Phantasy Star Portable – Kotone
Chapter 8
Fair warning: There's a couple of gags in here that will show up again.
Hyuga gave Tonnio a grin as he walked off of the plane, rubbing his eyes. Hyuga slung an arm around his shoulders, which the Beast shrugged off irritably. He ignored Hyuga's muffled snicker.
"Six in the fucking morning, Hyuga. SIX!" Tonnio sounded indignant. "What reasonably sane, living, sentient and self-respecting being is up at this unholy hour on a regular basis without a cup of damn coffee?!" Hyuga and a purple haired Newman raised their hands. "You don't count jackass." He critically eyed the purple haired Newman. "This is her?" Hyuga nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Well, if she's your student then she doesn't count either." Tonnio yawned, and blinked, when a cup of coffee (the rich, black kind, not the wimpy kind) was given to him. "Cheers." He toasted her and swallowed down the steaming hot cup of rich coffee. Properly awake, he asked, "So, where do we start?" Kotone mutely pointed up the stairs to the training centers. "Figures." He started up the stairs, both of them following after him, Hyuga stifling laughter.
"So," He started once they were in the training room. "My name's Tonnio Rhima, I use Claws and Daggers, and this is my first time teaching anybody regularly. If you've met Laia, I'm like her when I do teach." Kotone glanced blankly at Hyuga, who gave a muffled snort, and she opened her mouth, clasping her hands to her chest and drawing his attention there for a few seconds before he hastily looked away.
"My name is Kotone. I like older men, especially ones with a hot temper." Kotone twirled a strand of hair around one finger, shyly. "My hobbies are flirting and asking out other men. My dreams" She scuffed a foot against the ground. ". . . Well, someone like you would be good." Tonnio blinked. Wait. WHAT? At his baffled expression, she lost it, bursting into giggles at the same time as her teacher, who tried and failed to scowl at her. It took Tonnio a second to realize he'd just been had. An amused scowl crossed his features. Clever. For a second there, I thought that she was another Hyuga. That scared him. Hyuga was nice, but two of him? Too much. Especially a female version.
"Ha, ha," He deadpanned back. "Proper introductions please?" And despite himself, he found himself liking the quiet Newman, oddness and all.
"My name is Kotone. I like to cook and collect weapons; I don't really much like people, especially stalkers." She shivered faintly. "My hobbies, well I usually end up practicing my weapons skills or sketching pictures, sometimes reading history books too. I don't really have much in the way of dreams, aside from making it into the GUARDIANS, and being the first whip specialist to win the annual weapons competition on Neudaiz." Tonnio nodded sagely. So she was a bit weird. He could live with that. After all, he had to deal with Hyuga. And Leo. And Ethan, the ass. And Liina. And . . . Hell, everybody!
"That's better." He tossed her a pair of lightweight Claws. "These shall be your best friend this morning. Strap them on." Kotone obeyed quickly, her fingers nimbly fastening the various buckles on her lower arms. Well, at least she knows how to put them on, Tonnio thought dryly. Tonnio took up the first form, and watched her critically look his form over, before taking up the position herself without a word. She stayed that way as he looked it over, giving random bits of info to her about her arrangement. With a slight start, he realized that Kotone was actually his height. Even better. He didn't have to repeatedly adjust the forms for her height, which was a plus. The young woman rarely questioned his methods and kept quiet, dutifully following his instructions. Tonnio scarcely noticed the smirk on Hyuga's face or even the time that passed as he had her move through forms and defensive maneuvers. By the time he had gotten her through the first sets, it was reaching eleven o'clock.
A round of clapping brought Tonnio out of his focus on Hyuga's student. He glanced at the clock and nearly jumped in his surprise. Five straight hours! Tonnio watched as she bowed politely to him.
"Thank you Mr. Rhima," Kotone murmured. Tonnio raised an eyebrow. Hyuga muttered the reason into his ear and he flushed.
"Mr. Tonnio," He corrected, before his mind caught up with his mouth. Fuck you Hyuga. Figures you'd have a student I'd like to teach. Hyuga was facing away from him, obviously grinning at him while digging around in his bag.
"I brought lunch!" Hyuga chirped, handing him a large box. Opening it, Tonnio found it full of treats from Moatoob. Jerk chicken, spiced rice, fish and chips, and even some ale from the pub. Sweet! Kotone gratefully took hers, and he saw her blink. "It's food from Moatoob, as thanks for Tonnio teaching you." Kotone didn't complain, instead digging in gratefully. By the time Tonnio was done, she had devoured her entire container and half of Hyuga's. That girl really can eat, Tonnio decided, retrieving his jaw from the floor.
"Um. Didn't eat breakfast?" Kotone blushed furiously at his comment, whilst Hyuga simply chuckled fondly and ruffled her hair in an almost fatherly manner. Tonnio observed quietly as the young woman leaned slightly into his touch, head down. "Let's clean up and get ready to start Dagger work." Tonnio decided not to mention it.
Again, Kotone proved adept at the basics, her natural feminine flexibility adding to her speed of learning. Tonnio resumed teaching her for another three hours.
"You did well," Tonnio decided, as he hefted his bag up. Kotone smiled gratefully, rubbing her sore arms tiredly. To Hyuga, "I intend to collect on this one day." Tonnio decided, grinning lopsidedly at the pair of them. "I'll see you in three weeks."
"Goodbye," Kotone answered shyly, toying with her tank top. Hyuga grinned back at him, and Tonnio simply scowled at him.
"Thanks for coming by." Hyuga drawled wryly at the scowling adult. "I really do appreciate it," Hyuga murmured, clapping Tonnio on the shoulder. Tonnio smiled a bit at that.
"Eh, I had fun," Tonnio agreed casually, waving his hand airily. "And you better practice or I pound that skinny little butt of yours into the mats." Kotone blanched and whimpered slightly.
"Yes Mr. Tonnio," She squeaked. Tonnio smirked at her.
"Good." He turned away. I'm really, really going to enjoy teaching her. Especially the pounding part.