The Style (Samael)

[Ayumi Nataki]

Today had been so long... and her head was hurting from all the knowledge she had been trying to retain from the studying. If Canary gave her any more flash cards... she was going to bite her. Perhaps Lien would know a good escape to head to after school... but for now.. it was lunch time. Ayumi's black hair was tied up, her dark blue eyes scanned the cafeteria but there was no sign of either female companion. As she walked to the front of the order line she placed a simple order. Fried egg sandwich and fries. Her stomach couldn't handle anymore sushi from work and something breaded, fried, and purely American sounded too good to pass up. She retrieved her plate and paid at the front before going to sit down at the table and realized she had forgotten the most important part. Condiments.

Scurrying back to the food area she grabbed a lot of ketchup and mustard, her knee high black shirt swirled a bit as she stopped abruptly to get everything. She fumbled for a moment, contemplating if she wanted the spicy mustard or regular but finally grabbed one of each and turned to head back to her little spot at the table. She brushed some imaginary lint from her dark purple v neck tshirt and settled down at the table, letting out a breath from scurrying around so much. But now she had her prizes!

Ayumi poured the packets onto the side of the fries basket, using three packets of ketchup and one of the mustard before doing the same except on the other side and she used the other mustard for. She stirred them up with different fries, eating them after they were stirred. She couldn't help but close her eyes, letting out a long sigh as she enjoyed the taste but her eyes slid open and she started to look around the cafeteria, wondering who else might be around.

[Samael Mishra III]

Normally Samael didn't like to eat in the cafeteria. He would much rather return to his dorm for a quick swig of alcohol and just ride out the rest of the day until he actually got hungry enough after school to eat a large meal. But for some reason, he had decided to drink up his entire stock of alcohol the day before while cuddled up on his bed with a pillow and watching more than a few documentaries. It wasn't like he was an alcoholic, right? He just really enjoyed the flavors that just happened to be used along with it... and would much rather have it than not. At least he was building up a good tolerance.

He prodded at the pasta on his plate with a fork while his cheek rested lazily on a raised fist. He didn't want to eat. Why didn't they serve any alcohol to the students anyways? It wasn't like all of them were human. Not that he knew what he was... but he definitely had a suspicion that he wasn't like the majority of beings.

Dark eyes raised and were caught by a young, antsy girl. Wait, didn't he know her from somewhere? Quickly, he widened his eyes as his memories flashed past, and it only took a few seconds of searching to find her. Right, she was in his Ability Control class and they sat fairly close to each other. Hmm. He switched off the power, not knowing if she had noticed him, then returned his gaze back to the chicken alfredo to munch at a noodle.

[Ayumi Nataki]

Ayumi's eyes went to the young man sitting a few tables away... tattoos and piercings all over him and he looked like all the things her mother and father had warned her to stay away from growing up. And his eyes... they were so different. She felt her breathing grow a little faster as her eyes lingered on him and for a moment... she thought he had seen her too. She had wanted to talk to him in class but Ms. Kinzoku had been so strict sounding that she hadn't dared to actually try and be social.

Her eyes looked down at her food and she poked it a few times before drawing a breath and grabbed her tray with her food still on it and headed over to him. With every step she became more and more unsure of herself. But it was far too late to turn back now. She would look so foolish walking over just to turn around and walk back! No.. she was going to do this and be brave!

She reached the table he was at and her mouth parted slightly. Silence. Oh! oh no! She had forgotten English! Her mind scrambled and finally, what seemed like an eternity in her mind she found the words. "Hi." Amazing! She did it! She said something to him! Now keep going you baka! "I'm Ayumi.. we're in... Ability Control together, right?" Her voice had a Japanese accent as she tried hard to focus on sounded as American as possible. "Could I... sit here and join you?" Oh please.. please don't let her heart jump out of her chest right now. She could feel it hitting her ribs so hard at the moment. She could even feel the heat of a blush rising to her soft pale skin as she stood in front of him, hoping for the best and yet somehow expecting to be sent away.

[Samael Mishra III]

Samael closed his eyes, wondering just how long lunch was supposed to last here. He'd normally run to his room and do the aforementioned and switch out books for his next few classes. He'd already swapped books before realizing he was out of booze before coming back down here and forcing himself to at least attempt to eat a proper meal. Or as proper as this school's meals were, anyways. In any case, at least he wouldn't have to worry about skittering back to his room at the last minute before being late to class.

He felt a presence drawing closer, but there wasn't any doubt in his mind that it was just someone passing by to go to another table, so he simply stuffed a cube of chicken into his mouth and gnawed at it. It really felt strange eating right now, ugh. Maybe this would make him eat right before graveyard duty tonight with Mr. Ichabod instead of his normal time. So he'd have to eat while doing his homework... how odd.

At the voice, Samael's eyes opened and looked up at the girl. Oh, right. "Yes, we are, and I don't mind. Ayumi Nataki, right?" Maybe if he had a conversation with someone, he'd just be able to eat less. He was really regretting getting this food today, but at least he could socialize some now.

[Ayumi Nataki]

She could feel her hair rise with excitement as he accepted her company, but she forced herself to remain calm as she rather quickly took a seat across from him. Slowly she took a breath to calm again but there was a large smile on her face. "Hai.. I mean.." she laughed softly at herself. "Yes.. you have a good memory." she picked up a fry and dabbed it into the spicy mixture before popping it into her mouth. She paused a little to chew, gazing at him as she drew another breath and finished the bite in her mouth. "You're Samael Mishra... I'm sorry but I couldn't stop.. looking at all of your tattoos and piercings." She explained softly and picked up another fry but this time she just played with it between her two fingers.

"I've never seen anyone with so many just.. out in the open. They really look interesting. Your piercings too! It truly is amazing what they allow in American schools." she was in awe of him by the way she spoke. She had no idea though that most US schools did not allow tattoos but again, this was one of the many reasons why Kumorai was incredibly different from others.

[Samael Mishra III]

Samael smiled at the comment about his memory. He had been told by his grandparents that people normally couldn't recall past experiences as if they were watching a movie. But the sounds in his ears and the scenes playing before him... they were just natural. He hardly had to put any thought into triggering the power, much less controlling it. It was definitely the reason classes were so easy for him. He could even go back through his sleeping memories to pick up on noises that were happening at the time, although that only truly helped when he was sleeping in class. Otherwise, he could just replay his dreams themselves which was much more interesting than giggling schoolgirls talking about their crushes (which never seemed to include him, even if he was unconscious). 

She was interested in his art? He blinked a few times. He had gotten compliments on it before, but there were sometimes rude questions that followed that, while he didn't mind answering, he'd rather not have been asked in the first place. Of course he had thought about getting pierced and tattooed in more intimate regions, but he hadn't gone through with it. Yet.

"Ah... thank you. I'm glad you like them, but this is the first actual school I've been in since... well, since I got more creative with the art." He had all but forgotten his food at this point. "My grandparents didn't mind me getting tattoos and piercings, but once I started getting bullied by students and teachers... and faculty," he furrowed his brow lightly, "I asked to be home schooled so I could still learn and not have to deal with all of that." He dropped the expression and replaced it with something more apologetic. "This is the first school I've been to that allows piercings and tattoos like these to be shown without repercussions. It's nice to be myself here, even if some people still do look at me strangely." He let out a small laugh, then looked back to his food. It actually didn't look too bad now. Carefully, he pulled the plate back to him and take another bite.

[Ayumi Nataki]

She nodded quickly, again the dark hair giving a bit of a bounce as she did so. She could understand being strange and though she didn't relate to being picked on... she knew secluded all too well. Ayumi wasn't pretty like other girls, a bit more average looking and would probably be only considered "cute" if anything was mentioned at all. Again she had never heard of faculty picking on students... she had heard of some teachers being far harder on some students than others but still it amazed her how different this place was than home. It was another thing that caught her attention far more though.

"Your art?" she repeated it, blinking a bit and gazed at the marks on his skin. "Did you tattoo yourself?" her voice was even in more awe. She couldn't imagine the pain let alone self inflicting it while concentrating on the details of every little piece. Her eyes were wide as fish now as she couldn't stop staring at his flesh the markings. A slight heat rose to her cheeks and her eyes went to his. "I have... always wondered what it was like to get one. In Japan... it is not good for a girl like me. If I ever got one.. and my mother saw she would disown me." she sighed softly and stuffed another fry into her mouth as her dark blue eyes went over him till she realized this was probably very rude of her. She blushed a little more and forced her eyes to go back to his own and keep them there.

He was very different from normal and she was so excited to be able to get to know him and his differences. She certainly didn't want him to think she was rude or being... weird about the way she looked at him. But in Japan... tattoos meant you had gone to prison, were Yakuza, or many other bad things. It had been only recently that the younger generation were getting tattoos for art reasons but even then they had to get them in hidden places as it was still highly unacceptable in many places, even some public bath houses would ask you not to return if you had certain marks upon your flesh.

[Samael Mishra III]

Another smile came to Samael's lips. "Well, I can't take all of the credit. The one on my neck and arms... I had to get someone else to do the hard-to-reach places for me, but for the most part, a mirror and a few hours was enough to make it all work." He laughed lightly, glad that she was appreciative. But when she mentioned her mother, his face fell slightly. "My grandparents don't exactly like them, but at least they're understanding, I suppose. I couldn't imagine what it's like to not have support from your family. But I guess that everyone's different, right?" If it wasn't for his grandparents... Samael shivered to think how his life could have turned out.

"I hear a lot of different things from others that have tattoos, though. Since I have a high pain tolerance, they didn't bother me much, but some people said they hurt like hell in certain places."

[Ayumi Nataki]

His smile was nice but when he talked about his grandparents she noticed the way the smile faded ever so slightly. She knew it probably meant his parents weren't around. She had no other family now besides her mother but she figured those subjects weren't something nice to speak of currently. Instead she decided to focus more on his amazing art. He was talented and she really liked what he did.

"Before I left Japan... I went to the museum for tattoos. They have flesh that has been skinned off people and cured so it stays in great shape. It was so exciting! I did not tell my mother, of course, but I got to see so many wonderful art pieces! They have entire bodies there just covered from face to toe! Even men's penises! Women's flesh as well with amazing dragons, tigers, and koi fish. I always thought that if I got one... it would be a sleeping tiger!" she exclaimed and laughed at the very idea of getting a tattoo on her skin. She knew all too well if she ever returned home her mother would be furious if she saw it. But still the idea alone made her heart race and soar, the excitement clear in her voice.

Her eyes went back to his tattoo on his neck... truly she could not help herself when she looked at them. "Do you... have more on your body? I would love to see them if you have any free time and only if you are comfortable with it." She didn't want to push to hard but her curiosity was getting the best of her young mind.

[Samael Mishra III]

A tattoo museum? Shreds of human flesh hanging on walls and even full bodies? Samael's heart raced. Where in the world was this place? He could feel his eyes almost glittering at the thought, and his mind was soaring through the clouds with all of the mental images that came to mind. This must be a place he'd visit when he had the time and money. Maybe he could go after graduation as a present to himself... but he'd have to get a job first. Augh, so many things to do. He'd just have to Google the place for now and imagine that he was there.

"I think a sleeping tiger would suit you well," he said. "If you ever want to get one, just let me know. I probably need some more practice anyway, and I haven't tattooed someone else before. It'd be interesting." At the next question, he looked down to his chest. "Well... I have one that can be partially seen here." He pointed to the black sun tattoo over his heart that peeked out from under his white tanktop. "There's one on my lower back, too. But that and the ones on my arms, hands, and neck are the only ones." He nodded.

[Ayumi Nataki]

Ayumi leaned forward slightly, careful of her plate but gazed at the one he was showing that was under his tank top. She gazed over his arms and hands and smiled a bit as she marveled at what she was getting to see. The markings were beautiful, especially the ones on his arms. Even his hair was unique and in a way he reminded her a lot of the bad boys back home that would hang out at the corners and smoke while flirting with girls. She always noticed... but she never dared to near them. But Samael didn't seem like that type. He hadn't flirted with her and he hadn't done anything flashy. Or perhaps she just wasn't worthy of that attention. She tried not to think on it as she smiled at him.

"Your work is really beautiful. If I ever did get one I would let you! But... I am only 14 and they say the marks can stretch if you get them too young. Plus my mother.." she shook her head a bit. "Perhaps when I more grown... I want to stay here in America when I finish school. I am going to open up the best Sushi shop America has ever known! Sushi chefs can have tattoos... especially if they don't show unless you want them to." she grinned wide and glanced down at her food, realizing she had hardly eaten she lifted her sandwich up and took a bite of the fried egg sandwich with a happy smile.

[Samael Mishra III]

He laughed lightly and shook his head. "You're right. Then again, I'm only sixteen. But I can always touch up my own tattoos whenever that's needed and alter them if they get too stretched." He had made it about halfway through his food now. Much more than he expected to eat. "You do seem nice, though. Um... Would you mind if I gave you my number? We could hang out sometime that's not in the cafeteria." He gave a small laugh and watched her hopefully. He hadn't yet really made a friend yet here, and even though he was used to hanging out with people much older, it would be nice for a change, right?

[Ayumi Nataki]

She felt ecstatic when he offered his number to her. Yay! Another friend! She wanted to bounce off the walls but she contained herself as she nodded and tilted back, reaching into pocket and pulled out her little flip phone. It had a white casing over it with a picture of a bunny eating a character and then there was a glittery pink star dangling off the top of it as well. Very Japanese style. With tech as it was it was a little surprising to see such an outdated phone but Ayumi loved her little phone. She didn't use apps and she could text amazingly fast with it. She turned it towards him and placed it down.

"Feel free to put your number in. I got have a local number now... Mr. Kinzoku helped me get one." she explained and moved to take another bite of her delicious sandwich, finishing it up in just a few more bites as he put in his number on her phone. She licked a little bit of the ketchup from her finger and then wiped her mouth with a napkin to get anything off her face.

[Samael Mishra III]

Samael smiled and quickly punched his number into her phone, adding his name as well before handing it back to her and munching on another bite of pasta. When Mr. Kinzoku's name came up, though, he let out a small chuckle. "Ah, Mr. Kinzoku. I'll have to make sure to thank him for giving me detention. It's been a lot of fun so far." His smile grew genuinely wider. He actually had been quite enjoying himself working at the graveyard. His muscles had been building up thanks to it, too, and his sleeping had been much deeper from all of the strenuous, repetitive work. If anything, it was the best gym class he could ask for. He wondered absently if he could skip out on gym classes and just get a credit for it from that. He almost laughed to himself, but he turned his attention back to his company. "Just shoot me a text so I get your number, too."

[Ayumi Nataki]

She lifted up the phone again, with her left thumb she quickly and easily sent a little smiley face to his number. "Hai! Text sent." she nodded and closed her phone, her right hand dabbed a fry into the ketchup and she glanced over to his meal that he had been slowly picking at. She paused a bit, playing with her fry and then smiled at him softly. "Not a big eater or just.. not a fan of the cafeteria food?" she asked softly and glanced to her almost finished meal. "This is actually better than my last school. They served decent food but it was always overly salty." she scrunched her nose a little at the memory and looked back up at him.