Slayer of women, wooer of evil...wait.

Yo! Buck here. Cheerleader, battler, drummer, total badass. I promise, alright?. Also, resident Jamaican here at good ol' FP. Oh, and I guess I'm a junior, too. Whatever.

[academysiren]

Misty was holding her StaryuBucks iced coffee (extra caramel pumps and milk, because she never actually liked coffee black) while walking to the Teachers lounge to go over her lesson plan for her first class. She was both nervous and excited to do it, but that was least of her concerns.

The hallway was crowded, and as much as she was saying "excuse me" and "pardon me" and once "Hey! Watch your hands!" when she was positive she felt a hand on her butt, it was getting slightly annoying.

That's when she noticed a kid with a pisstripe in his hair handing out flyers. "That explains it..." she muttered to herself, and the child in question happened to hand her a flyer. She took it with her free hand and looked.

"So you're Buck? Huh. Never would've figured that name with that hairstyle of yours" she chuckled. "Tell me, what's your goal if you make it into StuCo, kid?"

[academypissstripe]

...That was not the reaction he was expecting. Nope. Not at all.

"Well! I'm already in StuCo, just runnin' for a different position is all!" He smiled, hopping down to meet her level. He was pretty sure she was a teacher, but not one that he had ever had.

"An' obviously, it's to help the school, duh!" With an excited sigh, he pointed at the paper. "See? That's me! Good student, star athlete, cheerleader, the list goes on, probably. Why shouldn't people vote for me to get in again?"

[academypissstripe]

election hours: open

If there was one thing Buck was good at, it was being a large presence.

One thing he's not good at though? Doing it in a respectable way sometimes.

So, when the StuCo elections start to come around, it's hard for him to keep a calm facade as he stands on a crate at the center of campus, holding a giant sign that says "KEEP BUCK IKEDA FOR TREASURER".

A few people here and there cheered him on. Some took flyers, others (mostly) walked right by without a second glance. That, by far. was the most irritating reaction.

Ah, a passerby! Maybe it's time for a more...hands on approach?

"You!" He pointed, excitedly, "yes, you! You're going to take part in elections, am I right?"

[academypissstripe]

go, go, spirit week! (@Hika)

[lightcharms]

Hika watched, a weird mixture of disbelief and amusement on her face, as Buck walked over to the group of girls, entirely too confident for his own good. God, he was a handful.

She deadpanned as they all approached the table. “You know what? Good job, Buck.”

Without another word, she simply raised her eyebrows and slid the paper and pen over to the girls, watching them sign the sheet. As soon as they left, she narrowed her eyes playfully.

"I cannot believe you’re a real person."

[academypissstripe]

He looked over, like a tv show protag would look into a camera. His expression was that of fun and confusion, with a healthy dash of concern. Inside, he thought, 'what if I'm not real? What if we're all....fictional....'

But that's just stupid.

Buck knocked himself out of the inner monologue and sat back down, winking at Hikari. "I can't sometimes either, yknow? I'm just too awesome to be entirely real!"

[futuri-principes]

Reminder: live event tonight at 9EST!

We’ve moved the time back an hour. Hopefully everyone can make it. And remember—students aren’t the only ones who can dress up and go to the dance…ahem, we need some Responsible chaperones as well. We surely have plenty of wonderful faculty members who can attend.

Another reminder will be posted closer to the event time, with a link to the tinychat. Message the master list for the password. See you later!

[futuri-principes]

Here’s the tinychat! Message the masterlist for the password. 

[academypissstripe]

((probs won't be on time for the dance,,,,we'll just call buck "Fashionably Late" tonight, yeah?))

[academypissstripe]

go, go, spirit week! (@Hika)

[lightcharms]

Oh Buck…

The Freshman girl came back quickly with her coffee, which Hika took with a quick “thank you” before turning back to Buck and raising an eyebrow. She spotted a small group of young girls eyeing the table from another, nearby booth and was struck with inspiration.

"Oh, definitely. You know what? You should go recruit those girls over there," she suggested, nodding in their direction.

[academypissstripe]

...Was this a challenge?

He nodded quickly in agreement before sashaying over to the girls at the other table. Two of them blushed; he couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or how hot he looked. Probably the latter.

After a few minutes, Buck walked back over to Hika with the smarmiest grin on his face. Two girls, both freshman, followed behind him.

"Well, Hika! Meet our new recruits! You ladies can sign up riiiiiiiight there," he pointed to the sign up sheet, shimmying back behind the table to take a seat. Wink wonk.

[happyhappyoba-blog-deactivated2]

XD

XD

[academypissstripe]

OBA....{STARTS TO CRY....}

[academypissstripe]

go, go, spirit week! (@Hika)

[lightcharms]

Hikari nodded, handing her empty cup to the freshman girl before she departed. “Yeah, we’re both all settled now.” Before she turned back to Buck, she noticed the look of disappointment on the freshman’s face. Well, everyone had to start somewhere, kid.

She smiled in amusement at Buck in all his glory. Hey may be both a cheerleader and a basketball player wearing a skirt right now, but at least he owned it.

"Speaking from experience," she began, grinning teasingly, "there’s definitely nothing more a girl loves than a guy in a skirt. Super manly."

[academypissstripe]

"See? That's good! Yer gonna be all rested and back in tip-top shape by tomorrow!"

He grinned, seeing that her mood was starting to lift. What a relief. It's not that he didn't want to 'deal' with her that way, it's just that he's pretty bad at it most times. Consoling people was never his forte.

Buck's eye's widened at her comment. It sounded sly, but...

"Heh, y'think so?" He stood, flexing his arms and modeling his legs. "I mean, I'm the full package, right? Foreign, athletic, and fashionable."

[academydirtbag]

the start of something new (reprise)

[academydirtbag]

"Of course, man," Fire says very seriously. He gives him a fistbump of confidentiality. "We’re bros.”

Truth be told, he’s only known Buck for less than a year. He was the newest kid to make the basketball team last season, and his confidence and energy (not to mention the eye-catching golden streak) appealed to Fire right away. They’re a pretty good duo, on and off the court.

"That’s right! I forgot you had camp! You’ve gotta be so jacked now, yo. I have to go see you at a game sometime. And set me up with one of your cheerleader friends, remember?"

[academypissstripe]

Bros, bros, bros, he chanted in his head. Bros. Hell yeah, they were bros. BEST bros. The bro-est of bros.

Okay, calm down, Buck.

He returned the fistbump with enough vitality that he could very well have blown them both off of the roof. He rolled up his sleeve and flexed for Fire, showing him the impressive muscles one can gain from tossing girls into the air all day.

"Yeah man! S'tough work, but someone's gotta do it, right?" He grinned, with a bit of pride behind it. "Not sure when we have our first game, but I'll let ya know! And I'm sure you don't need my help findin' a girl, Fire. Most of the younger cheerleaders swoon over you enough!"

[academypissstripe]

go, go, spirit week! (@Hika)

[lightcharms]

She barely even looked at Buck as he sat next to her— not because she was mad at him, but because she sincerely doubted she had the energy for any kind of movement at the moment. 

"I forgot how much I hate dorming," she lamented. Not that she minded having a roommate, but because unpacking was the absolute worst and kept her up, leaving her unable to get a proper good night sleep. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I definitely woke up in the middle of a REM cycle."

Hikari glanced down at the cup and shrugged— you know what? What else were freshman good for today, anyway? “That would be awesome, actually. Thanks.”

She finally looked over at Buck and quirked an eyebrow. “Nice basketball jersey.”

[academypissstripe]

"Ah, shit. I mean, she's done movin' in now, right?" Buck hoped so, for the sake of her sleep cycle. Someone as busy as Hikari needed a scientifically proven amount of sleep every night, otherwise...well, this happens, apparently.

He called over one of the freshman girls, who seemed giddy to be helping until she realized what her job was. "Don't sweat it! Every freshman had to do this at one point or another." He pat her head while she rolled her eyes and retreated to the faculty room.

Returning his attention to HIka, he beamed at his jersey. "Y'like it? I think it turned out pretty nice this year! Gotta impress the ladies, yknow?"

[academypissstripe]

go, go, spirit week! (@Hika)

[lightcharms]

Usually, Hikari lived for this kind of school spirit stuff, but for some reason she’d woken up on the wrong side of the bed that day, groggy and completely out of it. She’d arrived to the booth dressed in uniform, hair pulled into a messy ponytail, and holding the largest cup of coffee she could get her hands on.

The cheerleading squad usually did pretty well. Most young girls liked to sign up for try outs because of preconceived notions of the apparent popularity that came with being a cheerleader. Not all of them would make it, but it was only her job to smile and get them to show up for the tryouts. 

By the time Buck made it over to the table, Hikari was already yawning, realizing she’d run out of coffee. She looked at him deadpan as he spoke to her, replying more unenthusiastic than she’d ever been in her life.

"School spirit. Cute skirts. Lillipup pride." She paused and twirled her finger in the air. "Woohoo."

[academypissstripe]

The enthusiastic smile Buck had painted on to his face faded once he saw the mood she was in.

Watch out, people. Hurricane Hikari coming through.

Pulling his legs off of the table, he turned his attention to her. She looked exhausted, but not really in the 'I had a lot of work to do' kind of way. It was more in the 'don't look at me don't touch me' way. But, this was one of the most important times of the year, especially for the cheer squad, so Buck had to at least look at her.

"Jeez Hika, rough night last night or what?" He said, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "Looks like yer runnin' a little low, too. I can make one of the freshman go get you s'more?"

[academypissstripe]

go, go, spirit week! (@Hika)

Ah yes, spirit week was upon them once more.

A cherished time for dancing, getting early dismissals, and using some good ol' persuasion to make any unfortunate student who happens to be passing by your booth join your club.

In this case, however, Buck had a dual role. From behind the curtained desk of the Basketball team's booth, he looked like a regular ol' jock (despite his glamorous hair, of course). But, when the clock hit 1:30, he relinquished his baller duties and revealed the (totally awesome) cheer skirt he now sported for his other athletic club of choice.

Due to the...vomit 'incident', coach had plainly told Buck that his cheer pants were beyond any amount of dry cleaning salvation and he would have to wear a skirt until some new ones came in. How long would that take? Who knows, but hey, at least it was breezy.

Buck plopped down next to Hika, crossing his legs up on the table so passer-by's were forced to admire his delightful skirt. And, certainly, it made people stop and stare.

"So! Hika!" He said loudly, in a cheer ready voice. "Why are we the athletic club people want to join?"

[mr-pyro-deactivated20140806]

open

[mr-pyro-deactivated20140806]

He was grinning up until the point Buck mentioned his position. His proud smile fell and his eyes stopped shining. “No, Buck. I really gotta be responsible. I mean, it’s not like Cynthia would kick me out if I don’t do well, but… what if she made me shovel snow as community service in Snowpoint for half a year?”

He literally shivered imagining the cold.

At first, he was laughing at Buck’s imitation, until it turned into a half-hearted, and eventually nervous, “Hahaha.” He crossed his arms and sighed. “That was a wonderful imitation. I think she likes me. I think. I mean, she could have made me do worse. I wonder what Lucian and Aaron are doing. She probably didn’t force Bertha to do anything cus she’s like, you know… old…” His voice trailed off. 

[academypissstripe]

"Flint.................

you forgot the ™."

[academydirtbag]

the start of something new (reprise)

[academydirtbag]

Fire glances over his shoulder and acknowledges his old teammate and new roommate with a respectful nod. The rooftop was kind of sacred space for him, particularly because it was the only place that the hall monitors left alone. The school rules were ridiculously strict.

"Hey bro. Haaaaaaa… Nah, haha. This isn’t the good stuff." 

Maybe Fire should be more surprised, since Buck is underage and all, but he had started early, too. Maybe when he was thirteen? Fourteen? “I didn’t know you smoked,” he says. “I’d have offered you one of mine, you know, as a goodwill gesture. When’d you get into town?”

[academypissstripe]

'The good stuff"...Somehow, Buck knew he was talking about weed, but all he could think of was cake.

Man, he was hungry. Anyway.

"Yeah, yeah. Long story." And not one he could remember, to be honest. It seemed like he'd been smoking for a long time, maybe even in a past life...but, regardless, it was one hard habit to break. And as long as no one found out, he'd be fine.

"Just, uh, keep it a secret, yeah?" Buck grinned at Fire, lighting his and taking a puff. "An' it's okay! I got in a while ago, I just haven't actually...moved in. All my stuff's sittin' in a storage shed not too far from here. Summer cheerleadin' hasn't left me a lot of time!"

[academydirtbag]

the start of something new (reprise)

Evening was on the precipice; the clouds were tinged just the slightest shade of pink. Fire smirks amusedly as the smoke he is exhaling disappears into the velvety air. Great weather.

He looks down to a bird’s-eye view of campus, where various people are milling about the fountains and the library steps. Freshmen, their hovering parents, several people he recognized here and there. Geez, that was, like, forever ago. Right now, being a senior feels totally awesome. He is literally above the rest of the school. Well, not that far up— like, two stories. He could jump down and only break an ankle.

His lanky legs kick back and forth against brick as he takes another puff of his cigarette. As of this current moment he is sitting out on the edge of the dormitory rooftop.

There’s so much pressure this upcoming school year. Pressure to be the best year yet, to win the basketball tournament, to leave his mark on the academy, to figure out what to do with his life…

It’s not such a bad thing to just sit here and take it little by little. Yes, Fire is capable of deep thinking and self-reflection. This was a good moment to start with.

[academypissstripe]

Buck was hyped. Almost too hyped. Like, the hypest hype.

Hype.

He made his way up to the roof where he had seen his roomie hanging out; dangling over the campus like some sort of 90's movie protagonist. When he reached the doors, they were already opened, presumably propped as to not be locked up here.

And there he was. Fire. Senior at FP. Fellow basketball player and also, apparently, fellow smoker. Whether or not his addiction was a secret like Buck's could be discussed later.

The redhead sat down next to him, grinning while pulling out a cigarette of his own.

"Havin' a deep moment up here or somethin'?"

[academypissstripe]

[Fire was thrilled to learn that his new roommate was none other than Buck Ikeda. Something about their pairing just seemed right, like destiny repeating itself. To express his joy, Fire looks into Buck’s eyes, then launches into this choreographed number across various campus locations.]

Literally. Us.

For some reason, the song "Video Games" by Lana del Rey started to play in Buck's head. Fire...something seemed so perfect about this rooming arrangement.

it's you, it's you, it's all for you......

[mr-pyro-deactivated20140806]

open

[mr-pyro-deactivated20140806]

Brothers man… brothers…

"Stu…Co… Wait!" His eyes widened. "Student Council?! Dude, I’m the new advisor for that! I didn’t know you were into that kind of thing, man. It’s cool though, I’m proud of you. What’s your position? And by the way, we can’t goof off in that. I’m really gonna try and be responsible." Yeah. Responsible.

"It’s good that you’re doing so much. I wasn’t very involved in high school at all, haha." He lightly slapped Buck’s finger away from the wooden desk. "Stop, Lo just cleaned it. And you know Cynthia — well no, you don’t know — made me come here right? ‘Cus I don’t really have a lot of challengers right now, she thinks it’d be a great way for me to-" he paused to imitate her voice in a higher tone —“‘use my position in an influential way while becoming a better trainer!’ So much bull. So much."

[academypissstripe]

"No shit, really? Awesome! Yeah, I'm the secretary. Would you still be proud of me if I said I only joined because I was bored?" He laughed, eyes gleaming. "Responsible....yeah....we'll try, won't we? S'gonna be a lot harder with you there now!"

Buck moved his finger away, but decided to swing around and sit on his desk instead. His pants were clean, right? Right. Lo wouldn't mind, anyway. Lo and Buck were bffs 5ever (that means more than 4ever).

He lost it at Flint's 'Cynthia' impression, and followed with his own. "...So what she was really sayin' was -" he sat up super straight, puffing out his chest and making his voice nasally "-I'm sick of seeing you around here so go be somewhere else while I run the league!" 

Buck snorted so hard he almost fell off the desk.