pygmalion_perv | 11th Candid Photo

[Hachibe's pretty depressed about his rather dismal performance in Olivier Armstrong's fighting tournament. He's never going to impress her if he keeps on going like that. Deep down, he knows he's capable of some pretty amazing things when he's fighting for his precious parts, but what about the rest of the time? Maybe some training would help him all around. So, citizens of Mayfield, you can find Hachibe after school on Tuesday in several different places:

1) At the gym in the rec center. He's trying to lift way too many weights at once, huffing and straining and periodically dropping the bar on himself. He hasn't actually managed any reps so far.

2) Running around town rather sluggishly. Somehow, he's managed to find training weights, and has them strapped to his ankles as he makes his way slowly through town.

3) Swimming in the pool. He's not doing too badly here, but he's pushing himself a little harder than he probably ought to be. Feel free to find him floating face-down in the middle of a lap, or flopped over on his back beside the pool breathing heavily.]

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[Tugs the boy back to shallower waters, where she pats his back gently.] What happened?...Are you alright?

[Coughs up a little water, smiling.]

"Y-yeah, I'm fine! I guess I pushed a little too hard out there."

Please be careful! It's very easy to overexert yourself while you swim. [She, on the other hand, looks quite at home in the water now.] Why are you so eager to learn to swim all of a sudden?

I thought it'd be good training for getting stronger!

Oh, it really is! [Then gets all mother-henish about why he wants to be stronger.] But why do you need to be stronger? You're not going to fight anyone, are you?

I need to be strong to protect the people I care about!

[Smiles at him, giving him a more affectionate pat on the back.] That's a very noble reason for wanting to become stronger, you know.

[Frowns.]

"I don't think I'll be able to do it, though..."

You mustn't doubt yourself! It may be difficult, but if you keep at it, I know that you'll become stronger!

But I'm just a normal guy! How can I expect to get stronger than people who can fly and shoot lasers and stuff? I can't protect people from that!

[She hadn't thought of that.] Taking such powerful opponents on would only bring you harm, Hachibe...But that isn't what's important! You need to be the strongest that you can be.

"But if they mess with my friends, I have to fight to defend them! That's how I live my life!"

[He seems as proud of this as he is worried about it.]

But putting yourself in danger for the sake of those you care about isn't always the right solution, Hachibe. [Someone should take her own advice~]

[Yeah, pot kettle black over here, 4 SRS.]

"But how else can I keep them safe?"

Maybe you can all protect each other. That's what my friends and I would do. We stood against great foes, and there were many close calls, but we were able to stay alive because we took care of each other.

[Seems to consider this for a moment.]

"I guess that might work... but I don't think any of you even know each other!"

[Seems pretty shocked by what he says.] You're getting stronger to protect me?... [Blushes like mad.] You really don't have to do that! I'm very well-protected, and I can stand my own ground now that Bahamut has been restored to me.]

Yeah, of course! I'm gonna protect you, and Shirley, and Sally, and Seychelles, and Iroha, and Olivier... all of you!

[Garnet is familiar with all but one of the females he mentions.] ...Ah, I'm fairly certain that the Major General can take care of herself.[What's more, the woman might take offense to Hachibe insisting she needs protecting. If she was anything like General Beatrix from home, it would be all too likely.] But who is Shirley?