6 Apr 2026, 16:41
Playing Tag
Paul ran out of the castle, looking behind his shoulder now and then, to check if Cor was following. There was a grin glued to his face, which, in combination with the mischief sparkling in his eyes, shouted to all passersby that he was either playing a game, being chased, or he did something wrong and, though not feeling guilty, was running away.Day: September 9th
Time: Late afternoon
People: @Corrine Aelina and open!
Either way, he had to evade those who were standing in the halls of the Ground Floor, which wasn't really easy with the speed he was running in.
"Huh... sorry. Excuse me. Sorry!" Did he mumble to a group of apparently older students who would block his way in a few seconds. Fortunately, they took an account of him and got out of his way right on time.
Running into the courtyard, he looked for some place to hide. He noticed there were alcoves in the surrounding walls, so he headed there, to hide himself behind one. It was a good place. Wide enough for his shoulders not to stick out and be seen.
Paul's cheeks were rosy, suggesting he's been running for several minutes. But he hasn't been sweating yet, which, on the other hand, suggested he hasn't been running long. He was dressed in his football shorts, high, purple socks, a tee and a fleece sweatshirt.
Hope she doesn't find me that easily! Thought the boy, not being able to completely refrain from checking the situation in the courtyard. Here and there, he would look out of his hiding place quickly, to check if his friend was any closer.
Y1 Stamina: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 6
Y2 Stamina: 6| Wisdom: 9| Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuver, Statistically relevant
6 Apr 2026, 17:13
Playing Tag
Location: Courtyard
Tag: @Paul Turner, Open
Date: September 9th, 2025
Time: Late afternoon
Corrine goes still, staring in shock at where her friend had run out.
Had he just.. tagged her? Without warning?
It takes more than a moment for Corrine to fully process what her friend had just done, and by then, he’d already ran out and was out of sight. Frantically, the girl stands up, beginning to run the best she could out of the room so that she could look for Paul.
Immediately as she goes down a flight of stairs into a hallway that leads out to the courtyard, Corrine could feel her legs complaining. I can’t run very fast! she thinks to herself, feeling a wave of nausea wash over her as she runs clumsily.
“Excuse me, coming through,” she stutters, feeling her anxiety spike as she has to run through a few crowds just to see Paul within sight. However, it didn’t take long for Paul to disappear from her sight once again, causing her heart to drop.
I’ve never been good at these games, the girl thinks miserably, looking around the area she’s in. Her breaths come in unevenly, forcing her to stop as she struggles to breathe from running. Even her chest had started hurting from the physical exertion that she’s very obviously not used to, and she has to stop for a moment to try and breathe properly before she triggers some sort of asthma attack.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
6 Apr 2026, 17:35
Playing Tag
Paul was standing still in the alcove, pressing his arms to his body. This was a good opportunity to calm down his breathing a little. It usually only took his several breaths to do that, but that admittedly also depended on how fast and how long a period he had been running. Both odds were low though, in this particular case.
He kept peeping to the main entrance, till he thought he heard footsteps. Was it Corrine? He wasn't sure. Needing the person to come closer to be able to tell who they were, he produced a rather high-pitched cuckooing sound. He made it rather short, for the person not to find him right off, but to spark their interest in what it was producing that sound, and perhaps, in looking for the producer.
What's taking her so long? She's slow! Thought the boy after a while. My, I'm so going to beat her at this. But, wait. What if something happened to her? What if she got a heart attack and is lying somewhere in the castle now? No, that's impossible. She's as old as me! But, I probably shouldn't be so inconsiderate. She might not be into playing tag. I didn't really ask her if she'd like to play. Damn, Paul. You're being very selfish yet again. I could have chosen a different game.
Paul exhaled and inhaled, trying to calm his mind a little.
He kept peeping to the main entrance, till he thought he heard footsteps. Was it Corrine? He wasn't sure. Needing the person to come closer to be able to tell who they were, he produced a rather high-pitched cuckooing sound. He made it rather short, for the person not to find him right off, but to spark their interest in what it was producing that sound, and perhaps, in looking for the producer.
What's taking her so long? She's slow! Thought the boy after a while. My, I'm so going to beat her at this. But, wait. What if something happened to her? What if she got a heart attack and is lying somewhere in the castle now? No, that's impossible. She's as old as me! But, I probably shouldn't be so inconsiderate. She might not be into playing tag. I didn't really ask her if she'd like to play. Damn, Paul. You're being very selfish yet again. I could have chosen a different game.
Paul exhaled and inhaled, trying to calm his mind a little.
Y1 Stamina: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 6
Y2 Stamina: 6| Wisdom: 9| Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuver, Statistically relevant
6 Apr 2026, 17:47
Playing Tag
Location: Courtyard
Tag: @Paul Turner, Open
Date: September 9th, 2025
Time: Late afternoon
As Corrine breathes shakily through the sharp ache in her chest, she hears a short and quick sound. It had been some kind of cuckooing sound—reminscent of a whistle, almost—and it was coming from the right, somewhere around a corner.
I hope he doesn’t think I’m boring, the girl thinks worriedly to herself, beginning to walk closer to that direction. Upon looking around, she doesn’t see anything out of the place that would indicate where Paul could possibly be.. much less if he’s even there in the first place.
Corrine stands there, unsure as to what to do. Had this just been an excuse to lose her? She feels her heart drop, wondering if that’s truly the case. He didn’t seem like the type, but if he had wanted to stop spending time together, I wouldn’t have minded..
Shaking her head, the girl tries breathing in and out. No way, he’s not mean like that, she tries to reason. Although she knows Paul seemingly wouldn’t do that, she can’t help but feel the sadness settle in slightly at the smallest possibility it might’ve been the case.
Not knowing what else to do, Corrine calls out quietly, “Paul? Are you here?”
It’s a bit nonsensical to ask where her friend is in a tag-and-seek game, but she couldn’t help it. A part of her hopes that he’d come out and reassure her at least a bit that it isn’t what her mind is trying to make her think.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
6 Apr 2026, 18:26
Playing Tag
She's made it! Yes! I knew she would! Smiling, the boy could hear Cor's footsteps approaching his hiding place. He held his breath, his heart beating so loudly that he was sure it would give him in.
Not wanting to give up on his efforts completely, he came up with a plan. He'd come out of his hiding place, but he wouldn't let her tag him just yet.
"Yes, yes." He murmurs, leaving his hiding place. A crooked grin is plastered on his face, and he's keeping his distance from her, not to get tagged. "You've made it! Well done, you."
While he's speaking, he's alert for any of her movements towards him.
"I guess you have to catch me now." He says, beginning to back away from her.
Well, Corrine said she's not good at sports, Paul, remember? I should probably stop, or do something that's gonna make it short. Thought the boy eventually.He stopped backing away from her then, and suggested instead: "Or, we can do a final race. The one who reaches that tree first is the winner and can order the loser to do something crazy!"
He points at the rather tall tree or the bushes whose trunks are entangled, creeping up a wall. He pauses then, probably giving her time to decide, or something.
"So? What is it gonna be, missy?" Paul tilted his head to a side with a grin, waiting for her answer.
Not wanting to give up on his efforts completely, he came up with a plan. He'd come out of his hiding place, but he wouldn't let her tag him just yet.
“Paul? Are you here?”
"Yes, yes." He murmurs, leaving his hiding place. A crooked grin is plastered on his face, and he's keeping his distance from her, not to get tagged. "You've made it! Well done, you."
While he's speaking, he's alert for any of her movements towards him.
"I guess you have to catch me now." He says, beginning to back away from her.
Well, Corrine said she's not good at sports, Paul, remember? I should probably stop, or do something that's gonna make it short. Thought the boy eventually.He stopped backing away from her then, and suggested instead: "Or, we can do a final race. The one who reaches that tree first is the winner and can order the loser to do something crazy!"
He points at the rather tall tree or the bushes whose trunks are entangled, creeping up a wall. He pauses then, probably giving her time to decide, or something.
"So? What is it gonna be, missy?" Paul tilted his head to a side with a grin, waiting for her answer.
Y1 Stamina: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 6
Y2 Stamina: 6| Wisdom: 9| Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuver, Statistically relevant
6 Apr 2026, 18:43
Playing Tag
Location: Courtyard
Tag: @Paul Turner, Open
Date: September 9th, 2025
Time: Late afternoon
For a moment, Corrine waits anxiously. She almost thinks that she had gone to the completely wrong area, and was planning to leave..
Only for Paul himself to pop out of his hiding spot in the alcove, grinning all the while. Although he has revealed himself, it’s clear that the game is still ongoing, as Corrine quickly notices that he’s still keeping his distance, hyper-aware of her movements.
Not that she’s made any, that is. The most Corrine did was relax, realizing that this was, in fact, an actual game instead of the cruel trick that her mind made it out to be several minutes ago.
At the options Paul is giving her, she hesitates. Regardless of what option she chooses, Paul is more than guaranteed to win.. but that would’ve been okay with her. Despite her poor physical abilities, she does want to have fun and play games every now and then. That’ll be okay, right?
It’s not like she’ll embarrass herself more than she already has, surely..
And so, Corrine nods. “I think a final race to the tree would work better. I don’t know how long I can keep up if the tag game continues.” She says in an embarrassed manner, but not wanting to be dishonest to her friend. The girl moves to stand next to him, crouching slightly in an attempt to brace herself to run some more.
She can already feel the ache deep in her muscles returning, and she knows for a fact her lungs will complain as soon as this is done. But it’d be worth it, she thinks to herself. It’ll be fun, and Paul is clearly happy too.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
6 Apr 2026, 22:07
Playing Tag
"Oh, come on! How long you can keep up? I'm sure your opinion of your running abilities is way below what it should really be." Says the boy matter-of-factly, perhaps, a little reproaching, but the latter quickly fades. Really. Most people think they can do much less than they really can when a situation requires it. It was a heading in dad's medical magazine, so it must be true.
"Alright. Tell me when you're ready." Utters Paul, stretching his muscles in the meantime. He also starts sort of running on the spot really fast, kicking his knees up into the air. This exercise and most others might be part of his football training, or something.
Victories usually make Paul's day, no matter if they're small or big. Today though, something feels kind of weird about it. As if, even if he won, it wouldn't have the power victories usually had on him. He merely just... couldn't imagine at that very point, being excited about winning, for some reason.
Once Corrine stands next to him, he leans back slightly, moving his weight to the back, to be ready to start running immediately.
"Ready... steady..." He humms, once they're both ready to start. "Go!"
With that, he just starts running forward the fastest he can. Suspecting he's ahead, he can't help it but looks across his shoulder, to check on Cor.
"Alright. Tell me when you're ready." Utters Paul, stretching his muscles in the meantime. He also starts sort of running on the spot really fast, kicking his knees up into the air. This exercise and most others might be part of his football training, or something.
Victories usually make Paul's day, no matter if they're small or big. Today though, something feels kind of weird about it. As if, even if he won, it wouldn't have the power victories usually had on him. He merely just... couldn't imagine at that very point, being excited about winning, for some reason.
Once Corrine stands next to him, he leans back slightly, moving his weight to the back, to be ready to start running immediately.
"Ready... steady..." He humms, once they're both ready to start. "Go!"
With that, he just starts running forward the fastest he can. Suspecting he's ahead, he can't help it but looks across his shoulder, to check on Cor.
Y1 Stamina: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 6
Y2 Stamina: 6| Wisdom: 9| Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuver, Statistically relevant
6 Apr 2026, 23:56
Playing Tag
Location: Courtyard
Tag: @Paul Turner, Open
Date: September 9th, 2025
Time: Late afternoon
Corrine winces at Paul’s statement. Physically, it’s likely true; the human body is resilient and knows when it needs to put out all the stops if it means surviving in a life-or-death situation.
But a game of tag? That is very much not a life-or-death situation, and if it’s one thing Corrine knows well about herself, it’s just that there’s no ‘underestimating’ how her physical capabilities are. It’s sweet for Paul to say so, but she really can’t fathom herself keeping up or even having a chance in this race.
Not that I’d tell him that, she thinks, I don’t want to ruin his fun.
Instead, she just smiles weakly at him. “I suppose so,” she agrees lightheartedly, watching him get warmed up in place. In an attempt to show that she’s doing her best and even taking it seriously, Corrine moves to do the same, albeit at a more sluggish pace; she bends at the hip to touch her toes. It works, but not without a wince and what she thinks is a crack she could feel somewhere in her body from lack of habitual stretching.
At this point in time, Corrine doesn’t really hope to win. She just hopes they have fun, the two of them.
And so, after all their stretching has been done, Corrine places herself next to the boy. She shifts herself to be a bit low, her face conflicted. Please don’t embarrass yourself, she tries to pump herself up, but to not much avail.
The countdown is over before she could process it, and Paul rushes forward, easily overtaking her. It takes about two seconds before Corrine even realizes that it had started, causing her to panic and run.
It’s immediately obvious that aside from the headstart Paul ended up having, Corrine has a clear disadvantage. Her steps and form are extremely clumsy, and she could already feel the familiar sharp pain of her lungs complaining from physical exertion. And yet, Corrine doesn’t stop despite the pain, determined to at least try even as her chest ached in an even more painful manner.
Come on, she thinks internally, gasping as she pushes herself forward. Just catch up a bit more—
Her foot catches on a rock, and her eyes dilate as she feels herself tip forward face-first. She isn’t even able to see Paul’s form or expression as she painfully skids across the dirt face-first, no doubt scratching her at least somewhat.
After her body comes to a slow stop, she remains still on the ground, not even getting up. Not because she had been knocked out (though it probably looked like it), but because she felt so.. humiliated.
Corrine could feel her eyes becoming watery, as well as a sharp stinging now also all over her face. Her face is still pressed closely against the dirt. I should just stay here.. I don't want him to see me with dirt all over my face, she whimpers.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
7 Apr 2026, 14:33
Playing Tag
It's kinda Paul's thing, to take every physical activity seriously, as if his life depended on it. The thin line between life-or-death and normal in games like this, his competitive self never really excelled at recognizing. The fact that Paul is a competitive person doesn't help him see the difference either.
Paul stretches and stretches, until he hears the crack in her body. He looks at her, half scared, half amused, knowing she wasn't doing anything demanding or difficult, just stretching.
"Ouch. That sounded painful." Comments the boy with a smirk, which he apparently is trying to suppress, for purely moral reasons. Come on Paul, you can't just grin when your friend's joints crack like that. "You alright?"
When they started running, Paul honestly didn't notice she didn't start with him. He only noticed she was behind later, looking over his shoulder. He was running forward, sprinting even. It wasn't that far away, after all.
Paul, stop right where you are. It's obvious you can win. Yay, pat on the shoulder, you're faster. But this is not what this is about. You're racing with a friend, who told you she's not good at this. Have you even thought about how bad she must be feeling? Are you still sure she's enjoying this? 'cause friendship is all about doing things that you both enjoy together. Thought the boy, hesitating. But I'm just a few steps from finishing! Dammit, alright then.
He groaned, stopping and turning around to take a look at the other athlete. It wasn't long before she fell down as a bag of potatoes. Paul widened his eyes, opening his mouth to say something.
"For goodness' sake." Did he exclaim, rushing over to her lying form. He started trotting at some point. Once he reached her, he squatted next to her. He reached forward to push some of her hair out of her face, to see what her expression was. But he stopped himself mid this motion. Don't do that! You don't wanna be touchy now, do you? "Cor... what happened? Can you stand up?"
When she started whimpering, Paul frowned, genuinely worried but also frustrated. He didn't know what to do to comfort her. He was never good at this. "I-I... I'm so sorry. The race was a bad idea. Such a bad idea."
The boy started rambling, crouching next to her, looking like a pile of misery.
Paul stretches and stretches, until he hears the crack in her body. He looks at her, half scared, half amused, knowing she wasn't doing anything demanding or difficult, just stretching.
"Ouch. That sounded painful." Comments the boy with a smirk, which he apparently is trying to suppress, for purely moral reasons. Come on Paul, you can't just grin when your friend's joints crack like that. "You alright?"
When they started running, Paul honestly didn't notice she didn't start with him. He only noticed she was behind later, looking over his shoulder. He was running forward, sprinting even. It wasn't that far away, after all.
Paul, stop right where you are. It's obvious you can win. Yay, pat on the shoulder, you're faster. But this is not what this is about. You're racing with a friend, who told you she's not good at this. Have you even thought about how bad she must be feeling? Are you still sure she's enjoying this? 'cause friendship is all about doing things that you both enjoy together. Thought the boy, hesitating. But I'm just a few steps from finishing! Dammit, alright then.
He groaned, stopping and turning around to take a look at the other athlete. It wasn't long before she fell down as a bag of potatoes. Paul widened his eyes, opening his mouth to say something.
"For goodness' sake." Did he exclaim, rushing over to her lying form. He started trotting at some point. Once he reached her, he squatted next to her. He reached forward to push some of her hair out of her face, to see what her expression was. But he stopped himself mid this motion. Don't do that! You don't wanna be touchy now, do you? "Cor... what happened? Can you stand up?"
When she started whimpering, Paul frowned, genuinely worried but also frustrated. He didn't know what to do to comfort her. He was never good at this. "I-I... I'm so sorry. The race was a bad idea. Such a bad idea."
The boy started rambling, crouching next to her, looking like a pile of misery.
Y1 Stamina: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 7 | Accuracy: 6
Y2 Stamina: 6| Wisdom: 9| Evasion: 6 | Strength: 5 | ArcPower: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuver, Statistically relevant
7 Apr 2026, 14:48
Playing Tag
Location: Courtyard
Tag: @Paul Turner, Open
Date: September 9th, 2025
Time: Late afternoon
Corrine sniffles, shakily lifting herself up from the ground using her hands. When she’s fully sat up, the damage is fully revealed; her face is covered in scratches from where she had met the ground, and her eyes are completely teary. Patches of dirt still stick to her forehead and cheeks, even a bit on her mouth.
She shakily wipes off whatever was on her mouth.
“..I tripped over a rock.” She says, slightly miserable. “I’m sorry for ruining the game.. we can run again.” She weakly suggests, even as the stinging on her face grows due to the scratches.
I bet I don’t look pleasant, Corrine thinks, shrinking in on herself. She turns her face away from him, not wanting him to see her current state more than he already has. The girl knows that she’s not that pretty in the first place, but now with dirt in her face? It must look even worse. This is not a side she’d want Paul or any friend to see.
It hurts, she also realizes, unable to hold back a few of the tears that had been building up. My face stings all over.. Nevertheless, she doesn’t vocalize the extent of the pain, not wanting Paul to feel worse than he already was.
After all, she can handle a little bit of pain and suffering... but if she hurts Paul emotionally in any shape or form, whether that be embarrassment or guilt, she’ll feel ten times worse. She doesn’t want that.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."