330/Swords, sticks and conversation

Swords, sticks and conversation
Date of Scene:	30 August 2023
Location:	Club Building
Synopsis:	A little bit of very polite stalking provides Naru with a future sparring partner in Adrien.
Cast of Characters:	Naru Osaka, Adrien Agreste

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Naru Osaka has posed:
Sure classes aren't actually back in session yet, but more than a few clubs have devoted enough members that a mere thing like school being out doens't actually give them much /pause/ in activities. Especially the ones where regular practice is important. The fact that an awful lot of the students live there, even when classes aren't on, doesn't hurt either.

Naru has her practice staff, and is in workout gear as she loiters near the Fencing Club room door. Practice should be just about over, and she didn't want to inturrupt an actual official.. or unofficial.. practice to bother Adrien, and so she loiters.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
It really wouldn't be the first time someone interrupted his practice, nor was it the first time someone was loitering around waiting for him to finish, either. It is a bit of a surprise that it's Naru and not Marinette or one of his other friends--Though they were still in Paris as far as he knew.

With ihs helmet tucked beneath his arm, still garbed in his white fencing attire, he steps through the door carrying the black leather satchel over his shoulder that held his swords. Sure, the club might have their own, but he was enough of a student at this sport that he had his own long ago. It just felt right to have his own gear.

Spotting Naru he lights up with a bright grin, and steps to the side to get out of the way of the door if others were also leaving behind him. "Naru-chan! It's good to see you. Were you practicing, too?" It stood to reason she was--There was that staff there as evidence of it.

Naru Osaka has posed:
There's a returning smile at Adrien's grin, and Naru waves just a little, stepping out of the way with him. "I hope you don't mind me ambushing you after practice. I realized I had no actual way to get a hold of you other than stalking you." She giggles softly, fully aware that 'stopping by after practice' is perhaps the world's mildest attempt at stalking, ever.

Naru nods as she waggles her practice staff. "I was indeed. Although my practice doesn't hold a candle to yours, it is clear that you've been fencing for quite some time at this point and I'm still new at it."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste lifts a hand to wave slightly at the suggestion that her practice wasn't as good. "I have, but that doesn't mean your practice is any less important than mine. It's just keeping at it that's the important part. I've just been lucky to have some excellent teachers." Reaching up to rub the back of his hair idly he continues. "We can exchange numbers if you'd like. I don't have many here yet that I'm friends with. I'd be happy to give you some pointers if you're interested. Or," he tilts his head toward the staff, "Are you more interested in the staff? I've a bit of experience with that as well."

Naru Osaka has posed:
The offer to exchange numbers comes with Naru digging out her phone and offering it to him to put his number into it with a bright smile. "I mean, I'm totally alright with turning up here to find you, but texting is a whole lot easier. Besides, then I can also irritate the snot out of you with memes, random chatter and cute kitten gifs."

Naru flickers an impish look. "I've been assured that gifs are better than videos because they are quiet in class, and I really can't argue with that logic."

"Yeah, I've been keeping up with practice as best as I can." Naru nods. "Although as much as I appreciate a good solo run, staff is way less enjoyable as a solo practice. Apparently I am bad at finding my zen when I'm paying attention not to trip myself or hit anything." She chuckles a bit. "I was here to ask if you would be interested in giving some pointers. I figured on fencing blades, but staff is also welcome. I am.. keeping my options open."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste reaches out to accept the phone easily when it's offered. It doesn't take him long to type in his phone number, though he does pause. "Ah... Country code, right... I still have my number from France," he explains. Thankfully Japan was one of those modern countries that didn't charge a bazillion times the regular amount to text a foreign number if it was being used within country limits. "I should look at getting a second SIM card with a local number at some point, though." Dual SIM phones were a thing!

The phone is handed back as he chuckles in agreement. "Oh much better, far less chance of getting caught during class. Having your phone taken away is never fun. I think my father would kill me if he couldn't get ahold of me somehow." There's just a little grimace with that admission.

Thankfully the talk of practice perks him up again without fail. "Sure! It never hurts to try out several things to see what you enjoy most. Fencing is hardly the first thing I did, but it's one I preferred and stuck with. Besides," he adds with a little twinkle of mischeif in his eyes, "Knowing how to weild multiple weapons or deal with different weapons really opens up possibilities if you ever decide to compete."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"You should be able to just get an e-sim for Japan." Naru comments as she takes her phone back, promptly texting him a quick 'it's Naru! :) ' such that he has her number as well.

"Even all the way over here in Japan? Wow." Naru's voice is gently sympathetic at the notion of very very overbearing parental figures. She doesn't have one herself, but it's not an unfamiliar thing amongst her classmates. "I'm sorry for that, it must be super obnoxious."

Naru smiles brightly. "I end up in enough trouble that having options is super valuable for me. So I'm exploring. I tried a sword, but it was bigger and heavier than your fencing blades, and that was a ton of fun. Inai-sensei suggested I explore a staff, and I've been appreciating working with that, but as you put it.. trying out all the things is awesome. Soo.. I'm trying all the things."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Oh, he's here too. He's working on bringing the company over to this market, and exploring some kind of merger with a large company that's already here," Adrien explains in regards to his father sheepishly. "He's just *really* busy." Not that it changed much of anything. He was always busy.

The topic of training is far better. He does pull his phone out at the message to save the number before he forgets. "It helps if you can find the proper sword for your size, and weight class. It makes a huge difference. I'm pretty sure I couldn't use a broadsword for instance," he points out with a grin. "Though I bet it'd look really cool for about five minutes. Well then," his head tips back toward the club room. "Do you want to spar a bit? I can probably find a staff if you'd prefer to work with that. Or we could set up time for later if you're busy," he adds quickly realizing she might have plans already.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"That.. that I understand." Naru nods a little at the mention of family businesses and very busy parents. That she understands.

"Adrenaline helps immensely for using swords that you aren't well suited to." Naru notes with that same bright smile. "But it /is/ nice to have a weapon that's suited to my size." She stands up straight, illustrating that her staff is only a smidge too tall for her. Not hard when soemone is at the small end of their classmates. She is little, even for a Japanese teen. "Up to you on if you want to use your swords or a staff. I've got a bit of time now, although I'm supposed to be meeting someone a little later. So when I get pinged, I might have to head out."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste lets out a little 'aah' of understanding at being busy later. "Well then, let's just set a time for another day to practice. I wouldn't want you to have to run off without having a decent chance to clean up first." There's a pause before he blurts out, "Not that you're dirty, just... You know. Training can be..."

A little redfaced he clears his throat. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude. I'm sure you know what I mean." Let's not mention sweating or anything. "I wouldn't want to make you late. I can text you when I'm free later once I check my schedule if that works for you? Or you can tell me yours. Either way!"

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru smiles easily. "It's alright, it's a thoughtful gesture and very generous because I'm quite certain practice with someone else will be a lot more strenuous than working out alone."

And then she too starts to giggle, because of course .. phrasing. She tried!

Even amongst the giggles, Naru nods. "My schedule is mostly stupid, because I'm shoving weapon training on top of everything else.. but we'll make time. Text me, or I'll text you. Or both. You can text me if you're just bored too, I don't mind."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste finds himself chuckling along with Naru's giggles, quietly glad that she hadn't been upset in some way. If he had suggested someone like Chloe possibly had sweat he would never hear the end of 'such a ridiculous insult!' Though, really, it was a bit silly to consider given both of them knew very well what might happen when training.

"Okay then. I'll catch you later, Naru-chan," he agrees with an easy grin. "I'll catch you later then. I hope your plans later go well! I should go clean up myself for now." With a quick dip of his head, not quite a bow, he turns to head off.