--- lunchtime blues? ★ [o]

That starry-eyed, distant look stayed on his face while Cole described how great the city was. He had always tried to picture it for himself, and never thought he'd actually meet someone from there. Especially this far away. But that look dropped slowly as he described just why he left. He wasn't expecting an answer so... deep, or vague. He figured it was something like his parents needed to move for work, or maybe he had visited before and really wanted to stay. But something like that... just left questions that he didn't have the courage to ask. He was silent for a moment, at a loss for words. Until he finally forced out. "A.... p-professional fighter?"

"W-wow... hehe well you sure... umm... look the part." he offered with a slight smile, hoping the compliment would dispel any thoughts about his assumptions earlier. To be honest, despite their friendly conversation, Cole still intimidated him. "I'm sure you're great." When the questions fell on him, he paused for a few moments, as if scared to answer. He heaved a breath and nodded. "Well yeah, I'm kind of a bookworm. But that's because what I really want to do is write stories. I'd love to be an author... but I suppose the word "storyteller" might be more true to what I want to do... Crafting whole worlds, full of living breathing people with thoughts and feelings all held together between the delicate pages of a book, exploring the minds of my readers with each twist and turn of their fates and-" he paused, turning a bright shade of red. "Sorry.... Didn't mean to ramble on you...."

Braun winced, his words hurt more than probably his hardest punch. "I... I guess you..." He sighed, hanging his head slightly. "You're right. I mean... I know this is what I really want it's just... I don't know. Maybe I worry about it too much. Like maybe nobody will like my stories, and all I will end up having is a bunch of worthless stacks of paper and words that only I care about." He forced another smile. "I mean, in your case, if you punch a guy, he either goes down or he doesn't." he sighed. "My dad always tried to get me to focus on something more stable. 'Just because it's written in black and white doesn't mean that it really is that way'" The redhead took on a slightly mocking tone to mimic his father.

"Roll with the punches, huh?" As much as he hated the idea of even metaphorical punches headed towards him.... Cole had a point. "Huh... You've got a real point there." A smile crept across his face. "I mean, after all, what good is writing about a single soldier facing down an army, or a hero challenging the devil himself if I'm not willing to at least try, like they are?" He grins, and even starts to laugh along with the fighter. "Actually, I kind of hope you don't. I'd hate to see your reaction to coming across a character that's a little too familiar." A slight smirk was his only elaboration.

"I don't think I'll be hearing from my Dad until I go home, but-" He was cut off by the school bell chiming, and signalling the end of their lunch break. "Huh. Over already?" he sighed. "I guess I'll see you around then, Cole?" he said with a smile, extending a fist to him. "Thanks, it was nice meeting you Senpai."