--I whip my whip back and forth--

But at the same time he did, it was merely because he didn’t want anybody else to suffer, if anything. Familiar grounds were certain to provide the feeling of safety, but the fact that the city felt much more peaceful — despite the lack of firm authority…

At the very least he could find peace in knowing somebody else was there.

Hands fell onto his shoulders — which made him turn almost abruptly, surprised he didn’t even sense a presence…

To be greeted by his former instructor.

“Quistis? You’re here too?”

His gaze softened almost instantly at the sight of a familiar face and a trustworthy comrade, but his heart was never quite at peace. And the very fact that he reacted with such warmth and concern, rather than with a snarky statement…

       ( How did she get here?        No, most importantly… )

“I was looking for a way out. That’s my only purpose here.”

   Despite her rather sharp words, Quistis’s face was completely beaming. And how could it not be -- this was her good friend, after all, someone she considered as close to her as a younger brother. She’d spent the last two months in this city all by herself, not even thinking about expecting to see a familiar face -- when suddenly, here he was!

   Even so, that calm, soft look totally didn’t suit him. Not that it was a bad thing, it was just...well, funny! The former teacher put a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh.

   “Looks like you just arrived, then. Sorry to say, but there’s a bit of trouble with getting out -- it’s sort of impossible. Believe me, I’ve done my research.” With a slight sigh, Quistis’s smile dimmed into a rather sad expression.

             “ How silly we look doesn’t matter as much as how                                                                            affective it is, right? ” 

Maybe he was being too critical. He couldn’t help it, anyway. Ushijima bristled lighty at the giggle before speaking again.

   Honestly. Boys. It’s like all they could think of was how best to beat someone up.

Taking into account the woman’s comment, and giving another look to the racket in his hand, Ushijima sighed before saying gruffly—

It’s just. A ping-pong racket. Looking from the racket, to the busy streets around him, and back to the racket, the rather tall young man frowned deeply.

      “Random survey… Ooh, do people really do that here?” Some kind of a trend, maybe. Or just a way of going about things… To ask questions and the like? Not that she’s ever been targeted by a random survey before, or targeted anyone for one! But that wasn’t important. Her eyes follow the trail of the woman’s hand, unclipping the supposed whip replacement before holding out her hand to receive the item. Her face is an expression of awe.

      "Wow, you’re really giving this to me?" Gratitude and awe upon her expression now, she looks from the skipping rope, to the woman’s face, and back again. “This is awesome!" Striking at the air above her with skipping rope in hand. "Super cool lady, I am in your debt." She grins, though it fades to a more embarrassed expression following her words. “Though I… don’t have a lot of money like you do. Not even enough for food right now, eheh.” 

   With a few blinks, Quistis raised her hands and waved them dismissively. “In my debt? No, not at all! I’m seriously fine with giving it to you, you probably want it more than I do at this point. It’s a bit of a nasty reminder of the weapon I actually lost, in all honesty.” For someone so used to the feel of a whip in her hand, holding onto a skip-rope was just...a bit strange.

   “I’d be really happy to have a workout buddy, though! I try to jog just about every morning -- do you want to meet up to run together sometime?” Still, she found herself being wrapped up in the idea of training with this girl. It was a bit lonely, not being surrounded by other students or other SeeD. If she had someone else to be with...

   “The Satellite, huh? So you ended up in the lower class...I’m sorry to hear.” As soon as the topic got serious, however, Quistis immediately began acting the part, her smile fading to be replaced by a rather calm, sympathetic expression. With a quick motion of her hand, she adjusted her glasses. Well, this meant there was something else that was important to ask...