It was not a surprise her first day at Astrea would drag the handicapped blonde straight to St. Spica's marvelous track. Even now with her prosthetic legs, running was her life. It was the very thing that kept her going through thick and thin. If she could not run anymore, all her hopes and desires would probably burn away with it into nonexistence. Her dream was to serve as an inspiration to others; to become the embodiment of encouragement by one day displaying that even a hopeless girl like her could achieve her much sought dreams in life. The loss of her legs did disappoint her, yes, and there were times were she became utterly depressed about the whole situation, but never let its dark shroud obscure her vision of the resplendent goal that was just out of her reach. Learning to function with this mishap was only going to make her stronger. Only going to boost the breathtaking manifestation of inspiration she so desired to serve as.   

A lukewarm wind caressed her face in greeting like a long lost friend as Raiko stepped onto the long expansive of curved track, her sickle-shaped metal prosthetic legs clicking strangely on its familiar surface. The blonde smiled fondly. Being cooped up in the bustling concrete jungle that was New York with her artist cousin, she had little resources available that even came close to mimicking a real track such as this. Sometimes she had became so desperate to run without fear of judgmental eyes, she would burst out the apartment door roughly three in the morning just to sprint freely down the winding sidewalks despite local doctors' warnings not to push herself to hard. Yes, it was only when she was running did she feel free. Like she actually had her real  legs again. 

But those times had melted in the flames of the past, she told herself as she stepped up to the faded start line. Mimicking the position of an Olympic runner, the determined girl sounded faint countdown in her head. If anyone were to wander by, the might just assume she was crazy. Completely insane, even, for someone like her to be running. The imaginary buzzer soon screeched in her mind and in a flash she was off, all the worries of judgmental others melting away with it. Her prosthetic sickle shaped legs wobbles unsteadily as she finished the first straight, but quickly regained equilibrium once she entered the first broad curve. It was soon cleared at remarkable speed and she burst out into the second straight which, too, was completed in hast.

It was not long until the finish line soon slide under her prosthetic legs, and Raiko collapsed onto the grass panting, a wild grin creasing her pale lips. What a run! She took an exhausted sip of the water bottle she had brought with her whilst stifling a satisfying boyish chuckle. Though miserably drained of energy, the girl felt absolutely recharged now. A good run was just what she needed to adjust to this new place! Well, that and maybe someone to talk to.    

"Why don't you go outside today?" Asked her nursemaid, "during those first few weeks I couldn't keep you in that chair, now I can't get you out of it. Some sunshine will do you good."

That was what she had said, Miyo rolled herself to the track, maybe she'd find strength out here after all. Of course her hazel eyes fell upon the girl already running. Maybe she wouldn't mind? Still there was something strange....Her legs! The girl was running on prosthetics! Miyo was instantly impressed, here was someone with this huge disability proving to the entire world in one little jog that it wasn't a disability at all. The brunette looked down at her perfectly healthy, albeit thin from non use, legs. She watched the girl with guilt, for staring at her legs, and also inspiration. If she could walk again after whatever terrible thing had happened, then Miyo could too.

Finally the girl completed her run, without even thinking Miyoshi was clapping from her wheel chair. Of course as soon as the other might look up to see who was clapping, the blood would be rushing to her face. Would she be angry?

"S-Sorry, but," she said, clearing her throat, "That was amazing! You're really fast!" She looked at the girls prosthetics, it was rude to stare, but she never seen this sort of thing in person. Maybe the other wouldn't be so offended, seeing as how she herself was wheelchair bound, more out of choice and a lack of ambition than out of any true handicap. A three year coma made the muscles weak, but she was at least starting to put on some weight.

She wasn't sure what else to say, it would be rude to talk about her legs. "I don't know many people here on campus yet, but I'm Miyoshi Horigome, it's nice to meet you." She wheeled herself forward to offer a handshake, since she couldn't bow. "Can I just say that...after what I've been through, I'm just sitting here but you....well it's really inspiring, seeing you run like that." She really hoped she wasn't being rude, but what was the ettiqute here?

Raiko felt a slight heat of embarrassment rush into her face upon glimpsing the clapping wheelchair bound girl. How long had she been watching? Flashing a sheepish grin, she rubbed the back of her head with a sweaty hand. She could tell this girl was obviously staring at her prosthetics, but paid no mind to it. Though she sometimes was a little self-conscious of them, they were just like any other part of her. No matter how much she wished for them to disappear, they would never go away. Being constantly self-conscious about them wouldn't get her anywhere, after all, since she would probably just lock herself away from the rest of the world in fear that she would be viewed as nothing but a scary freak if felt like that twenty-four seven.

"Why, thank you, miss. I am glad I could be an inspiration. And it is quite nice to meet you too. I am Raiko Hattori." She shook the girl's outstretched hand firmly with an amiable grin. Pausing for a moment, she added with a soft chuckle, "But you can call me Hope if you would like, Horigome-san." The blonde next let go of her hand and stood there in awkward silence for a bland second, a warm breeze catching her golden twin tails. Now what? She tried shift her attention away from the brunette's own legs in the thoughtful silence, but could not help herself from analyzing them. They were thin and pale; probably atrophied from lack of use. Was this girl paralyzed or perhaps bound to the mobile chair for a medical reason? Raiko did not desire to think to much of it at the moment. She did not want to make her feel uncomfortable with her impolite staring.  

The blonde shifted her weight back on one of her prosthetics and offered a warm smile. It emitted a muffled creak under the subtle pressure. Miyoshi had stated her running to be inspiring, and it had made her feel inexplicitly elated. It meant a lot coming from someone bound to a wheelchair. She was a little curious, however, if Miyoshi could walk a little. If that was the case, then she decided she would gladly be willing to assist her in conquering such a feat. That is, if the girl allowed her or even had any desire to leave the secure chair. Pushing someone far beyond there comfort zone was something she did not want to do.

Toying with her stringy blonde bangs, Raiko chuckled lightheartedly and proceeded to inquire, "So, what brings you to the track today, Horigome-san, if I may ask?" She hoped the question did not come off as rude, but she was curious. Had the girl desired to try to run? Or perhaps just wished to get some fresh air? She smiled warmly as she awaited the girl's answer.  

"Well..." She answered, now it was her turn to look sheepish, "actually I'm supposed to be walking. Three weeks after my coma I went to the skating rink and believe it or not....well I fell," she laughed, "it was too soon for me to be doing that sort of thing, but I really haven't been trying to walk since, apart from what I have to in therapy."

Ah but that made her sound lazy, she'd actually found herself falling down that day to be hilarious, but for some reason, the desire to walk was not very strong, until today. Wait. She suddenly realized she'd mentioned her coma like it was some ordinary thing and rushed to continue, "See I was in some kind of accident I guess, I don't remember, but I woke up here three years later. And this," she gestured at her legs, "is the result. I could probably stand, but I'd need help. It's what I'm supposed to be doing out here anyway, though I think it'll be a while before I can run like you." She smiled, meaning the last part as a compliment. If she was going to be the wheelchair freak from the corner of coma and amneisiaville, she could at least own up to it and not act weird about it.

She put her locks on her wheels and tested herself gripping the arm rests and lifting herself. Her legs moved akwardly as she got her feet on the ground, she tried to hide the strain behind a smile as she struggled a moment and then collapsed back into the chair. She laughed happily, "Phbbbt, I'm such an invalid," she joked, and then glanced at the girl. Oops, no offence intended there either, not that she was an invalid in the slightest. "What do you say? Want to lend a girl a hand?" She was smiling, "I'm sure once I'm up I'll be okay, it's just my thighs are still weak." And her calves, and her ankles, and her hips, but hey one thing at a time. She'd definitely need help walking, but that was already apparent, even if she wasn't willing to admit it.

The blonde listened intently the girl explained her predicament,  surprised to hear that she too, had come out of a coma. An accident-induced coma not remembered. But the brunette's coma had been far more severe than her two month one. Three years. What an awfully long time.  No wonder her legs were so weak. And to wake up in a strange place after being out for so long. It must have been frightening. Raiko smiled a little when she mentioned next she was supposed to be walking. Though the girl had stated she had not attempted it since a trip to the skating rink, she found it refreshing to hear that she at least desired to try.

Raiko watched Miyoshi begin struggling to her feet, cringing a little when she collapsed back into her chair whilst jokingly labeling herself as an invalid. Ah, invalid. That had been something she had viewed herself as during her first stages of recovery. It wasn't a very pleasant thought, but her strenuous months of perseverance had dispersed it into the history of the past. The girl next asked for assistance, to which the blonde responded with a grin, "I would be happy to assist you, Horigome-san."

She next gently took hold of the brunette's hand and pulled her up, shifting her own weight back onto one of her prosthetics again to ensure she herself did not go tumbling backwards. Though their metal light-weight frame kept them for the most part situated on the Earth, they weren't the most steady things out there. When Miyoshi was finally up, she kept hold of her hand to steady her for a few seconds longer before letting go. The girl had said she would be pretty much fine when she was up. Still, Raiko kept herself ready to rush to her aid if needed. It would probably be a while before this girl could walk properly again even with assistance, but everything starts slow. As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day.

"Alright, be careful now. You can use me to steady yourself if you need to or if you feel like you are about to fall." She could not help but smile slightly. This girl was trying to walk. And after such a long time too. It pleased her. Hopefully, with some work, she would one day be up and walking normally again. As long as she kept her determination high, it could be achieved. No matter how daunting the obstacle may come to seem.       

She put more weight on the girl than she meant to, but truth be told she could hardly help it the way her body disobeyed. "Ah, see?" She said with a grunt, holding onto both of the other girls hands with genuine need while she streadied herself. She let go of one hand and turned a little to take a step, letting go of the other. She was nervous, but tried not to show it as she tenatively began to move.

"So," she started, wobbling a little, "was it like this for you?" May as well, she decided. If she was doing this, she may as well try to connect with her. Maybe she wouldn't want to say, but then, they were working together this subject was bound to come up, "When you started walking again, I mean." She was shuffling more than she was walking. It wasnt so strange was it? To feel like the two of them could be friends because of this? She smiled and her leg gave out, making her swoon against the blonde. "Ahaha..." the sound was a strange laugh, but it sounded more like she was in pain. Plus it was sort of embarrassing to lean on someone when you really couldn't help it.

"Mn, I'm fine," she said, pushing herself back to shuffle mode trying to hide a blush, was that coconut shampoo? Perfume? It smelled nice whatever it was. She looked ahead, they would eventually make it to the first bend, already the wheel chair was being left behind. "I mean, this is hard, I remember how to walk but my body just...I don't know, it's like I'm driving a car with a flat tire and fumes for fuel."

She watched her feet, and looked over at the other's, "They are kind of cool, I mean your legs, I've never seen prosthetics in person, so I'm kind of impressed-ih!" The word broke into a weird sound as her knee decided not to support any weight and she swooned again. She made a face and once again righted herself to shuffling. She smiled again embarrassed, "Sorry I keep doing that, you smell nice though haha." She joked again, she really was a little embarrassed, but also eager to get to know her.

"Heh, it was pretty much like this at first. These things were pretty hard to learn how to walk on. They are actually very unsteady." A boyish chuckle rose from her throat as the last word fell off her lips. Even now there were occasions were they wobbled like brittle twigs. It had been how they were manufactured - two strong thin sickle-shaped slabs of metal branching off the back of a cushioned socket that slipped over the healed nub of the severed leg. Sure, the flat base mimicking feet was meant to stabilize them, but even so, a large concentration of balance just in the right spot required to be monitored at all time to keep herself from falling flat on her face. Not that she had not done that one hundred times before.  

Without warning, the brunette suddenly fell against her, eliciting a faint blush to color her face. Her legs had obviously given out on her and by the strained sound that had escaped her throat, it kind of sounded like it had hurt. Raiko was concerned at first, but relaxed a bit when the girl confessed that she was fine. "It will probably feel like that for a while. Your legs seemed to have atrophied quite severely, being not in use for so long. You are doing very well so far though~"      

"Really? Heh, thank yo- Careful!" She quickly helped the girl steady herself as she swooned once more, chuckling at the comment she made. She did have a signature shampoo she used, and was surprised that it still lingered heavily on her even after going for a run. Well, that was a good thing. It was better to smell good than bad, especially after exercise, after all! "No worries, Horigome-san. It's bound to happen." She flashed her renown tomboy grin then continued, "But thank you. These legs are pretty handy, but also kind of heavy." She ceased walking for a moment to gently click one against the other, producing a muted metallic ring that shivered up the remainder of her severed legs. "Great for running though!"

   

It was not long until they soon reached the first bend. A delighted smile had formed on the blonde's pallid face. So far so good. She was pleased with how well Miyoshi was doing. "You know, I am actually quite impressed with you, Horigome-san. You are doing much better then when I first started." A soft chuckle slid out with that last part. An image of her eleven-year old self wobbling horribly, not even able to stand presented itself in her mind. Walking had seemed almost impossible back then, but just look were determination got her. And now she was helping this girl do the same. She smiled again. Perhaps this girl could become her first friend? She had not imagined meeting a potential friend quite in a way like this, but did not really mind. She really wanted to help her overcome her struggle with walking and she'd timidly admit she was interested in learning more about her. They did kind of already share two things in common, right?   

"How are you holding up so far?" She asked once they had gradually came across the halfway point of the first bend.

She was surprised that the metal legs were unsteady, but then again, nothing could truly replace a pair of strong natural healthy legs. She was starting to relax a little, shuffling along as she was,

"While I was...out, heh" she said referring to her coma, "there was a nurse who worked my legs every day, and that same nurse has me doing physical therapy three times a week. She says it's not enough but I guess I get tired and just....well don't."

It was a lane excuse, "but maybe that will change now," she admitted at the other girl, giving her credit for the change of heart when she was asked how she was feeling.

"Actually I'm kind of winded, can we sit?" She looked a little pale and with help made it down to the ground, it wasn't the best place to sit down, but if it was sitting versus falling, sitting on the ground was the better alternative. "I should have brought some water," she scolded herself. "Hey," she said, looking up a little, "would you want to go to the Spica cafe with me? They have killer ice cream."

"That's good that she is really invested in your recovery. Though it is important that you rest when you need to whenever you get too tired. Don't want to end up hurting yourself on accident." The start of a soft frown tugged at an edge of the blonde's lips at that last part. There had been so many accounts back when she had been recovering where she had pushed herself much too hard. Some days she'd return to her designated hospital room covered in bruises from falling, others days where she literally had to be carried from the physical therapy room because she just didn't have any strength yet. Of course she also experienced her share of days where she just did not want to attempt walking at all. It sapped far too much energy from her that accompanied with many sleepless nights her scarred body just could not handle.

The brunette asked if she could sit next, admitting she was winded. Raiko noticed how pale she was and quickly assisted her, a pang of guilt gripping her heart. She had been so focused on helping her walk, she had half forgotten that the girl was not used to walking for as long as this, and therefore would get tired very easily. She mentally chastised herself and concluded she would try her very best to be more aware to it. Sometimes she just got ahead of herself. And that wasn't always a good thing  

"I have an extra water bottle with me if you would like it." She grinned with a gesture behind her. "And sure. Ice cream sounds pretty good right now." Pausing for a moment, she brushed a few loose strands of golden bangs out of her face with a chuckle. They were always getting into her eyes. "Would you like me to fetch your wheelchair for you?" She knew the girl would most likely prefer the mobile chair rather than walking the whole there. It was quite a long walk, after all.

"Yeah, if it's really okay," she said, looking to spot the water bottle, "it would help a ton. Thanks so much." and then when she offered to get her chair for her, "I'd say you didn't have to do that, but I don't think I'd make it back," She smiled.

She watched the girl get up to retrieve the thing, watching her go, a little jealous of her mobility and then holding out a hand with a sheepish smile silently asking to be helped up. She sort of felt like a burden, but she knew continuing to apologize would be silly, there was nothing she could do about it besides strive to get better.

She fell back into the security of her chair and felt like she had more control. She set the water bottle in her lap and popped a quick wheelie, "Back in business!" She said, before letting the chair fall back to the earth. She laughed and rolled forward, trying to play it cool, but really, she was tired, and the wheelie trick to show off was not helping. She was breathing hard and her efforts to push the wheels forward again and again were not as strong as they had been rolling up to the track.

She wasn't sure why she wanted to impress the other with the trick, it just felt...right? She hadn't even thought about it, just sort of did it and for some reason, she hoped it worked.

(if you want to reply here, you can, and then i'll start the next thread. Orrrr youc an start the cafet hread and jsut include your reply to this post in that one, either way works for me)

"You're welcome! And I'll be right back." She couldn't help but feel kind of bad as she scurried off to retrieve her wheelchair and the extra bottle of water, her metal prosthetics clicking emptily beneath her. Here she was prancing around on prosthetics with more or less perfect mobility in front of a girl with actual legs that could barely walk on her own. The more she thought about it, the more guilty she could not help but feel. It was enough to briefly tug her pale lips into a soft disgruntled frown.

She soon returned with both the mobile chair and the bottle of water and gladly grabbed the brunette's outstretched hand to help her up, flashing yet another signature grin. The girl seemed much more comfortable now that she was back in her chair and even decided to perform a quick wheelie. It did not fail to impress the blonde. She chuckled a little in amusement. "Impressive, Horigome-san." She smiled.

The blonde next noticed the girl's laborious breathing as she began to push her wheelchair forward. Perhaps she required some assistance? Though Raiko knew quite well offering might embarrass her. It was only natural. She even got like that too in the rare occasions someone inquired if she needed any aid. Still, she desired to help her and soon decided to vocalize it. "Would you like some help?" She asked softly, hoping it would not embarrass the girl too badly, She did not want for her to strain herself and was genuinely concerned about her well-being whether the girl knew it or not right now.

(You can start the next thread if you would like~ ^ ^)