Seamless

[Vincent Meian]

((Takes place Friday, March 25th.))


Of all his students, the only one he didn't worry about starting up training with again was Clement. Not that the Californian hadn't felt angry and hurt that Vincent left so suddenly; far from it. But the young teen had told his trainer as such, in letter format, long before he'd come back to the school.

In other words, they'd both moved on from that awkward moment. Mostly.

The face-to-face was now, or at least in five or so minutes. Reading the notes from his other trainers, Vincent could tell that he was at least trying to improve in control of his abilities. He'd armored himself by accident a few times in the past months, but the number of occurrences seemed to be getting smaller as the terms wore on and it was to be expected. His ability to manifest armor at a time of his choosing was improving, even in his absence. It made the Japanese man proud - some people got along fine, and were still happy to see him back. So he hoped.

When Clement came in, Vincent was seated on the floor, as he had been every time since their very first encounter. The dark-haired man inclined his head - a bow of appropriate standing between teacher and student, though slightly lower to display his gratitude and contrition. On the table nearby was a boxed lunch, two-tiered and ready to go for the end of the lesson when the student would need a protein boost.

"Clement-san," his trainer began, his expression warm if unsmiling. "It has been some time."

The boy looked more grown up - not difficult when access to good meals and proper nutrition was extremely easy. He was still skinny, but more healthily so, and his overall bearing was of someone who was happier. It was good to see.

[Clement Evans]

The two years between their last session and now had seen Clement change into a completely different person. He was still guarded, not very social, and had hair that refused taming, but he was also getting good grades (though nothing outstanding), working instead of warming a seat in detention, and had had his world open up and allow him some control. He still didn't like screens very much, and the number of possessions he owned was only marginally more than he'd come with, but he was, if not happy, then content, and satisfied with how things were going.

And now that he wasn't concentrating so hard on learning social and societal norms (and his school lessons), people were often surprised to find how observant and thoughtful he was. Though, one did not have to be observant to know how much Vincent Meian adored his sweets. Clement had known that about the man even before they'd met.

So he'd gotten the guy a little welcome back present.

Sitting down across from his trainer at a little more than arm's length away (his arms, not Vincent's, which meant the man could reach him easily), he placed a 3.6 oz container of Ben and Jerry's vanilla bean ice cream on the floor in front of him and then a sturdy plastic spoon upside-down, across the lid. "Okaeri," he replied. "Reverse-omiyage."

[Vincent Meian]

The presentation of the gift was unexpected, but not unwelcome. With an almost startled expression (at least, a raising of the eyebrows), the trainer reached out and picked up the gift with both hands. A smile crossed his face as he turned it over; a real, visible smile that was warm and thankful. Such a thoughtful gift.

"Arigatou gozaimasu." While not the most respectful address, it was definitely moreso than it probably should have been, especially coupled with the bow that accompanied it. But the smile that Clement got was genuine and very visible, a nigh impossibility before he went away. This, more than anything, showed exactly how comfortable the Japanese man had become with himself in the passing months.

"This is a wonderful gift, Clement-san," he added warmly. "Perhaps we should eat before the beginning of the lesson today, so I may enjoy it to its fullest."

Vincent gestured with his white-crossed hand to the bento on the table nearby. "Please, eat. I insist."

Inside the two-tiered box was a neatly packed lunch; seaweed salad with sesame seeds, tamago nigiri, kappa maki, and the ever present sticky rice. There was also a neat pile of more American salad greens, though it didn't seem out of place in the meatless tray, and a couple of neatly wrapped jian dui - balls of red bean paste coated in a lightly sweet dough and pressed with sesame seeds. For someone who liked vegetables and thought most things were too sweet, it was a reasonable lunch to have. Even if it may have been too large.

[Clement Evans]

Previously, watching Meian-sshi's face for hints regarding his mood was like watching rock. In the early days, Clement had focused more on his hands and the set of his shoulders. Later on he still did, though he sometimes glanced at that glacial face just to see if anything changed. Sometimes it seemed more thoughtful, as if searching for the answer to a question, sometimes skeptical, if Clement tried to tell him he didn't need any more Ensure. He couldn't say which part of that face changed to make him believe he was seeing those things. It was, at times, a bit unsettling.

So now to see Vincent Meian's facial features moving of their own accord in real time... Clement stared. He couldn't help it. His blue eyes went large, as if he were watching his trainer grow a second nose.

Proving that he'd grown as well, Clement smiled back. A simple lifting of the lip ends and crinkle of eyes, but something Meian-sshi hadn't seen either. Knowing the man wouldn't eat till he did, Clement took the bento with both hands as he always did and set it carefully in front of him. The contents were neatly organized and prettily presented, and several of his favorite ingredients made a showing. He admired it for a second, and then removed a set of chopsticks from the lid and pressed the palms of his hands together. "Jal meokgesseumnida."

Then he waited, as was custom, for Meian-sshi to start first.

[Vincent Meian]

Clement's assessment of his facial expression was certainly an accurate one; a very restrained culture combined with heavy repression of emotions meant less expression than most people would expect, especially in the United States. Still, the look of outright shock was almost enough to make the trainer laugh. He refrained, however the amusement still made itself apparent despite the smile not changing noticeably.

The reflection of the smile, however subtle, was almost as shocking. The teen before him was more reserved than almost any he had ever known, and it was easy to slip into a habit of neutrality with him. To see the American smile, visibly rather than just an impression, was new. But, people changed. Especially teenagers.

Once Clement had settled himself, the taller male spoke his own pre-meal blessing, "Itadakimasu." Knowing that his student was waiting, he opened the package and took the first bite without much ceremony (though he was determined to make it last as long as possible). Savoring the creamy coolness, he indicated for the brunette to begin as well, and allowed them both some silence as they ate their respective treats.

[Clement Evans]

Immediately after Meian-sshi took his first bite, Clement regarded the bento and gently used the chopsticks to pull away a bite of rice. Oh yeah. As much as it pained him to admit, he'd missed his trainer's cooking. The teen made more than serviceable rice, Ajima had made sure of that, but something about the cooled grains packed neatly into a lunch box, lightly perfumed with the surrounding tastes was just... sublime.

The appreciation came with a realization. "How did your family eat while you were gone?"

Obviously, Dr. Nik had refrained from volunteering her services, as no word of their house burning down had run through the school. But even without their patriarch, Clement couldn't see the Meian household ordering pizza.

[Vincent Meian]

It was another bite and a half from the trainer before Clement popped up with his rather perceptive question. A rather noticeable flicker of amusement passed over the tan features, and it was with a knowing smirk that the older man answered.

"I have the distinct impression that cooking was not a daily occurrence," Vincent explained. "Cassiopeia can provide quite serviceable meals when asked, though Nakia admitted to quite frequently taking our family to restaurants. A large number of our family friends have also aided us in this regard." His student was wrong in the aspect that they wouldn't order pizza (they had done so even when the veteran was still in town), but it was certainly a rare experience give the generally unhealthy nature of the dish.

Of course, a small package of ice cream (while very thoughtful) could not last terribly long. Closing the empty package and setting it aside well out of reach, the tall man waited patiently for his student to finish. His appetite seemed better recently; probably another product of the last couple years, but also more than likely the boy's age and access to good food in large quantities. Vincent debated on commenting on it, and eventually stated, "You have grown well recently. You look more... comfortable here."

It was somewhat of a euphemism, but it was better than saying 'you look less like a starved animal and more like a person now'.