Then I'll know the twilight skies // are not so broken-hearted

[drivesthebride]

WHO: Utena drivesthebride and Haku acupunctured
LOCATION: Quidditch Pitch!
WEEK: 56
TIME: After classes, Monday
WHAT: Utena is taking Haku flying. :3
RATING: Likely no more than G.

Comments

[acupunctured]

Luckily the rains had eased into barely a drizzle by the evening, and the cool night breeze was light and refreshing as Haku made his way through the soggy grass to the Quidditch pitch. It had been awhile since he'd been flying, and the Gryffindor was contagiously enthusiastic which left Haku with little reason to refuse. It wasn't Zabuza's preferred method of travel and so it was an impractical hobby to pursue. There was no room in their business to waste on frivolities, though Haku managed to get away with what little he could, and he suspected that given the circumstances he could get away with far more than usual.

Though just as desperate for a chance to escape his thoughts, it wasn't the recent boggart attack that left Haku so uneasy, nor the surprise arrival of his estranged partner in crime after a good number of months with no contact. Learning that he'd have to remain at the school for longer than first thought with the news of the terms of Zabuza's recent freedom, Haku was torn between an odd excitement and dread. The classes he could handle, although written assignments and long, boring lectures weren't his typical method of education, he was at least learning a few things that could be considered useful. Not that he'd ever admit it to Zabuza, who typically had a very narrow view of what was relevant to a subject.

But being surrounded by so many students- swarming and vibrant and entirely intimidating ... he'd never had much of a chance to interact with people his own age and it left him feeling a bit overwhelmed. While a handful of students had gone out of their way to welcome him and try to pull him into various confusing social activities, Utena was one of the few whose efforts he truly appreciated. Maybe it was just her duty as a prefect, but he didn't mind.

A small wave as he approached, hoping he didn't keep her too long.

[drivesthebride]

Utena steered her broom into a graceful landing at Haku's approach, waving back to him and shouldering her broom. "Hey! How's it going, Haku? I'm glad you made it." Although she did take her Prefect duties very seriously, and did in part want to make new students feel welcome, she genuinely liked the younger boy and was looking forward to hanging out with him. He was very quiet, and although he seemed cheerful, she thought there was a...sadness about it. It was odd, how he hadn't been at a school before Hogwarts, and she figured he was having trouble settling in to things. She knew very well what it was like being new.

She glanced up to the sky and grinned. "It's mostly stopped raining, so it should be easy to fly. While we're up there, I'll teach you about Quidditch, since we're on the pitch and all." She climbed on her broom again, and motioned for him to walk over to her. "When you climb on, just hold on to me. I won't let you fall or anything; I'm a pretty good flier." Utena adjusted her cap, and waited. "Whenever you're ready."

[acupunctured]

Following Utena's glance into the cloudy night above, Haku's gaze lingered at the starless expanse. It was still overcast, but the forecast promised the next day to be sunny and clear- perfect to wander and explore the outside of the castle now that he was more familiar with the inside.

Pulling his hair into a tidy and practical bun, Haku placed a gentle but resolute hand on the girl's shoulder to steady himself as he swung a leg over the broom, taking a seat behind her. "Is this okay?" he asked, not wanting to interfere in her personal space as his other arm wrapped loosely around her waist.

[drivesthebride]

"It's fine." Utena glanced over her shoulder to smile at Haku. "We're gonna start slow, alright? If you get scared, just hold on tight." With her disclaimer announced, the girl kicked off the ground and set them on a leisurely pace through the air. Her control was careful, skilled as she navigated closer to the Quidditch hoops that rose high into the sky. In the air, Utena felt as if the weight on her shoulders had lifted somewhat, that she'd left it there on earth. Her mind cleared a little, and her steering of the broom grew more natural and less controlled.

"Are you okay back there?" she asked, raising her voice to be heard over the wind, and gently guided them through one of the larger hoops. "I hope I'm not going too fast!"

[acupunctured]

Unused to the rush of air in his face, Haku ducked his head behind Utena's shoulder at take off, grip tightening in response. Slowly growing more comfortable in trusting her ability not to send them crashing into the ground even as they ascended higher, he relaxed with a relieved sigh he'd been unconsciously holding.

"How fast can you go?" he leaned forward to ask, a hint of excitement in his question.

[drivesthebride]

The broom caught a wind current and Utena allowed it to be carried, steering when she needed to. There would be no fancy tricks while she had a passenger -- the flashy spins and dips she usually did were reserved for Quidditch, when she was flying to impress. She smiled at Haku's question, and her shoulders shook a bit with laughter.

"Really fast," she said, with no small amount of pride. "I'm a Chaser on the Quidditch team, which means I'm one of the people who throws the Quaffle -- er, that's one of the balls used for the game, through the goal hoops." She picked her speed up a notch, not wanting to move too fast too quickly and risk frightening him. "You've got to be pretty fast, otherwise you might get hit."

[acupunctured]

About to inquire upon the purpose of throwing a ball through a hoop and what exactly required chasing, Haku's mouth closed in alarm at her next statement. "Hit? By what?" It sounded like a dangerous game, but Haku wasn't quite sure why that surprised him. Attacks by magical monsters his first week and half the professors with seemingly notorious reputations, it wasn't like Hogwarts was a beacon of safety.

The increase in speed wasn't unnoticed but this time unaccompanied by worry, but it was for the best Utena didn't have any intentions of stunts. Not that Haku was uninterested in such tricks, he'd just prefer them while observing with his own feet firmly on the ground.

[drivesthebride]

"Uh," Utena navigated the broom around one of the posts, "By a Bludger. Er, okay, here's how it goes. There are three Chasers on each team. Well, there's three more positions besides that. The Beaters are the ones you've gotta watch out for. They hit the Bludgers -- these really big, heavy balls, with bats. It's their job to keep their teammates defended, and to keep opponents from scoring points." Her expression sobered. "If you get hit by one of those, it's pretty bad. Fixing broken bones is a pain, Haku. You never want to get your arm broken, believe me." She laughed a little, to take the edge off the slightly unpleasant topic.

"The other two positions are a little different. The Keepers guard the goals; there's one to each team. And finally, there's the Seeker. They're the most important."

[acupunctured]

Following along with the explanation for the most part, Haku kept most of his questions to himself as he tried to work out the details of how this all tied together. How many balls were there? "It'd probably make more sense to see it, hm?" It sounded quite busy and chaotic, but that probably made it more interesting to watch. He did already promise to go see Utena play, but maybe he'd have to watch a game with her so she could explain what was happening.

"You've broken your arm?" he asked sadly despite Utena's laugh, always hating to imagine others in pain. "That must have hurt." Obviously. Though plenty of experience with broken and breaking bones, it was probably better to let her believe otherwise.

"What does the Seeker seek?"

[drivesthebride]

"Yeah, it's easier to see it in action." Utena glanced up. Most of the rainclouds had cleared now, and the sun was beginning to set. Utena slowed her flying, and stared off into the distance for a few long moments. "You can watch me play, and...maybe we can watch a game together, too. It'll be fun."

His question made her glance over her shoulder to smile at him in a reassuring sort of way. "Aw, only a couple of times. I'm pretty careful now, and the Healers here are really good at fixing people up." Haku was compassionate, she thought. It was calming to spend time with him, peaceful.

"Oh, the Seeker looks for the Snitch. It's the smallest of the balls used for Quidditch. It's bright gold, with white wings, and flies around all over during the match. The Seeker's only job is to find it, 'cause once they do the game ends. It's a lot harder than it sounds."

[acupunctured]

Returning the smile, Haku was quite relieved that Utena's previous injuries weren't anything serious or permanent. "That would be very fun," he agreed with a short but excited nod, already looking forward to spending more time with her at the game. It couldn't hurt, and Haku hoped that he wouldn't somehow ruin this chance to make a friend. Was Utena even interested in being friends? He was unsure how long he had to know somebody before such a term could be used.

Taking his first glance to the ground below, Haku's eyes widened and anything Utena said about Snitches was forgotten. They were much higher up than he expected. "It's so beautiful up here," he breathed with momentary distraction from the conversation, hand slipping from Utena's shoulder with a light giggle as fingers reached into the wind. "No wonder you enjoy it so much..."

sorry Val, was super tired yesterday ;;

[drivesthebride]

"Great! Since you'll be in the stands, I'll score a goal for you." She hoped she'd be able to win the game too. It'd be harder, without Haruka. But Utena was nothing if not determined, and it wouldn't do to give up before she started.

Her smile grew subdued, tinged with nostalgia. "It is, isn't it? There's nothing like a sunset up here." She leaned forward a bit, and her shoulders relaxed. "It's really pretty. Up here, it's...quiet, you know?" Her voice grew soft, scarcely heard over the wind. "There's no windows and no doors, just you and the sky. It's my favorite place to be."

[acupunctured]

"With such a promise, I do expect you to uphold it," the boy teased fondly, not doubting her confidence was anything but justified. Despite never seeing the girl play or even a single game of Quidditch in his life, Haku was convinced Utena must be an exceptional player. They wouldn't have made her captain, otherwise.

Agreeing with a simple "hmm," Haku fell into a pleasant silence, not paying much mind to the passing time.

fff short tag

[drivesthebride]

"Heh, definitely!" She grinned widely, her good mood returned. It was always her hope to win, but even if she didn't, she was going to try her hardest to score Haku's goal. She glanced over her shoulder to Haku, and something occurred to her. "Geez, Haku. I talk so much, and I barely know anything about you at all. What sort of stuff do you like?"

An odd time to be having this conversation, while they were in midair and all, but Utena always thought there was no better time than the present. Besides, they certainly didn't have to worry about eavesdroppers, at this height.

[acupunctured]

More than comfortable to allow Utena to do most of the talking about Quidditch, Haku was slightly surprised when she asked to know more about him. He never considered himself particularly interesting, unsure what to say beyond what he could not even disclose. A melancholic frown, and Haku felt guilty for deceiving such a kind girl. How could he even consider himself a friend? Surely she'd hate him if she knew the truth, so it was better off that he couldn't say.

"Like? Ah," he paused uncertainly, considering the difficult question with nothing coming immediately to mind. "The snow," he replied wistfully, thinking of home. "I like feeling useful," he admitted, but that didn't seem a very specific answer. "Do you know anything about acupuncture?" It was one of his few talents that had an equal potential for helping as it did harm.

[drivesthebride]

"I like the snow too." Utena smiled. "It's really nice when you can make snowmen and snow forts, and have snowball fights." She blinked at his mention of feeling useful. Something about the answer bothered her, but she couldn't place what it was, exactly. She liked feeling useful too, liked having a purpose...but there was more to life than that. Such things weren't her place to say, however, and Haku hadn't alluded to that being the only thing he enjoyed. It was moreso a gut instinct on her end of things.

When Haku spoke of acupuncture, Utena once again glanced over her shoulder, her expression befuddled. "Acupuncture? Err...it's that medicine with the needles, right? You know how to do that, Haku? That's pretty neat. How does it work?" She had no interest in healing herself -- Healing Magic was one of her weakest classes, in fact, but Haku seemed well-suited for it. He was so gentle and kind, she thought. He would be a good Healer.