she almost endangered the people around her, only because she lost her cool.

It was scary, because she knew what would happen if things got out of control.

"I'm sorry..." It was a soft whisper. Dejected and full of guilt, Adelene unconsciously curled up and hugged her knees, and buried her face in them in attempt to hide from the world again.
@"DerLampman" @"hyperhurricane" @"Bolt"

"I'll try. Just give me a moment to collect myself."

He didn't want to make thing worse but it him trying to force a smile wasn't a good thing. Just would make it worse. But for Adelene he could try. Leon put his smile on and listened in as Allan explained what Emman had said. Or parts of it. Clearly something was said that he didn't want to say.

What made Leon actually lose his cool is when Emman had returned. He came back and slapped Adelene. Now Leon had a good check on his temper but upon seeing a girl slapped for any reason. Well at this point Leon had stood up and made a drawing motion as a flaming sword appeared in his hand pointing at Emman.

"You don't hit a lady. No matter the reason. I suggest you apologize else it will be me next. And I'm not exactly an easy target."

Leon put everything else out pf his mind and just glared. Emman wanted to play rough? Well so could he.