Raffina and Lidelle expect to have a pleasant walk to school. Tarutaru, however, has other fighting plans for them. Requested by mad-maniac-megalomania on tumblr!

New Identity

"So, this is what you've been doing?" Raffina asked, her eyebrow raising, and she glanced down at Lidelle, who hid somewhat behind her back.

"Yes! This is exactly what I've been doing!" Tarutaru shouted, posing with his knees bent and arms raised over his head, flexing.

She hummed, unsure of how to reply. This certainly wasn't what she was expecting after returning from Ally's world. Walking to school with Lidelle was supposed to be the start of another ordinary day, but nothing was ever normal in Primp Town.

Finding Tarutaru wearing a deep blue mask with small tusks around his mouth threw her off. He wore his regular attire without his jacket, showing his white undershirt. He blocked the entryway to the school, fully prepared to impress Raffina with his practiced skills.

"I'm calling my new moves...magical wrestling! What do you think?" He beamed, clenching his fists by his neck.

"Um, I'm glad you're following your dream," Lidelle chirped, smiling warily.

"That's very nice, but I'd like to get to class." Raffina passed by him, but Tarutaru thrust his arm out. Heaving out a sigh, she hissed, "Are you going to continue getting in my way?"

He frowned, his brow creasing. He had worked particularly hard to perfect his craft. Spending countless hours learning to mix wrestling moves with his magic, he thought Raffina would be impressed.

Instead, the way she gripped her hips and narrowed her glare, it sent chills up his spine. A surge of annoyance ran through him as he dug in his heels. With his friends on so many adventures while he practiced, he figured the least Raffina could do was give him a few minutes to show off.

"Let me show you what I've learned! Here!" Tarutaru crouched and then barreled forward, roaring, "Stream!"

Raffina grimaced and threw her arms up. She caught his shoulder, swiftly leaping over the thunderous boy and landed like a masterful ballerina. She sensed the magic sparkling off him, a hint of surprise crossing her features as Tarutaru pivoted around, launching himself once more at her.

"Oh-oh, no! Please-please, don't fight!" Lidelle cried, hiding behind her sleeves.

"Haven't you learned personal space by now?" Raffina retorted, nimbly dodging to her left as Tarutaru rushed her.

"Well, haven't you learned any courtesy?" he snapped back, his fingers curling into fists.

Rolling her eyes, she spat, "It's good that you're working on yourself, but doing this so early in the morning? Haven't you considered that we could be late for class?"

He blinked. "That...sounds like you're trying to get out of this! Maelstrom!"

Focusing all of his magic into his feet, he shot at her with blinding speed. In the back of his mind, he acknowledged the horrified yelp escaping from Lidelle, and guilt seized his stomach. He hadn't meant to scare her, but he was too aggravated with his dear Raffina at the moment to stop trying to throw her.

Sighing, Raffina snatched his open shoulders and flipped over him, spinning once before landing. She felt the magical surge behind her as Tarutaru skidded to a stop, the very air electrified. Sucking down a breath, she fixed her pink curls and arched her back.

"I'll admit, it's impressive what you've learned. Putting your magic into your limbs for an extra burst of speed, it's quite good." She snapped her finger at his nose as he turned around. "However! You still need to learn personal space! When I say that I would like to get to class, it means I would like to get to class, if you please."

"Are you really impressed?" he asked, her explanation flying over his head.

Sighing, she pinched her brow. "Yes, Tarutaru. Your techniques are solid."

He thought her praise was all he needed until her words settled in his brain. He hadn't meant to upset them by acting so brazenly. Truly, he just wanted to show off his new skills to his friends.

"It seems I went too far. I'm sorry," he admitted, scratching the back of his head.

Lidelle scampered up to them, her sleeves still by her chin. "I-it's okay! You were really cool with how you moved so quickly."

"Yes, indeed. Your form could use some work to avoid easy dodging like what I did, but overall, I'd say you're a proficient wrestler." Raffina nodded, satisfied only to gasp as the bell rang. "Oh, la ti da! The first bell! Come, both of you, quickly now before Ms. Accord gives us all detentions!"

"Um, would Ms. Accord approve of you wearing a mask in class?" Lidelle asked as they hurried into the school.

"Well, I hope so! It's part of my new identity as Boar Mask!" Tarutaru replied, tailing behind the girls.

She gasped, small stars appearing in her eyes. "Oh! That explains the tusks!"

"Quite!" Tarutaru beamed, happy she had understood.

Following them inside, he decided to set his sights on something far more nobler than impressing Raffina when his classmates saw him. As they pressed him for questions about wrestling and his training, he decided that he wanted to protect them. Joining them on their adventures with his wrestling and magic, it was how he wanted to spend his life alongside them.