[center] [img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/kDNfqRtE_As-Y3wguRjOUQKoruv32r1lCqeM5R_Vjf4/https/www.writeups.org/wp-content/uploads/Sakura-Kasugano-Street-Fighters-h.jpg[/img] [h3][color=fff79a]Kasugano Sakura[/color][/h3] Level 4: 09/40 Location: The Atomos. Talking to [@DracoLunaris] and [@Lugubrious] Word Count: 1,351 Points Gained: 3 New EXP Balance--- Level 4: 12/40 [/center] Sakura listened quietly on the ground, hands on her knees. If Ranger couldn't cry, then tears would come on her behalf. Tears welled in her eyes. She'd never been in a warzone before. In her world travels she had seen suffering, and for her tender heart it never got easier. And this was the worst place she'd seen yet. Such a beautiful, lively town, surrounded by death. On the brink of destruction. It was dreadful. [color=fff79a]"Arashio..."[/color] She murmered under her breath. Ooshio, Asashio, and Michishio. She wouldn't forget those names. Those brave soldiers who've fallen in a war that didn't need to happen. When Ranger fell quiet, Sakura got up from her sitting position and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. [color=fff79a]"Thank you, [i]Ranger-san.[/i]"[/color] She knew what she had to do, and it brought her peace. A moment passed and Sakura stood straight again. She made a small noise and turned to Bella and Rika, extending her arms out and giving them two one-armed hugs each. When she was done she backed up, standing in the center of the room. She wiped her eyes, and then looked at Bella. Unknowingly she would most likely assuade whatever mixed feelings Bella had. At least, about Sakura's own intentions. From within her chest she summoned forth a Friend Heart. She clutched it tightly in her palm. [color=fff79a]"I think this is our best shot."[/color] She declared.[color=fff79a] "With every person we free, we not only rob Galeem of power, we also give ourselves a potential ally."[/color] She said, switching her gaze to Rika. She already liked them both. A lot. [color=fff79a]"And, well, I don't think I can do it. I don't want to kill anyone. Especially not after meeting you two."[/color] She added. [color=fff79a]"And Bella...I...I'm glad you want to come with me. It means a lot. It's just- it's just- I'm worried. I know you're probably older than me, but- I- I feel like you're my responsibility."[/color] She admitted sheepishly. The girl rarely kept her emotions to herself. Saying it out loud made her feel better, causing her to give a small smile. [color=fff79a]"That probably sounds stupid."[/color] She slotted the Friend Heart back into herself. For future use. [color=fff79a]"And look, to be honest, I think friend hearting everyone is kind of a new strategy? Among the other adventurers. I didn't really ask anyone on the Atomos when I jumped down to help you guys."[/color] She said. In retrospect it was clear she was talking about everyone in the room, not just Ranger and her ship girls. [color=fff79a]"So, I think, we're gonna need someone to stay at places. And help organize the people who get freed. Obviously there's no way you two,"[/color] she pointed at Rika and Bella, [color=fff79a]"Are going back to the other Abyssals."[/color] She held her elbow with a hand, thinking hard. [color=fff79a]"So you could all stay and help make sure, y'know, everyone freed from Galeem has a place to go and stay. And you can stick together, support each other. Build a new community. As much as I would love to say that Limsa would be that community..."[/color] She trailed off, sadly. [color=fff79a]"I don't see how. We'd have to beat up everyone in town and give them Friend Hearts just for them to see you two aren't a threat. Since they don't even know why they are where they are, let alone who Galeem is- I- I- I just don't see it happening." [/color] Sakura shook her head sadly. As optimistic as she was, with the evidence she had now, she wasn't sure how to make it work. [color=fff79a]"I'd love to be wrong though. But Abyssals are kill on sight. Everyone is basically super racist against you guys. Galeem makes people racist. Oh my God, I,"[/color] She clenched her fists, puffing up her cheeks. [color=fff79a]"I [i]hate[/i] Galeem [i]so much![/i]" [/color] Sakura said, bizarrely. The mood change would be frightening if it wasn't so comedic and obviously harmless. Her surprisingly short temper flaring, she dropped to the ground and did several push ups. [color=fff79a]"Ugh! I remember when I used to do excercise for fun, and not just as a coping mechanicsm!" [/color]She complained loudly. [color=fff79a]"You know what!? Bella, I'm just gonna say it. Your leg game?"[/color] Sakura shot up into a standing position. Hands on her hips she leaned in towards the Water Princess. [color=fff79a] "It's pathetic!" [/color] She exhaled, pinching her nose. [color=fff79a]"Sorry. But seriously! Don't you wanna be able to do...[i]this!?[/i]" [/color]She stood on one leg and then kicked her other leg upward and held it there. It was almost 180 degrees straight. [color=fff79a]"Or this!?"[/color] She dropped down into a perfect split. She rolled backward onto her feet. She had an idea. She had a lot of pent up emotions and energy, and she wanted to have some fun. Her frustration with Galeem had temporarily spilled over onto Bella, but now it was converted back into her usual enthusiasm. [color=fff79a] "Okay! Now I know what we can do to pass the time! Everyone get off the bed!"[/color] She waved and ushered everyone off. From the bed she yanked up the sheets and blankets. Clutching them in her hands she rushed out of the room and to the windows. She stuck them against the windows, using them as make shift covers. [color=fff79a]"Junior, you're definitely gonna wanna get in on this!"[/color] She called out confidently. [color=fff79a]"Okay, everyone!"[/color] She struck a battle-ready pose, bringing in her left fist and putting her weight on one leg. [color=fff79a]"If you're gonna battle evil, your body is your most important weapon! You may not be able to jump twenty feet in the air or shoot fire from your hands like me, but you should be able to do a pull up or a sit up!"[/color] As she spoke, she did a martial arts routine, punching and kicking the air with power and precision. [color=fff79a]"And afterwards, we can have chocolate!"[/color] She span around and produced a plastic package of chocolate covered sticks with dramatic flair. She had bought them using Ace Cadet's lended zenny. They were absolutely soaking wet and ruined. Probably from the massive explosion. [color=fff79a]"Oh."[/color] Tossing them into her student bag that she had previously stuffed under a chair, she moved on. [color=fff79a] "Okay, well, forget the chocolate. Excercise is it's own reward, anyway!" [/color] She knitted her fingers together, palms out, and then put all of her weight onto one leg and bent it, shifting her other leg out to the side. It was a one legged crouch, and she casually switched from leg to leg. [color=fff79a]"There are six major muscle groups."[/color] She stood up straight and pointed out the different parts of her body. [color=fff79a]"Chest, back, arms, shoulders, legs, calves. Generally, you wanna stick to working out two groups at a time, and doing it at least once every five to seven days."[/color] Now she was jogging in place. [color=fff79a]"And there are four different types of excercises. Aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance."[/color] She stopped and looked over at Junior, examining him from a distance. [color=fff79a]"Hmm. You know what, I bet it works for everyone. Even people that aren't human. What type of person are you, Junior?"[/color] She glanced over at Bella, Rika, and Ranger. [color=fff79a]"Usually, I'm just a regular human. I guess you guys have never seen the actual Sakura, huh? That's kinda weird to think about. My hair is normally shorter and browner, and I don't have cat parts. And I'm buffer. Like, totally ripped."[/color] She said. She reached down and touched her toes without bending her legs. The atmosphere in the bedroom had been brought down by the arrival of Shropshire and the implications therein. Which sucked. She wanted to have a good time. All of her questions had been answered and hopefully any worries the others had were assuaded, too. Now she just wanted to get to know everyone onboard the ship even better. And improve their habits, while she was at it!