Sure, I can do that. [Kakyoin held up his right hand, taking a few carefully practiced and measured breaths until the electric park of sunlight started cascading over his skin and arcing between his fingers.]
It's...pretty easy once you get used to it. The real trick is...holding a conversation at the same time.
[He wasn't so stupid as to grab Kakyoin's hand, but the urge was there, just to see if it really was electricity. (It was. He knew it was. He had burn marks to prove it. Nonetheless, he had to tangle his fingers together).]
Shit, Kakyoin, that's amazing! Look at you-- how long can you hold it?
Just like this, without...doing anything? [Even though he kept pausing to maintain his breathing, Kakyoin looked genuinely proud and thrilled at being complimented that openly.] Pretty much...as long as I keep breathing correctly.
[Eyes darting to Polnareff's folded hands, Kakyoin held out his own even as Hamon kept sparking around it.]
Give me your hand. It won't hurt this time, I promise.
[Sure enough, it didn't hurt. Kakyoin had come to realize that Hamon was a strangely versatile thing, and as the user of a strangely versatile Stand he took to that aspect fairly naturally. Sunlight wasn't just something that could burn; it was life energy at its most basic form, and the sparks arching over both their hands didn't feel any different than a bright patch of mid-morning sunshine.]
[He murmured that, staring down at their joined hands. It was wild, seeing the light play over his skin, feeling the warmth there. A moment-- and then he glances up at Kakyoin, smiling. It was a softer smile than his usual beaming grins-- more genuine, too.]
[His answer came with a light laugh and a smile that was a little unusual for Kakyoin--it wasn't as reserved as most, and it wasn't the kind of smirk he flashed when he was trying to seem cool or play something off like it was nothing.]
[It was just an honest, genuine, bright smile that made him look like an eager teenager.]
I could still be a lot better with it--I will be, eventually.
[And-- okay, so they've fought together, and bled together, and he's lived with Kakyoin for nearly half a year now, if you counted Egypt and Ruby City together-- but this is getting kind of weird. Like, he'll die for Kakyoin, he loves him, but they're not the kind of friends who hold hands.
So he pulls back, which also feels weird, because he misses that sunlight warmth. Ah, well.]
You would probably think he was way too tough. [Kakyoin shrugged, sparks fading as his breathing turned less focused and he leaned his head on his hand.]
Strict, stubborn, with an uncompromising work ethic--qualities that make for a fantastic teacher as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks. [Whether it was or wasn't, Kakyoin had taken it as a compliment without a second thought.] We're...definitely similar, there's no doubt about that.
[h a...]
I don't really know about that, Polnareff. I'm not really-...I don't like letting anyone else watch me practice, you know? Even Jojo doesn't know how I'm doing with this unless he asks.
...I'm proud of the end result. Not of all the failures and missteps I make getting to it.
[That was strangely easy to admit, and for once there wasn't nearly the kind of self-loathing the subject usually came paired with.]
It's fine with Caesar because...we're similar, like you said. We have high expectations of ourselves, so he knows what that feels like and as a teacher knows how to correct my mistakes. But I'd rather not have anyone else watching if I know I'm going to falter at one point or another.
[Again: that's not unreasonable, and he can respect that. He doesn't necessarily agree, but he's not going to be a dick and force himself where he's not wanted (in this situation, anyway).]
I mean-- all right, yeah, but-- you know me and Jojo or whoever wouldn't think less of you if we saw you make a mistake, right?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:06 am (UTC)[Thank god for metaphors. Polnareff nods knowledgeably, though he doesn't quite understand.]
Can you show me? I mean, not-- you don't have to teach me everything, but what kind of breathing are we talking about?
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Date: 2016-05-12 06:11 am (UTC)It's...pretty easy once you get used to it. The real trick is...holding a conversation at the same time.
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Date: 2016-05-12 06:15 am (UTC)[He wasn't so stupid as to grab Kakyoin's hand, but the urge was there, just to see if it really was electricity. (It was. He knew it was. He had burn marks to prove it. Nonetheless, he had to tangle his fingers together).]
Shit, Kakyoin, that's amazing! Look at you-- how long can you hold it?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:19 am (UTC)[Eyes darting to Polnareff's folded hands, Kakyoin held out his own even as Hamon kept sparking around it.]
Give me your hand. It won't hurt this time, I promise.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:26 am (UTC)Still. He trusted him. So Polnareff offered his hand, palm up, fingers slightly curled-- and then clasped their hands, wincing as he did.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:32 am (UTC)Told you it wouldn't hurt.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:37 am (UTC)[He murmured that, staring down at their joined hands. It was wild, seeing the light play over his skin, feeling the warmth there. A moment-- and then he glances up at Kakyoin, smiling. It was a softer smile than his usual beaming grins-- more genuine, too.]
This is amazing, Noriaki.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:41 am (UTC)[His answer came with a light laugh and a smile that was a little unusual for Kakyoin--it wasn't as reserved as most, and it wasn't the kind of smirk he flashed when he was trying to seem cool or play something off like it was nothing.]
[It was just an honest, genuine, bright smile that made him look like an eager teenager.]
I could still be a lot better with it--I will be, eventually.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 06:56 am (UTC)[And-- okay, so they've fought together, and bled together, and he's lived with Kakyoin for nearly half a year now, if you counted Egypt and Ruby City together-- but this is getting kind of weird. Like, he'll die for Kakyoin, he loves him, but they're not the kind of friends who hold hands.
So he pulls back, which also feels weird, because he misses that sunlight warmth. Ah, well.]
All he's ever done to me is yell and question me.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 07:00 am (UTC)Strict, stubborn, with an uncompromising work ethic--qualities that make for a fantastic teacher as far as I'm concerned.
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Date: 2016-05-12 07:02 am (UTC)[That's kind of a compliment, right?]
Next time you have a public lesson, maybe I'll tag along. Watch you go through hell instead of me for once.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 07:04 am (UTC)[h a...]
I don't really know about that, Polnareff. I'm not really-...I don't like letting anyone else watch me practice, you know? Even Jojo doesn't know how I'm doing with this unless he asks.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 07:05 am (UTC)[That's all right, and he shrugs, backing off the topic.]
How come? I mean, either way, I don't care, whatever makes you comfortable, but-- you're usually pretty damn proud of what you can do.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-12 07:09 am (UTC)[That was strangely easy to admit, and for once there wasn't nearly the kind of self-loathing the subject usually came paired with.]
It's fine with Caesar because...we're similar, like you said. We have high expectations of ourselves, so he knows what that feels like and as a teacher knows how to correct my mistakes. But I'd rather not have anyone else watching if I know I'm going to falter at one point or another.
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Date: 2016-05-13 01:16 am (UTC)[Again: that's not unreasonable, and he can respect that. He doesn't necessarily agree, but he's not going to be a dick and force himself where he's not wanted (in this situation, anyway).]
I mean-- all right, yeah, but-- you know me and Jojo or whoever wouldn't think less of you if we saw you make a mistake, right?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 01:17 am (UTC)