Humblebragging intensifies

[momentaryspring]

[ Imagine a dramatic sigh right here. ]

It's finally happened. I've become TOO STRONG.

For all those of you that I might have beaten into a blubbering pulp before, I apologize. It was my every intention to give you a second chance at redeeming yourself for your prior SHAMEFUL SHOWING. But I can no longer do this in good conscience.

I'd just end up wiping the floor with you too hard.

Comments

[constellates]

I don't think I understand
have you fought everyone in the city? (・・?)
but congrats on your strength I think! (´･ω･`) I'm sure you worked hard

[momentaryspring]

[ Oh, it felt so nice to be recognized. ]

Thank you! I've been working at it all my life.

But no, I haven't fought everyone in the city. This is just to those I have.

[constellates]

all your life? especially impressive! (๑>◡<๑)
did you master something new that made you say this?
I think you're trying to be nice to the people you've fought maybe?

[ok now she's just giving him the benefit of the doubt]

[momentaryspring]

Well, you know how weightlifters hit a wall where they simply can't lift any more?

Something like that happened to me... only I'm over that wall now. GLORIOUSLY OVER IT! I've never felt more full of energy!

It's a little inconvenient, I admit, but it's every martial artist's dream!

[ what a kind and understanding person she was ]

The only thing is, well...

[constellates]

[congrats ryoga you've won her over entirely (is that hard)]

wow.....!! (*⁰▿⁰*) you just went above and beyond your own expectations?
that's amazing! （＾Ｏ＾☆♪
I'm so glad you could accomplish your dream.

but what's wrong? what's the "only thing"? (・・?)

[momentaryspring]

...Now I'm just not sure what goal I should be aiming for.

Have you ever been in that situation?

[constellates]

oh.... yes, more recently than I want to admit (⌒-⌒; )
I didn't have a goal for a very long time because I was happy where I was
and I don't think that's a bad thing even now
but I feel better now that I've found something that I want (｡･ω･｡)
is there anything left that you might want?
or something you never thought you could have?

[momentaryspring]

Yes, but it's hardly something I can talk about here.

Well... how did you end up finding your new goal? Career counseling? Fortune telling? Blind chance?

[constellates]

you can't talk about it here? (´･ω･`)
hmmmm
are you busy? would you like to get food? and I can tell you my story too
fair trade? (´∀｀*)

[anya stop trying to meet random people you see on the network]

[momentaryspring]

What? Are you sure?

I'd love to get food

[ uh oh cute girl alert though ]

But

Maybe it's better if we meet at this place. It's a restaurant where they serve Chinese buns.

[ Attached was the address of Bao Out, a place specializing in pork, chive, and all other types of buns. ]

[constellates]

[well why wouldn't she be sure]

you seem nice so I don't see why not? (´･ω･`)

[eh it's meeting in public it's not a big deal]

but oh that sounds delicious!! （＾Ｏ＾☆♪ okay I'll see you soon?

[momentaryspring]

[ Come to think of it, maybe this was a terrible mistake. What was Ryoga going to tell her, anyway -- the TRUTH? HOW AWFUL.

He kept a look out for her, shading his eyes with his hand. ]

Er, hi. I'm Ryoga.

[constellates]

[she can handle the truth probably

but as she wanders up to the place, she offers a bright smile and a tilt of her head. always happy to meet new people, this one.]

Hi! I'm Anastasia [as the display would've said] but ah - call me Anya?

[she offers her hand out because it sounds polite?]

It's nice to meet you. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice...!

[momentaryspring]

What? No. Thank you for meeting me as well.

[ She sure is being awfully polite to him, this was weird but maybe she was just really nice? She seemed nice. ]

Want to go in? We don't need reservations.

[constellates]

[Polite is Anya's default when she doesn't know someone that well but she's clapping her hands together happily.]

Yes, please. I don't think I've ever been here before... It sounds so good!

[And she'll wander inside, though she'll ask - ]

Do you like Chinese buns then?

[questions questions questions]

[momentaryspring]

[ Inside was a welcoming atmosphere, with bright red tablecloths and also those neat little Zodiac placemats. ]

I'm pretty partial to them. Although the chef has been experimenting lately. Uh, we can just sit anywhere.

[ And true to form, once they sat down a girl came over to hand them menus. "Anything to drink?" she asked. ]

Green tea, please.

[constellates]

The same, please. [there's Anya's happy little chirp. She manages a smile and peruses through the menu for a moment before offering, probably... not all that helpfully:] It all looks delicious. Ah - I will have anything? I trust you.

[that's not what you say to someone you literally just met 2 minutes ago

And then we can talk about dreams and goals?

[what she loves!!]

[momentaryspring]

Y-yes, of course.

[ He could practically see the sparkling aura around this girl, boy was she ever enthusiastic and full of dreams. Now there wasn't any way out of it, was there? ]

Then I guess we'll have the Chef's Special. But none of those wasabi-raisin buns, please.

[ The waitress smiled and went to go relay their order. Ryoga cleared his throat. ]

Right. Dreams and goals. Like I said, being stronger has always been important to me. I guess family is, too. S-so I...

[ It was just really hard to spit this out, ok ]

[constellates]

[Yup, she trusts him on all of that - it sounds delicious to her. And she's just smiling patiently at his explanation, nodding in agreement.]

Strength because of martial arts, yes? And family is always very important. [A firm little nod. She's a mama's girl, after all.] Is there something else...?

[since he trailed off a little bit?]

[momentaryspring]

I just think it'd be nice to meet someone one day, that's all. You know, The One.

[ He glared at the wall as he said this; hopefully Anya wasn't going to laugh at him but girls liked talking about this sort of thing, right

Right? ]

You probably think it's dumb.

[constellates]

Dumb? Never.

[In fact, her expression softens a bit? She takes this sort of thing seriously - since you know, Anya's a girl who's a little bit in love with the idea of love.]

I hope no one ever told you that it was.... To meet someone - that is something precious. It is a good dream.

It's a little embarrassing to admit but since you said it first... I would like that too.

[momentaryspring]

Oh. Well.

[ Ryoga wasn't sure what to do with the prospect of someone agreeing with him; usually people just made fun of him when he revealed personal details. ]

I'm sure you will. You seem like a very kind person.

[ Their order came out, which included a few small plates of steaming hot dumplings. ]

W-well, dig in! I'm pretty fond of the shrimp ones, myself.

[constellates]

[Making fun of him doesn't seem to be even remotely within Anya's sphere of comprehension - though she's momentarily distracted by the food. At the mention of his preference, she hums.]

Then I will try one... and you can have the rest.

[If they're his favorite, he should enjoy them! Though after her first bite, she's humming a pleased little note.]

Mm, delicious...! You have good taste.

[momentaryspring]

What? Don't say that. This is your first time here, right? Just take whatever you like.

[ SHE WAS TOO NICE. She probably got stuck with the vegetables at yakiniku places. ]

The pork-and-chives is pretty good, too. Not sure which ones the rest are, though...

[constellates]

[Admittedly yes, she would get stuck with vegetables if people didn't spoil her rotten.

Like Ryoga. She blinks a little bit at the offer and she giggles softly before nodding, taking his invitation.]

If you say so...

[And since they were talking about it - ] I think if you do meet The One, you should take them here. It'll impress them for sure!