Catching a Ride

[CaptainL]

The commute was a tough one, but she was used to it by now. Yuki Kazikura lived in a modest little middle-class neighborhood in Yokohama, and the headquarters and office space of LAW were in the heart of Tokyo. They'd held shows all over Japan, and in the last few years they had even begun to expand beyond the country - but Tokyo was still where the center of business was. Whenever Yuki had to be present at the headquarters, whether it was for an interview with the press, a photoshoot, or signing a contract for a match in the area - or when she had to attend one of their frequent Tokyo shows - it meant heading to the train station and hopping on the next train to the capital.

It wasn't so bad, really. It was only an hour away, compared to some of the rides she'd needed to take to shows that were further than that. Now that she was out of high school, the days of hurrying from class as soon as the bell rang to make sure she could reach the station on time were behind her - and even a year out, it still felt strange to have that much freedom in her schedule. Besides, that hour gave her some time to sit down, think, and collect herself, something that was growing all too precious in a world that seemed increasingly hectic and chaotic.

At least, Yuki used to appreciate that. But lately...she wasn't so sure. That hour gave her time to think. Time to think was time to worry.

A few weeks had passed since her previous encounter with Angelina Tarrant, but the memories still lingered. Angelina had, somehow, found her home, broken in, managed to convince her family that she wasn't a threat, and made off with Yuki's yearbook - and all of this to prove a point. Angelina wanted to cement herself as a danger. She wanted Yuki to know there was nowhere she was safe - that she knew where to find her, and that she could strike at any time. Ever since that day, Yuki had to be a little more careful. She was checking around every corner, and looking back over her shoulder every time she passed a dark alley. When the days passed by, and there was no sign of Angelina, it seemed like maybe she was getting a little too worked up. But she couldn't let down her guard. Yuki knew Angelina Tarrant - and she knew full well that she meant what she had said. At any moment, everything could change.

As she stepped into the train station, Yuki bit the inside of her cheek with a shudder, instinctively hugging her bag a little closer to herself. She glanced back and forth at the crowds around her, checking once, then twice, to be sure she didn't see any red hair or horns among them. When the coast looked clear, she let out a sigh of relief and moved ahead to pay for her ticket, then stepped into the waiting area beyond. But still, the threat was still there. She couldn't be too cautious.

Spoiler

[Monsy]

LAW can always be on the mind. Not in the way that meant she showed up when she got a call or email, having usually rebutted with excuses of illness or not being in town. For the past few weeks, however, the excuses were real. Angelina’s face was messed up. Black eyes, a cut on her face, swollen gums and having an iris like a black hole after smacking that mirror. It fuckin’ sucked, like her head wanted to pop. If she felt a little ugly before, now those feelings were creeping up even harder, so she preferred not to go outside -- instead do door delivery, chill with her rabbit Thistlebro and keep her ear to the ground for the Dynamite Schoolgirl.

The late hours let her pool what she had into a neat little game. It became a billboard on her dorm room wall beside her bed, putting up pictures of the Sanrio logo, to X-ray JPEGs off google of the knee, skull, arm, paired with trauma explanations, places where Yuki liked to go, her house, probable train routes -- even former opponents and what looked to be their strategies in getting one over on this girl. Of course, this all needed to be webbed in coloured string, organising it all and thumb-tacking them to one picture in the middle. Yuki herself. Then when it was finished, she stood holding Thistlebro in one arm and a slice of pizza in the other. "Whatcha think?” She asked Thistle, mouth full of pizza.

“You’re obsessed, Angie-Wangie.”
“And? It’s fun!” And after setting Thistle down on the bed, who hopped around in a circle as per their usual lie down time, Angelina picked up a dart from her nightstand and whipped it at the picture, puncturing the forehead. “Kaboom!” Then, sighed.

“Guess the best part comes tomorrow. C’mere fluffins!” And indeed, after a good sleep, with her face mostly returned to normal, tomorrow was the plan. She gathered her duffle bag, wore it like a backpack and stuffed just one thing inside before heading over to LAW headquarters. It took a while just whispering around, spritzing a lie here and there to get hints that Yuki was around. That’s where the fun began. Hiding. Chasing. Going behind corners for a giggle then being a face in some otherwise packed crowds. From LAW headquarters, through public and to the train station. She watched her go inside. Then, after Yuki passed the ticket scanner, Angelina moved in with a slight rush, hitting her ticket, then merging into a crowd that put many taller people between her and Yuki. The train was arriving after all, with its lights down the tunnel and its rumble and subtle brush of wind as it raced by and steadily slowed to a stop.

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

Ever since Angelina had made it quite clear that she was both willing and capable of tracking Yuki down no matter where she went, the girl had to be a little extra cautious when she was out and about. The fact that the train station was this busy this time of day certainly gave her pause. With that many people around, it would've been practically effortless for Angelina to hide in plain sight, and she could sneak up on Yuki from any direction before she even knew where she was coming from. When Yuki stepped past the turnstiles and onto the train platform, she sucked in a breath and hugged her bag a little closer to herself, standing a little taller and a little stiffer. Once again, she stopped to scan the crowd in one direction and then the other, first once, then twice. But no sign of Angelina she could see, and it wasn't like the Marauder was the most inconspicuous of people. Seemed like it would be safe enough.

As the crowd passed her by, Yuki let out a sigh, rubbing at her temples. For a moment she asked herself if that would draw too much attention to herself if she stood alone, but that was a thought she quickly swept aside - despite being a fixture of LAW's main event scene for some time now, Yuki had the unassuming, nondescript look that not only endeared her to the fans as a champion of the common people, but also helped her hide in plain sight. She'd likely look like any ordinary college-aged girl who might be at a train station for whatever reason. But even as those thoughts ran through her head, Yuki had to ask herself if they were an indication that she was getting too caught up in this whole thing. Maybe she was just being too paranoid. Maybe it wasn't going to serve her any good checking every corner and alleyway if it was just going to feed her anxieties more and more - maybe she was too tense, and she just needed to relax. Or was that just what Angelina wanted her to think? Great, she thought to herself with a grumble. Now she was back at square one again.

Either way, when Yuki looked up, she could see the lights of the next train flood the tunnel as the train pulled up to its stop. Once again, she looked back over her shoulder, but saw no sign of Angelina - and with that, she let out a long breath that released the pent-up tension in her body. Coast was clear. Now, she could move on ahead, getting ready for the doors to open.

[Monsy]

The subway has its own ambience. Shoes, boots and heels carry a small but quiet clap. It merges together into a soft drum. The gate clicks happened every second beat. Loose chatting was something of a static. And the train, thumping, clicking and hissing as it rolled into the station, slowing down, making long hair bend and a gentle breeze as people huddled close to the doors. The doors whisked open, and that inner ventilation feels cool like autumn. It sparks a chill at first, with people shuffling out, replaced by new. She left the yellow-studded strip and stepped inside, reaching up and claiming a handrail. The intercom said something in Japanese. She can recognize the location alright enough, but that didn’t matter. After almost fifteen seconds worth of people flowing in and out, a noise came on.. Ding-Dong. Dong-Ding. The trains doors telegraphed their closure. It rolled out again, picking up speed that needed just a small brace.

Angelina reached into her pocket and pulled some wireless earbuds. After putting them on, she flicked her phone for some good ol’ shuffle, landing on Car Crash in G Major, then turned it up nearly all the way. Her head bobbed, subtly. An ankle tapped, eyes closed, and she let all tension go with a sigh. Time to say hi.

She used the guardrail to lean and check, tilt her head to peek, then walked, moving to the next car and then snaking her way through. Our Dynamite Schoolgirl was hard to spot, black-haired and straight-laced, but once she caught that face, she never let it go -- honed in and grabbed the guard-rail pole closest to Yuki. She leaned on it, put her head against it too, plucking an earbud then offering it.

“Yooo, Yookster. Want a listen?”

[CaptainL]

And there it was. The train to Tokyo had arrived, and with it, Yuki breathed out a sigh of relief. No Angelina after all. Maybe, she thought to herself, she'd just gotten herself worked up over nothing. It wouldn't be the first time that had happened, but she could only hope it would at least be one of the last. But if Angelina was here in the station with her, she doubtlessly would have made herself known by this point. Now, she could go back to her business and get on with her life. No need to worry herself over ambushes, and no need to stay on guard. Maybe that hour on the train would give her some time to think and clear her head, time that she could take to stay calm. She really could use something like that.

With the doors hissing open, the people on the platform hustled inside. Yuki fell in along with them, swallowed up by the crowd. Maybe there were one or two people who might have recognized her, but if they did, they were polite enough not to speak up, or at least to keep any conversations to themselves. As far as anyone could tell, Yuki was just one of many average citizens of Yokohama, making her way to Tokyo for reasons of her own. That was all she needed to be, and it was all anyone else had to think.

She came to her car, finding an empty spot at one of the booths and sitting down after stashing her bag under the seat. Then, she set her hands on her knees and took in a long, deep breath, closing her eyes. She just needed to relax, and center herself. Maybe stare out the window and watch the scenery go by. That might do her well.

But it seemed Yuki had spoken too soon. When she opened her eyes, what she saw made her freeze - sitting up rigid in her seat, her eyes wide and the color draining from her face. No. It couldn't be. Yuki didn't believe it - she didn't want to believe it. But it was undeniable. There was no way that Angelina Tarrant, with her bright red hair and horns, could ever be a case of mistaken identity. And no matter how much Yuki shook her head and blinked her eyes, she wouldn't go away. Just when she thought she was safe, and just when she'd let her guard down, Angelina had chosen that exact moment to strike. In all the time she'd prepared herself for an attack at the train station, it never crossed her mind that Angelina might already be on the train. But here she was - and she was drawing closer by the second.

A nauseating feeling dropped in the pit of Yuki's stomach as her fingers squeezed tighter at her knees, while she shuffled back up against her seat. No matter how much she tried to make herself scarce, though, she was all too aware there was nowhere to run. She was trapped. The train car was still fairly empty, with most of the passengers still filing on, but there were still other people around - other people who had started to look in their direction, thanks to Angelina's eye-catching accoutrements. Running would draw too much attention. And even if that wasn't an issue, where could Yuki go? The only way out was back onto the platform, and for now, she would be stuck in close quarters. Stuck with someone she already knew was up to no good. For now...she had no choice but to confront the Marauder.

The moment her eyes locked onto Angelina's own, they went narrow in a glare. "What...do you want-!?" Yuki snapped, louder than she would've liked to - the moment she realized that she'd drawn a few curious eyes, she clapped a hand over her mouth. Still, the last time Angelina had been around her, no matter how nice she'd tried to play, she still ended up waging her own brand of psychological warfare. Yuki didn't trust her - not when she was this close. She didn't even trust the earbud Angelina was pushing her way. For all she knew, it was broadcasting a graphic description of everything Angelina wanted to do to her, hidden in plain sight for only her to hear!

One thing was for sure, though. Having Angelina this close to her personal space was making the hairs rise on the back of Yuki's neck. Her whole body was tense, and she knew she was going to have to do something soon. She leaned back further and further in her seat, trying to keep her head as far away from the earbud as possible. But when that grew unfeasible, she had no choice. Hissing through her teeth, Yuki's hands flew to Angelina's shouders as she tried to shove her back. There was no time to ask questions. She already knew her intent could only be ill. "Stop it-!"

[Monsy]

You can always rely on Yuki Kazikura to make a scene. She, for her credit, was magnificent in that way. Put her in an opera, watch her shine. Put her in a ring, and watch her thrive. Ahh. It was so nice to hear. She almost forgot the fact that she was turning shit up to a seven from the get-go. Angelina smiled, but raised her brows. Of fuckin’ course she knew what she was doing offering that bud. Like pushing a big red button.

“I'm… offering ya my tunes?” Angelina said, brow raised and giving Yuki this judging smirk. HEESH. Well… Only thing to do. And that was just to hold the earbud closer. The music was turned down with a hand on her phone, letting any hint of what was playing to be erased. “What’s the mattah? Just take a quick fuckin’ listen, I triple-nipple promise it’s just--”

Then she leaves her feet. Girl was quick. She got that zeal to make it feel like she just went zero to one-hundred, and it didn’t help her size and otherwise awkward posture on one foot while leaning on the pole. “Ow!” Angelina hit her ass on the train floor. It’s not the ground that really hurts, but the bat inside, pinching between tailbone and floor, then sliding back out. The razors gave her shivers. She can feel them just poke and prod against the dufflebag’s fabric. But no cuts. Thank fuckin’ Thatch.

“Stop what?” Angelina chuckled, rubbing her behind. Considering the few people around, she just let herself sit for a few moments, then underhand tossed the earbud to Yuki. “Lisssten to it. I think it’s ya type. Chill, quiet and a vibe that carries ya into space.”

She got up, grabbing a ceiling handgrip. Then she tapped her ear, put the hair behind her ear to unveil her earbud. Would this gain any modicum of trust? Even if just surface level. Angelina liked the rug to be pulled when their eyes are closed. And right now? They were fuckin’ baseballs.

[CaptainL]

It was only after it had happened that Yuki realized what she'd done. She was frozen in place, every muscle tense, with her hands thrust outward and hanging in the air - and beneath her was Angelina Tarrant, sprawled out on the floor of the train car. The sound of a clang had filled the air, and even after it had passed into a stark and deathly silence, its memory lingered. There weren't many passengers around in the car, but everyone who had been present had seen what had happened. And everyone, now, was staring right at Yuki.

For a moment, the dark-haired girl was silent. Her eyes, wide and glassy, turned downward to rest on Angelina as she bit at her lip. At first, she could only focus on how she had acted out, and the shock of the realization hitting her was enough to eclipse all other thoughts. But the moment it passed enough for Yuki to think of something else, the direction her thoughts went immediately turned her stomach, as her teeth clenched down into a pained grimace. It was all happening again. This was how Angelina simply was - it was how she always did things. What she wanted, more than anything else, was to provoke a reaction out of Yuki, and she had done just that. But that meant Yuki had lost her cool, and she was making a scene in front of everyone, where only her reputation as a demure, composed, respectable girl could take a blow for it.

Angelina had done this in front of her parents, and it had all culminated in a shattered mirror and a missing yearbook. But that wasn't enough for Angelina - now, she was at it again. That only set off further alarm bells for Yuki. She already knew the redhead certainly had ill intentions - now, at any moment, she could expect the same sort of trouble she'd gotten into last time. All she was left with was wondering what it would be this time - whatever it was, she knew she wouldn't like it.

Yuki snapped herself back to reality - she reminded herself that all eyes were still on her, and it was up to her to save face. A few passengers were writing something on their phones, no doubt taking interest in the disturbance or speculating on what might have caused it, but most were still staring directly at her. Clearing her throat, Yuki sat up a little straighter and dusted off her knees, shuffling back in her seat as though nothing had happened. "S-Sorry, everyone," she muttered, "I, uh...got a little too excited..?" She gulped. It was a lame excuse, and the hesitation in her voice was proof of that. But she needed to say something before she dealt with Angelina.

As the Marauder picked herself back up onto her seat, Yuki bit at the inside of her cheek, glancing away. She squeezed the earbud she'd tossed her a little tighter in her hand, then - not without her hesitations - she lifted it to her ear to take a listen. She wasn't convinced it wasn't a death threat, but she'd at least play along for now. But some time later, after a few seconds of hushed silence, when Yuki was sure - or at least that she hoped - that the coast was clear, she leaned a little closer to Angelina to whisper in her ear. Hopefully more covertly this time.

"Listen, we both know that's not why you're really here," she hissed under her breath. "What is it this time?" The tension rose in Yuki's voice, and her fingers tightened around her knees as she tried to hold herself steady. Whatever Angelina had to answer, however, she was already convinced she wouldn't like it.

[Monsy]

“Yeah.” Angelina had a small laugh. A little TOO excited, huh? Girl looked ready to swing, now she shies back into that reserved shell. That same attitude from the House, where she wanted to avoid confrontation at almost any cost until a door was closed. Hell. It got her wondering why such restraint here? Public disturbance, maybe. But who really gets in trouble for a fight? Especially when they can’t catch the other girl who started it. The answer could’ve been inconvenience. But even that felt wrong. And she DID call her out, so cleverly so as Angelina took her seat beside Yuki, putting the duffle bag she carried between her legs and crossing her feet on the other side. She was calm, composed and looking forward, but always glancing as she was whispered to. It made her smile.

“This time?”

Angelina reached into her pocket, then paused the indie song. The moving train was rather ambient, the hump and thump of wheels, and the dark grey off the tunnels were something soothing like three in the morning, drunk and spaced out. People moved to their phones. A few had shuffled away to other cars, while some always had a casual glance from time to time. After all, these two were rowdy. “Frame it like this. It might sound crazy.”

Angelina put her indexes to thumbs and made a rectangle. She turned, placed it in front of her eye and framed Yuki’s head, grinning. “This is…. Public…. Transport.” She cackled, then let her arms fall, sunk back into her seat, with her legs stretching out for a moment. “Ya know they got pills for that kinda paranoia, ya? That stress gonna make ya snap, yo. But… since we’re here. How’s the fam aftah I left? They aight?”

[CaptainL]

The wheels turned and the engine started as the plane took off from the station, but Yuki still said nothing. Every muscle in her body was tense, and every nerve was on edge, anticipating an attack - but, for all she knew of Angelina, and for as much as her prior interactions with her had colored her expectations and primed her to keep an eye open for the slightest sign of trouble, that was an attack that never came. Now, Yuki was left with the realization that, perhaps, she had gotten carried away - maybe she really was too anxious. Maybe Angelina really was just out to use public transit. And maybe it was a stroke of sheer coincidence that the two of them had found themselves in the same train station, at the same time, heading in the same direction. She was prepared for trouble - but, as she was all too keenly aware of now, the only trouble had been her own doing.

As the realization set in, Yuki let out a long, low sigh, one that caused her shoulders to deflate as she slumped low in her seat. "...sorry," she muttered. Just what was getting into her? Should she be worried about it? For a while, she was silent - not even looking Angelina in the eye; maybe that was from not wanting trouble, or maybe it was because she herself was afraid of being judged. But, with Angelina bringing up her family, she would at last confront the redhead. Yuki paused to collect her thoughts, but she straightened in her seat as she did. Now, she knew, she faced something she couldn't brush off.

"...they're...doing well," she said, but as she spoke, the tension rose in her voice. "As good as they can, I guess. But, you know..."

Yuki sat up a little straighter as she at last turned to face Angelina. Her eyelid twitched; the tension flickered through her body. "...They're worried about things getting out of hand, you know. That I'm taking things too far. And that I'm going to get myself hurt. The mirror thing already set off alarm bells..." Then, as the beating of her heart sped up, Yuki leaned in closer toward Angelina. "I don't...want things to get any worse. You know?"

Yuki's fingers wrapped tighter around her knees as she tried to hold her body still. She looked Angelina dead in the eye, but even then she shivered. Did she want to confront Angelina like this? Would that just make everything worse? Or...did she have to?

[Monsy]

It’s some progress. Got in the seat after being shoved. The train is moving. People are returning to their business. Now, there’s calm. Angelina had time to sit right, re-adjust so her hands went on-top of Nutcracka’s covered pommel inside the duffle. She slouched, brought her hips back into the seat and turned head to meet Yuki’s look. “Yeah.” Acknowledging with a sigh, looking down at her lap, as if to morally ponder. Then she smiled. “I can empathize, really.” Her lips pursed, and she shrugged, “Though, what choice do I give? It's the best damn excuse..." Her head tilted for a moment, nudging the point.. "To shove me.” Then she nodded idly, “And hit me in the face. Ovah. And ovah. And ovah.”

She gave Yuki a smile, then poked spots on her own face. Former cuts and big fuckin’ bruises after that scuffle. Then she turned her head and tapped the back of her skull. “The glass stuck here was the biggest fuckin’ pain.”

Now, time to add a little pressure. One leg over the other, letting the duffle stand inside the pocket between her thighs. She turned her waist to face Yuki, an arm over the seat’s ridge, with the elbow propped and an angle fist underneath her jaw. The other arm tucked into the opposite armpit. Her smile was now sly -- like a parent prodding their child for an obvious lie. “It felt fuckin’ great, didn’t it? I even got a theory worked up.” Her grin settled, eyes dulled. “You wanted to hit me... since... the promo, hm? Especially right aftah. I showed ya up, turned ya down, and now ya got this itch on ya back that ya can’t scratch. Because I'm around. Now that ya beat me up behind a closed door. That itch is still unscratched. Because I’m still around.”

A finger went to her bottom lip, pondering and making a hmm. “Actually. I think it goes before that. Yuki Kazikura, hot off a win at We are LAW five. Ready to conquer past defeats. The great protagonist comeback. Then.” Her hand went straight and simulated an aeroplane crashing into her lap. “Beaten again. Not by some bullshit concept like luck. Beaten. Am I gettin’ warm?”