A Summer Breeze [Open]

[Justine McCarthy]

The sun was bright and shining on this warm, Summer day. The clouds were few, yet a pleasant breeze blew through the park, cooling down the otherwise heated people that were in Ueno Park on this fine day. The grass was an emerald green reminiscent of the color of Ireland, and the sky was a deep blue. Several trees could be seen, but in the center of the park, a lone Sakura tree could be seen, it's leaves already gone again. Of course, Sakura tree leaves lived a tragically short time. That was why they were associated with Samurai, according to legend.

Sitting in the shade of this bare tree was a young man, no older than 16, who had long, waist-length blonde hair and a long fringe that covered his eyes which, when uncovered, were revealed to be a vibrant green matching the emerald color of the grass beneath him. Upon his head sat a beanie hat with a cartoonish-skull on the front, and as for his clothing, he wore a red, short-sleeved yet baggy shirt, blue jeans, black trainers and on his left cheek was a tattoo of the character 'Aku', Japanese for 'Evil' or 'Bad'.

The young man had a calm, relaxed look on his face, not really full of emotion but rather cool and collected. Lying back, he allowed his hands to rest behind his head, getting himself comfortable. His legs were crossed over, and his eyes, if they were even open, didn't seem to be looking at anything in particular. Not that it really mattered, for really, all his body seemed to say was either a mix of 'relaxed' or 'bored'.

[Zain Alfo]

Zain was out of work today, he had finished planning the lessons for the next few weeks and knew it was time to get a bite to eat. He left his apartment and roamed the streets for a few hours, before he even knew it he was lost. Somehow he had got from the city to the park without knowing, all he knew was the park was on the over side of town compared to his house.

‘That explains why my legs are sore,’ he muttered to himself as he stood up taking in the view of the park. He had only been her for about...a week now. He had not once entered the park, he smiled to himself as a small breeze past him. Causing his short hair to flutter like the butterflies. The hair was a dark purple, however Zain called it black with a tint. He did not suit the scenery however, the grass was a vibrant green, the sky a pale blue and then he stood there in a lab coat. A number of people had given him sideways looks but he didn’t care, they were just normally people after all.

His lab coat was as white as could be while there was a dragon that circled around his arm and the top part of his shoulders. Under the coat was a simple white vest and then from the waist down were a simple pair of jeans held up with the belt, upon the belt buckle read ‘believe.’ However the words were upside down, due to Zain putting the buckle on wrong and being too lazy to change it.

He walked on a little bit, a Sakura tree coming into view, Zain had not seen many of these. Being native to England he had only read about them or seen images. He walked onwards and placed his hand on the bark of the tree, his eyes scanning it. No leafs? Was the tree dying or was Zain missing something. He begun to walk around the tree, taking in the aspects of the tree. Soon he got to the other side, seeing a young boy, no older than seventeen, sitting down...he however did look dead.

[black] “Sorry I nearly trod on you there.” [/black] He muttered with a light tone as he looked down at the boy. Was he a student? Zain had only done two days worth of science lessons so far so did not know the names or faces of the students yet.

[Justine McCarthy]

A brief movement of the head so that it now faced Zain's direction was the only sign that the young teenager had even heard Zain, let alone noticed him. Due to his fringe, it was impossible to see his eyes, which meant it was hard to tell that he was awake, although the moving of his head at least proved that he was, indeed, alive. For a moment, the boy seemed to look at Zain, although it was hard to tell what for, and soon enough he spoke, his lips parting to let a small breath out before he spoke.

"It is alright. You didn't tread on me, so there's nothing to apologize about" the boy muttered in a monotonous, calm tone. It wasn't too hard to tell that really, he didn't care much. There was no hint of enthusiasm or emotion in his voice, not that he was heartless of course. He simply didn't really care since, as he said, Zain hadn't stepped on him and thus nothing had really happened. For a moment still there was silence as the boy looked at him before once again, his mouth opened to speak.

"You're a teacher, aren't you? I think I remember seeing you before..." he muttered again. The man looked vaguely familiar, but not too familiar either. A new teacher perhaps? he had heard the school had gotten some new teachers in or something like that, so that was probably it. He doubted the man worked at the cafe, so that couldn't have been it, and he doubted he had served him there either. He didn't really look like he was from the area.

[Zain Alfo]

Eventually the young man’s head moved, a small sigh left Zain’s mouth. He didn’t want to have to report in a dead body, that would indeed ruin his day. His head tilted towards Zain, only for the fringe to hide his eyes...if he had any. A human without eyes, Zain smiled, that would be a first.

"It is alright. You didn't tread on me, so there's nothing to apologize about." The boy said, he seemed to be tierd, his words held little emotion or anything for that matter. There was then a moment of silence, within that instant Zain knew this was someone he would not like...he was sure.

"You're a teacher, aren't you? I think I remember seeing you before..." The boy said, Zain smiled as he listened to the words of the boy, however Zain did not reply, he only smiled at the boy....he could tread on him now? Zain ran his fingers down the bark and smiled at the boy, [black] “indeed I am a teacher, the science teacher. I am new so that may be the reason you don’t know me kid.” [/black] He said with a slight smirk, looking down at the boy Zain looked at him, he would remember the face, and the fringe.

He lifted his head, looking out at the park. There were a few people however not many, most were walking dogs, with young children. Zain smiled, leaning up against the tree he spoke. [black] “So you a student eh? Like the school?” [/black] He asked, his eyes still looking out into the park. Taking in the many trees and bushes that made the area seem like so much more.

[Justine McCarthy]

The look on Zain's face told the boy everything he needed to know, this man apparently wasn't entirely fond of him. Maybe not dislike, but not exactly like either. Not that he really cared, as, to be honest, wether or not this man liked him didn't really matter at the end of the day. Only his ambition really mattered. And everyday his ambition came that little bit closer to his hands, if only by a miniscule amount.

"I see. I was never really fond of Science, to be honest... That isn't to say I'm bad at it, of course..." the youth muttered back, thinking about Science. It was true, he was good at it. Fairly good actually, as he was a hard-working student. His interest simply lied elsewhere, and that elsewhere was magic. Not that many would ever know, but even so, he was sure a job in the magic world was what he should aim for.

"Yes, I am a student. To be honest, the school is interesting enough, I guess... History is probably the thing I'm most interested in..." he muttered again, answering Zain's question of whether or not he liked the school.

[Zain Alfo]

"I see. I was never really fond of Science, to be honest... That isn't to say I'm bad at it, of course..." The boy mutter as a reply. Zain smiled at the words and then too spoke a few words, [black] “Not many people are fond of it. No one can like everything.” [/black] He said with a slight smile as he scratched the back of his head lightly.

"Yes, I am a student. To be honest, the school is interesting enough, I guess... History is probably the thing I'm most interested in..." The student muttered, Zain smiled as he lowered his hands into his coat’s pocket. He looked at the sky, the sky was a clear blue when the fire started. He laughed to himself, how memories could stay with a person so long.

[black] “A good subject to like, learn the mistakes of others so you do not make the same mistake.” [/black] Zain muttered as his eyes looked down at the boy [black] “I don’t think I got your name. Mind if i hear it?” [/black] He asked, he didn’t mind what the answer was. If he didn’t get it he would be able to check the school system for his photo and name, the privileges of being a teacher.

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[Justine McCarthy]

Justine simply nodded slightly in response to Zain's comment about how no one could like anything. He seemed to be a more laid-back teacher it seemed, although that could easily change when he got behind a desk. Nonetheless, it didn't really matter. He wasn't going to get in trouble with the Science teacher, anyway. After all, he only got in trouble with things after school. Not that anyone knew about it beyond rumor.

"A very negative way to look at history..." he muttered in response. History wasn't meant to be simply learning about others' mistakes after all. It was simply history, a book of facts about what happened. Wether something was right or wrong was simply up to opinion. Not exactly fitting in with the factual subject at all.

"You say that, but you haven't mentioned yours either..." he muttered quietly this time, a bit lower so Zain could only barely hear it at best. And even then he might not make out all of it. Ignoring the teachers lack of manners, having asked someone else's name before giving his own, he replied. "I am Justine McCarthy. My father was half-Irish, half-French, hence my name" he told him and left it at that.

[Zain Alfo]

The body nodded to Zain’s words about how no one could like everything, now was he nodding for the hell of it or did he actually believe the words Zain spoke? "A very negative way to look at history..." The boy said that, Zain raised a brow? [black] “It is?” [/black] Zain said with a slight tone of amusement.

Zain smiled to himself as he spoke once more, [black] “History is a number of facts correct? But facts have no use unless used, doesn’t matter how they are used as long as they are used. What is the point of people making mistakes if people never learn from them?”[/black] Zain said as he allowed his back to slide down against the tree until he was sitting upon the grass.

[black]"You say that, but you haven't mentioned yours either..." [/black] The boy said, the words were quite but Zain could hear them. Letting out a small laugh he took in the words but did nothing else. [black] "I am Justine McCarthy. My father was half-Irish, half-French, hence my name"[/black] The boy said and the stopped, his words leaving a void within the conversation. Zain nodded at the words, turning his head he faced the boy. [black] “So what you do for fun, just sit under trees?” [/black] He muttered placing his hand on the earth and grabbing a clump of earth.

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[Justine McCarthy]

"History isn't a recounting of humanity's mistakes, they are simply facts that at certain time periods, certain things happened. There is no right or wrong, simply a knowledge of what happened. Right and wrong are merely opinions. Opinion has no place in facts. You ask about it's use, correct? It's use is to give us an understanding of our world, and how far we've come. We are interested in our roots, so thus we study it, to find the truth of what happened back in the past" Justine answered, probably giving Zain the biggest earful he had since he came to the country.

"Odd, you laugh, yet you still haven't answered me. It is rude to ask one's name and not give yours. And as for my hobbies, I simply like to relax. It is not often that I get to..." Justine muttered. Between magic and school and his job, there was barely any time to relax. Heck, he didn't even like the job. Too many flowers for his taste, really. It was more a women's cafe, he simply worked there for he had a lack of anything better to do.

[Zain Alfo]

Zain listened to the words of the boy, he had a number of points that were indeed right, Zain would not argue with that. However he too seemed to be missing points, no right or wrong? Zain smiled when the boy said ‘Opinion has no place in facts.’ The boy said, Zain listened to the words digesting them and then spoke.

[black] “Opinion has no place in facts? Justine, opinion is what fuels human. Then the facts are what they use. Opinion is what fuelled Hitler, his opinion was that the world should have one Arian race. Opinion is what fuelled Margret Thatcher, the iron maiden, to fight against the miners protests. The facts are what they used to make their opinions and goals a reality. Very few look for knowledge just for the sake of knowledge, if someone wants facts they normally have an over motive.” [/black] He said, wondering if his words made sense or if he had gone off topic. He normally did that, swaying a conversation or argument to something else.

"Odd, you laugh, yet you still haven't answered me. It is rude to ask one's name and not give yours. And as for my hobbies, I simply like to relax. It is not often that I get to..." It is rude? Zain smiled, it is also rude to ignore people, not shake their hands, not bow. Many things in this world were seen as being rude, people needed to learn to relax a little more and not take everything o heat.

[black] “Answered you? You never asked a question, you only stated a fact earlier. I believe you said...” [/black] He was quite for a moment thinking of the words, then he spoke once more. [black] “ ‘You say that, but you haven't mentioned yours either...’ That Justine is a statement, not a question.” [/black] He said finishing with a smile to the boy.

Then he heard the hobbies, it seemed the boy was a lazy one. Perhaps he had no friends to be with, then there was Zain who had just randomly walked up to a student and started talking. He let out a small sigh, Zain was being quite rude. It wasn’t that he wanted to be, it was only he was very relaxed at this moment in time. [black] “My name is Zain, It is a pleasure to meet you Justine.” [/black] He said as he held out his hand, expecting the boy to shake it.

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[Justine McCarthy]

"You're twisting the discussion. An opinion backed up with facts is merely an argument. Not the study of history. One could argue that Hitler was evil, while another could just as easily praise him as a God. Simply put, there is no real good or evil, only our perception of such a thing. As I said before, History is not a recounting of man's mistakes, simply fact. A real history expert would be unbiased in his work, recounting all things as simply fact. Opinion is simply something we decide about something, nothing more" Justine told him. It was odd that a man of science would even bother posing such questions as to right and wrong, as they too looked only for fact, seeking knowledge of the universe they lived in. His words were more suited to a man of religion.

"I did not realize I had to make it painfully clear. For a man who speaks of opinion and good and bad, why the logic all of a sudden? A problem with your mental health, perhaps? Or maybe you just like to contradict yourself, like a paradox" he added again, looking at Zain from behind his fringe. This man was far too odd. Contradicting himself like that was confusing. Still, he didn't bother pursue it further and spoke. "Nonetheless, it is nice to meet you, Zain-san" he answered back, a small nod of his head as he did so.

[Zain Alfo]

Zain listened to the words of the youth and smiled to himself, allowing a small chuckle to escape his lips and ride the wind. Zain would not argue with the boy any longer, he had no need to. If the two were at the debating table then of course Zain would carry on, however now....Zain could not see a table. Instead only a young child who still needed to see the world.

Paradox? Zain smiled at that words, [black] “You do indeed talk a lot, however I can assure you my mental health is fine. I am as fit as a fiddle, then about the contradicting...you will need to get use to that kid.” [/black] Zain said with a smile as the boy said his final words.

[black] “Please just Zain, I don’t like the whole San and Kun thing.” [/black] He muttered as he allowed the dirt to run through his fingers, gravity pulling it back to the earth. [black] “You ever ventured behind the fountain?” [/black] Zain asked, it was a way to find out if the boy had any real magic. If he did then he would have been behind the fountain at least once or told about it. If he did not have any power then he would be confused or not answer. However there was a chance the boy may lie, Zain wouldn’t go by just one question.

[Justine McCarthy]

Justine simply stared in silence, awaiting the man's response, which turned out soon enough to simply be a chuckle. Followed by a few words of course, responding that his mental health was indeed fine, and that he simply tended to contradict himself. Justine was tempted to apply a Chinese Proverb to the current conversation, but decided against it. It was too much of a bother, and he really didn't care enough to say so. The uncaring, unenthusiastic look on his face made it clear.

"A very informal person... I wonder if you even treat your superiors in that fashion..." he muttered lowly to himself, so that Zain couldn't really hear it. Nonetheless, he continued listening, and raised an eyebrow as he asked Justine wether or not he had gone behind the fountain. Was the man a fool? His words were terribly transparent. If it weren't for the fact you needed magic to get in, anyone would've gotten curious and gone into it to check.

"I'm almost tempted to ask if you are indeed a practitioner of Alchemy... Scientific Magic for a Scientific man, no?" Justine spoke, ready to listen to Zain's response. It wasn't too hard to realize that he was indeed a Mage. He gave it away so easily with that question.

[Zain Alfo]

"A very informal person... I wonder if you even treat your superiors in that fashion..." The boy muttered, Zain could hear a few of the words, one of them being ‘superiors.’ Not one hundred percent sure what the boy was saying he decided to ignore, it would do less harm than making a comment.

“"I'm almost tempted to ask if you are indeed a practitioner of Alchemy... Scientific Magic for a Scientific man, no?" The boy muttered to Zain. With those words Zain smiled, [black] “Of course, Alchemy is indeed what I use. Nice to see you can put those two things together.” [/black] He said with a smile turning to face the boy once more looking into the fringe towards his eyes. With that he pulled out a small piece of paper with a drawing of a circle, a simple circle, nothing more nothing less. He turned it to face the boy, it was a simple A4 bit of paper with a large circle on it, without the centre being coloured in.

[black] “If I showed you this would it be of any relevance kid?” [/black] His words were more serious than anything else however there was still a smile upon his face as he spoke. Zain looked once more where the eyes should be, the kid was strangely calm.

[Justine McCarthy]

Justine simply watched in silence as the man produced a simple object for Justine to see: An A4-sized sheet of paper baring nothing more than a simple circle on it, as Justine could very easily see. Several thoughts came to his mind as Zain asked him his next question, but Justine, ever being the intelligent, perceptive person he was, chose one answer that he thought most likely to be the answer.

"It's for your Magic, isn't it? Using that circle, you can use Alchemy, or something to that effect. Otherwise, you wouldn't have bothered showing it to me. Then again, I barely even know anything about Alchemy Magic, so I suppose you didn't expect me to get that right on my first guess, did you? Unless, of course, I was being perceptive..." Justine answered him plainly and simply, an almost bored tone to his voice. But that seemed natural for the boy.

"To be honest, I really have no use for that sort of magic, only sealing magic and elemental... but I doubt you'd know that, since we only met today... Plus, most who know I'm a Mage don't even know what kind of Magic I use anyway..." he muttered. He had left out he was a Prediction Mage as well, but Zain didn't need to know that. Nor anyone else.