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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 16, 2019 21:45:26 GMT -8
Kagami had finally attended her first practice and realized just how different quodpot was from quidditch. Maybe she should have gone to the game Sunday instead of getting pretty much nowhere with her map or with befriending Shelby. Though people were friendly, the only person that seemed to want anything to do with her was Arwen. She was a very sweet girl, but Kagami was accustomed to having a lot of friends, all of various ages and genders. Boys and girls from ages seven to eighteen. What was the deal with Americans? She had been trying her very hardest to make friends, but they always just seemed to be waiting for her to go away.
Was it her accent? Her hair? Maybe her slightly crooked teeth? Americans had this weird obsession with having perfectly straight, blindingly white teeth. Kagami didn't have that. Was her smile not nice-looking enough? What was it? She stared down at the page in front of her, reading the paragraph about quod explosions for a fourth time. It still wasn't sinking in. She couldn't stop wondering what she was doing wrong. Maybe she was coming on too strong. Maybe she should act like she didn't care one way or another if anyone liked her.
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 16, 2019 22:11:09 GMT -8
Shae had a long afternoon ahead of him, now that classes were over for the day. Having been chosen as his house's representative for the Academic Olympics, it seemed like now would be the best time to start studying for it. There was less than a week left and, while he was fairly confident, he had no interest in letting his fellow housemates down.
However, when he reached the library, he found Kagami at one of the tables. He had been keeping an eye out for her all weekend when she wasn't around Shelby Nightingale so that he could actually get a chance to talk to her without being glared at or accused of anything. Surely, studying could wait a little longer so that he could get in a chance to talk to her for a while.
"Good afternoon," he said quietly. "Kagami Korino, right? We met a few days ago?" If she didn't remember, it wouldn't be that big of a deal but maybe she would still be willing to talk.
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 16, 2019 22:38:57 GMT -8
Kagami looked up from the library book and nodded. It was the guy that had tried to take a book away from Shelby. Sean? Shane? No. Think, Kagami. Her mind was too busy to recall the rhyme she had associated to his name and face.
"Yes. I remember," she said, suddenly recalling Shelby's attitude toward the boy. It made her think she should stay away. Stay away from... "Shae. Right?"
Well, maybe he just didn't get along with Shelby. He seemed nice enough to her. He had spoken Japanese and said he had friends from Mahoutokoro. "You're not here to take the quodpot book from me, are you?" she looked up, deadpan for a moment before grinning.
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 16, 2019 22:57:59 GMT -8
Shae actually laughed, taking a seat across from her. "No, I think I know enough about," he shifted a little to see what she was reading, "Quadpot. I do all the stats for our house team so I'm mostly caught up. Do you mind if I join you? If you are trying to concentrate, I will leave you in peace, of course. This is just the first chance I saw you since the other day...
"I'm really sorry about all that, by the way. My friends always tell me I have no manners and they are right, from time to time. Books are a bit easier to deal with than some people are, at times," he explained apologetically.
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 17, 2019 16:16:54 GMT -8
"Be my guest," she said, gesturing her indifference. At least she had made him laugh. That was a good sign that she was doing at least one thing right. "No, no, it is fine. I cannot concentrate, anyway. Maybe a short break will help," Kagami sighed, closing the book and looking up at the boy. The way he spoke of his friends and interactions, it sounded like he might have similar problems fitting in. However, he seemed to know exactly why.
"Apology accepted. Maybe the problem isn't you, but the other people," she suggested, thinking of her own issues making friends. "They might have little patience or thin skin. You are who you are, and they will either like it or not."
People also had preconceived notions about other people that affected their opinions of each other. What sort of preconceived notions did people have of him? If they already thought of him as rude, they would be extra picky about even the slightest lack of tact and blow it out of proportion. What of her? They might not know much about Kagami, specifically, but they might have opinions of Japanese people, in general, that affected their opinion of her.
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 17, 2019 16:35:12 GMT -8
"Quite perceptive," Shae agreed, surprised that that was how she would look at things - especially for someone her age. Then again, after his years of communication with wizards from other countries, he had learned that American students were a little less mature than others their age. It was why Shae worked so hard to meet those standards. Unfortunately, it often made his fellow Ilvermorny students irritated with his unusual behavior.
"Your English is quite good," he complemented her, wondering where she had learned it. Other countries began instructing their children in foreign languages at an early age - English being among one of the more common being taught. However, she could have learned from an American parent. Either way, he would let her elaborate.
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 17, 2019 19:35:14 GMT -8
"I suppose. I am considering my own problem making friends," Kagami shrugged. Indeed, her own 'words of wisdom' had been thoughts that had crossed her mind while evaluating her difficulty in making friends. "I wonder what I am doing wrong. So I think, maybe it isn't me. Maybe I am trying to make friends with people that aren't friendly."
Kagami smiled, her cheeks flushing ever-so-slightly. "We are required to learn to read and write English. Most of us cannot speak it. I felt I should," she said, speaking deliberately to avoid mispronouncing the usual difficult letters and straightening her back with pride. "My father is American. He has helped me with English since I was a very little girl."
One might think that her fluency would be higher, considering how long she'd been learning English, but they'd also have to take into account how seldomly she spoke with her father over the years. The only other person she spoke English to, until moving to America, was her English teacher. Kagami hoped to learn to talk more smoothly and with less effort and concentration as her time in America went on. She was already trying to incorporate contractions into her speech, when she could think to use them.
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 17, 2019 20:16:54 GMT -8
"You should be quite proud of yourself then," Shae said without reservation, a smile on his face as he added, "you speak the language better than some Americans I have met who have, supposedly, spoken it all their lives."
He listened to her explanation, nodding. "So your father is American. I suppose that's how you ended up here with us. It must be quite a change but, of course, there are ways to find friends with like minds - even with the house separations. It's ridiculously old-fashioned, splitting students up because a piece of rock thinks it can see to the heart of someone. Apparently, the tradition is fashioned after a simlar custom at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Most of this school roots came from that esteemed institute, due to the fact that one of our founders - Isolt Sayre - was an English immigrant. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely to change in the near future so..." he shrugged.
"However, there are many clubs to join - they'll be starting up within the next week or so. It's a good way to meet like minds."
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 17, 2019 21:16:58 GMT -8
"That is very nice of you to say," Kagami looked down at the cover of the book in front of her. Truth be told, she was more worried about people making fun of her accent than anything else. She had seen it in so much American media, stereotypes of Asians with ugly teeth and squinted eyes, saying things like 'flied lice' instead of 'fried rice'. Not wanting them to see her like that was a driving force behind how careful she was with her words. So she spoke a bit slowly, in her own opinion. Compared to how tongue-tyingly quick she was when speaking Japanese, anyway. It wasn't really all that slow when compared to native English speakers.
"Yes. I came here to be with my father when my mother died," she said with a bit of detachment. Kagami hadn't really had much of a chance to mourn. It was probably better that way. Less of a distraction from her studies. She listened to his view of houses, nodding along in agreement. "I don't understand the point, but I can accept it. My father says 'separate but equal'. He was a pukwudgie, too. I have heard a lot about Hogwarts. Not all good."
That was the second time someone recommended she join a club. The first time, Shelby said she should join theater club. That didn't appeal to her. She'd heard murmurings about the other clubs, and thought she might like book club. "Do you know anything about book club?" she asked, wondering what his opinion of it was.
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 17, 2019 21:51:43 GMT -8
When she announced her reason for joining them here, Shae smiled died. That must have been difficult - trying to assimilate as well as dealing with the passing of her mother. She seemed to be holding up rather well, though he did not share a room with her. It was amazing what most people hid behind their bedroom doors. People who smile and seem the same in the halls could be a complete wreck with the curtains closed around their beds. Gideon was a good example of that.
Of course, Shae would never speak of that but it was a lesson he tried to keep in mind - from time to time.
Finally, something he knew how to say to her, even if his accent wasn't quite up to snuff. "Kagami, okuyami." He said, hoping that it was understandable. Probably something she had heard a million times back at her old school but probably not here. And while he couldn't carry even brief conversations with her, there were still things he knew and that had been a big one he heard on the docks quite a bit when sailors met and caught up with each other. It made more sense when Uko gave him the translation as well as the proper pronunciation.
It hadn't seemed like a topic she wanted to dwell on and he would respect that.
"I am not a member of the book club but my friend Gideon is. He enjoys it significantly. They don't just read books you need tissues to read nor just books that are considered classics. I don't think he would go if they did." Shae grinned, trying to picture Gideon reading a book that most of the girls would cry through. It would be amusing but probably make a guy lose patience with it pretty quickly.
"I'm more partial to Chess and Table Top. Some kids will say those are the nerdy clubs but what do they know? I'm one of the better Chess players here if you ever fancy a game. And I know that seems a bit like boasting but is that really the case if it's true?" He chuckled softly, not wanting a lecture from the librarian. "That is actually how I made friends with a few students at Mahoutokoro."
** Okuyami - My condolences
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 18, 2019 17:40:10 GMT -8
It was a simple way of expressing condolences, but Kagami appreciated it all the same. Not being a native speaker of the language, she didn't expect him to know even that word, let alone a more proper phrase. It was quite a mouthful. "O kokorodzukai arigatou gozaimasu," she said softly with a sad smile. The slight catch in her voice couldn't be helped. Even if he didn't understand anything beyond the 'thank you', she knew he probably got the gist of her appreciation.
She was glad that he moved right on with the clubs topic, not wishing to discuss her loss or feelings in more detail. The clubs in America probably weren't the same as the ones at her old school. "Do they read graphic novels?" she asked, eyebrows raised. Did they each read their own books of choice, or did they all read the same book at the same time? If it was the latter, she would be less interested. Perhaps she would seek out this friend of his to find out more.
"Table top? Do you play trading card games?" she asked. Kagami wasn't much for chess, board games, or roleplaying, but she might join table top club if they played games like Pokemon. "I don't think those are nerdy interests. I may know your friends, it is a small school."
(Thank you for your sympathy)
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 18, 2019 19:43:23 GMT -8
When she thanked him (at least, that was the one word he recognized), Shae nodded firmly in acknowledgment. She seemed a little less okay than she wanted to let on but it was rare that girls wanted to discuss stuff like that with guys they weren't dating. And he was perfectly happy with that. There would be girls in her own house, in her own grade that would be more suitable for that task. Or her father, who would understand the loss in a way no one else probably could.
When Kagami moved on to the secondary topic, Shae didn't allow his relief to show, glad to be on much more comfortable ground. "Normally, the members of the group all read the same book together and then discuss it. However, the books are those suggested by the group. There have been a few graphic novels in the past as well as some comic books. Since there is a fair mixture of girls and boys, they manage to cover a variety of genres and, it's surprising when you find a book that you would never have read otherwise and found yourself actually enjoying it. Or so Gideon says. I've read a few of them after he was done and found them better than expected. It's all about taking turns, I suppose," he shrugged. "Just like life - gotta take the good with the bad.
"As for tabletop, we usually play things like DnD, Warhammer, Pathfinder - mostly RPGs. It was a wide enough genre that everyone could agree on whereas with card games, no one could agree on which ones and then for everyone to go out and get the cards for it. Just too many options."
When she suggested that it was a small school, Shae had to consider what he knew. Which order did the Japanese go in - the first name and then last or vice versa? Chinese was last and then first. It had to be last and then first because they usually called him Stevens Shae in letters.
"One of my closest friends there is Mori Uko. I am uncertain when you start school there but I believe he is seventeen?"
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 19, 2019 16:48:55 GMT -8
"Oh. Well, I may still check it out," Kagami said, figuring it was optional like any other club. If she went to the club and found it did not suit her, she should be able to simply not return. The book club really did not sound appealing. It seemed more like something old ladies would get together and do, but it was the only one remotely close to her interests.
She found it very odd that tabletop didn't include all tabletop games, like board and card games. Why not just name it RPG club? American clubs must've been extremely different from Japanese clubs, if they had only a specific set of things to appreciate within the scope of the club. Were clubs not just a group of people getting together and discussing and enjoying their interests? Why did they require the entire group participating in specific activities? That sounded less like a club and more like an extracurricular activity. Kagami sighed softly, looking a bit disheartened. Maybe she just wouldn't join any clubs. Hopefully, that was an option.
"I know of Mori-san, but we aren't friends," Kagami said, smiling kindly. "He is one of the best at chess, always places in tournaments. I think he made it to an international level."
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Post by Shae Stevens on Jan 19, 2019 17:35:36 GMT -8
"We are always happy to add another to our numbers," Shae informed her. "And who knows, maybe you will be the one to get us all to change our minds and add something new." It was unlikely but right now, he didn't want her to be discouraged. Clubs were one of the best ways to make friends.
"Yes, that is actually how we met - through chess tournaments. I believe it was nearly two years ago, this summer. He's been a good friend - as has his protege, Ishii Aiko. I believe that she would be around your age if memory serves me correctly. However, she and I have had less contact whereas she seems more focused on academic pursuits than chess. Her talent is, quite rare, natural. Aiko can pick out patterns at a dizzying speed." His voice was almost one of awe.
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Post by Kagami Korino on Jan 19, 2019 20:09:27 GMT -8
Kagami nodded, appreciating the encouragement. "Maybe," she agreed, leaning back in her chair and blowing a bit of air up toward her fringe. Those had been the only clubs she'd heard about, so far, though she knew there were others. She supposed she'd just join whatever club Arwen joined and that would be that.
"Aiko-chan?" her face instantly lit up and she bolted upright in her seat. "She was my... very good friend. Brain like a computer. Brilliant. Beautiful, too. Very popular, but didn't date any boys that chased her. She wasn't interested in that."
Kagami didn't want to say they were best friends, because that wasn't exactly correct. She couldn't help but wonder if Aiko had ever mentioned her. If she had, he probably would have said so, though. Knowing Aiko, she didn't mention much of anything personal. Still, she couldn't help herself. "Does she ever mention Kaga-kun?" she asked, biting her lip.
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