Kindred Spirits

[Ichi]

Usually, Ayame was perfectly fine with talking to people, provided that she was able to keep her distance. She rarely showed nervousness when talking to people and could communicate with most people just fine. Ayame could handle most forms of social interaction---including direct confrontation---just fine and without devolving into a nervous mess. The only exception was when Ayame went out of her way to become closer with someone or become friends; in that case, Ayame's nervous personality would show quite clearly.

But most people would not get to see that side of Ayame. Instead, most would describe Ayame as "cold" or "distant", and very few people could ever recall having an extended conversation with her. Most chocked this up to Ayame not having a very sociable personality but the reality was more complicated than that: she avoided making friends not because she did not care for it but because she was nervous about doing so. This was due to her not having much experience with forming friendships and due to her being afraid of tragically losing others.

Still, despite her fears, Ayame was quite happy about the way things turned out. Once Ayame received the text, she said, "Thanks! Well, I'll be off now." Ayame picked up her bag and began to leave. "See you around," said Ayame as she passed Blair. As she passed Blair, Ayame gave an uncharacteristically friendly smile to Blair before scurrying out the door.

[CaptainL]

As far as Blair was concerned, their business had concluded. They had exchanged names and numbers, and they knew how to reach each other now. The two of them had made contact, realizing that they had more in common with each other than they thought. Although neither Blair nor Ayame were the most social of people, if anything that only helped bring them together. Blair, at least, recognized that in Ayame she had someone who could challenge her, and help bring out the best of what she was capable of. More than that, though, she had someone she saw herself in. She could appreciate that.

"Yeah..." she added, looking up from her phone and back toward Ayame as the redhead headed out the door. Blair's eyes lingered a little on the exit, and she too felt the smile grow over her face. This might have been theirs first meeting, but she was sure it wasn't the last. "You too."