Tsugumi shifted her duffel bag to her other shoulder, somewhat easing the ache on her back. She could hear her meister's foot tapping on the cobblestones. Anya's long blonde hair hung in a braid down her back, the tip resting below the waistband of her jeans. She was wearing a much fancier outfit than Tsugumi's simple grey tank top and jeans, but it was expected of a former princess. Anya's flowy crop top had a flowery pattern on it and must have cost more than Tsugumi's entire closet. 'At least she wore flats instead of heels,' Tsugumi thought. At least she could run in those.
"You'd think such a high-ranking EAT pair would have the decency to be on time!" Anya huffed and crossed her arms, her clear voice ringing throughout the courtyard. They had been waiting for over an hour at the base of the DWMA steps for the EAT pair that would take them on a remedial lesson. Tsugumi had begun to feel a bit impatient as well, but she focused on Anya for the moment. "Anya, these are well-respected and powerful—"
A sleek black motorcycle slid into the courtyard, its loud engine drowning out Tsugumi. Both girls watched as the riders, a boy and a girl, hopped off the bike. The girl was significantly smaller than the boy, wearing ripped white jeans and a yellow-and-black letterman jacket three sizes too big. She stomped around to the other side of the bike in black combat boots, her ashy blonde hair tumbling down her back as she tugged off her helmet and tossed it to the boy, who grunted as he caught it.
Tsugumi's face broke out into a smile. "Maka! You're here!" Maka's bright green eyes focused onto Tsugumi before she returned the smile. "Hey! Sorry we're late, somebody," Her eyes darted back to the boy in a quick glare, "overslept."
"Don't blame that on me!" The boy tugged his helmet off and tossed it on the bike, landing perfectly on the handlebar. Tsugumi heard Anya's breath hitch, and spared her a sideways glance. Her blue eyes were wide, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. Tsugumi shrugged before turning back to examine Maka's weapon. His white hair was messy and thick, bangs hanging over a pair of blood red eyes. His black leather jacket and T-shirt were windswept and wrinkled, along with his ripped jeans.
His deep voice was both accusatory and teasing. "I need my beauty sleep! Besides," he shrugged, "I forgot." Tsugumi saw Maka roll her eyes before turning back to her and Anya. "Anyway, like I said, so sorry we're late. It's a good thing we didn't have any travel plans depending on anyone else." With one more glare cast over her shoulder, she jogged off. "I'll be right back with a ride for you two. Soul, introduce yourself!" She turned a corner and was gone.
Tsugumi heard Soul sigh, attracting both girls' attentions. He leaned against his bike and raised his hand in a sort of wave. "Well, I guess you already heard her, but I'm Soul, her weapon partner. And you two are?" Tsugumi blinked at his bluntness, a little stunned. She shook her hand in a little wave, trying not to look as awkward as she felt. "I'm Tsugumi. I'm the weapon." His eyebrow quirked up in a questioning way, and she blushed. "I'm a halberd." Soul nodded, and his gaze slid over to Anya.
Tsugumi gave her meister another side glance, and confusion washed over her. Anya looked almost embarrassed, despite the fact she hadn't said anything at all. Her face had become even more red, and she wasn't looking at Soul. Sensing something she didn't understand, she gestured to Anya. "This is Anya, my meister. Her main area of expertise is with a spear, but she isn't half-bad with an axe." Anya gave her a grateful nod, and Soul was kept from asking anymore questions by the reappearance of Maka. She was guiding a small scooter next to her, two helmets on the seat.
"This is Soul's old bike. You guys can ride it, while I ride with Soul. It's a two hour ride on a motorcycle, but it'll go by quick. We need to get going soon, but first I'll tell you about the mission you've been given." She parked the scooter in front of them, and leaned against Soul's chest when he came to stand behind her. Anya made a noise under her breath, but Tsugumi paid her no attention. "We are going to a small town in the countryside to hunt down and take the soul of a wild pack of Kishin. Today we are going to do some intel-gathering, and tomorrow night we will corner them and take their souls." Maka met both of their eyes, her green eyes hard. "I really shouldn't, but I can't help but ask: Are you guys sure you can go through with this? I remember the first time I took down a Kishin, and—" Maka shivered, and turned away. "Never mind. Let's go. Soul?"
Maka's weapon didn't spare them another glance as they all climbed onto their respective bikes. "Oh, and one more thing," Both girls turned to look at the younger meister, who had a small smile on her face. "Soul and I are supposed to show you two what a true weapon and meister pair looks like!" Soul threw his head back and laughed at their confused stares before speeding off. Anya revved their bike up with the practiced ease she seemed to have with everything before following Soul and Maka out of the DWMA.