Being Late [Lisa Lamecia]

Maria was careful to avoid larger crowds of people for very obvious reasons that continued to rest on her back. It was for the very same reason why she avoided the morning ceremony. She refused to have everyone begin to think the incoming days after this one would be full of ominous interpretations because of a giant coffin was in their midst. All that attention the girl would be getting no doubt would be negative. Jack's thoughts of her as a vampire was evidence of this and the girl hated it. She carefully entered the gym, head poking out first to peek around, hopefully trying to find some kind of place to hide the heavy burden for the rest of the day. A gym was really her first choice seeing how it was an area where cumbersome equipment were stored. Now if only if she could locate it somewhere and ask some of the teachers around to see if they're willing to let her set it aside there.

Maria had hoped the gym was void of any other presence except for teachers. Yet, the sound of moving sneakers promised otherwise. Her shoulders drooped disappointingly at this information. Nevertheless, she was greeted with the sight of a woman partaking in self-training in speed it seems. In fact, the runner was so into it that she didn't seem to even register that someone just entered the gym. It looked like it was only the two of them. What a comforting thought.


Maria waved at the sweating girl in a sheepish greeting. Hopefully she wouldn't mind too much about the coffin. Especially how the girl was able to carry it without much trouble despite the Demon Weapon and its container being extraordinarily bigger than her together. Ree was at least nice enough to acknowledge it as a "good luck charm" earlier when she stopped by for her first introduction into the Orishiki Dojo.

If she finally got her attention Maria would beam in a smile, "Do you know where I can put this aside in the gym? It's something important to me, but I wouldn't want to carry it with me all the time in school."

She gestured at the coffin so that the woman would know what Maria was referring to.

That was great. Maria had hoped she wouldn't earn the girl's displeasure. But she had to admit, this woman was working really hard and she seemed really committed in her own training. In a way Maria could sympathize with her, but they were two completely different people. Nevertheless, an apology was in order. She looked back at her sheepishly.


She allowed the woman to continue her own personal training. As Maria looked around, she found a spot where nobody would likely try to find or get their hands on it. On one hand, what the woman said had merit. Who in the world would actually want a coffin? Either way, Maria just wanted it set aside. And after a while, she did. Once that was out of the way, she decided to head into the lockers and get dressed. Upon doing that, she was wearing the school's gym uniform.

Fighting with Ree was great and all. But, it was a temporary clash to test one's capabilities. It didn't make Maria sweaty enough to call it an actual work out. Plus, she had some time to kill, time to move her body a bit. Moving to the side while avoiding the other occupant of the gym, Maria did her common stretches. After doing so, she decided to do a little warming up in the way she usually did.

Her feet were in the air and her hands on the floor into a handstand push up. She was careful to not allow her shirt to slide completely down to show off where it shouldn't display. Slowly, but surely as she was breathing in, the girl slowly bent her elbows to descend down. Then pushed back up with careful balance. Maria would continue to do this while leaving the girl alone for now.

Perhaps after this, she might actually do a few jogs around the gym to get herself feel a little bit relaxed before doing some "shadow-boxing" to remember her fight with Ree. Normally, Maria would be using the exercise equipment back in the Church's basement. But, the whole gym here seemed to be devoid of these materials. So she made do with just this for now.

Maria was slowly and carefully flexing her arm muscles with each interval of ascent and descent while keeping her legs up in the air. She was starting to feel beads of sweat on her neck and they were slowly tracing themselves downwards through her hair. While counting in her head, she still heard what Lisa had to say as the girl looked back at her.

"Not... exactly," she grunted in each breath, but she did smile wryly back at her, "Thought... you... wouldn't... disturb other... people's... training..."

For someone who wanted to be undisturbed in her own training, she was quick to do so herself. Maria wanted to chuckle in amusement at her for this, but the pressure she was putting on herself didn't allow her this. With her high toughness and high tolerance she probably could keep talking with Lisa. But she stopped and finally pushed herself from the ground with her hands and landed on her feet.

"But that's alright, I don't mind. Thinking of strength training? I would take it easy for your muscles to ease in with the burden and gradually work your way up. It's really easy to hurt yourself," she supplied while taking shallow breaths, "The coffin's a good luck charm, really. It's something I can't afford to part with... or something among those lines."

Maria wasn't exactly keen to explain what was inside the coffin was a Demon Weapon. It was too awkward and would mean too much trouble for her.


She was getting curious as to what she was training for. Was it for some kind of athletic team?

Maria furrowed her brows disapprovingly at what Lisa was doing. The nun-in-training said it was alright and the woman already apologized. So why was there a need for punishment over such a light thing? She gently grabbed Lisa's wrist, hopefully stopping her from hurting herself even more. Not that it looked like it hurt her, but she was depreciating herself. Maria was starting to feel bad about it.

"Alright. That's enough," she firmly spoke with her eyes glued on Lisa's, "Everyone makes mistakes, there's nothing you can do about it. It happens. Look. You apologized and I'm alright with it. So there's no need to do that."

She found it very odd that she was so hard on herself. Looking back, Derrick was in some way the same, wasn't he? Always trying to be reliable back in the R&D department, he seemed to be rather reclusive. Maria had wondered how that boy was doing with Sarah and Liz. Her expression grew gentler as she spoke again.


Maybe they could exchange training ideas, that would be nice for its own sake and for some camaraderie.

"Ah. I'm sorry... I was being presumptuous," Maria looked away in embarrassment as she quickly let go of Lisa's wrist. The nun-in-training didn't realize she was being too pushy. Right now, she wanted to hit her head somewhere. But, that was being hypocritical of her.

She could only watch the woman start to pack up after nodding at Lisa's request and apology, she was no doubt embarrassed just as Maria was at what just happened. Admittedly, Maria felt very squeamish as well. She just wanted to run around with all her worth as catharsis of her emotions. The girl couldn't blame Lisa if she didn't want to train with her. But she found herself blinking dumbly at her.

"...eh?" she paused to process the information and then started to crack into a pleased smile, "U-um, yeah! That sounds great! I'll remember that. I'll look forward to training with you! Nice to meet you, Lisa!"

Maria was surprised that the woman was willing to take her up on the offer. It was a pleasant surprise, on top with the fact that she was also going to be training in the Orishiki dojo as well. In the back of her mind, something was bothering her. That last name, could it be? It couldn't, right? "I'll see you later then?"

OOC:

Maria gave a pleased and determined smile, "The feeling's mutual, Lisa. I hope to see you soon."

Maria, in actuality, didn't care who was the best. As long as she was in the Cadets, she was fine with it. She didn't care enough for rank or status or even greatness. The girl had her own reasons. But seeing Lisa like this, she had to admit, she was feeling pumped as well. Maria gave one last wave as the youngest Lamecia sibling left. But as she left, she then remembered about the morning assembly.

She groaned in exasperation. Why couldn't she remember that back then? It's too late at this point. Perhaps, she would just have to find someone who's willing to fill her in. With a sigh, the girl simply continued her exercises before leaving.

[Exit]