* Eoi looks up at Ao-Lang as she enters his office. "Oh, hello." * Ao-Lang waves, putting up that somewhat cocky grin everyone's been seeing too much of recently. "Hi. You rang?" I did? Well, yeah. I think you did. Oh. I wonder why... Do you want to polish my naginatas? * Ao-Lang blinks. "Can't say I *want* to, nope. This isn't more detention, is it?" * Eoi looks disappointed. * A speaker on the desk buzzes. "Mister Tabushi, you called her about the transfer, remember?" * Eoi brightens. "Oh!" * Ao-Lang starts at that. "Transfer?" Yeah. There was obviously a mistake when you came here. You're... well... you're too strong for this old dojo, as the saying goes. Uh... okay. That was a saying? Absolutely. * Eoi nods sagely. So I'm being kicked out? So you're moving on up. Ordinarily, we'd send you to Napoleon High, in Europe, but they're overloaded as it is. Freshmen in the senior dorms, even. * Ao-Lang tilts her head as she thinks that over. "Wow. So many people." You'll have a placement test in a few minutes... if Principal Nagawa okays it, you'll skip past Napoleon and go straight to Battle High. * Ao-Lang opens her mouth, then closes it. She tries again. "Battle High?" You've heard of it? That... that's the top level, isn't it? There were rumors... uh. Yeah. The big leagues, yeah. Battle High is as good as it gets for combat training at this level. * Ao-Lang takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. "Wow. You're actually giving me a shot at this?" Well... you haven't had a serious challenge since you came to this school. You obviously should have been sent to Napoleon, at least, but this year has been so overloaded with amazing fighters that Battle High and Napoleon both filled to the brim, and then some. * Ao-Lang nods. "Yeah, that's understandable," she says, trying not to sound disappointed. So they overlooked her. So we're giving you a shot at the top, since we can't have you go battle against the Napoleon students for a while. They haven't had a single dropout. Battle High has only had two. This year... there's a new wave coming, Ao-Lang, and you're a part of it. If you fail the test, then they'll bump up the top two students from Napoleon, and send you there. * Ao-Lang nods, then assumes her customary grin again. "A new wave? I kinda like the sound of that." It's time, though. For your test, I mean. * Eoi stands up and walks over to one of the many racks full of naginata that decorate the walls. Okay. Where do I- uh... what are you doing, sir? * Eoi crosses his arms uncomfortably behind his back. "Would you like a naginata? I always find them comforting, and I understand the test is... scary." * Ao-Lang flexes her wrists slightly and speaks. Her voice wavers at first, then gains strength. "Naw, that's okay. Got my weapons right here." * Eoi sighs. "Okay. Your choice. I still think you should take one, but if you don't want to... head up to the roof. The test is waiting there." * Ao-Lang gives the principal a thumbs up, unconsciously letting out a breath of relief. "Sure thing. And thanks." * Eoi turns around and shoos Ao-Lang towards the door. "Go, go. Don't want to miss your chance." I'm going, I'm going! * Ao-Lang turns and heads out, for the roof. * You get to the top of the staircase, and the door onto the roof is locked. * If you don't get out there soon, you're gonna be laaaaa~aaate... * Ao-Lang blinks. "The hell?" She tries opening it again, and failing that, kicks at the door. * The door bulges from the kick, but doesn't come open. It's dented, though. * Ao-Lang grumbles and flicks Bolt into one hand, snapping it open and bringing it to slash across the door with one smooth motion. "Falling Star Strike!" * The door explodes outwards, revealing the roof behind it. * Ao-Lang runs out. * Standing at one edge of the roof is a figure with close-cropped white hair, wearing a black trenchcoat, with his back turned to you. * Ao-Lang skids to a stop and blinks, snapping her fan closed. That was close. Really? Think I should shave it a little closer next time? You might have missed your appointment. I don't advise shaving it much closer. Hm, all right. I suppose I'll take your advice, then. * Quentin turns around, revealing himself to be (gasp!) an aging bishonen, still very pretty in spite of being at least fifty, if you can judge by his appearance. Why are you here? * Ao-Lang looks Quentin over. "To take a test," she replies, not especially fazed. Are you sure? * Ao-Lang nods. "Yeah. Least, this is where I was sent to take it." Do you WANT to take it? If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. You want a deep, philosophical discussion on this, or what? No. Just giving you a last chance to back out. * Ao-Lang laughs. "Sorry, but no. Thanks anyway. Appreciate it, really." * Quentin turns around and faces the rising sun. Come over here, beside me. * Ao-Lang eyes Quentin, then nods and slips Bolt back up her sleeve. She walks towards Quentin. * Ao-Lang stands beside the aging bishi and looks up at him for further instructions. * Quentin looks down at the ground. About sixty feet down, would you say? Hmm? The drop. * Ao-Lang looks over the edge of the building. "About that, yeah. Give or take a few." Good. It will do. Figures, or you wouldn'tve had me come up here, I bet. * Quentin does not answer. * Ao-Lang swallows nervously, but doesn't let the smile falter. "So. Now what?" Now you take the test. If you're smart enough to figure out what it is. Aww, not even a hint? Or another one, if I missed the first one. * Quentin does not answer. * Ao-Lang flicks Wave out of one of her sleeves and twirls it idly. She looks back over the edge. "I dunno about you, but the leap of faith thing is so overrated." * Quentin smiles slightly. It's overdone, even. How many movies have you seen where they're stuck making the leap of faith. Even Matrix has got it. Though, really, Matrix is just a long *string* of cliches. * Ao-Lang squints down at the ground. "'Course, things are cliche for a reason. Stop me if you don't wanna hear me ramble anymore, okay? Right." So, perhaps the question comes down to whether I want to go to Battle High or not. I mean, really *want* to. I sure as hell want to get out of here, and that's happening whether I fail this test or not. * Quentin clasps his hands behind his back. * Ao-Lang tears her attention from the ground and looks up at the bishi. "No offense, but jumping off without any safeguards is stupid." * Quentin maintains his same, slightly smiling expression. And I don't believe, sir, that one can prove that one belongs, or even prove one's desire, by being stupid. All I would prove by accepting your invitation to jump - if, in fact, that's what it is - is how stupid I am. * Ao-Lang keeps looking up at Quentin, almost searching for something, and when she doesn't find it grins suddenly. "But, hey! You only live once, and Death By Cliche isn't the *worst* of ways to go." * Ao-Lang backflips, springing by her hands off the roof. * Ao-Lang cannot fly, but she sure can fall. She falls spectacularly straight down the side of the building, and when she gets there she throws up a huge cloud of dust from the slight crater left in the dirt. * Ao-Lang coughs weakly, struggling up to her feet. "Score one for stupid," she manages. "Whew." * Quentin appears on the ground next to Ao-Lang. Damn, man. What elevator did *you* take? And- * Ao-Lang coughs some more. "Yer gettin' dust in your nice white hair." * Quentin shrugs. "You pass." Pack your bags, we leave in half an hour. Yipee. What, no unconscious time? You don't need it. * Ao-Lang brushes dirt from her hair. "Yeah, okay. Half hour. Just long enough to let everyone's favorite bloodthirsty gang know where I'm goin'." If you like. I'll be waiting here. Cool. So, did you decide I pass, or was it some big guy on a radio? * Quentin smiles slightly. Go. * Ao-Lang snickers at that. "Yes sir." She turns and heads into the building with her head held high. Not that, of course, a stiff breeze couldn't knock her over. [Intro Fight... Win by Decision]