The air was warm but luckily not dry and the sun beat down on the track and surrounding grass making it bright and pleasant. There was a cool breeze that swept Yumiko's hair across her face as she looked out to the track. Her pale face glowed slightly in the sun and her black hair had always made such a contrast that she had often looked rather ill. Yumiko had never really cared for looks though, so it had never bothered her when people made sideways comments about her lack of care for aesthetics.

She was wearing a white tank top and black cotton shorts with trainers and since her hair was relatively short she left it down. She was rather lanky and thin so the clothes were a bit baggy blowing in the wind with her, cooling her off as she walked to the stat at the track.

Yumiko's sport was shooting or archery but she had always found running rather fun as well. Her long legs got her places fast and they were strong for her rock and tree climbing so she had discovered that she was really quite good at the sport. The black haired Spican knelt down in to the starting position and closed her eyes for a second. For a moment she asked for the earth for speed before snapping her head up and pushing off to a run.

The air whipped round her and she felt suddenly very free as she always did when running. It was a sudden feeling like she could run forever and never have to think of anything again. All too soon however she saw the bend come up and had to concentrate on making a perfect corner and keeping her breathing even.

After a good twenty minute she felt far too hot and came to a halt bending over as she tried to control her breathing. Despite the slight burn she still felt elated although the feeling of freedom was starting to disappear. The young spican stretched a bit and looked out to the track again, getting herself pumped for another few laps.

It was a warm summers day, the sun high in an almost cloudless sky. A gentle breeze took the edge off the heat, though it didn't bring a chill to the air. It was such a nice day that Etain had decided to head to the track. She was heading there because she knew some cute girls would be there, running around in short shorts, but she also wanted to do a couple of laps, so she was in shape in case a cute girl needed help. But mainly it was the cute girls in shorts. Even tied up in her signature twintails, her long red hair was blowing in the breeze.

She was wearing a simple white t-shirt, with sleeves slightly longer than the weather dictated was sensible, and a pair of dark blue shorts, with black and red trainers. A few months ago, the outfit would have been baggy on her, but now it was slightly tighter than she was used to. At least it felt like it to her.

While Etain wasn't into sports, except maybe rugby(not that she'd tell anyone!), but she enjoyed running, as it allowed her to keep in shape, and it didn't require any equipment. With a spring in her step, she arrived at the running track. Her smile grew as she spotted that the track was in use.

A black haired girl was getting read to start doing laps. Etain's eyes were instantly drawn to the girls long legs. 'Damn,' she muttered. 'I'd love to have legs like those.' She sighed as she thought about her hight, or lack thereof. But when the girl knelt into the starting position, the view shook the redhead out of her thoughts before she became down, the sight instantly cheering her up. Her eyebrow arched as the girl seemed to stay in the starting position for longer than Etain thought she would, not that she was going to complain, as she was enjoying the view. Suddenly the girl pushed off and started her laps.

As the girl began her laps, Etain walked over to the bench and sat as the girl came to the first bend. She smiled as the girl continued running around the track. After twenty minutes, the girl finally slowed down, stopped. Etain couldn't help herself as she tilted her head, admiring the view as the girl bent over to catch her breath. She tore her eyes away, shook her head and reminded herself that she was in a relationship! Still, she though as she stood. There's nothing wrong with flirting, right? She nodded and stood. She made her way over to the girl. 'Hey there,' she called out, beaming up at the taller girl.

Yumiko was lost in thought for a moment, but she came sharply back in to reality as her attuned ears she heard footfalls. It was amazing what the raven haired girl could hear and pick up, it was all down to her training in hunting, that instinct to listen. Not that she suspected prey, but there was always the chance of finding something rather bigger than yourself in the forest.
She narrowed her eyes and inclined her head to listen better but she soon realized the gait was casual and relaxed a bit. She even turned around as she heard a 'Hey there' and was greeted by a girl from Le Rim. The girl had a large smile on her face and was looking up slightly at Yumiko with large eyes. The girl was shorter, but most people were, however she had far more presence than Yumiko, making her feel as if she were short one and the other tall. Unfortunately unaccustomed to conversation, Yumiko made a sort of grunt in response. It wasn't particularly ladylike, and her mind scolded her for her lack of social ability. She racked her brains quickly thinking of what was the appropriate thing to say, she was not normally suddenly approached like this.

The Lillum student looked friendly and confident, perhaps with an air of mischievousness. She had two tails of long red hair that danced in the wind in a pretty movement. Yumiko had always liked the Air spirits, they made everything look so pretty and dance, and the girls hair was no exception. Yumiko stood there rather awkwardly for a moment, feeling as if all her limbs were suddenly too long and the strings to her rag-doll body had just been cut. Seconds, possible minutes passed before she was finally replying "How do you do?"

It sounded oddly mechanical out of her mouth, practiced and ridiculously formal. As soon as the words had left her mouth she quickly tried to back track. "uh- That is what do you want?" She said, but now it sounded sharp and rude and she gave another "uh" Before casting her gaze at the floor and letting her hair flop over her eyes. She raised her hand as if to shake the Le Rim girls hand, but thought better of it and raised it to scratch her head. She opted for giving a little bow instead and thought that all in all, it was definitely not, one of her better first meetings.

The sudden relaxing in the posture of the dark haired girl hadn't escaped Etain's notice, but she put it down to the girl having just ran several laps. Plus the fact that she probably thought she was alone. Etain could tell the girl was thin, but not unhealthily so. Trim, she thought was the word. Toned. Then the girl turned to face her and her smile grew. The girl was not only cute, but also just as pale as she was! Actually, she thought, frowning slightly. I wonder why I haven't broken out in freckles this summer? She shrugged and put the thought aside, focusing instead on the girl in front of her.

The girl just grunted at her as way of greeting, which Etain thought was, strangely kind of cute. The girl was nervous and awkward and it made Etain want to hug her. Though if she was nervous just talking to the redhead, she'd probably run a mile if she was suddenly hugged by her. Then the girl spoke. Even her voice sounded nervous. Which, of course, made it cute! She had to fight not to squee as the girl continued to speak, her nerves and awkwardness radiating from her with each word. Then the girl went to shake her hand, thought better of it and rubbed the back of her head. And Etain's smile just grew as a slight blush coloured her cheeks at how cute the girl was being. Her smile still plastered on her face, her eyes sparkling, Etain decided to take the lead.

'Hi, I'm Etain Adar,' she said, holding her hand out to the taller, cute girl. 'Pleased to meet you

The Redhead, Etain was smiling so brightly that Yumiko was slightly taken aback. The girl had confidently offered a hand to shake and Yumiko looked at it for a second before realizing it was a handshake. With a little more grace she took the hand and shook it once dropping it rather quickly. "Yumiko Mori," She replied lifting up her head and shaking her hair back a bit. The confidence exuding off Etain had slightly rubbed off on Yumiko, although it was not quite enough to make the dark haired girl brave a smile just yet.
Although Yumiko didn't really smile full stop. It had never really been something she had done, and she had been rather confused to learn it was a normal thing to smile at people. Alas the habit was still not one she had managed to pick up. "Good to meet you too," She said, not quite managing the enthusiasm the redhead had.

The girl was pretty and she looked kind, so Yumiko was now pretty relaxed. She seemed nice and so far had done nothing but be civil. This was a great help to Yumiko as she grasped at something to say. People usually expected conversation after a greeting after all. After deciding the weather was the far too a boring thing to start on, Yumiko nodded her head to the track. "Are you here to run?" She asked. It was a major flaw in her personality that everything she said was always blunt and to the point making it seem far more aggressive than she meant. She dropped her head to look at the grass as if to Etain as if to soften her words. Speaking was definitely not one of Yumiko's strong points.

As the taller girl looked at her hand, Etain couldn't help but smile at how nervous she was being Which just made her cute in Etain's eyes. When the girl shook her hand, and introduced herself as Yumiko Mori, Etain's smile grew. 'That's a beautiful name,' she said, not fazed by the shortness of the handshake. 'For a beautiful girl.' She liked the way Yumiko shook her head, her hair waving around slightly. Etain could tell that what Yumiko had just done wasn't something she'd normally do, and she hoped that some of her confidence had rubbed off on her. Though she wasn't vain enough to actually believe that was true.

'The pleasure is all mine,' Etain said, with enough enthusiasm for the both of them. As a silence settled over them, Etain didn't mind. She was used to silence, and actually enjoyed it some times. Especially in the company of a cute girl. When Yumiko asked if she was there to run, Etain looked at the track and shrugged. 'I was thinking of going for a run,' Etan said, before turning back to look at Yumiko. 'Though I definitely will with you watching.' Her smile grew. 'Or do you want to do a couple of laps with me?' she asked.

Watch her? Yumiko might have blushed, and she tried to stop the flush at the obvious flirtatious comment. It was unnerving how unfazed Etain was, but Yumiko suddenly felt a race coming on. She raised an eyebrow and looked up at the red-head. "Do you want to race?" She asked, suddenly confident. If there was anything Yumiko was good at, it was a competition. She flexed her legs slightly, as if to goad the girl into saying yes. "Say three laps of the track?" She added. The redhead was dressed for running, but as far as Yumiko knew, she was not a regular runner so it should be relatively easy. Then again, she diddn't actually know the girl, so she could be an olympic runner for all she knew, but the dark haired girl was ready to take the risk.

She wasn't even particularly competitive, she just liked the challenge. Not to mention, Etain had been perfectly nice to her up till now, and Yumiko felt it would be rude just to leave without doing something together. A running buddy might be fun after all, Yumiko had never had one, but hadn't her father always gone hunting with her because it was funner as a pair? She should at least try it out, she might even like it. Or at least gain an acquaintance.

(If Etain says yes, idk who you want to win?)

Seeing Yumiko trying, unsuccessfully, to stop from blushing, made her even cuter in Etain's mind, which made her want to flirt more. Just to see the taller, older girl blush. I wonder if I can make her entire face red, she thought with a mischievous smirk. 'A race?' she asked, also arching an eyebrow. She ran her gaze up and down Yumiko, paying extra attention to her well toned legs. She shrugged and smiled. 'Sure,' she said, looking back at Yumiko's face. 'It sounds fun. Besides, it's more fun to exercise with a partner.'

Etain wasn't a competitive person, not really, but she'd do almost anything if a cute girl was involved! Besides, hadn't she come to the track to exercise? Might as well make a race of it. Having someone to exercise with will make me work that bit harder, and it'll be more fun. She looked up at Yumiko and shrugged. 'Sure,' she said, smiling at the older girl. 'Sounds fun.' Even if she didn't win, she could always enjoy the view. After all, coming in second did have it's perks.

(Well, Etain is fit, but she's shorter than Yumiko, and isn't as athletic as her, so Yumiko is more likely to win. Though Etain'll keep up for at least a lap, maybe two, before she falls behind)

With the race decided, Yumiko gave a small cocky smile and walked over to the starting line, confidence in her step. Etain was obviously enjoying how awkward she had been but now Yumiko was more in her element, she felt a wave of confidence. "Alright, on three then?" she asked, eyeing up the competition as she stretch her long legs out. Etain was shorter that Yumiko, more curved as well, but then again Yumiko was more of a straight up straight down shape. she gave the impression of someone who might do quite well, maybe keep pace for a while. But the Raven haired Spican was in it to win it.

"One, two... Three!" she said and then she was off with a powerful start and once again the air was rushing past her and everything suddenly was light and alive. She looked to Etain and gave a smirk and a soft laugh. The red-head was pretty fast, faster than she had thought, but Yumiko wasn't even going at full speed yet. Etain looked free running, in motion her hair was streaming behind her and Yumiko noted it that she probably had a large following of girl with those kind of easy looks. She turned her head back forwards and furrowed her brow. Once past the second lap, she's speed things up and take the win.

Seeing the smile on Yumiko's lips made Etain's own smile grow. Seeing the quiet girl smiling with confidence, made Etain happy. Seeing quiet girls, or girls with low confidence smile always made her happy. It was obvious to the redhead that running was one thing that Yumiko was confident in. Of course, when they walked over to the starting line, Etain made sure she was behind Yumiko, enjoying the view. 'I'm always ready,' Etain said with a smile at being eyed up by the taller girl. She decided to openly run her eyes over Yumiko, paying attention to her legs. Etain was under no impression that this would be an easy race, but, that didn't mean she wasn't going to give it her best shot. Besides, even if she did lose, the view from second place was worth it.

Etain got into position, listened as Yumiko counted down, then pushed off. The taller girl got away a split second before she did, but Etain was managing to keep up. It was hard work for a few reasons. Yumiko was taller, with longer legs, Etain's long hair was flailing around behind her and, even though it was tied in her twintails, it was still annoying her. The last reason was Etain had grown. Six months ago, she's probably had been able to keep up with Yumiko no problem. But now, while she knew, logically, she wasn't that big, she was certainly conscious of the fact she had changed, and that made it seem more than it actually was.

As it was though, she was keeping pace with Yumiko. Once she got into the swing of it, everything seemed to melt away, all her troubles, all her anxieties were blown off her by the wind rushing past her. Everything faded, until only the wind rushing around her, pounding of her feet on the ground, the beating of her heart and her breather were the only things that mattered. A small corner of her mind kept track of Yumiko, just so they didn't run into each other, but other than that, there was nothing else in the world.

As they rounded the corner back onto the home straight again, Etain smiled. The end of the second lap would be where things would really become interesting.

Yumiko became rather aware all of a sudden that she was being surveyed rather intensely by Etain and was doing her best to ignore it. She liked to be out of attention as much as possible but that seemed to be the exact opposite of the red-heads plan. She tried to push it the back of her mind, As much as she was enjoying the freedom, the wind and the nothingness, the third lap had just began and Etain was just an inch behind her and could easily make it in front.
Now Yumiko was really in her element. She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward snapping all her fingers together to make herself streamlined. The Girl behind her seemed to be enjoying it just as much and from a quick glance to her seemed to have also realized the final lap was upon them.

To her Credit, Etain had kept up quite well so far and she was faster than she looked and she looked rather graceful and pretty doing it. With the twin tails streaming behind her, Yumiko rather thought of her as a particularly pretty rabbit. But this was a time for racing and suddenly like a reflex, she pushed off with greater speed, the wind was now loud in her ears and her breathing was harder, but all the her sharp eyes were on was the finish line.
She was only a few meters from it and Etain would surely have fallen behind now and as she finished the last lap with such speed it almost felt like she were flying and it took some effort to slow herself down again. She skidded to a halt in a somewhat graceful fashion and flipped her hair out of her face to see by how much she had won. Also she thought it might be nice to see the girl running properly. She looked rather cute in her outfit afterall. Although Yumiko was mostly blind to these things.

(sorry it's late >.<)

Keeping pace with Yumiko was just as much fun as Etain thought it would be. Though it took all her will power to keep her eyes above her waist. Though she could still see the way the muscles in Yumiko's legs moved from the edge of her vision. But, she had to focus now, as the final lap was coming up. She smiled, brought her arms closer to her sides, leaned forwards and put on a burst of speed.

Then Yumiko put on a burst of speed and began to pull away. Etain smiled, and put on another burst herself. But her legs were beginning to ache, her chest was hurting. She was beginning to run out of breath. But she was determined to keep up, right to the end.

Her eyes widened as Yumiko put on yet another burst of speed, and began to pull away. Etain would have given a little laugh, if she'd had the breath to, as it was, all she could do was smile. Yumiko crossed the finish line a couple of metres ahead of her. Etain crossed the finish and slowed down, stopped. She bent over, hands on her knees, panting. She shook her head, her long red hair waving around her. She swallowed, licked her lips and stood up straight. She brushed her fringe from her eyes and smiled at Yumiko. 'Well,' she began as she walked over to the taller girl. 'That was a good race.' She stopped a couple of steps from her, looked up at her. 'Want to go and grab a drink?' she asked. 'Or maybe something else?' She winked at Yumiko, wondering how the girl would react to her invitation.