Double Date [Private w/ Erin, Al, Pyry & Bartok]

[Bartok Evergreen]

A lot of people needed to meet eachother, properly. Erin and Al, Al and Pyry, and himself and Pyry. As much as it probably urked Erin, he had sent her and Al a voice message, asking about a double date. Meet at the fountain, and then they'd go out and do something.

So Bartok was there first, waiting for everyone to arrive. He hoped Erin would actually work up the gumption to ask Pyry out to this. She was already on the fence of dating anyone, but maybe the threat of an awkward time being the third wheel to Bartok and Al would push her to get her own wheel to pair with.

He leaned against the gray stone, listening to the water splashing against itself. It was wonderful weather they were having. The sun was beaming, the wind was cool and soft, and it smelled like it might rain later that day. He began to softly hum a tune, a smile stretching over his face.

[Erin Cherrywood]

Stupid sun. Erin kicked a pebble sullenly as she walked. Stupid nice weather. She's really been hoping for a freak storm, or to break her arm or leg during training, anything to get out of today. In fact, she had been so sure she wouldn't have to attend this double date that she hadn't even told Pyry about it yet - and he was invited! She kicked the pebble again. Maybe she could miraculously get sick within the next couple minutes? Another kick. No, that was unfortunately not happening, she was in great health.

She picked up the pebble and tucked it into her pocket, she might need it later. Cutting across the grass she made her way to Pyry's window. This was her last ditch effort to avoid having to go. If Pyry wasn't there she could claim it would be too awkward and "reschedule" for a time he was available. A call or message would have been too risky: he might have answered. What were the odds of someone like Pyry being inside on such a nice day?

She peeked through his window and her heart dropped. He was there. Damn it! He would be home when she was going to ask him on a date. Pulling herself up onto the ledge she leaned in and cleared her throat. "Hey, Py-chart, get some games or something. We're meeting up with some friends at the fountain."

[Pyry Ward]

What did he do wrong? He hadn't seen Erin outside of class since the flower incident. Maybe he'd gone too far at the end. She was overly protective of Bartok... Maybe he shouldn't have said anything? No. He was right. Better to say something early and make it known that he would go out of his way for a shot than play the friend game and miss out.

She'd come around.

Wouldn't she?

Gritting his teeth he continued to work on his bench press. He was getting stronger all the time and working out helped him vent his frustration. How did he end up chasing after a girl who continually shot him down? He didn't even want to date. He just wanted to have fun and have a bunch of flings and live his best life before going back to Kuchinashi. But noooooo, he had to go and get all wrapped up in the girl who dazzled him with wit and made his head spin.

It was clear she avoiding him. She was ignoring his messages and calls and when he'd try to catch her between classes or at lunch she just disappeared. He hadn't done anything out of the usual for him except that shot at Bartok. Was she really so invested in him that she'd drop Pyry for one comment? It wasn't even a bad one.

His arms were starting to feel like lead and he was pretty sure he was sweating big time but he was so frustrated with Erin.

Hey, Py-chart, get some games or something. We're meeting up with some friends at the fountain.

He froze on the bench. Did he hear what he thought he heard? Straining to see, he tilted his head all the way back to see Erin sitting in his windowsill like it was natural, like she hadn't been ignoring him for almost a week.

Racking his barbell, he sat up and glared at her. Did she really think she could just pop back in like nothing happened? He wanted to be pissed and to tell her to go away, but she called him by a nickname and asked, well told, him that they were meeting friends. She wanted him to meet her friends. Did she even have friends other than Bartok?

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he raised an eyebrow at her. "Finally decided to take me up on that offer for a date?" It wasn't his best line, but honestly he was still pretty irritated with her. He was going to go with her, make no mistake there, but it was pretty presumptuous of her to just assume he'd jump at the chance after she'd ignored him all week.

[Erin Cherrywood]

She hadn't seen Pyry angry or frustrated before, but it was clear that he wasn't super excited to see her - probably a side effect of her dodging him all week. Maybe he'd even heard she went to the carnival with Bartok. An apology was in order, but it wouldn't come out.; she just sat there staring at him, all sweaty and flushed from his workout. One would think his freckles would disappear under the rosy tint but, if anything, they were more pronounced and he looked - dare she think it? - more attractive glaring at her from his bench press than he ever did while trying to charm her.

He thought she was asking him on a date. She was, but she didn't want to admit it. What if he said no? Or even worse, what if he said yes? Rolling her eyes she scoffed. "You think I'd suddenly resurface for a date?" She would and did, but she wasn't going to admit it. "Look, shower and grab some games or don't. I really don't care. I am trying to make up for avoiding you all week. So are you in or out? Because I am going to be at the fountain in ten minutes with or without you." Preferably with. She did not want to show up at a couples event alone. How embarrassing would that be.

[Pyry Ward]

Well well, someone was snippy and anxious today. And that very same someone couldn't take her eyes off him. Holding a grudge wasn't his style and he did want to catch up so he smiled widely as he got up. "Hey now, no need to make excuses to get my clothes off. The flesh is willing." He was sure she rolled her eyes again as he gathered up some clean clothes, but she was in for a lot more crap before the day was done. No one ignored him for a week then came back without consequences.

"Grab some games off my shelf there while I take the world's quickest shower."

After taking what probably set the record for the quickest shower in history that actually got someone clean, he walked out to see Erin back on the windowsill with some games in hand. So she had come in.

When he approached, she hopped out of the window and turned expectantly. "So why are we creeping in and out using my window instead of just using the door?" He asked as they walked side by side towards the fountain.

The walk itself was a bit of an oddity. They'd walked places before but she was always slightly ahead or behind. Today she walked next to him and actually smiled at his stupid jokes. The change in attitude was curious but it started to make sense when they arrived. Bartok was waiting for them.

Oh. So that's how it was. No one else passing by seemed to be part of the group meeting up. Was she really making him hang out with Bartok? Well, making was dramatic, he actually really wanted to get to know him, but it didn't really bode well for his date theory. Oh well, he was going to have fun. "Heeeey, shades!"

[Bartok Evergreen]

It wasn't long before he picked up Erin's voice. He recognized it easily from the background noise of wind and trees and grass and the water. A little later he was able to distinguish Pyry's voice. He stayed where he was, sure they weren't even in sight of him yet. They continued to get closer and he listened in on their little jokes and their tones of voice. It seemed they were getting along. Al wasn't around yet, which saddened him. But she would be coming, she said she would be.

"Heeey, toga!" He greeted the man, keeping his hands in his pockets. He turned his head to Erin, "So you did ask him to come along! Good for you, I'm impressed. We're just waiting on Al. She shouldn't be too much longer, and then we'll get going." One of his large ears twitched to the side. Was that her?

[Erin Cherrywood]

Shades?

Toga?

Oh no. They had nicknames already. They were turning into bros.

"No need to get so excited. I just picked him up along the way. Told him we're meeting friends and to bring games." She technically hadn't asked him on a date yet, and now it would be too embarrassing. What if he said no in front of other people? Nope. Too risky.

"I actually thought we'd be the last ones so this saves me from having to be the sorry to keep you waiting person." She started playing with her ring to avoid having to look anyone in the eye. "Saves me some cool points."

[Pyry Ward]

Not the coolest nickname in history but to be fair he didn't exactly give Bartok one either.

The way Bartok told Erin he was impressed made Pyry look down at her. Was asking him to hang out such a big deal? She never seemed to care too much about spending time with him before. Other than the usual general hostility.

Don't get excited? Just picked him up? Al was coming? Was he her shield from a newly formed couple? Things were getting interesting.

"Where are we going? The little princess here didn't really give me any details when she snuck up on me."

[Al Ciendra]

In all this excitement Al had really lost track of time, this was probably the first time ever she had actually worried about what she would wear!
Until she remembered that Bartok could not even see what she wore!
And she was not gonna let him "see" in front of other people.

So simple it was, not that she really had too many options either, her wardrobe was far too casual for any special occasion.

So she just took what felt right.
Brown shorts, white shirt, her favorite hoodie, the good ol reliable boots and her mask of course.
She left her hood down and the zipper open, trying to look a bit more approachable, well as approachable as she could look with that mask of hers.

Al left her room and started speeding through the halls of Beacon.
She made it to the staircase and slid down the railling and after a jump from them kept going.

She quickly made it outside and to the fountain, she looked around a little and could see Bartok!
She began running, right at him.
"Bartok! I'm here!"
She exclaimed as she was close and then tackeld him.
She was hugging him as her momentum crashed into Bartok and made him spin around, Al still happily holding onto him.
As they stopped spinning Al was giggeling to herself, she had always wanted to do this.
As she looked over Bartok's shoulder she could then spot Erin and Pyry.
"Oh hey, didn't see you there."
She waved at them, yet was also pretty nervous about pulling this extreme of an entrance infront of them.
She should really get her impulsivness under control.

[Bartok Evergreen]

"Meeting friends and playing games? Well, that's one way to put it-" He was interuppeted by the sound of pounding footsteps, and he knew who it was before she called his name. She was coming up pretty fast and before he knew it she was in the air. He caught her and had to spin around to not fall over. They must have rotated two or three times before he set her down, smiling uncontrollably. Her being this excited was so adorable. He wanted to lift that mask of hers and kiss her, but he couldn't, not infront of others.

"You all met eachother at the beach, but this is a bit more of a formal meeting. Al, you should remember Erin and Pyry. Erin and Pyry, you should remember Al." He motioned to each of them in turn, keeping his hand on her back. He didn't want to not touch her."So, shall we find a more comfortable spot then?"

[Erin Cherrywood]

She was in the middle of giving Bartok the biggest death glare of her life when their final member leapt into view. They were spinning around, smiling like idiots, for a few seconds before Al realized that she and Pyry were there. Talk about cringe. Erin would be way too embarrassed to show that kind of affection in front of anyone.

Averting her gaze she focused on the games under Pyry's arm. "Yeah. I guess we're easy to miss." She didn't mean to sound snotty, but she was pretty damn uncomfortable. Being on a double date with a guy who didn't know it was a date was uncomfortable enough, but being on a double date where other party was all touchy feely was even worse. She should have just stayed home or broken a bone.

At the introductions she nodded a hello. "Yeah, I remember the face. Or lack there of, what with the mask and all." It was intended to be a joke but who knew how it actually came off.

[Pyry Ward]

One way to put it?

He looked between Erin and Bartok suspiciously. Erin was shooting him daggers and Bartok seemed a bit confused, if not uncomfortable. What was really going on?

Oh no. Did they start dating? Was this why Erin was avoiding him? What this their coming out party!?

With hardly any warning, Bartok was spinning a girl around in his arms and all his fears disappeared in an instant. They were clearly the ones dating.

Which left one plausible reason for him to be here. He was supposed to help Erin check the jealousy and get through a day with a new couple.

"Charmed and enchanted of course." He held a hand out to Al or Bartok, whoever took it was fine by him.

"I'm happy to help find a spot, but what for exactly? Like I was saying, Erin here didn't exactly give me any notice when she swooped in after a week of nothing."

[Al Ciendra]

Well they seemed to be doing at least somewhat okay ?
Erin was, looking as "friendly" as ever, she really wished she could get a read on this girl or that she just didn't look this grumpy all the time.
Well at least Pyry was interested!
With a giggle, Al turned to reveal that she was carrying a duffle bag, and anyone with a decent nose could smell the goodies inside.
"Well, we are going on a picnic!"
She exclaimed, holding the bag in front of herself, these snacks were nothing special, but she was kind of proud of what she put together.
"Let's find a spot, and then I can show you the goodies I have in here."
She slung the bag over her shoulder again and grabbed Bartok by the hand, it was quite obvious that she was looking forward to this, maybe a little too much.

[Bartok Evergreen]

Bartok took Pyry's hand after Al left him hanging, inwardly cringing at Erin's comment about Al's lack of a face. But it seemed that the wolf was above taking any sort of offense from that comment and let it go. That was good. Wasn't like Erin meant any harm by it.

"Yes, picnic. And if you can't tell by the two boys and two girls who are interested in eachother, Erin swooped in to take you on a double date." He flashed a wicked smile to Erin, who was obviously trying not to tell Pyry what this was, before being pulled along by Al, safe in her hand. "What goodies do you have in the bag, Al?"

[Erin Cherrywood]

Erin sniffed the air and smiled, food was the easiest way to improve anyone's mood. She should have brought something too, but she hadn't planned to actually show up. "It smells good. Thank you for planning so well."

Al seemed to get the hint, or at least was oblivious enough, to not call this event what it was. A trait that Bartok clearly didn't share because he announced the real intent of today's festivities and the fact that she had been hiding the real reason for dragging Pyry along.

Burning with embarrassment, her tail stood tall and fluffed up. "What the hell man?!" She'd have knocked Bartok's block off if he hadn't been led away and she not so embarrassed.

Glaring at Bartok's back she tried to hide the blush on her face with her hair, which was actually down for once. "Or it could just be another day." She mumbled awkwardly, avoiding looking at Pyry. "You know, if you don't want to go out or whatever."

[Pyry Ward]

A picnic huh? If he had known he would have brought his picnic gear and some snacks; he had games so at least he wasn't empty handed. He wondered how long Erin had know about this, she really didn't leave him room to make a good impression.

He was going to say he had a few good places in mind but then Bartok said this was a double date. He wasn't sure how to take that though, was he joking at the fact that the genders lines up? He didn't have to wonder long because Erin fluffed up angrily. Ah... A joke then. Or he thought for half a second, before Erin mumbled that it didn't have to be. She had dragged him out on a date under false pretenses and he couldn't have been more shocked or proud. Why hadn't he brought her on a secret date before?

The games dropped from his hands and he jumped in front of her. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he bent down until they were eye to eye. She was so embarrassed it had to be be true. "HA! I knew you were into me!" Pulling her into a hug he kissed the top of her head before she could squirm away. "My little princess finally gave in to the call of the temptation!"

[Al Ciendra]

Al stopped to turn and see what Erin and Pyry were doing, oh!
She giggled and tugged at Bartok's hand to take a listen.
"You were right, they are pretty cute."
Al said in a low whisper so that only Bartok could really hear her, she was not gonna tease Erin who already looked very embarrassed with that bright red blush on her face.
"Hurry up you two, or I'm gonna eat all this snacks alone, believe my I can and will do it!"
She said, and began walking ahead with Bartok again.

Soon enough, Al found a nice spot under one of the many trees in the academy gardens, the leaves blocked the sun the big trunk offered a nice opportunity to lean against.
Al put her bag down and opened it, now really letting the scent from inside flow out, but first she pulled out a big blanket out, with a nice blue and green checkers pattern on it.
She flung it up in the air, holding it, and then draped it over the grass, maybe it was a bit small for 4 people, so they would have to sit close, but perhaps that wasn't an accident.
"Alright, get cozy everyone."
Al took off her boots and then kneeled on the blanket, she then put the bag in the middle and pulled out three boxes and six packs of apple juice.
One Box had a few chocolate muffins in it, the other some ham and cheese sandwiches and the last one, was full of potato salad, complete with four bowls and spoons.
"Alright, eat at your own leisure, but do eat, my shoulder isn't gonna survive carrying all this back to the kitchen too."
She said rubbing said shoulder.

[Bartok Evergreen]

Bartok left those two to their own devices, following Al. He nodded at her observation. He helped best he could to set things up, his nose twitching at the smells coming from the basket. Al really outdid herself! He was ready to dive into those muffins when she commented about her shoulder.

Clearing his throat he moved to sit behind and to the side of her, his hands moving to her shoulders and dug in with his fingers, rubbing them in large, slow circles. Sure, only one shoulder was in pain but that didn't mean he couldn't give her a full massage. She had done so much to prepare this, it was the least he could do. "Thank you Al for all of this." He snuck a kiss to her cheek, behind her mask.

[Erin Cherrywood]

Was it possible to get any redder? Erin would have run away if Pyry hadn't wrapped his arms around around her and held her in place. Bartok was going to die as soon as she got him alone. She hadn't been ready to say anything to Pyry. She was still trying to figure out if she wanted to pursue a relationship with someone who had already told her his goals were hooking up and going home. Sure, he recanted that and said he wanted to actually date her, but who changed their mind that quickly?

His kissed the top of her head and she screamed in frustration. Any chance she had at saving face was gone. After a few seconds of futile struggle she groaned and laid her forehead against his chest. "It's a date, we're not dating." She mumbled grumpily. "Let's just sit down and get through this."

[Pyry Ward]

Get through this? There was no way he was going to just get through this. He was going to take total advantage of the situation and have the the best date ever; the kind of date that left Erin wishing he'd never leave her sight. With the childhood friend not only out of the way but on his side Pyry was about to secure his position as boyfriend.

Lifting her up as is, he waddled them over to the blanket before letting go and motioning for her to sit. "Sit down and wait for me little princess. I have to grab the games."

Jogging back to where he'd dropped the games he couldn't stop smiling. A week of nothing and suddenly a date. He was still kind of irked but quickly getting over it.

Once back at the blanket he sat next to Erin and raised his eyebrows at the other two. "You need us to leave?" He asked suggestively nodding to the massage in progress. "Because I don't mind running away to steal Erin's first kiss if you two are going to be all touchy feely." Looking around at the spread of food he laughed a bit. "Although I wouldn't want all the chef's hard work to go to waste... Which I thank you for. I would have brought something myself but Erin hasn't spoken to me in a week so I didn't even know I would be attending."

[Al Ciendra]

Al had kind of spaced out for a bit due to how relaxed Bartok's massage was making her.
Man this felt nice, she couldn't remember the last time she got one of these, wait did she ever ?

Pyry's question finally snapped her back to reality, she shook her head furiously.
"No need, Bartok was just helping me with my shoulder a bit, carrying that bag got it all sore and stiff."
She explained as she yet let Bartok continue.
"Anyway, feel free to help yourself."
Al said and grabbed herself a sandvich, now gently pushing Bartoks hands from her shoulders and pulled up her mask a little, to eat, taking the opportunity to press a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Thanks for the massage
She said before she bit into her sandvich.

[Bartok Evergreen]

"That is right." Bartok heard Erin's comment. "It is a date, and you two are not dating. However, that can change really fast you know." Bartok may have been sorta pushing for this, but he wanted Erin to have a double date before she made a real decision regarding Pyry. She could totally just shut him down, but she needed to do so and not then go make flower crowns with him. Having someone to be with was awesome, and he hadn't really had a steady relationship before. Just a bunch of short-term flings. If Erin really didn't want this, then sure, she didn't need to.

He was about to respond to Pyry but Al did it for them both. He let go of her shoulders she she requested, happily recieving the kiss on the cheek as he grabbed food for himself, flashing her a smile. He grabbed a pack of apple juice and a muffin, digging in happily.

[Erin Cherrywood]

Bartok was siding with Pyry. He still clearly wanted her to try things out with him even though she'd made it clear at the carnival that she didn't want to date anyone.

Erin wrinkled her nose and bared her canines with a low growl, her tail fluffing up dangerously again; she felt herself being corned and was exercising a great amount of restraint to keep from going off or running off. It wasn't that she was against spending time with Bartok, Al, and Pyry - some part of her looked forward to it - it was that she felt like she was losing control of the situation and being forced into something she wasn't ready for. A lot of change was happening and she didn't have the time to internalize everything. Bartok, her best friend and used to be future husband if no one else wanted him, was in a steady relationship and showing a level of compassion and care she'd not seen before. Al, someone she barely knew, was all kinds of friendly and trying to secure her spot in the new dynamic. And Pyry, well Pyry was Pyry. He was patient, kind, and playful. Rolling with the punches despite not having any heads up that he would be on a double date / meet the best friend adventure today.

Alone the issues were manageable, but Bartok was clearly pushing her towards Pyry and there were some seriously strong mixed feelings about that. She appreciated that he cared so much about her prospective happiness, but he sure was quick to replace her and keen on pushing her onto someone he barely knew. For all Bartok knew Pyry was just trying to have a good time and dip out. Unless they had gotten all buddy buddy in the week she'd been hiding, they didn't know anything about each other that she hadn't told them. She couldn't understand why he keep pushing her at him.

Averting her eyes away from Al and Bartok, she focused on looking at the spread of food. It wasn't like they were doing anything overly intimate, or even intimate really - a shoulder massage could be given by anyone- she just wasn't sure what an onlooker was supposed to do at a time like this. Did they want alone time?

"You need us to leave?" She looked over at Pyry with wide eyes. He was clearly joking but she worried the question would make the others uncomfortable. It hadn't; they both smiled it off and grabbed food of their own.

Pyry expressed again that she hadn't given him any warning about today and she started to feel bad. He clearly felt like he wasn't bringing enough to this get-together and it was her fault. Taking a deep, slow, breath she reached over and grabbed his hand. "Don't worry about not having brought any food, that is why we brought games." She attempted a gentle smile. Al was sweet and clearly cared about the time they were spending together. She'd brought such a wide array of food that one would be hard pressed to not find something they liked - so Erin would do her best to calm her temper and make sure she didn't ruin the effort the others were putting into making things enjoyable. "Any more food and we would have had to throw another beach party."

She gave Pyry's hand a small squeeze then let go so she could grab a plate of potato salad. "So... where are you from Al? I can't recall if we ever touched on that while at the beach."

[Pyry Ward]

Pyry couldn't keep the grin off his face. Bartok teased Erin just as much as he did and he loved watching her get all fluffed up in a hissy fit. Because, despite what she wanted everyone to believe, Erin wasn't denying that she might end up dating him someday.

If he'd had known they were going on a date he would have brought something besides war games though. He wasn't sure how well the games he brought would add to the mood that Bartok and Al might be going for. In fact, he worried he might be bringing down the mood until Erin grabbed his hand and gave him an attempt at a smile - she couldn't hide her discomfort from him. She was adorable and he wanted to pull her into a big hug but she let go and was fixing a plate before he could react.

While she asked Al about her hometown he grabbed a muffin. He was curious too, he knew a fair amount about Bartok just by knowing about Erin so Al was really the only mystery here. Leaning over, he rested his head atop Erin's, hoping she wouldn't push him away."Anyone have any siblings in this bunch?" Not everyone liked talking about their past so he threw the question out just in case Al didn't want to share, always good to have options so you could pretend you didn't hear the ones you didn't want to answer.

[Al Ciendra]

Al looked worried as she saw Erin react this agitated, something seemed to be really going wrong, she was no telepath but even she could sense how tense Erin was, the bushed up tail and her showing her fangs got Al to flinch a little.
She looked between all the others and something clicked within her head, as to why Erin could be this pressured.
Al while she was still eating then leaned her head against Bartok's shoulder, nudging him slightly.
She was attempting to get his attention, so he would focus on her, rather than Erin's love life.

As she continued to observe she was glad to see Erin calm down and even hold hands with Pyry, they were kinda cute together.
But she was not going to voice this as she wanted Erin to become more comfortable.

That was when two quick questions were dropped in this group, one directed at her and one just thrown out there.
She gulped down the bit of her sandvich that she was chewing and looked between the two.
"Well, me and my family live in a peaceful town, about 2 days north from here called Azmarine. Theres dad, mom and of course my big brother Inren. Dad is the towns blacksmith and Inren is gonna inherit his shop when he gives up the hammer. Dad actually made most of my equipment and mom made the other parts, since she's a seamstress."
Al paused for just a second as she looked to others, before she continued.
"The town is pretty quiet, we rarely get visitors since the town self sufficent, so we have rarely have the need to go into the city for supplies. The town is pretty safe to, we got some big walls around the place and a pretty dedicated, yet understaffed town guard. So Grimm attacks don't normally happen...except for that one time."
Al sighed a little, as she leaned closer to Bartok.
She never liked talking about or remembering that part of her time in Azmarine, but she was also kind of glad that it happened, otherwise she wouldn't be here.

[Bartok Evergreen]

Bartok's ears tried to stretch to the sky at that growl, his jaw stopping it's chewing motions. He had heard her growl many times before, and never at him. Well, playful growls didn't count. This was a tail-bristling growl of belly-deep anger. He teased her all the time before, but this was obviously much different. Bartok may have pushed a button that was off-limits, or too many times. Maybe...

Maybe what she said at the carnival was really her feelings, as strange as it was for a woman to do that. She only thought him cute, but nothing beyond that. All looks, no depth. He didn't want to label Pyry as such, he was at Beacon afterall and Bartok knew the sort of facade you have to put on for using pick-up lines and all that. But Erin certainly did know him better than Bartok himself did. Maybe her not telling Pyry about this was because she honestly didn't want to be here with them. Or at least him. But being the third wheel can be pretty awkward, so why not bring the guy that had been hitting on her?

Or was there entire other layers to this he didn't understand? Had it anything to do with how Erin had claimed herself his defacto wife if he-

Al nudged his shoulder with her head, making him turn to her. He shook the thoughts from his head and smiled. He heard a little skin-to-skin contact happening over by Erin and Pyry. Probably something with their hands. ...He would need to talk to her again about all of this before he made another blunder. He tilted his head to knock the side of his head against the top of hers in an affectionate manner before she told of her hometown.

Bartok accepted her closer to him with an arm around her, swallowing what had been in his mouth the whole time before rubbing her arm. Before questions could be asked about that, he'd interrupt.

"I don't have any siblings, as much as I'd love sisters just to judge their boyfriends. But there was this big daycare program thing in our hometown, we all got pretty close. Those of us who fought the bullies, anyway. Erin would sabotage them in the best ways possible." Bartok chuckled, a piece of muffin going down the wrong pipe and he cough to get it out. He cleared his throat. "What about you Pyry? You got siblings?"

[Erin Cherrywood]

Things we're cooling down significantly with Erin making an effort to hold herself in check. She was mostly likely to ruin the day but she actually wanted to spend more time with everyone so she had to hold herself together.

Al and Bartok got closer and she was going to shoot Pyry a warning look except he put his head on top of hers. She wanted to yank away but it felt pretty nice so she relented.

Al seemed to have a story similar to a lot of people here at Beacon: a pretty good life until it wasn't. She didn't envy that. The attack likely had something to do with her wearing a mask but it wasn't her place to ask about that. "I'm sorry to hear that. Bartok and I have been blessed to be spared the pain a lot of people have had to endure."

An older brother... Erin used to wish she had siblings of her own but Bartok was right - they had plenty with the daycare. She gave a toothy grin and sat proudly. "Damn right I did. No one is bullying my little ones!"

Sinking a bit under Pyry she pushed her head up in support. She knew about Kirsi and how it still hurt him.

[Pyry Ward]

Chewing his muffin carefully, so as to not get crumbs on Erin, he focused on Al's story - trying to figure out what was left unsaid. Close to Beacon, but not close enough for help. He wondered what caused Grimm to suddenly attack what they typically leave alone. Negative feelings was the obvious answer, but it was strange for a whole town to become so overwhelmed with negative energy that it would attract such a vicious attack.

Kuchinashi had its fair share of negative emotions but humans and faunus were the real problem. He didn't have to worry so much about being mauled, torture or sneak attacks were more likely. "Thanks for sharing." He wasn't sure what else to say, so he just acknowledged that things were said and left it at that; no need to make anyone feel pressured to bare their skeletons.

Bartok asked about him and his smile faltered for a second, but Erin pushed up against him and he relaxed a little. "Yeah, basically, I am from Kuchinashi. I have a mom and dad - a dancer and ex-mercenary respectively. I had an older sister, Kirsi, and I have two younger, Leka and Yrsa." He smiled at Bartok. "Dealing with boyfriends is definitely the part I am most looking forward to when it comes to having sisters. Can't have them end up with someone like me after all." He knew his flaws. "My parents are practically slave drivers when it comes to training and fighting. They think everyone needs to be able to defend themselves. Dad handles the fighting and technique while mom pushes cardio and flexibility. You would be surprised at how well I can move, it's actually pretty funny to see someone as bulky me bending like a gymnast."

[Al Ciendra]

Al did listen intently, all the while still leaning close to Bartok.
It was great to hear Pyry open up, she did not know much about him besides that he wore some really strange clothes and that he was big, buff and a tease.
Sadly, Kuchinashi did not ring a bell for her, it sounded strange but she guessed that Pyry was simply from another country.
"Your family sound like a nice bunch to be around. It must be pretty cool to have a trained fighter for a dad and being trained by him, don't get me wrong I love my pops"
Al paused as she slightly pulled up her mask to show Pyry a grin.
"...speaking of that though! We have had enough tell around her, maybe you can show us some of what your mom taught you, cuz I have to see that now!"
Al exclaimed, she was ever so forward and challanging Pyry to show of a little seemed like a good idea to lift the somber mood.

[Bartok Evergreen]

Bartok flashed Erin a too-knowing smile with too many teeth to just be a normal smile. It was something of feral gratitude to what they both knew they were talking about. It was even better that no one asked about that, taken away by Pyry's story.

"Kuchinashi, that's somewhere in Mistral, isn't that right?" He asked. "Sounds from around there." He might have heard of something about that town. Not a place to raise a family or other. But with Grimm attacks everywhere, where was?

So he was raised by two very physical, capable people in a town. Makes sense as to why he'd be as built as he was and have the confidence to walk up to girls and drop lines. And if all their fighters could be flexible and fight well, well enough to send their kid to Beacon... those seemed like tough folks. Maybe Pyry would be more of a handful in a fight than Bartok had originally assumed at the back of his head.

Al spoke of loving her pops, and Bartok had to smile for her. He hadn't thought of his own father in quite some time. And he knew Erin would have some resentment of her own on that topic. Best to keep it on mothers, which Al proposed.

"Oh, yes! Let's see some of this surprising flexibility. Can you touch your nose with your toes? Behind your back?" He asked for fun. It would be fun to watch, at least for Erin and Al, if he could or wanted to try. "That'd be a great feat. Pun intended."