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Post by Fateful on Oct 5, 2013 20:56:41 GMT -5
Soothing music drifted through the concert hall; evoking hidden emotions that were forgotten by some, and repressed by others. The transitions were seamless, each stanza of notes bring a new feeling, subtle at first, but grew into something greater. A bow dances across a floating violin; gliding across the strings to create the heavenly sound; a faceless player with long hair drifted across the stage. Her body almost opaque as it moved, the focus off her dark, unseen face, and to the glowing wooden instrument in her hand. Before the song ended, the audience started to stand, clapping and cheering, drowned out by the finale of the song. Slowly however, a strange sound started to overpower the sound of the chords, yet it was unheard by the audience, as the well-dressed aristocracy continued to clap and cheer for the performer (or, perhaps for the violin). The girl looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound that only she could hear, moving across the stage hastily, her unseen eyes scanned and looked, finding nothing. Something wet and long drifted across her hand, causing her to bolt upright.
Panting from the surprise of such a wakeup call, Naomi turned off her blaring alarm and rubbed the top of Themis's head, a black German Shepard. His tail was wagging profusely, as he did every morning, ready for his breakfast. Sliding out of bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she reached over to her bedside table, grabbing her phone. Taking the charger from it, she dropped it over the side of the table and pressed the on button before tapping the screen. She looked at the screen, checking the weather. September 7th, Sunny, 80% Chance of thundershowers around 10 pm., high of 71, low of 52. Yawning, Naomi went to her closet, pulling off her night clothes before tossing them aside. The baggy T-shirt slid across the top of the hamper, hanging off the opposite side. The pants missed all together and fell a foot or so in front of it, discarded laundry that mixed in with her other clothes that had missed the hamper.
Naomi pulled on a plain light blue T shirt and a light jacket; she pulled on matching capris that went a few inches past her knees. Spreading her legs to be the same distance as her shoulders, she bent forward, whipping her hair to the top of her head, before gathering it together and brushing it with her fingertips. Putting in a hair elastic, she tied it in a messy high ponytail before pushing open her bedroom door and walking into the kitchen silently. Once there, she fed both the dogs, using one light, rather than both, and started to make breakfast. Deciding on a light breakfast before the run, she made some egg whites with left over grilled chicken from the night before, and made some pancakes with apricots, strawberries and avocado slices. While she cooked, she made sure to drink 12 ounces of water. After eating a little of each, she put the left overs (except the eggs, because they tasted awful reheated) in the microwave and put the timer for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
While drinking a small cup of orange juice, she looked through the cabinet for some coffee, settling on a Moroccan blend, putting it in the coffee pot and turning on the timer, so it would start to brew around 9 am, when she expected Zal to wake up. Naomi opened the front door, allowing Themis to run downstairs. Going to her room, she grabbed a pair of running socks and then her Rebook easy tone sneakers. Pulling them on, Naomi moved back into the kitchen. Normally, she took her shoes off before entering the house, and never walked around in them, but no one was there to see her lapse in custom.
She grabbed two tin bottles of water and filled them with the Brita water that was in the fridge before grabbing a small harness. By the time she was done, Themis had returned with two newspapers in his mouth. Bending down Naomi rubbed the top of his head affectionately, taking the papers and giving him a treat. She put the bottles on something that attached to his body and then clicked on his reflective orange leash. He didn't need one, but it was the law that he wears one. Turning off the light in the kitchen, she tossed one newspaper onto the kitchen table to read when she returned, and then brought the other downstairs. An elderly man named Frank and his wife Victoria lived below them, and they didn't like to go downstairs to get the paper every day, so Naomi saved them the trouble and brought it to them. Well, technically, she trained Themis to do it, but it was the thought that counts!
Moving down the stairs with her excited K-9, she went outside, waving to the doorman who was already on duty. The sun wasn't going to rise for another 20 minutes, and Naomi took in a deep breath, loving being awake to greet the city. Themis remained at her side as they walked down the street, his nose on the ground, sniffing around. He found a tree to pee on before their pace increased from a walk to a jog. As they rounded the block, moving through the almost desolate streets of Boston, their pace increased to a run.
Usually, when most people ran, they listened to music on an iPod, Mp3 player, or their phones, but Naomi wasn't one of those people. Boston was a city that had music on its own; there were plenty of things to hear and to see, as long as you were looking. Moving through the city, she made it to the beach to see the sunrise, and ran along the shore, before moving toward the park. She stopped, to let Themis drink, and to take one herself. Then, once she leaned up, they started to run once more. They went through the park and around one of the local colleges and into the busy part of Boston.
At another rest point, where she finished her water, she checked her pulse. Normal, for this part of the morning, letting out a heavy sigh, trying to relieve her deep breathing, she relaxed. It was around She'd run about five miles, but knew she could run another and make today a twelve mile run, rather than just ten. Starting up her run again, she backtracked to the park, and went along the runner's path which took her up to another mile up and around, before the started to head back to the apartment. She glanced at the local coffee shop called the Green Bean and made a mental note to grab coffee there tomorrow morning, along with some breakfast for her and Zal.
The twelve mile run took about an hour and twenty minutes, which wasn't her best time, but she wasn't competing. Once back home, she went by Frank's apartment, waving to him when she saw him getting his morning paper. He almost always woke when she returned from her runs. It was about 7:40 by the time she returned. After entering the apartment, she tossed her keys in the bin by the table, took the leash of Themis, and gave him fresh water. After that, Naomi went to her room, grabbed a change of clothes and took a shower.
Once she was out, she dressed in a loose fitting white shirt that came to her elbows, and had silver feathers printed on the front, with a pair of jean shorts with stars printed on the pockets (a matching pair that both her and Zal had made the previous year). Moving through her closet, she looked to find a pair of shoes that matched. Her first instinct was to grab heels or wedges, but she passed on it, and decided to do her hair first. Moving into her room, she blow dried her hair and started to curl it. It took longer than she expected because her hair was being stubborn that morning. Finally finished, Naomi twirled in the mirror, looking at her hair, pleased to see the even distribution of banana curls, she grabbed her blue, white, and pale yellow nail polishes before she went into the bathroom and grabbed some nail polish remover.
As she finished her right hand, she heard Zal's alarm go off for the third time and she laughed. The coffee was brewing and she made herself a cup and took out Zal's. Hearing her waking around her room, Naomi chuckled, and took a sip of her coffee, returning to her nails. "Morning." She greeted when her roommate came out, looking like the dead. "I have to meet with my buddy today." She told her, moving to painting her toe nails.
Once the blue coat was evenly distributed, she started to mimic a night sky that she had seen online a few days before and wanted to try. After a few failed attempts, she got the hang of it and managed to dot stars on her nails with toothpicks. Blowing on her hands, she chuckled, watching Zal lazily eat her breakfast.
She heard Zal working on something when she went to bed around midnight. Naomi was amused by her roommate and best friend's exhaustion.
After finishing her pedicure, she put what she had used in its respective places (the trash, the bathroom, and in her room) before sitting back to let them dry completely. Working on her second cup of coffee, she was debating wearing sandals or flats. Due to the weather, they would be a better choice, but then no one would see her pedicure. "What do you think?" She asked, looking down at her toes. "White gladiators or my navy blue flats with the white bows?"
Since freshman year, Zal and Naomi had been enrolled in a private school called East Boston Academy. EBA, as it was called by the students, was world renowned for its impressive music, business, and law programs. It trained students (from several countries, thanks to a diverse exchange program) in these arts, balancing education styles from multiple countries in order to provide the best education possible. Due to the natural mix of students, the scores were off the charts, and they only accepted the smartest and most talented in the areas of the arts, business and law. When overseas students came, they offered them the ability to rent apartments (based on income and test scores), and of course, there was occasionally a lacking in understanding English. Therefore, each foreign student was given someone who spoke the same language they did as a "buddy" in case they needed help. The day before classes started, September 7, the groups were assigned a place to meet their buddy on campus in order to give them a tour, exchange information, and make friends.
EBA knew that given students the ability to make a friend their first time in a new country was an important step; and they had nothing to lose by enhancing their students happiness and overall quality of language skills. Naomi was meeting with her buddy in about half an hour, at 10 on the main campus near the library. Checking her email on her phone, the girl's name was Haruhi Fujioka, and she had attended Ouran Academy in Japan. Being half American and half Japanese, and spoke both languages fluently, Naomi was the perfect choice to be her partner. Rising from the table and grabbing the shoes her roommate had suggested; along with her purse, car keys, and phone. Before leaving, she rubbed the top of her exhausted dog's head before washing her hands and going to the door. Putting her shoes on, she waved to her roommate, wishing her luck on her painting, before heading to the garage. Clicking the remote on her keys, her doors unlocked and the car started. Getting inside her cozy dark green 2009 Mustang GT convertible, she backed out of the parking garage and drove to campus.
After she parked in one of the student lots, she got out and jogged across campus to wait at the designated spot near the library. Leaning against the marble building, she smiled up at the ornate windows. This had always been one of the most beautiful buildings on campus. Sighing, she pulled her phone out of her purse, checking the time. It seemed that her buddy was a few minutes late. Oh well, it was expected if she didn't know the campus, and there was no hurry.
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 5, 2013 22:37:30 GMT -5
A wrench landed in the tool bag with an audible thump, as Zal stood up, running a greasy hand through her black hair. She stared into the engine compartment of her truck with a frown. There wasn’t much else she could do with it for a while. She needed a part to get it running again, and the ‘spending money’ check she got from her grandpa wouldn’t come in for a couple weeks. Technically she had the money now, but she did have to eat, plus she had a few supplies for her art project she needed to get. Course there was the junkyard…
After throwing her tool bag behind the seat of her truck and locking it, she walked up into her apartment building nodding her head to the doorman. Walking up the steps to floor were her and Naomi shared an apartment Zal weighed a trip to the junkyard. Make the trip to the junkyard in a few days and get her truck running before the end of the weekend and have a reliable way to school for a few weeks or work on it some more and find more parts she would theoretically need to make sure she could keep it running for a few more months. Zal stopped in front of the door to the apartment with a look of deep thought on her face. Who said she couldn’t find more parts she needed to replace before she took the trip to the junkyard.
Opening the door with an accomplished smile, Zal walked in to find Naomi was out again. Her roommates school hours where just a little off from hers so it wasn’t odd to come home to find Naomi out. Finally realizing how hungry she was, she walked to the fridge. She was just about to put her hand on the handle when she realized how dirty her hands were. Naomi would flip her lid if she knew Zal had touched anything in the kitchen with her grease and grime covered hands. The rest of the apartment she was tolerant of to a degree, but the kitchen was THE room in the whole apartment that was always squeaky clean. Hell the trash was taken out every day. Not every few days as normal people.
With a small sigh Zal twisted around to the sink and washed her hands. Returning to the fridge she looked around in it before checking the pantry. She soon decided on a spinach salad with mushrooms and cubed turkey with Italian seasoning. Zal sat at the breakfast bar with her meal as she watched a bit of news. Finding the local news to be boring after watching the weather she went to the national news. Soon growing bored of that she finished her salad and put the plate in the dishwasher.
Walking down the hall to her room she started stripping throwing her shirt and bra in the hamper as she reach her room and stripping the rest of the way before taking a much needed shower. Standing under the water for several minutes just letting it warm her up and loosen her cramped muscles. The sight of black water going down the drain no longer fascinated her as it used to. It was just part of working on vehicles. The older it was the more grime it seemed to accumulate.
With her shower done, Zal turned on the light on her desk and stared at the painting on her desk. Taking it in for a few moments while she figured out where she had been going with it, before she had stopped a few days before. Remembering what she was going with she pulled her chair out and sat down with one foot underneath her. She grabbed her paintbrush and set to work, soon putting it down to turn on her music.
Several hours later she heard Naomi come home. Naomi didn’t bother with coming to check on her or talk to her if she heard her music going. Naomi knew Zal was doing something or other in her room and didn’t want to be bothered. She liked that about the half Japanese and half American. There were many things they liked about each other and there were still some things that they still butted heads on. However no matter how much they’d fight Zal knew she couldn’t leave Naomi by herself. This was a decent neighborhood to live in compared to her old home but Naomi’s father wanted someone to share an apartment with his daughter and for added protection. They had also become best friends and for Zal that was reason enough to stay.
Her mind blank, Zal looked to the clock and saw it was well after midnight. Stretching she put her brush down, turned off the light and climbed into bed. Making sure to set her alarm for 9 the next morning, she then rolled over facing the wall and fell asleep.
The rooster alarm on her phone went off and Zal awoke with a start, finding her phone fast and hitting the dismiss button. She vaguely remembered the other three ‘lighter’ alarms over the last three hours, but she had hit the snooze button on all those. Lying flat on her back she looked up at the ceiling for a while before slowly getting up out of bed. Sleepily she walked to the kitchen, after petting Themis’s head and scratching behinds his ears, she dished onto a plate whatever Naomi had made for the morning.
Taking a few minutes to register that Naomi had said morning, Zal moaned her ‘morning’ and slowly started on her breakfast. Her ears soon heard Naomi speak again, and she replied coherently, “I’ll see ya at school then I’m sure.” Zal knew what ‘buddy’ meant. Meaning they’d have Naomi’s language student in the apartment often. Zal didn’t mind as long as the person didn’t poke their nose into things. Or become too curious.
Zal mentioned the flats for Naomi remembering something about there being thunderstorms that day, which never bothered her as she dressed as she always did even when working on cars. Normally she wore pants with some sort of shirt. A nice one for school and an old tattered one for her mechanic work, with either flats or tennis shoes. Today she felt like being bold and wore some tight form fitting jeans, a blue camisole with a black light threaded shirt over it. She chose her high heeled boots to wear with it as she threw half her hair into a braid that went to her waist. Grabbed her book bag, made sure her keys were in her hand and made her way down to the bus stop. Glad that at least she knew the bus system. Fare for a taxi added up fast when you had to rely on it for a few weeks. Zal looked forlornly at her Jeep Comanche as she passed by the parking lot. Just a few days and she could drive it again. Probably take it out to the nearest forest trail and go mudding.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 7, 2013 14:20:26 GMT -5
For one reason or another, Naomi was always amused by Zal's morning rants, tirades, and irritation. She was used to morning people (like herself) or those who at least pretended to be happy. To see someone in a state like this was for the most part making them vulnerable; and for someone to trust you enough to show you that vulnerability truly meant something. The news of rain made her put the flats on before heading out. She wondered why Zal was up so late, but she wasn’t sure what to do. Still, she didn’t pressure Zal, she knew better. Later, the two of them would be able to talk over dinner.
School was beautiful, as always. The gardens and grounds were impeccably kept and they had apparently added a new garden on the east side of the library; the flowers were there, struggling to climb up the side of the building, as if by being on top of it they could touch the sun. Herb green eyes drifted across the campus, catching sight of a brunette running toward her. From the shortness of the hair, and the way they were dressed, it almost looked like they were a boy. But Naomi knew better. Though the preference was for Asian women with long hair, a lot of them cut their hair, and many American women also cropped their hair in a short pixie cut. When the girl stopped in front of her, panting, Naomi laughed softly. "I take it that means you're Haruhi, huh?" She asked, offering the girl her hand. Once the girl had taken it, they shook hands, and waited while Haruhi regained her breathing. Chuckling, Naomi started to lead her around campus. She showed her all of the buildings, explained how the numbers worked and handed her a map of all the buildings, which would help her tomorrow.
Haruhi had the forethought to bring her schedule, so Naomi showed her where all of her classes where, one after another, in the order they appeared, so that she might remember how to get there. This took up much more time when Naomi expected. Apparently Haruhi's weakness in English was her casual conversation, so she spent a lot of time explaining simple things to her, like common American phrases "shut up" and "get out of here" being a few examples.
Then she started to explain how classes were taught. Some professors allowed students to take notes on laptops (which Haruhi didn't have), other allowed no technology at all, and that they taught most of their classes as if they were in University. They didn't have breaks like college students, but there were occasional free periods between classes, especially for art and law students (who could have 2 or 3 hour classes). Depending on major gave you certain places where you were allowed to park your car, which related to academic building. In other words, you parked next to the buildings you belonged to. This then rose the problem of Haruhi not having a car, so Naomi asked her where she lived and offered to bring both the new student and her boyfriend to school the next day (and as long as they needed it). Haruhi tried to object, but it was on the way, and Naomi literally had to drive right by their house to get to school anyway, so it was no trouble. The conversation slipped from there to asking about where she lived in Japan and what Ouran was like. "A school for the super-rich and beautiful." Was Haruhi's answer, in the words of her boyfriend, which made Naomi sigh. Fantastic. More entitled rich kids. One of the reasons Naomi had left Japan was the way that people treated her and the way her peers often treated others. It bothered her mother about Japan too. Despite both her parents being infinitely wealthy, Naomi found that people were more likely to treat you differently when they knew you came from money. EBA wasn’t like that. They accepted scholarship students from every country, even America. She spoke three languages, Japanese, English, and Italian. Her mother was an American-Italian actress who stared in a Japanese film. That’s how her parents met. So, she naturally had to learn the language of her origins. Still, she liked America over Japan, despite the fact she looked more Japanese than American.
Of course, the tour of campus ended with Naomi bringing Haruhi to her car and treating her to lunch. it helped her to practice English with other English speaking people, especially when she had to order, and Naomi made her ask the waitress for a few things. Haruhi was sweet, but nervous, which Naomi could clearly see, and was trying to ease her. People here were really nice, and would almost always help someone if they needed it. True, there were those people that were jerks, but as long as she genuinely needed help no one would be rude to her. And to help calm Haruhi's nerves about grades, she informed her that they would be in the same English class, which was the school's measure to make sure that she would do well and adjust to the new language. This went a long way, and food didn't seem to hurt either. Naomi quickly realized that the girl liked to eat; which worked out fantastic, because herself and Zal loved food, especially the eating it part.
Following lunch, drove to a parking lot and left her car. She then started to walk Haruhi around the city, in an attempt for her to get used to walking around. She pointed out specific street signs, and other landmarks that she would easily recognize if she ever got lost, and places in which she could ask for help. There were a few shops that were owned by Japanese businessmen, and other smaller shops opened by those who had moved here. Naomi was familiar with them and introduced Haruhi to the owners of a few and the children of the owners of others. They knew her, and promised to help her if she ever got lost. As they walked, Naomi pointed out a corner grocery store, warning Haruhi to stay away from it, because it was the closest to both of their apartments. They had a habit of changing labels and expiration dates of their products, and were in and out of trouble for counterfeit scams and selling alcohol to minors. Then, she showed her another store that was much better and had the best produce in the city, though they didn't sell a lot of meat, but there was a deli that had the best deals and supplied meats to almost all the restaurants in the area. they were the best, hands down. And they were surprisingly affordable.
She made sure that Haruhi knew where she was going, and the girl was a fast learner, she had won a few scholarships here, so it wasn't that surprising she managed to memorize the streets. And she had apparently been here for a few days. It was around dinnertime before Naomi walked Haruhi home and told her when to be ready for school the next day. The sun was setting and she brought her to her apartment, making sure she remembered which one it was before she waved and went back to her car. Knowing that Zal was likely to be absorbed in working on her car, she chuckled and got in her car, stopping by a Chinese restaurant, and picking them up some dinner. Once back home, she brought the dogs out, changed their water, and called Zal to eat. Then they talked about their days, as they did during their 'family meal's.
"I sorta like Haruhi." Naomi told her, pointing chopsticks at her as she paused in eating her noodles. It was a rule, whenever she ate Asian food, she had to use chopsticks. it was a habit she could never get over, considering she was born and raised in Japan in her younger life. "She's shy, but she's slowly getting used to things. She's smart and sweet, and she's trying hard. She wants to be a lawyer."
There was a pause in conversation as they ate for a moment. “What’s wrong with your car? Do you want me to bring you somewhere to get parts? I could loan you the money, if you needed it.” Naomi was given a stipend from her father for being in the top three in the Business section and the first in her Music major. As long as her grades were high and her music compositions impressed her mother and father they allowed her unrestricted resource. It was something Naomi was glad for. Her availability of money allowed her to loan money to her friends if they needed it. No matter what, they always paid her back. Naomi’s generosity was not well rounded, however. She only offered such things to her very close friends, a select group of few whom she loved dearly.
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Haruhi returned home to find Tamaki playing with Antoinette in the apartment. She sighed, petting the excited dog. She smiled and fixed her bow. "That went better than I thought it would." She said, happily, keeping to her rules of using only English in the house.
After coming into the apartment, she found that Kyoya was there too, which relaxed her slightly. Good. At least the entire club wasn't here. It made her feel better to know that her apartment wouldn't be the frolicking ground for the Host Club.
"My partner is from Japan, too. She doesn't just speak the language." - - -
Hikaru ran his hands through his messy hair. The twins lived close to Mori and Honey, as they were close to the older duo. As such, they spent a lot of time at one another’s apartments.
“You’re roots are starting to show.” Kaoru teased his brother.
“Shut up…” Hikaru complained.
The dark haired twin grabbed his phone was he was sure that Kyoya would be in bed and grinned, he sent him a text telling him to pick them up coffee and breakfast tomorrow and bring it to school. And that Honey and Mori would be there in the morning because they didn't have classes until noon on Wednesdays. Honey and Mori had left about ten minutes ago. They had dinner together and tried to get used to American culture by watching classic American movies. They… were okay.
Hikari went to dye his hair and decided he should shower too. Then he crawled into bed.
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 7, 2013 16:12:02 GMT -5
Walking to the bus stop Zal thought about the miscellaneous things she also needed to get for her truck. Things she didn’t have to have, mostly they were cosmetic. The truck would still run without them. However she had been missing some since she had bought it and other’s since before she moved to Boston. Next to getting it running it would make her feel good to have those things, make her feel accomplished. Her truck had been running fine till she moved to Boston, then it started to show its 20+ year age. Her grandpa had jokingly said on the phone once that it was just allergic to the east coast. They both had a good laugh but after she had hung up she had wondered if maybe the change in elevation had started a chain reaction with it. The truck had basically never left the Rockies the entire time she had it, and from what she understood from the previous owner they had never took it for those high elevations either.
Coming upon the bus stop bench she sat down and pulled out her phone. Opening up the web browser she set about looking up the junkyards times. She could get a few hours in on Saturday before she had to go to the aquarium for her community service. The question was now how was she going to get all of her goodies home? Naomi would no doubt volunteer to take her to the junkyard, but she had a feeling Naomi didn’t quite understand just how dirty the junkyard would be, and those goodies would be very, very dirty. There would be no way she would let them in the backseat. The use of the trunk would take some talking.
The bus soon pulled up and she exited her browser before boarding and running her pass through the money meter. Then she found a seat near the middle and sat down, pulling her ipod out and sticking her earbuds in. She didn’t need to hear the stops as she knew the last stop for the bus before turning around on the route was the school campus. She had a 10-15 minute ride and it and the people talking were drowned out by industrial and symphonic metal. Zal had different playlists for stuff. Mostly though her ipod was on shuffle through all her music for everything, but something’s just didn’t take to country, some didn’t take to new age, and some just didn’t take to classic rock.
Arriving to school with a half hour before she had to be in her first class, she headed to the cafeteria. Might as well eat and pick up a snack to have in her last class. There wasn’t much of an option today based on what she wanted, pizza, a burger, or a sub. Zal went with the healthier option, asking them to make it extra goopy with the dressings. She chose trail mix for her snack and after shoving it in her school bag she found a seat near a window and sat down to eat.
Her first class went by quickly, mostly just notes and review for her next chemistry test. Her second and last class of the day however didn’t go as quickly. The instructor was particularly grumpy today and decided to take it out on the students by assigning them several out of book assignments due before the end of class. There wasn’t any discussion as was normal for him. Zal just decided to do her work, get it done correctly, turned in to him, and get home. With him grumpy like this it was better just to high tail it instead of sticking around. She had better things to do then stay around the school. She had a painting to finish up tonight so she could work on her truck for the next two days.
Getting home Naomi wasn’t home, but she figured her roommate had gone to pick up dinner, so she walked to her room, stripped and dressed in a baggy sleep shirt and the shorts her and Naomi had made the year before and set to work on her painting. Not long after she heard Naomi walk in the door and Themis’s tail thumping against the wall happy his owner was home. With a smile, she put her brush down and went to the kitchen to help Naomi. Apparently she had brought home Chinese. It was better than what she had in mind for dinner, which would have been a hot pocket with some chips and dip.
“A lawyer….the world always needs more of them.” Zal said with a giggle, but seriously everyone had to have a career. She just wasn’t sure on her’s yet. Continue with being a mechanic, get into climatology to sort of follow in her father’s footsteps or go with marine biology. Well her community service would help her with that decision. She had a few bites of her meal before she answered Naomi’s question about her truck, “Oh just a rebuilt engine, but as that’s too much I’m just rebuilding it a piece at a time. That’s ok, I figured I could go to the junkyard and get used parts for cheaper than getting them at a parts store. So I can pay for it.” She said the last with a grin before continuing, “Well I do need a ride, but umm, I might be possibly buying a panel for the passenger side door and that’s going to need a nice size place to be put in to bring back home, you mind if I use your trunk? Also I can guarantee the parts will be very dirty. It is a junkyard.” Hopefully that last bit tipped Naomi to letting her use the trunk.
XXX
The time difference between America and Japan was a bit drastic. Kyouya wouldn’t admit it to anyone but he was really tired and they had been there a few days and everyone else was already past the jet lag. His schoolwork had kept him up late the past few days. Not that it was anything new just that with the jet lag it was rather exhausting, more so than hanging around Tamaki. Finishing his last math problem for the night he went to his fridge, grabbed a bottle of water and took a swig. His homework done for the night he decided to head to bed.
He slept for about an hour before his phone went off. He had a text. Who the hell would text him this late at night? He glanced at his phone at saw that Hikaru had texted him, asking him to pick up coffee and breakfast. Kyouya scowled, didn’t reply, but set an early alarm so he could pick up coffee and breakfast.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 7, 2013 17:07:02 GMT -5
"The truck?" Naomi asked, a little uncertain of the car. "Well, I had it last year for the show, but it wasn't technically mine. I rented it from David." David was one of her friends from her business school. He was a native of Texas and had quite a hard time saying no to Naomi whenever she asked for something. Whereas she assumed they were just friends, she was the only one that didn't seem to notice how much he loved her. It was somewhat ironic, considering her intelligence. He joined the theater club to get close to her, but it wasn't exactly working out in his favor.
During the week of the show, Naomi and David had switched cars. She was using his truck to get the larger set pieces loaded in, as well as any lumber and supplies the crew needed to build. In exchange, he had her Mustang.
"I can ask him to borrow it again, so you can use it, or I can just call up the rental car agency like I did the year before he was here and see if I can get a truck for you to rent for the day." Helpful, Naomi didn't mind going the extra mile to help someone, despite the fact it might be an inconvenience to her. Besides, it was the least she could do for one of her best friends, wasn't it?
She poked idly at her dinner for a moment before glancing out the window. Somehow, she felt more pressured at this moment. This year the business students had a project they had to complete at the end of the year. And it wasn't exactly the best project either. It involved making a presentation in Los Angeles during some sort of business conference. Naomi didn't want to do this, but had no choice. Music was where her heart had always been, yet she was constantly forced to do something else. Whereas double majors were not uncommon at EBA, they were not recommended. The work load was similar to a dual degree at most colleges. The school had their career of choice and academics, making it much like a trade school.
The only thing about Haruhi that she thought was strange was the fact she dressed and looked a little like a boy. But, Naomi just assumed it was a culture difference.
Naomi woke from a strange dream about herself and her sister being on a plane that had a pool, and a bunch of singing birds. Yeah, it was one of those dreams that was so clear, yet made so little sense. Rubbing her face, she yawned, and got up. Tossing off her night gown, she grabbed a bra, pulling it on quickly before taking out another pair of Capris, green this time, with a white lace shirt, and a green over shirt. Quietly opening her door, she went into her bathroom and washed her face, then brushed her teeth. Quickly putting up her hair, she wondered if she should make breakfast. However, she wanted the Green Bean later. In it's place, she went through the fridge and made a peanut butter sandwich on wheat. Then she ate an apple and yawned, letting Themis go get the paper while she pulled on her socks and running shoes. Jogging downstairs, she tossed the newspaper upstairs and locked the door. Then, she leashed Themis at the door, waving to the doorman, as she went out on her run.
Unlike yesterday, she couldn't run as long as she had, and her legs were a little sore from her 12 mile run in the morning, and day of walking around the city with Haruhi. She decided on a six mile run, which was just three miles along the beach, then back toward the house, but she was going to run the extra three blocks to Green Bean before running home. Zal would be up by now, or at least by the time she got home. Tying Themis' leash to the metal pole outside, she smiled and moved her fingers upward. "Sitz." Once inside, Naomi moved through the line, and smiled at Mika, who was behind the counter this morning.
Most of the patrons in line seemed unphased by the Japanese girl who moved up to the front of the line. Most days she had a standing order, so no one seemed the least bit surprised. Except, perhaps Kyouya, whom was first in line and currently waiting.
"Mika!" She exclaimed, running over to her. It seemed that her and Zal's normal order was ready, along with their favorite breakfast muffins. "Thank you!"
Maki laughed softly. "You're welcome. Oh, and I need a favor! Remember the party you threw for Vivian?"
Naomi nodded. "Yeah, what do you need?"
"The little pastries you made, can you bring the recipe for them? I'll let you have them for free!" She laughed, starting to ring up the order.
Laughing, Naomi covered her mouth. "I'll bring it to you, let's hope you don't go bankrupt. I'll run it by after school." Looking to the side, she heard people in the line complain. The only person who wasn't complaining was a rather tall teenager who was standing beside her. Green eyes drifted over the several coffees and spiced tea on the counter in front of him. A smile met her lip and she ordered several things off the menu. "Put it all on my tab." She told her. "They're for him." She added, picking up the coffees and the bag and running back toward the house.
Once inside, she put the coffee and bag on the table, gave both dogs water and their breakfast, and then ran into the bathroom, undressing as she went. Hopping in the shower, she washed her body and hair quickly, before getting out, and blow drying her hair. Once she finished, she went into her room. Seeing the shoes she picked out the night before, she sighed, moving into her walk in closet. The wedges her sister bought her were a light cream color, so she grabbed a ruffled skirt that reached a little above her knees, a strapless white shirt with a red, orange and yellow design on the front in no particular order, and pulled over an elbow length blue cover shirt with a knitted back. Once dressed, she moved out of her closet and to her vanity. Picking up her makeup, she put on a mixture of a light blue, dark blue, and gold on her eyes, applied cover up, then put on eyeliner and mascara. Grabbing a tube of lipstick, she applied the pink color quickly before tossing it in the small clutch she kept her makeup in and tossed it into her backpack.
"Morning Zal!" She called.
When the two were ready, they went to the car, and drove to the front of Haruhi's building. Having forgotten to get her number, she had to go ring the doorbell, rather than call. It was about 8:30, so they had plenty of time to get to school on time. Naomi returned to the car with a tall blonde teenager, and a short haired brunette. They got into the backseat.
"Haruhi, this is my roommate, and one of my best friends, Zal. Zal, this is Haruhi and her boyfriend, Tamaki."
Haruhi smiled and shook Zal's hand, more than happy to meet someone new. "If you two would like to come, we're meeting up with some of our friends from Japan when we get to school before classes start. Would you like to come with us?"
Once on campus, Haruhi checked her phone, saying allowed where the former host club had gathered. Unfortunately, she had forgotten how to get there. Naomi laughed and pointed in the correct direction before leading Haruhi, tamaki, and Zal toward where the others were.
- - -
Hikaru was grinning when Kyouya showed up. "Hey! You made it without getting lost!" He chuckled, standing up and taking his and Kaoru's coffee and handed one to his brother. Kaoru took a sip of his, grimaced, and then switched with his brother. Though they liked a lot of things the same, Hikaru had discovered espresso since they got here, and now wanted it in all of his drinks. Looking through the bag, he smirked. "Wow, this looks pretty good." The dark haired twin stood and offered some of the goodies from the bag to Honey first, since he was eagerly awaiting it, and then one for his brother. After a few moments, Mori took his early morning breakfast from a bag, and started to munch after his own morning routine.
He nodded to Kyouya, in thanks for both himself and Mitskuni.
"Good job Kyoya!" The twins offered in unison. - - -
((Sorry! After this the posts should become much more casual
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 8, 2013 0:07:44 GMT -5
“I meant the trunk in your Mustang, but David’s truck work’s too. Thanks. “ Zal added before taking a few more bites of her dinner. “I just need something that can haul the parts I buy, and I know how you are about things being dirty.” Naomi wouldn’t admit it, but living with her Zal realized that her roommate was a clean freak to a degree. Ok maybe clean freak wasn’t the exact wording she just liked the kitchen squeaky clean and her car also squeaky clean. Zal understood the kitchen, she just couldn’t understand the car.
Throwing dinner out and cleaning up the kitchen Zal settled down on the floor and played with Themis with his tug toy. Growing up she didn’t have the time for a dog, and to be honest she wasn’t a dog person. She had two cats back home, but it didn’t hurt to be friendly to a dog who was her best friend’s four legged companion and who might save their life one day. It also allowed her a brief time to just forget about the day and her schoolwork and just be in the moment.
Naomi went to bed shortly after and Zal decided to head to her own room and finish her painting. She turned her music on low and opened her window. The only light in the room her desk lamp, the rest of her room was dark.
Finishing her painting, Zal covered it and packed up her supplies for her art class the next day. She then decided to take a shower. A quick wash of her hair and her body and she got out and slipped into a spaghetti strap shirt and flannel pants. She changed her playlist on her ipod to soothing music to help her wind down for her sleep after her shower and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Zal dismissed her rooster alarm, this time it wasn’t as jarring for her as it had been the day before. Turning her ipod off which was set on a shuffle repeat, she hooked it up to her laptop to charge while she walked out to the kitchen to find Green Bean. The smell of coffee was slowly starting to wake her up. Naomi wasn’t in the kitchen so Zal’s bedhead didn’t earn a giggle as it did everytime Zal took a shower before going to bed. Sitting down at the breakfast bar, she lazily pulled the coffee and breakfast muffin to her and started to eat.
Fully awake by the time she finished her coffee she replied to Naomi’s morning with her own, and riffled through her closet to see what she could throw on. She felt like something lazy today as most of her ‘nice’ clothes needed to be washed. She figured she could wash her clothes while she worked on her truck that afternoon. Zal grabbed a pair of tan, grease stained cargo pants, a band t-shirt and her boots. After dressing she looked in the mirror, deciding to leave her hair down, but remember to throw a hair tie on her wrist in case she needed it that day.
Taking her seat in the passenger seat, she patiently waited for the other passengers while Naomi went to go get them. They were in front of an apartment complex and Zal put it together that they were picking up other students. Shortly she saw Naomi coming back to the car with a brown haired girl and a blond boy.
“Nice to meet ya.” Zal replied with a smile and shook Haurhi’s hand as introductions were given. What was it about couples going to college together? It was one thing if they were already attending when they started dating it was something different when they were dating before going to college as she figured was what was up with Haruhi and Tamaki. Some matters of romance would be lost on her. Engines and science made more sense to her. She’d deal with love later.
Being asked to come with Haruhi and Tamaki was something she could deal with. It didn’t hurt to tag along since they had asked. However Zal wondered how many people had come over from this Ouran that Naomi had talked about at dinner the night before. Of course some of them could have already been here attending school at EBA for a while.
XXX
His alarm going off, Kyouya scowled at it, it was set too early. He was just about to hit the snooze button when he remembered he was supposed to pick up breakfast for the Twins and Honey and Mori. Throwing his blankets off he got dressed in a sleepy daze. He remembered to grab his school bag before heading to this little café down the street that sold breakfast.
The line for check out at the Green Bean wasn’t long at least not when he had arrived. Shortly after he had made it there though people had started to come in some looked like they were on their way to work in a hurry, others were dressed in workout clothes. He was just about to hit the cash register when a girl in workout clothes with brown hair in a ponytail came in calling out to the girl at the counter. Apparently she was a regular as it turned out the girl’s order was already made. The girl paid and took her order with her. When he reached the checkout he found out that his order had been paid for him. He took his order with a quizzical look on his face. Why would a random stranger do that?
The entire way to the campus to meet up with the others Kyouya mulled that question over and over in his mind. He just couldn’t understand why a stranger would do that. Someone he had never seen before. He decided to stop thinking about is as he came upon the Twins and Honey and Mori. Hikaru took the coffee for his brother and him and shortly thereafter Kaoru handed Honey the sweets, followed by Mori who grabbed his own breakfast out of the bag.
“This better not be an every morning type deal or we’re going to have to split getting breakfast every morning.” Kyouya replied the Twins thanks as well as Mori’s hadn’t been lost on him.
[That's ok. Alright ^^]
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Post by Fateful on Oct 8, 2013 16:24:47 GMT -5
Takashi looked at Kyouya and nodded to show his understanding. he did not mind getting anything for the group. He himself had started to look around for a dojo to practice martial arts while he was here and found a few places that the group might be able to eat. He knew, however, that he was trying to stop the twins from taking advantage. Takakshi himself wanted to gain a little independence from Mitskuni here, but that was proving harder than he thought it would be.
Hikaru sighed. "Don't worry Kyouya-sempai, we'll do it." He added the honorific, despite the language barrier, mostly out of habit and respect. They were friends, but there was a level of respect between all the hosts. A few people had questioned it in the states, but it wasn't too much of a problem.
Once Naomi had managed to convince Tamaki that they were going in the right direction, she lead them to the area of the gardens were there was a field. A few other students were outside already, some on blankets or towels with their backpacks, many of them groups of students, mostly in the arts, or who had academics that were scribbling last minute assignments or old-time romantic notes to leave in people's lockers. It was a custom the English students had come up with, writing handwritten notes to those who they admired and leaving them for that person to find. A handwritten note asking you out meant far more than a text message.
Finally, Naomi saw a group of Japanese students and assumed, from the way they dressed, that they were the friends Haruhi had mentioned.
Seeing the former hosts, of course, Haruhi seemed relieved to be around those she knew. Immediately, she approached them, a little ahead of Tamaki. She greeted the twins, then Kyouya, followed by Honey, who hugged her, and Mori, who simply nodded at her. Once her boyfriend was beside her, they began to all speak, out of habit, in Japanese.
"The city is so strange!" She said. "The streets go everything, it's not organized. I thought it was so easy to get lost until Naomi showed me around."
Hikaru smirked, holding up his coffee. "Why do you think we nominated mom to get us breakfast? Only he knows where everything is."
Takashi glanced to the two girls who approached them. One was Japanese, a young girl, attractive, long brown hair that flowed down her back. The other had darker skin and did not look American, as the others did. Her eyes were angled, almost like theirs, but there was something about her ethnicity that he was unable to place. He cleared his throat in that moment, as if trying to remind Tamaki and Haruhi that they had not come here alone.
When Zal and Naomi approached, a smile appeared on Naomi's face. "They're talking about how strange America is." She added to her friend, able to understand them whereas Zal could not.
Haruhi realized, in hearing Naomi's voice, what she'd done. "Oh!" She turned, switching rapidly to messy English, since she had broken her own rule by speaking Japanese. "Apologize, Zal and Naomi, these are my friends from Japan." She gestured to each host and introduced them; "This is Hitachiin Hikaru and Kaoru," She made sure to emphasize their names with the different hair colors. "Ootori Kyouya, Haninuzuka Mitskuni, or Honey, and Morinuzuka Takashi, or Mori, for short." She then gestured to Naomi. "This is my partner, Fujihara Naomi, and her roommate Zal." She was never given a last name, so she didn't introduce her with one. She looked to Zal with an apologetic look.
Naomi's attention was drawn to the one wearing glasses. Somehow, she found him so familiar, but couldn't remember why. However, seeing the coffee in their hands, she realized where she had seen him.
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 8, 2013 21:35:07 GMT -5
Kyouya eyed Hikaru for a while trying to determine if the twin was sincere, having seen Mori’s nod as well. He took a few sips of his coffee as he looked around at the other two hosts. Kaoru seemed to be thinking as he stared off into space, taking bites of his breakfast sandwich here and there. Honey was stuffing his face with a pastry. Getting the icing and filling all over his mouth as his cheek bulged with the treat as he chewed. All they were waiting on was Haruhi and Tamaki, and according to the message Haruhi had texted to him, she was bringing her language buddy and the buddy’s roommate along to.
After handing his brother his espresso after taking a sip and grimacing, Kaoru found his coffee and a breakfast sandwich and started eating. His mind soon wandered to various things, as Hikaru wasn’t talking to him, and the others were busy eating. Some part of hi wondered if coming to Boston with his brother was the right thing. He knew that they were individuals just as much as they were twins, but he couldn’t help feeling that Hikaru still hadn’t realized that yet. He honestly didn’t know why he had come along. There was no room to complain now though, he had come along and now he was stuck with his decision.
The walk to the gardens was relatively quiet, with the exception of Naomi talking and directing Haruhi and her boyfriend. Zal really didn’t mind though, she really didn’t know any language besides English, her grandpa had tried to teach her the language of their people, but she had lost some of it, because she had moved to Boston. She wasn’t afraid to talk to Haruhi or Tamaki despite them not knowing much English, she just felt that Naomi was better at explaining English then she was. It was hard for her to explain certain things about the language that had become natural to he, that she just knew on instinct.
Soon Zal noticed Haruhi was walking a little faster towards a group of foreign students. They must have been the Japanese students that came with Haruhi, or at least around the same time frame as she did. She looked at them, and thought they looked familiar, but because of the distance, she assumed that they could look like anyone she had randomly passed on the street.
Stopping next to Naomi, Zal watched the group of friends interact and speak in Japanese. Knowing she didn’t understand anything they said, she looked at each of them, realizing that she in fact didn’t know any of them. Her eye’s met those of the tallest in the group, who seemed to be watching her and Naomi. At that moment Naomi decided she should enlighten her roommate as to what was being said, and Zal looked to her.
“It’s not really…well I guess from their point of view it would be. I’m assuming they spent their entire lives in Japan.” Zal responded to her roommate before Haruhi remembered them and introduced them.
Zal raised her hand awkwardly as she was introduced, feeling as though she should give them her full name instead of the shortened name she went by, “ Zaltanna Dunstan, but I go by Zal.” She had seen the look Haruhi had given her before she had spoken up and knew it wasn’t her fault it was actually a combination of Naomi’s and herself.
Their breakfast was soon interrupted by Haruhi calling out to them and Kyouya looked up to see her walking over with Tamaki following. There were two women following them who Kyouya assumed was the language buddy and roommate. Coming together as a group, Haruhi greeted each of them, and as much as Kyouya came off distant, he really wasn’t as aloof as people thought him to be.
He was glad they were all together again, and just as easily as Haruhi he slipped into Japanese when they started speaking, “Nominated. Hardly. However don’t assume I know where everything is.”
The girl in the skirt however caught his attention, he thought she looked familiar. He was unsure of where he had seen her though. It wouldn’t trouble him much though, he was sure if she didn’t recognize him there was nothing to worry about.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 8, 2013 22:08:30 GMT -5
Hikaru shrugged at Kyouya. "We nominated you because you're the one who's more likely to know where everything is. It's how you are, there's nothing wrong with that, Kyouya-sempai." He added. It was trust that made him nominate Kyouya, and also because he and Kaoru were slightly worried about him. Of all the hosts, Kyouya was adjusting the least to being in a new country, despite his desire to go to college here one day. Hikaru wanted to get him out and dealing with people, in the hopes that that would snap him out of the mood he was in. Whatever... that mood happened to be of course.
"Zaltanna..." Hikari repeated. "That's a really interesting name. What does it mean?" There was a pause, before Hikaru added, "What nationality are you?"
"Hikaru!" Haruhi snapped. "That's not polite!" She looked at Zal apologetically, yet it didn't seem that the girl was at all insulted.
Takashi, however, was quite interested in hearing the answer to Hikaru's question, for it was something that he was wondering himself. Her looks made her quite different then anyone he had seen before, and in a strange way, she was almost like Haruhi, dressing in a casual and almost masculine manner. Something like this didn't seem as common place in Japan, but it was common in America, it appeared.
Naomi realized where she recognized Kyouya from and it showed clearly on her face, as if someone illuminated her face with the rays of the sun. Her eyes widened for a moment and a small smile tugged at her lips. She leaned forward before taking a step away from Zal, her eyes focsed keenly on Kyouya. "You're the one I met this morning." She voiced the realization aloud. "At the Green Bean, I got in front of you, and ordered for you, since you looked so confused." The response she gave was quite simple, and she was unsure if someone would remember her for doing such a thing. Honestly, being in America had scared her when she was a child and the numerous options and the blurring sound of the language and the slang that was spoken in this part of the country jarred her. It was a hard environment to get used to. Remembering what it had been like, she felt for someone, also from her country, who was forced into this one.
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 8, 2013 22:46:54 GMT -5
Kyouya blinked. They really assumed that was how he was? He guessed he’d prove them wrong while they were living here. He was now dead set on proving them wrong. “I may know where everything is in Japan, but don’t assume that’s the case here.” He stated before Hikaru turned his attention to the dark skinned girl who seemed to like dressing like a boy like Haruhi.
Zal was a bit off taken by Hikaru’s comment. Not that it was insensitive, even though Haruhi was yelling at him as though he had said it to be offensive. She decided to answer him anyway, “It means high mountain. As for the other question, I’m half Native American.”
Zal looked over to Naomi who had seemed to recognize the boy wearing glasses. She watched her best friend talk to him. Apparently Naomi had run into him that morning at the Green Bean.
Kyouya’s eyes met Naomi’s as he really looked at her face. Well that was a surprise. She was the one who had come in that morning for breakfast, and had paid for his order. He straightened his glasses as he replied, “Ah. Yes, you’re the jogger who came in this morning. Thank you for paying. The other’s appreciated it.” He motioned over his shoulder at the Twins and Honey and Mori. “I believe you’re mistaken about me being confused though. I knew what I was doing.” She had taken a stab at his vulnerability and he wouldn’t let that go.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 8, 2013 23:11:36 GMT -5
Takashi glanced toward Mitskuni, who hadn't said anything in quite some time. He thought it would be best to remain silent. He had heard things about Native americans, and read them in some of the history books when they studied American history back in elementary school. He had always liked the way their way of life worked, especially since their culture reflected on instinct and natural power, something he had quite a bit of experience with.
"Native American.." Hikaru repeated. "Huh, that's actually really cool. I thought there weren't may left." He said, as if she was some sort of fossil. He wasn't trying to be rude, but at times, he came across that way. he and his brother had promised they'd be more polite, so he figured it would be best if he bowed his head as a way to apologize. "I apologize if any of that came off as rude... you see, so many of the customs here are different, so we haven't completely adjusted yet."
Naomi watched Kyouya carefully. "You're welcome. I remember the first time I went there, I wanted to try everything. I suggested those things because I know the owner and it's the best things on the menu. I figured it was a big order since you had her making five coffees." A smile appeared on her face, one that was quite calming, in combination with her voice which was melodic and even, almost as if she was a singer. "A menu that large can be confusing, I did it mostly to be nice, rather than to do rude or intrusive. And, since you didn't order anything, I thought it would be rude to make you pay for something you might not like. I'm in there often, so they just have a running tab for me."
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 9, 2013 0:42:31 GMT -5
Stuffing his face was what he did best to pass the time sometimes. Today seemed no different while they all waited for Haruhi and Tamaki. Honey at his pastry and watched the people walk by. There were so many students, talking amongst themselves and laughing. He would be glad to be able to talk to Haruhi and Tamaki and have them all be a group again when they got here. Not to say that the Twins and Kyouya weren’t company enough, but there was just something missing that Haruhi and Tamaki provided.
Once Haruhi came along he had greeted her as he always had, making a point to mention Usa-chan had missed her too. His greeting done he looked as everyone else had at the two girls that had accompanied Haruhi and Tamaki. He could tell right away one was part Japanese, she must have been Haruhi’s ‘buddy’ and the other was darker skinned and was dressed in boy clothes. If the girl hadn’t had long hair, and her band t-shirt a bit tight around her chest Honey would have mistaken her for a guy. He looked up at his cousin, who seemed to be watching her. He was about to comment on the girl to Mori when Haruhi introduced them and the girl that had piqued his cousins interest introduced herself better. Hikaru had to jump in and ask her, what would normally have been inappropriate questions, to which she had answered.
Honey took another bite of his pastry as Hikaru had asked the questions he was going to ask. The next statements that came out of Hikaru’s mouth made Honey look up and interject, “Hikaru, you don’t remember anything you learned in elementary school about the Native Americans? There’s loads of them left.”
For the first time in his life Tamaki felt socially awkward. He had been introduced to the two girls that morning, but he hadn’t known what to say to start up a conversation, especially about Naomi’s roommate. She looked exotic, but he hadn’t wanted to say that for fear of sticking his foot in his mouth. He was getting better about insensitive comments now that he and Haruhi were a couple, but it was making him actually stop to think about what he would say. Thankfully Hikaru had helped him out with that. The hot headed twin had asked Zal the insensitive questions, even though she had answered them without being offended. Still he didn’t know if he should add anything. When Honey spoke up, Tamaki just decided to keep his mouth shut for the time being.
Zal blinked as Hikaru said ‘Not many of them left.’ Last she checked she wasn’t the last Native American and last she checked there were several thousand Native’s left in the US. Not including those in Canada. Before she could speak up, Hikaru was bowing and apologizing and the short blond boy who was standing next to the tallest in the group had spoken up about it. She decided to wait to jump into the conversation now.
The girl had tact. Kyouya had to give her a point. She was right that she felt inclined to pay for items that they necessarily may not have liked. Plus she had deduced just by the coffee’s alone, that he would also be buying breakfast.
“I see. I wager you’ve had everything on the menu then. Must be a reputable place to eat. Although judging from the way Honey-sempai was eating his pastry, we’ll be making this a place to get breakfast on a regular basis.” Kyouya replied seeing that Honey still had some crumbs on the edges of his mouth.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 9, 2013 1:21:27 GMT -5
Well, Hikaru felt slightly unintelligent. "Well, they're around, but it's not something you see every day." He'd been to America twice before with his mother and they'd never seen anyone Native American. It was a rare sight to see, or so he'd been told and assumed was true. Well, a rare sight in Boston and New York, anyway. "Look, I wasn't trying to be rude or anything. She's pretty, that's why it surprised me." The dark haired twin had not gained much tact, whereas he had gained some perspective. She was pretty, so there was no point in trying to hide the matter.
"Isn't she pretty boss?" He asked, knowing his brother wasn't likely to bail him out of this horrible situation.
Takashi's attention, on the other hand, wandered slightly. This was strange. He sniffed the air as a breeze rolled by, carrying the scent of flowers. Movement in one of the flower beds caught his attention and he went to it, picking up his Tanuki, which Hikari wanted to name Haruhi, for an old joke, but Mitskuni had swept in and suggested that he should be named Sho, meaning small. Takashi took to the name immediately, but it was unclear if it was the meaning or because it had been suggested by his cousin.
As he picked up Sho from the bushes, the tanuki went to his shoulder, where it seemed quite content. After retrieving his pet, Takashi's attention turned back to the girl. "Hikaru, perhaps you should quite while behind." He stated. Between the twins, he was close to Hikaru, whereas Mitskuni was close to Kaoru. It was often that Hikaru came to him for advice or guidance, especially when the twins fought or were upset with one another.
Hikaru seemed to glare up at Takashi, as if betrayed by him. "I'll remember that next time you ask me to watch Sho and Piyo for you..." he complained, looking away.
"You know, Hikaru, you should just apologize." Haruhi cooed.
"I did apologize." Now the dark haired twin seemed flustered and went to stand beside his brother, wishing their hair was the same so it could be their mutual embarrassment.
Relief danced its way through Naomi's eyes. She was glad that Kyouya hadn't taken what she'd said and done as an insult. It made her feel better about her choice. "I've had everything, yes. Maki usually let me try it before she even put it on the menu. She used to go to EBA and graduated from the culinary program two years ago, the same year as my sister." There was a small pause while she glanced at the smallest member of the group and was clearly amused by his enjoyment of what she'd selected. "Well, yes, it's one of the most common places that the students here go before and after school. They have discounts for students, they host a lot of events and support many of our student groups."
It felt strange to talk about a landmark that everyone knew here. "They've been featured in magazines a few times, and last year, they won an award for best coffee recipe and best cheesecake in one of our festivals at the end of the Christmas season. And, there are open spots for judges if they wanted to be judges..." She added, softly toward Mitskuni, in in attempt to peak his interest. It did, after all, seem like something he would enjoy.
"They have food there all day, so don't just get roped into the breakfast." She added to Kyouya. Their sweets were also amazing,so she'd been told. Naomi liked dark chocolate, but only ate sweets when her sister was around. It was the one thing they had to bond over, even if Naomi wasn't too fond of them. Still, she did it for her sister and to keep the peace between her older sister and herself. "Their green tea is excellent too. It's the only place I've ever found that makes it as good as you can get in Japan."
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buwie
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Post by buwie on Oct 11, 2013 22:48:01 GMT -5
Being complimented on her looks made her feel good, but Zal was a bit unsure if going about it in a rude manner was worth it. She now felt a bit awkward, and tried to think of something to say. She might as well enlighten them a little bit.
“Actually you’re wrong about that. I’m sure you passed by many people today alone who had some sort of Native American heritage. You just didn’t know cause they aren’t just going to come out and say it.” She let that sink in a bit before she added, “Although a lot of times we’ve been mistaken for Hispanic. I was constantly being called Hispanic in high school.”
Tamaki’s ears were on the conversation even though his eye’s weren’t. As soon as he was given a way into the conversation he practically waltzed over to Zal and grabbed her hand kissing it, before complimenting, “Absolutely lovely. A gem. A fra-“
He stopped as he realized Zal’s hands and skin were stained from years of working as a mechanic. He was about to say fragile, and then he looked up at her the princely charm in his eye’s retreating quickly as Zal looked down on him with disgust. He had never been looked at with such disgust and he backed up, tail between his legs as though he had done something bad.
Zal couldn’t say anything bad about Haruhi choosing a guy like Tamaki. If she was attracted to guys like him, she had every right to. But guys like Tamaki, especially those who thought they were Gods gift to women made her sick. Her first instinct when Tamaki touched her was to punch his lights out, but in a split second decision decided against it, deciding to look at him with utmost disgust instead. Yet what would have turned into something serious was stopped as out of the corner of her eye she noticed Mori holding his pet, and she just couldn’t control herself.
Leaving Tamaki standing lifeless, she walked over to Mori her attention focused on the tanuki and she just couldn’t stop the gush that came out, “He’s adorable!”
Kyouya’s eyes landed on Naomi as he replied, “Simple marketing. Although it should have been open to a few more of her regulars, but I suppose it worked out in the end, if students get discounts because they frequent her place often. Also helps that she herself is a graduate.” Now there was a woman who had done something. Had taken an idea and gone somewhere with it. Although what Naomi had said about being judges surely captured Honey’s attention by the way the man’s eyes lit up.
“You mean I can judge yummy treats?” Honey asked, looking at Naomi anxiously. His future would be in engineering and toys and sweets and the likes, so being a judge for pastries wasn’t much of a stretch.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 11, 2013 23:50:47 GMT -5
Hikaru was glad that the boss had come in to save him, so he managed to slink away from the group and headed out of the area for now. He had learned a few names of his classmates. For their own benefit, Hikaru and Kaoru had chosen different majors. It would give them some much needed time apart, and, they would be able to slowly expand their worlds. They still lived together, went to the same school and had some of their academic classes, math, for example, together, but they were allowed the freedom to something else with their time. This, Hikaru negotiated with himself, was a good time to slip away from his old friends and go make some new ones.
Haruhi, on the other hand, was still getting used to Tamaki gushing over other people. She wasn't the insecure type and knew that Tamaki did truly love her. Somehow, though, it bothered her to know that despite havign her, and loving her, he would still flirt with others. Then again, he was French. Sighing, she stepped forward to apologize to zal for her friend's behavior. However, Zal moved rapidly away toward Mori before she had the chance.
"Mori-sempai...?" She questioned. Then, of course, she saw Sho. It surprised her that Takashi would bring him here. Whereas she knew that he couldn't leave his pets behind, but to bring him to the campus? at least Piyo wasn't here too? Or... or was he? She envisioned Takashi standing there with both a tanuki and a chicken on his shoulders. That was not something out of the ordinary, actually. She sighed heavily and lowered her head. Apparently, her friends weren't that normal. This wasn't exactly news to her, but still, apparently here, they had more of a contrast.
Having someone rush up to him made Takashi watch her closely. As someone well trained in Martial Arts, he thought it strange that someone, even a strange, would approach him in a such a way. Although, this was not a country that battled or did war, or, rather, the country did, but not the average citizen. The girl's movements were harmless, he knew, still however, he couldn't help but be hyper aware. Luckily, Mitskunai wasn't close to him, otherwise he would have been far more protective. For now, his cousin was talking to Kyouya and the other young Japanese girl. "His name is Sho. He is a tanuki." A pause. "A raccoon-dog, rather." Of all the Hosts, Takashi spoke the quietest, yet his voice sounded more alluring when he spoke in English than in Japanese. His voice took on a strange musical quality. Most of the hosts, considering their family's wealth and influence in other country's politics, had minimal accents. His accent was thick on certain words, yet he spoke so infrequently that it could barely be noticed.
Shifting his arm to he before Zal, he wiggled his shoulder. Sho took this as a cue and scurried down Takashi's arm, his paws resting on his light jacket as he came to sit in front of her. His nose twitched softly and his tail moved. A strange sound escaped his throat, which drew a pleased smile from Takashi's masculine face that was high above her head. "You may pet him." The wild type offered.
"She's always looking for people to judge anything she makes. I think it would be suited better for someone who likes sweets more than myself. When my sister went back to Japan, Maki lost her best treat tester." The day her sister left had been a sad day for the two of them. The apartment seemed so empty and isolated when Akane had packed all their things to go back to Japan to spend more time with their family since her schooling had finished. Akane and Naomi were opposites in this sense. Akane loved Japan, whereas Naomi preferred America. It was the worst thing for a Japanese girl to say to her father, but it was the truth. While adept at both country's languages and customs, Japan felt fake to her. It felt like she had to act for her own family, close and extended. When in Japan, she felt like a doll that was cared for rather than cared about.
"If you'd like me to, I can introduce you to her. Considering how much you seemed to like it, I'm sure she'll let you taste test whatever she makes since I get the inkling you're going to spend money there. A lot of it, by the looks of you." She smiled at him, glad that something good could come out of this at least.
Out of the corner of her eye, Naomi caught sight of Kyouya looking at her. Glancing toward him, she smiled at him, as if that would help whatever he was thinking. She had no idea what he was thinking, but assumed it wasn't anything negative. Somehow, she felt it hard to look away from Kyouya when he was staring at her. "Without meaning to pry, may I ask why it seems all of you followed Haruhi here? Ouran is the most famous school in Japan for training the rich. My sister went to Ouran middle school then went to EBA for high school."
Needless to say, she was curious.
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