video by omen;

[retsuden]

[The video opens on Sasuke, Lance is “directing” behind the “camera” (omen) with cue cards for him to read, and this music starts playing in the background. Lance gestures widely off camera in an urgent miming to Sasuke to start reciting what is written on the cards.]

[ Sasuke was clearly not expecting the music and he already looks so tired before he even looks at the cards. He’s trying. Honest. His forehead scrunches as he starts to recite, but it’s coming out in his usual flat tone, which is probably not helping anything. ]

Have you ever wanted to be cool… like the other side of the pillow? [ Sasuke looks off camera at Lance with irritation. ] You said you wouldn’t make me sound like an idiot.

[Lance is giving Sasuke the flattest look, then in a hushed urgent voice:] Dude, don’t make it weird, just keep going. No turning back now.

[He has more cards and they go with the music, stop messing with the flow! They haven’t even gotten to the memes yet.]

[ He gives him a look that makes it clear he doesn’t think he’s the one making this weird. Deep breath. He knows people better than you, Sasuke, remember?? ]

Awesome at kicking ass and taking names? Show off some cool ninja moves here. [ … Oh. Wait. He gets it. He rubs his forehead before going to takes a deep breath, and then blows a ball of fire on the cards to burn them.

There. Ninja move shown off. ]

Ninjutsu isn’t about blitzing chakras or becoming one with the shadows. I’m not using these.

[Lance isn’t affected by fire, so he just holds the burning cards in his hands and uses his powers to toss the burning pile into frame as he squints in annoyance.] Oh come on, we hadn’t even gotten to the best part!

[ Sasuke takes a deep breath, before deciding to just do what he probably would have from the start. ]

I’m offering to teach people ninjutsu and taijutsu; it’s the way the ninja in my world perform battle techniques and focuses on utilizing one’s inner life force, also known as chakra, to manipulate the physical chakra around you. Taijutsu is basic martial arts techniques that use chakra to increase the strength of both your offensive moves and your defensive blocks. I believe it will be able to help people who need to learn how to control their new found blood powers and, for those who are dedicated enough, will grant similar abilities to those who have no special blood powers at all. [ He forms a ball of water in his hand, quickly warps it with a wind current to freeze it, and then melts it by heating his palm. ] If you are interested, please let me know.

[ Boring!! But to the point. Sasuke gives Lance a look, like he’s offering to let him wrap up with whatever he wants here. Is that wise?? Probably not.

Lance rolls his eyes offscreen and adds, poking his head into frame: ] Super Awesome Ninja School, suck it Cobra Kai!

[Then he exits frame and has his Omen project a certain video, and the music is still playing:]

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Comments

[thisislife]

Um. It stands for shit outta luck? Kind of a thing from my version of Earth. [and she takes a moment, thinking over what he said, then smiles hesitantly] And there's not? Cool, I mean great! Yeah. Sign me up? [a pause] I'm Lexi. It's nice to meet you.

[retsuden]

I see. Then no, you would certainly not be "shit outta luck." [ God that sounds awkward coming out of his mouth with how formal his tone is. ]

Sasuke. I'll add your name to the list of those who have expressed interest. I'm hoping to start next week, you can simply give me a time that is most convenient for you.

These will be one-on-one lessons, for the record. Lance was... exaggerating when he called it a school.

[thisislife]

You have no idea how glad I am to hear that. I was kinda worried that since I wasn't able to use them yet, I never would be.

Hi! And, let's see, I'm usually done with school around 5:00pm. Would that work or is it too close to dinner? [she tries to cook for every meal, but sometimes the local equivalent of a microwaved burrito just seemed like less effort]

One-on-one would probably be better, anyway? That way, the only one I have to compare to is myself.

[retsuden]

No one starts off knowing how to control their powers, not even in the worlds where they're normally present. With hard work, you'll be perfectly capable. Even if my training ends up not being the right fit, something will help in the long run.

Five will work fine for me if it works for you.

... Do you... suffer from self-confidence issues? [ Is that too forward to ask someone you just met? He has reasons, okay. ]

[thisislife]

I guess. It's just weird being a potential badass on a planet full of them.

All right, I'll see you then.

[and guess who feels her cheeks nearly burning with the force of her blush]...kind of? I'm still finding my voice.

[retsuden]

Fair enough.

We'll work on building it. It's important to have faith in yourself and your choices when wielding any power. The biggest obstacle for control will always be your own mind.

[thisislife]

All right. So, it's...not a deal-breaker? [because she likes this guy better than any of the others who have advertised themselves. and if he can help her harness her darkblood abilities, bonus!]

My own mind...that's going to be the hard part. I have to believe that I can do this, I can survive without my mom or my sister or my best friend. That I'm worth surviving. And trusting. Even without them. [but she still wouldn't pass it up if Cassie or Rue arrived]

[retsuden]

Nn. I don't tend to dismiss people for fixable things. One of the most powerful kunoichi I know was the least confident when we were first put on a team together. Now she levels giant enemies with a single punch.

[ He's quiet when she mentions surviving without her family and best friend. There's a twist in his heart. Is that empathy?? It's probably empathy. Fuck his ability to care about people now. ]

I don't know if yours is the same, but I know if I didn't do everything I could to survive in a place like this and my best friend showed his face here, he'd kick my ass. Sometimes it's a good motivator to believing in your own capabilities.

[thisislife]

[Lexi blinks repeatedly in pleased surprise] ...really? That is so cool. Just one punch.

[she misses them all like crazy, even though she knew she and Rue had been growing apart for a while. but that didn't keep Lexi from still considering Rue as her best friend.

and she smiles at Sasuke's words] Yeah. Rue would do the same thing to me. She's a survivor, even though I don't think she's let herself realize that yet. She'd want me to believe in me, so...I'll try as hard as I can. And who knows, maybe someday Rue will show up? I'd want her to be proud.

[retsuden]

Mm. Her technique is extremely difficult to master and requires the highest levels of chakra control, so it's unlikely you'll ever be quite that strong, but you should be able to hold yourself against most enemies with enough training.

I trust you'll do well.

[thisislife]

I'll--well, I won't settle for half. I shouldn't let myself settle, I've been doing that way too long. I have to be willing to hold myself to higher standards and keep working until those standards are met. It's like schoolwork only physical.

I think I will.

[retsuden]

[ She definitely reminds him a little of Sakura when they were younger when she talks like that. It makes him smile just slightly, before he gives a nod. ]

Then I'll see you next week. I look forward to it.

[thisislife]

[she nods back and smiles]

So do I.