Starlight Gym [Gabe/Tomomi]

People with gifts... Was mister Gabe talking about persona users? No, that didn't make sense. Still, his bringing up of terrorism was... Weird. I mean, wasn't saying stuff like that illegal, or at the very least, weird? He'd usually seen it talked about like a taboo, but to hear it be something called a gift? Was... Oh dear god, it all made sense.

Gabe must be a really weird fetishist. The conclusion that the Psyche terrorists were those with gifts, running a casino, choosing your hang out work out partner to be a boy probably 10 years younger. Tomomi's face tried as hard as he could to avoid the horror that reached to his core. Coughing quickly, Tomomi shook his head, sitting down at the machine and beginning to strap his legs in. "Um... But, isn't the definition of terrorism something like... Someone that causes terror for political or otherwise motivated reasons? Like, I remember reading it up because it was in the news a lot. So, um, I don't think it's changed too much... A-although, as you said, um, s-s-s-sticky subject, so, let's just move on!" He declared, really hoping that the theory that Gabe was secretly some terrorist addict who loved demons, supernatural, or some government spy, or some other super conspiracy theory... Yikes.

"A-as for the rowing machine, I um... I don't know what you mean when you say more my style? I-I just tend to do light exercise to maintain my health and stamina and stuff, so, I um... I don't really think I have a style? N-not like I'm a body builder. T-that just doesn't appeal to me. W-why, what exercise do you think is my style? B-because, um, I d-don't think I have one..."

"If you don't mind me saying, because of your body.  It matches your body type and the number of martial arts that you like to study. Since you chose the path of being the master of none instead on focusing on something specific, the exercises that you have to do have to be full body in order to maximize as much as the efficiency of the moves you are able to perform. I personally find myself looking for my max weight on something, and texting the limits just under it. I seek my limits, because I would like to know, what I'm capable of, and plan for the future of it. We have different styles, but I like what you do."

He didn't mean anything negative from it if that's what Tomomi was getting from him. When Gabe strapped in near him, he adjusted the resistance so it wouldn't be too hard to row.

"Three should be fine, I believe it's usually the form that people seek to perfect and not the difficulty. "

Nodding, Tomomi made sure he was properly strapped in, before grabbing the handle, and beginning to push himself back, thinking on what Gabe had said in silence for a moment. Okay, yeah, maybe mister Gabe wasn't some freaky fetishist. Probably. Tomomi wasn't taking it off the table, just in case. Worst case scenario, he could hide behind Nadia. She seemed like she could be somewhat reliable, even if reckless.

Still, though he fell quiet and didn't comment further, it would have been awkward to just stay in silence. That would just be rude, right? And being rude felt like a heart wrenching thing, something Tomomi couldn't bare to do himself. Right! Think like a normal student Tomomi!

What was it he always heard boys talk about at school? Oh, right. Girls. But, Tomomi didn't have interest in girls, so, that wouldn't work. Although, Gabe had lived a while right, so, surely he would find the conversation amusing right? Plus, the answer could reveal his true nature! A win win unless it turns out awkward, in which case Tomomi... Couldn't run because his stuff was in a locker.

"Ah, um, mister Gabe, I hope you don't mind me asking, but, well, um, as a bit of just general conversation, hippo theatrically speaking, what are your thoughts on like, relationship stuff? I hear at the academy that's a pretty common conversation theme thing right?"

"My thoughts on relationships? Relationship stuff in general? Well, the first thing that you have to figure out for yourself is what you want from another person. When it comes to certain bonds, hanging out and doing fun things together is something that you can manage with friendships. Having a friendship with someone is still a relationship that you share with them, but then there is romantic interests...which are different all together."

Gabe felt like he had to be careful with his explanation. He didn't want to tell his friend the wrong thing, and he also didn't want to deter him from seeking a relationship either. Opinions tend to muddy the idea of the purpose that they serve, and Gabe would try to siphon out as much of his opinions as possible.

"If you seek a relationship with someone that's beyond what you think that friendship could give, you should be honest with how you feel. It's not a game, and you could hurt someone, or make someone uncomfortable if you persist after they reject your advance. It's all about the proper spacing....it's a gamble. There are also strategies to it, besides being completely upfront. Now that i think about it, maybe it can be seen as a game of some sort... the wine and dine aspect at least. "

Listening to Gabe, Tomomi quickly realised that there was no point asking the conversation to be on a topic like that, as he had no idea what any of what Gabe was saying meant. So, while rowing, Tomomi just tried nodding his head, looking like a weird, scraggly haired bobble head in the process as he went back and forth, not once breaking pace. After another awkward moment of silence where the boy tried to process what was actually said, Tomomi decided to try and turn it into a conversation, rather than let it be a complete failure on his behalf.

"I see... So, if I'm understanding correctly, only look for a friendship to go further if it could be better if gone further? And, so, if you know it won't, then, you hold onto the feelings and don't mention it? Or, like, do you mention it just to get it in the air and then let it be in the past? Oh, also also, um... What does wine and dine mean? Is that like, drinking? Because, um... I'm k-kind of underage..."

"Ah, looks like I made a mistake explaining again. "

It was a little hard trying to get it across Tomomi's mind and make it into a way that he could understand. With that and trying to focus on rowing, the sounds of the machines going would fill up the dead air that occurred when Gabe had to rethink the conversation. After a few repetitions, Gabe would stop and reach for a small bottle of water that he had on his person, squirting a few drops into his mouth.

"Well...."

He had to catch his breath a bit for this one.

"It's mostly to be brave and optimistic about romance, however people come with expectations with how it has to be done, so you move a certain way to appease them unconsciously. They want dinner, gifts, to be surprised, etc. Then when the question is popped of them being the exclusives one to enjoy your company in such a way, they are more inclined to agree to that, its what I meant about wine and dine. But all bonds and friendships are important, romantic relationships are just a little different. Sorry if it came off confusing... "

Nodding his head, Tomomi listened to every word Gabe said as though it were sagely wisdom, stopping his repetitions to hold the rowing handle in his legs for a moment, using his hands as if they were a mimes attempt at writing down notes. This done, Tomomi muttered the words "little different..." to himself multiple times, before nodding, picking the rowing handle back up while seemingly satisfied with the answer, and resuming his rowing.

"Right! Thank you very much for the answer mister Gabe! Sorry that it wasn't a um, very fun topic! I just don't really know what to say in conversation times, so, um... Y-yeah, sorry about thats. Anyways, um, i-is there anything you want to talk about? S-since, well, I don't really know what other things people tend to talk about while at the gym, or, well, in general?"

"Well, they talk about health and fitness........or something along the lines. To be honest with you, I'm not much of a gym nut, I fell as if I've been blessed to be in a place like this, as well as being able to be as active as I am. You see Tomomi, I've been sick for a while when I was growing up, and it was hard to do strenuous activity. So in a way, I admire people that were able to move in the way that they wanted. I had a bit of a late start, really being able to live my life at the age of 16, but it was a bit short lived with doomsday right around the corner. It was tough..."

Stopping the rowing for a bit, Gabe would reach down for his white towel and put it over his head.

"So when it comes to things like this or even new and exciting activities, I always try to remember that I'm making up for a lost time or lost moments, some of the things I didn't get a chance to do until later on.So in my head, it's ok to take some gambles. "