[b]About Half Way into the Battle[/b]

The GBN lobby had several monitors hanging about in places, showing live-streamed footage from battles in progress. One of which was the battle featuring a certain quartet of solo players vs a certain Force made up of Dinns. No one really paid the battle much mind, it was just another battle after all. Well, all except for one person. He stood and watched the screen showing that battle, at first with a look of surprise but that look quickly melted into a grin. The guy - his avatar was a guy anyway - looked a slight bit different from your average player avatar. Most players used pilot suits or various uniforms from the series. This particular avatar utilized neither of those. His face and hair appeared to be modeled after the character Chibodee Crocket, although the hair looked to be pure blond rather than the blue and pink dye that the character was known for. He also didn't wear Chibodee's clothes, instead opting for a brown duster, brown cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed, brown cowboy hat.

"Jesse?" the avatar looked away from the battle he was watching at the sound of a familiar voice. He smiled and tipped his hat when he saw an even more familiar looking female avatar. Someone he was good friends with. And someone he wasn't expecting to bump into today. The young woman offered a curious look, "What's so interesting about that battle you're watching?"

"Have and look-see and see for yourself, Miss Yoko." replied the avatar, apparently named Jesse. He sounded distinctly non-Japanese. Rather, he was American - a proud, homegrown Texan to be more specific. As such, his accent was not only American, but also had a certain southern drawl to it that could only be heard in the land of Texas, "I reckon that black Gunpla looks mighty familiar, don't it?"

The other avatar, Yoko, raised an eyebrow and watched the screen for herself. Then she made a nearly audible gasp of surprise, "The Hayabusa? Is that really it?" she squinted her eyes, the black Gunpla was tough to spot in its constant movement and preference for stealth combat. But after a moment there was no doubt. That [i]was[/i] the Hayabusa that both she and Jesse knew quite well, "So he's finally decided to log back in again?"

"I reckon so." answered Jesse. Of course, they both knew The Hayabusa wasn't being piloted by its original builder, but rather by the builder's kid brother. They also knew that Takatora hadn't so much as touched any Gunpla since what happened to Kiyotaka six months ago, "Way I figure, that's a pretty good sign I think."

"Don't count on it." Yoko said quickly, and coldly, "The fact that he's using the Hayabusa means he still stuck in the past. When is he going to move on? Build his own Gunpla?"

"Aw, now don't be like that, Yoko." said Jesse, his tone always remaining warm and friendly, "Jus' give him some more time. Takatora'll come around on his own. I know it, and you know it." by then, the battle had ended. With nothing else keeping them there anymore, they exchanged goodbyes and both of them logged off.

[b]After the Battle[/b]

When the battle finally ended and the victorious team found itself back in the lobby area, Takatora didn't say much. He certainly seemed to be acting the part of his Avatar... a racoon cloaked like a ninja. The adrenaline high from his finishing move was still wearing off, and that was putting him on edge. The others chatted, but Takatora stood still, looking like he was ready to go into an idle animation at any moment. The girl showing up didn't change things, he still stood in stoic silence.

It wasn't until the name "Taka" was uttered that the racoon avatar finally showed some sign of life. It almost seemed to flinch a bit. Not much, but just barely noticeable. At least, that's what it was the first time around. When it was spoken the second time by Isamu - who then suggested they start a Force - Takatora made for the exit, "I can't. I'm... I have homework or... whatever." he quickly left after giving that flimsy excuse.

"This was a mistake..." he muttered to himself once he thought he was alone, "...what am I doing here? What am I even trying to accomplish with this?"