[quote=@Caits]
[i]insanely attractive? How do I seem more confident?[/i] Connor wondered. taking a moment to try and figure that out, but he couldn't. "Well, it might be connected to the fact Dad was doing a lot for the academy, in connection to what happened before...and it's amazing how many people what his opinion at the tower. It was either pick up the slack, or let things go crazy there" he said, wondering if that was the confidence boost, "honestly, I think he just did it deliberately. He's always believed in me" 

There had been a few moments of panic, as he realised that somehow, everything fell to him. "you know, he'd always drag me to the tower whenever school let out. I had more fun in the R&D then anywhere else, but I think he just did more work so I could pick it up" He smiled, remembering the times of being in a meeting room, more interested in what he was trying to piece together then whatever was going on, and sometimes his father would just lean over, and whisper something to him. 

"So I spent it kinda running the company, doing some building stuff, and trying to find out all I could about what's going on" He said, "What did you do?"

[/quote]
"Impressive." Kijani said softly, and completely meant it. "Despite your father's reasons, it looks like that kind of work did you some good. I'm proud of you, Connor. As for me, I..." She sighed very softly, starting to play with her hair in a rare show of anxiety. "It was suggested that I find out who I am when I have no agenda. After everything that happened last year, I-" Her voice choked up momentarily. It seems even the memory of that pain could still burn. "I realized that I didn't really have any hobbies that didn't have to do with combat, or espionage. That with no mission, I didn't really have any... any self. So I took some of the money I've saved up, and I went on a road trip. Spain, France, Italy, and then I popped over to Japan. I've brought you gifts - I hope they're your size. I also discovered I really do like dancing just to dance. I also enjoy food, and I found out I rather enjoy video games. There's this one game that combines dancing AND being a game, and I really like it." 

---
[quote=@Spriggs27]

[center][h2][color=00746b]Emily Nakajima[/color][/h2][/center]

"[color=00746b] Well, I don't want to make you embarrassed in front of anyone or any of your new friends.[/color]" She told her told her younger sister while patting her head. Nakajima felt confident in her speed knowing that she could match many other people's speeds but she knew she could never outrun a speedster or an Olympic runner, or someone that was just running since birth, but she knew that she could run pretty fast and cover a long distance without needing to stop and catch her breath. Her sister, on the other hand, was a different story. Naka did a couple stretches limbering up before she would race her sister."[color=00746b] I'm still giving you a headstart Jin-Jin, I will catch up to you.[/color]" She told her sister. 

Unlike Jin, Emily did not take a runner's pose, she kept her casual stance and the moment Jin yelled. "GO!" Emily simply jogged slowly at first not burning all of her energy, then she began catching up to Jin without hesitating, she kept up next to Jin without breaking a sweat. 
[/quote]

Jin was going at a pretty fast clip. Unfortunately, she could feel her sister's presence behind her, and forced her legs faster. It was probably the worst move she could have made. Jin gained a bit of distance, but before long, she was starting to slow down. Her legs were burning like they'd been stung with a thousand bees, and Naka's steady stride quickly overtook her as she started flagging. Even her frustration couldn't spur her on - she was just meant for long distance running.

---

Unaware that she had a brief audience, Kassy waded into the water to the waist, her gaze fixed on the lake. She went utterly still, not even seeming to breathe. Then her hand shot out, and she held up a small fish. "Oh... you're barely a snack." She sighed and ate it anyway, crunching down rather loudly. "Hm. Maybe the others got here before me..."