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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 8, 2011 10:24:55 GMT -4
Masaru couldn't help but frown slightly. Now that Tohma used DATS as an example, he was actually able to understand it a little better. "I see..." he replied slowly, "Though DATS was way more fun than this, right?" His time in DATS would always have a special meaning to him, not only because it was the one thing that brought him closer to his father. Without DATS, the brunette was certain that he'd still spend his days with streetfights, having learnt nothing over the years. Also, he'd never have met Tohma then...
His olive-green eyes widened in surprise. Not even Tohma knew what they could do? Under different circumstances he'd be gleeful to make fun of the blond, but right now it wasn't exactly what he had hoped to hear. "Geez, that's bad," he groaned quietly. "And you're our genius here..."
"M- Maybe..." Maria hesitated and averted her eyes from the band which still rested on her ring finger. Locking eyes with Tohma, she took the golden ring off carefully and put it on the table, her hand shaking slightly. "Maybe your friend is right and we should... just break it off," she mumbled though it sounded more like a question as she regarded the blond timidly. "Once it's made public, neither of our families would be able to go back on our word..." She was aware that it would cause a huge ruckus, but she also knew that something needed to be done if they wanted to change their current situation.
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 9, 2011 8:36:08 GMT -4
Tohma smiled slightly and made a small amused "hmph" sound from his throat. "Definitively." He never forgot that day when he returned to the Japanese DATS headquarters, only to be faced with with a hot-tempered rookie who insisted on fighting the blonde. He had learnt more during his time as an agent then he ever could if he spent the rest of his life reading every single book or report he could find.
Narrowing his eyes and pressing his lips into a thin line, the blonde aristocrat shot Masaru an annoyed look. "I never said I was a.. never mind." Tohma rolled his eyes. "Well what's your plan smart guy? Punch your way through my father, the reverend and everyone else on the day?" Tohma tried to sound irritated, but his voice only came out half-heartedly. For some reason, he had lost his ability of screaming at the brunette.
Tohma's expression quickly softened as Maria spoke up. It was strange though; as much as he liked her, Tohma couldn't be himself around the girl. On the other hand, Tohma knew that he could say practically anything he wanted to Masaru and still believe that the brunette would stay by his side; it was a comforting thought. His eyes followed the path of Maria's wedding ring, until it sat motionless on his tabletop, gleaming with the reflected ceiling lights. Reaching over, he placed his identical, except in size, ring beside her's.
His eyes scanned Maria thoughtfully as he mulled over her words. "Are you.. are you sure you're alright with that? I mean.. my relationship with my father can only get worse, but you.." Tohma wasn't sure how to continue, so he instead gave her a sympathetic look and a small smile.
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 9, 2011 9:23:52 GMT -4
Snickering somewhat amused, Masaru gave the blond a look that could easily be interpreted as 'Sure, why not?'. If ruining the day were the only option to keep his word, then he wouldn't hesitate to do exactly as Tohma had suggested. Though it would probably be enough to only punch out Tohma's father; that man deserved a good punch anyway. "If that's what you want me to do, just say it," the brunette grinned half-teasingly and shrugged briefly. "This time I'd gladly follow your orders, Tohma~." Even though it was uncalled-for, he enjoyed their small bickering. Only now did he realize how much he had missed it over the past years.
Tilting his head slightly, Masaru was surprised when he heard the girl speak. He started to understand why Tohma liked her as a friend; even though she was shy and somewhat timid, she knew when it was time to take action. It made her gain Masaru's respect.
Maria could understand if Tohma hesitated, she really could! It hadn't been easy to say those words, but surprisingly she didn't regret them. It was the contrary, it had felt good to say what she always had thought. When she saw the blond's small smile, she nodded. "Yes, I'm sure," she replied as she averted her gaze from him to look at the pair of matching rings. "My family wouldn't be pleased, but... I'm ready to face the consequences now."
"Aren't you the same, Tohma?" she asked as she smiled timidly. "We wouldn't be having this talk now if you weren't ready for it, right?" Maria was certain that she knew only a small part of the other aristocrat, but she was able to tell when he had something important on his mind. "Besides..." Her smile became more honest as she shot both Tohma and Masaru a meaningful look. "We both have a special someone who's worth it, don't you agree?"
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 11, 2011 4:53:12 GMT -4
Hearing Masaru's response to his supposed sarcasm, the blonde boy rolled his eyes. "Mature," he muttered sarcastically beneath his breath. Of course the one time that Masaru agreed to listen him, after all the grief the brunette had given him over his time at DATS, Tohma wasn't even being remotely serious. Nevertheless, Tohma made sure to remember exactly what his friend had said; he did have a few things he wanted Masaru to do.
Relief quickly replaced the tension that Tohma had been able to build up; despite his outward expression, he had actually been quite nervous asking his fiancee such a question. "Yeah," he drawled quietly. He had been ready to face and defy his father's authority since he was a child. It wasn't Franz per se that he was wary about disappointing. Tohma knew that, someday, he would become someone that was worthy to become the next Norstein heir, and if that person didn't involve a wife, then so be it.
He had followed her vision line to their two rings, partly zoning out, wondering when the next time he would see a pair, only as a symbol of love over duty. "Hmm?" Tohma looked surprised. It took a few seconds for Tohma to fully understand what Maria was suggesting. Blushing slightly, he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Eh, yeah. Sure," he said quickly, purposely angling his head away from the brunette beside him in mild embarrassment.
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 11, 2011 6:10:41 GMT -4
Maria couldn't stop herself from laughing quietly at the sight of two blushing boys, both trying to avoid each other's eyes. She thought it was almost adorable and nice to see such a different side of her fiancé. It also confirmed that it was right to do what they planned. It was for their own sake, they needed to get rid of this arranged engagement. "I'm glad that you agree," the girl smiled in relief as she finally allowed herself to relax a bit, though there was still something she had on her mind. "When... when are we going to tell them?" It was obvious whom she meant with them.
Looking to Maria, Masaru made a brief noise in the back of his throat. That girl had a talent in making them flustered, really. "Normally I'd say rather now than tomorrow," he shrugged shortly before he shot Tohma a short glance, though he quickly faced the raven-haired girl again. "But right now... Nah, better not," sighing almost disappointed, the brunette shook his head. Franz was already ticked off because of Tohma's... confession from earlier and even though he disliked waiting, he knew that it wouldn't end well to have another talk with the elder right now. "Let's wait a few days."
Turning his head to the blond next to him, Masaru regarded him with a serious look, though his expression softened rather quickly. "It would give you some time to think and collect your thoughts again, right?" he grinned slightly, his voice sounding confident and trusting. "Though, it's your decision in the end. I'm fine with whatever you choose, Tohma."
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 12, 2011 22:23:49 GMT -4
Tohma did his best to tune out his fiancee's light laughter, knowing that it was at the expense of his embarrassment. Right then, he was regretting not picking just some random butler who happened to have a crush on the blonde to tell his father he was in love with. The butler would've been more than happy to agree. And it wouldn't have Tohma blushing like an idiot schoolgirl around Masaru. Maria's question snapped him out of his moment of self loathing.
He had trying to think of an adequate answer when Masaru spoke up. A few days? Tohma wasn't stupid enough to think that it was wise to tell his father that not only was he supposedly in love with a commoner, but he was also pulling out from his engagement. "Yes.." Tohma said quietly, not looking particularly anywhere, although he was facing Maria's direction. "Perhaps it would wise to wait a while. I'm sure father will be in a bad mood for the next couple of days, too.."
Catching movement in the corner of his eye, Tohma allowed himself to turn the slightest at the brunette beside him, forcing a mask of indifference as he did so. "If that's what you want," Tohma replied softly before turning back towards the girl. "I take it you'll be staying here for the time being?" he asked politely, even though he probably already knew the answer Maria would give him.
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 13, 2011 6:04:54 GMT -4
Well, that was something new. Hearing Tohma agree really was something Masaru could get used to. After all, it never happened often. Though, he didn't like how the blonde looked at him. It got him the slight feeling that Tohma didn't even want to face him and only did it because everything else would have been rude. Stupid Tonma.. Masaru's brow twitched as he shot him a glare. It annoyed him; the least Tohma could do was to give him a normal answer.
Maria didn't interrupt their interactions as she opted to watch silently. Only after being spoken to did she focus her attention on Tohma again. "Uh, probably," she nodded timidly before she let out a short sigh. "Your father told me that we'd be staying for the rest of the week, I'm sorry." The girl wasn't sure why she apologized. Perhaps it was because of their sudden visit, or maybe because she was used to apologizing all the time. "But don't mind me or my presence, Tohma," as she spoke, she forced a polite, yet wry smile, "I made a few appointments I have to attend, so I'll be away most of the time."
The brunette listened quietly. He... didn't really get what they were talking about. To him, it appeared to be nothing more than mere smalltalk, being all polite and formal. It started to bore him. His patience had never been the best or long-lived, even his stay in the Digital World hadn't helped there. Frowning slightly, Masaru scanned the blond beside him. "Are we done here, then?" he asked abruptly, not really caring whether he interrupted their talk or not. "You can talk after I left, you know..."
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 13, 2011 8:33:28 GMT -4
Catching Masaru's glare, Tohma returned it with a curious look. It was strange; usually Tohma didn't care the slightest whether or not the brunette was annoyed with him. He passed the thought off, deciding that it was because he was in debt to Masaru, and not because his friend's opinion on him suddenly became immensely important.
Toham couldn't help wincing. His father was going be in his house for an entire week? Tohma sighed at the thought that he was probably going to be spending the following week cooped up in his room just to avoid awkward or irritating meetings with the elder Norstein. "No, it's no problem," Tohma said softly with a shake of his head before nodding wordlessly to the rest of Maria's words.
Tohma eyes widened in surprise when Masaru spoke up. He straightened out rather rigidly in his seat and turned towards the brunette, probably the for the first time entering the room giving the other boy his full attention. The blank look on his face faded into one that looked sheepish. "I'm sorry.." Tohma began quietly, "Did you.. want to leave?" Though his voice was mostly filled with curiosity, he couldn't keep all the traces of hurt from seeping into it too.
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 13, 2011 11:13:57 GMT -4
Raising a brow skeptically, Masaru was a bit surprised that Tohma faced him. It annoyed him that it took the blonde so long to look at him again. Or rather to face him without any forced composure. Though hearing the other boy's tone, he had to frown. "W-what?" Did Tohma really think that he would leave so soon? Maybe he picked the wrong words...
The brunette couldn't help but let out a sigh. "Geez, did I say that I wanted to leave already? I didn't plan on going until you'd throw me out tonight, actually. Tch," he replied sarcastically before he rolled his eyes, though his annoyed expression was slowly replaced by a sheepish frown. "It... got boring, I guess. The important talk is over after all, isn't it?" he admitted reluctantly as he somewhat averted his eyes. Perhaps it also had something to do with the lack of attention, though he wouldn't actually say that he was jealous or anything similar.
"I- I'm sorry," Maria spoke up suddenly and lowered her head apologizingly. "That's probably my fault," the raven-haired girl muttered quietly as she folded her hands over her lap. She felt a little guilty for demanding so much attention from her fiancé even though his friend was visiting. Timidly looking up, she gave a small smile as she faced Tohma. "Perhaps we should talk again tomorrow," she suggested politely before she had to stifle a brief yawn. "To be honest, the long flight was tiring, and I'd like to rest for a while, I'm sorry."
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 14, 2011 0:08:48 GMT -4
Blinking a few times, Tohma simply stared at Masaru blankly, trying to comprehend what the brunette was saying. Masaru.. didn't mind staying.. as long as Maria and I aren't talking about things that are "boring"? Tohma nodded slowly. It had been a rather long and weird day, and it seemed that he had already said everything he rather not wanted, but needed to to Maria and his father. "..I wouldn't kick you out," Tohma said, his voice evident with confusion, having been too lost to detect his friend's sarcasm.
Mulling over Maria's words for a few seconds, the blonde nodded. "Alright," he said quietly, standing up from his seat. "Excuse me." Tohma made his way over to the door and pulled it open, causing the young butler in the hall to jump and cry out in surprise. Tohma raised an eyebrow at the reaction before shrugging it off. After mumbling a few words, to which the boy stared at him rather blankly before hesitantly nodding, Tohma turned back to the room with a small, polite smile.
"Tai here will escort to your room before handling your luggage afterwards," he said in his usual polite tone, beckoning a hand towards the gentleman beside him who was trying really hard to look calm. Tohma inwardly groaned at the fact that he had a lot of consoling to do afterwards, considering the way his father was probably talking to the servants.
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 14, 2011 7:42:32 GMT -4
Tohma's reaction... surprised him. Normally the blond replied to his sarcasm with even more sarcasm, but this time he simply sounded confused and kinda out of place. It was a little unsettling to the brunette, but he decided to save that little piece of information for later. So he won't throw me out, huh? Actually, he kind of liked that answer more than the usual remarks. Hearing Maria's words though, Masaru frowned a bit. Did... he cause that now? Unwillingly, he felt slightly guilty. Just because he was bored didn't mean that it was her fault after all. He could just blame Tohma for being so boring.
Nodding silently, the girl's brown eyes lingered for a moment on her fiancé's back as he made his way to the door to talk with one of the butlers before she turned her attention to the brunette, noticing his frown. "Don't worry, it's alright," she reassured while she gave a weak smile. The look on her face was serious, yet gentle. "It was nice to meet you, even though the circumstances weren't the best..." she said politely before she stood up from her seat and straightened.
After saying a brief farewell, she turned to face Tohma again. "Thank you," she replied and presented the butler with a friendly smile. She felt sorry for the boy; he seemed so nervous in front of them. "I'm glad that we... had this conversation, Tohma," she regarded the blonde with a thankful gaze. "We'll talk later or tomorrow then," she said before she bowed politely and followed the butler out of the room.
Masaru was both lost and glad that the girl didn't seem to mind it. Nodding shortly, he gave a wry laugh. "Yeah... Me too," he replied honestly before he watched her go. The girl was right. The circumstances really weren't the best, but they could have been worse. They only had to make the best out of it, that was all. Slowly turning his attention to Tohma, Masaru cleared his throat awkwardly. "So... uhm," he paused immediately before he grinned weakly. "That went well, I guess..."
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 14, 2011 9:11:36 GMT -4
All that Tohma seemed capable of doing was nodding at Maria's words, quickly flashing a small smile as she disappeared down the hallway. Pulling the door close, Tohma sighed quietly before slumping slightly onto the wood. Finally getting some quiet, Tohma realized how tired he actually was. He hadn't been getting a lot of sleep ever since the engagement was announced, and his eyelids were beginning to feel heavy, but he forced himself awake.
"Which bit?" Tohma asked, grinning slightly before sighing again. "But yes, I suppose that could have gone a lot worse." And he wasn't just referring to talking to his father and his supposedly now ex-fiancee. He shot a short glance towards the two rings which still sat on his table, taking in the reality of what had just happened. "You could have punched me in the face when I kissed you." Although he sounded casual, Tohma had to physically stop his breath from hitching as he spoke those final words.
Walking over, Tohma stopped and leaned back on his chair's armrest, the one closest to where Masaru was. "So what do you want to do now?" Tohma asked after a few seconds. His eyes trailed from Masaru's to one of the windows and was met with the sight of a sky filled with red and orange clouds swirling together like watercolour. He hadn't realised so much time had passed. "It's getting late.. Do you want to just stay the night?"
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 14, 2011 12:07:08 GMT -4
The brunette chuckled voicelessly as he nodded in agreement. It really could have gone worse, especially their conversation with Maria. It still surprised him a little that she didn't mind their... relationship; it was the exact opposite from Franz's reaction. "Ah, y-yeah," caught off-guard by Tohma's words, Masaru rubbed his neck awkwardly while a faint pink tinted his cheeks. Did he really have to mention that now? Stupid tonma... "I guess I could have," he nodded slowly, his olivegreen eyes didn't waver in the slightest. "But... punching you in that moment didn't seem... right, you know?" the brunette gave a weak, but honest smile before it was quickly replaced by a playful grin. "It's more fun to punch you under fair conditions, anyway."
Thinking over the blonde's question, Masaru shrugged nonchalantly. "Dunno... I'm just a guest, it's your job to entertain me~," he grinned teasingly before he followed Tohma's trail to the window. The other boy was right. It was already getting dark. In the distance, he could see the first street lights blinking shortly before they turned on for the night. So much time had passed since he sat foot in this mansion?
Facing Tohma again, the brunette couldn't hide his look of surprise at the sudden offer. It would be the first time that he stayed the night at a different place than home since his return. "Uh, sure... If you don't mind, then why not?" he replied as casual as possible. Masaru had to admit that he didn't really look forward to the way back. It had took him long enough to get here in the first place. "I hope you're aware though that it'll tick off your old man even more, he~," the brunette chuckled thoroughly amused by the thought. It surely wouldn't make the elder Norstein happy, that was a given. "Serves him right for treating you like that, tch..."
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Post by Tohma Norstein on Aug 15, 2011 5:21:20 GMT -4
Tohma gave the brunette a questioning look before shrugging the expression off a few seconds later. "I'll never understand your whole 'live by your fists' thing," he sighed with intentional exasperation. Nevertheless, Tohma was extremely grateful, although he'd never admit it aloud, that Masaru apparently didn't feel the need to break the blonde's jaw in during Tohma's momentarily lapse of common sense. Not that it was moment Tohma particularly regretted.
An amused smirk appeared on Tohma's face. He took a few steps over, until he was standing directly in front of Masaru's chair, before crouching down to the other boy's eye level. "Really now?" he began, obviously teasingly, "I thought I was boring." With that, Tohma stood up and straightened himself out, momentarily turning his back to his friend to stretch his arms above his head.
"If I minded, I wouldn't have offered," Tohma said matter-of-factly. Rolling his eyes at Masaru's statement, he couldn't help but wonder how close the brunette's words actually were to the truth. There was a fragile line between what Tohma did for himself and what he did in spite of his father. "Well I just hope you don't run in to him while you're by yourself," Tohma said seriously, before dropping his voice into nonchalance, "Probably for his sake if not yours. Anyway." Tohma spun his heel towards Masaru's direction, offering a hand out between them. "Want a tour?"
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Post by Masaru Daimon on Aug 15, 2011 17:22:22 GMT -4
Even though Masaru was visibly amused by Tohma's reply, he still rolled his eyes. "And I'll never get your whole 'use your head' thing, so I'd call it even~," he snickered quietly and grinned back at the blond. After everything that had happened today, being able to talk like that was surprisingly relaxing. The brunette figured that it was exactly what they both needed now.
Watching Tohma come closer, the boy got a little wary. Not that it had anything to do with their closeness, he didn't mind that one bit. His sense of personal space had always been a little different. But he knew well enough that such a smirk on the blond's face never meant something good. "Tch," Masaru scowled lightly. Leave it to Tohma to use his own words against him. "At least you don't deny that you're boring, Tonma," he added, using that despised nickname on purpose to provoke the blond as he watched him turn around.
The brunette scanned Tohma's back carefully as he made a soft noise in the back of his throat. He actually hoped for the opposite to happen. It would be fun to meet the elder Norstein without Tohma close by. Chuckling shortly, Masaru shook his head. "Nah, don't worry. You made it clear that you don't want me to punch him," he said reassuringly and shrugged briefly. "Though I still hope that you'll change your mind, heh," grinning amused, the boy kept his gaze on the blond. He reached for the offered hand without any hesitation and stood up from his seat. "Sure," he replied, before he furrowed his brows thoughtfully. He had completely forgotten about his partner. "I should probably tell Agumon that we'll be staying the night anyway, right?"
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