( natalie anderson; )

XXII. ARISTOCRAT. POLITICS. ❝ The drought was the very worst. When the flowers that we'd grown together died of thirst. ❞

[nvtclie]

calmdowncaleb·:

“I brought it with me from New York. I already drank the fruit flavours.” Caleb explained apologetically. He wondered if they would be anywhere near Koreatown when they visited Japan later in the school year. “I don’t know. After we were told we would be coming here or have to find another school. I stopped caring after that.”

“No worries, this stuff’s good as it is.” Natalie replied, as she let her eyes skim over the courtyard, feeling more at ease with Caleb’s presence. “What did your parents think? You know, you being so far away from home? I know I miss mine.” It was half truth. She missed having family, sure, but she wasn’t really as close as she could do to her parents.

[nvtclie]

loren-velazquez·:

“I’m not a workaholic, I’m just…motivated,” Loren countered, leaning back in her seat as she looked over at Natalie, a smile playing on her lips as she joked. She didn’t take any offense to that. Sure, Loren knew how to let go and have fun, but at the end of the day….Nat sorta had a point. “Can you imagine how much more we could get done if we could just pause time for a bit each day? Just for ourselves? I’d be unstoppable,” she said. “What’s brought on this craving for illicit drug use, though?” 

Natalie wished she could be motivated. Usually she was, but recently she just felt out of place, out of sorts. Perhaps it was due to the other overachievers that attended the college, she no longer found it a breeze to be the top of her class anymore. “I think I need to borrow some of that.” She suggested, with a hearty laugh. “I’d definitely use that time to sleep a little more, maybe catch up on some extra credit.” She replied. “I don’t know. Don’t you think you could just sit back and escape for awhile with the fear of doing something illegal coursing through your veins?” She teased, giving her a light shove.

[nvtclie]

samuelkyle·:

It was even more confusing to hear that classes and coursework seemed never ending. “It’s classes they are supposed to teach you that’s the point.” He pointed out finding the excuse lackluster at best. “Therapy then they’ll give you drugs. Of course that won’t help the classwork thing. If you want that to stop you need to either get smarter or drop out. The point is to learn so it needs to be never ending. Unless you change the system.”

Natalie cocked a brow, not realising how blunt he’d be with her but she supposed she had to take his honesty on the chin. He seemed like the type of person not to hold back. “There’s never-ending learning, I agree with that, but shouldn’t you want to make sure everyone’s up to speed first. Some of us aren’t as fast learners as you.” She said, however, with a smile. “What do you do for fun?”

[nvtclie]

skypagex·:

“Educator? I’ll take it,” Sky shrugged, a slight smile appearing on his lips. “I could help with that.” A little stereotypical, considering his image, but he was content with being a cliché for now. “I’ve never seen Gossip Girl, but I assume if it’s anything like Luxor, watching it would stress me out. Too close to home. Like, I watch shows to escape all the assholes…” 

“Yeah, I mean I’m not very good at noticing drug dealers in such a prestigious academy.” Natalie sarcastically replied with a hint of grin. “No offence. Not that you look like one. Just that you look knowledgeable. Always have.” She listened to his words and almost snorted at his response, perhaps she should have stayed in America after all. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure by the end of the year you’re rooting for Blair and Chuck.” She knew he wouldn’t get the reference, but it was fun to say nonetheless. “Who’s the biggest assholes I should avoid then?” Although, if anything, Nat would do the opposite out of sheer curiosity. 

[brittany]

Spinning Out  |  1x03 - “Proceed with Caution”

[jadeamelia]

[nvtclie]

freyamcdgl·:

Freya shrugged, chuckling only. “I agree. People should see more plays but they are too busy to blame ticket prices. I see their point but same people also are willing to pay so much money for a sports game.” She rolled her eyes. “Considering Nixon was a sociopath, there is not really a difference between those two.” Freya chuckled. “I don’t need to stay on your good side if you become a serial killer though, if anything, you better stay on my good side because I am planning to become a forensic psychiatrist.”

“I’m afraid I’m neither of those people. I don’t have the attention span to watch a play or a sports game, I’d much rather be involved.” Natalie couldn’t even remember the last time she’d sat through a full film without wishing she was occupying her brain with something productive. “I think most politicians must be sociopaths, it would explain a lot.” She shrugged. “Perhaps we’ll become like Hannibal and Clarice, and you’ll be the one reprimanding me and trying to make me into ‘a better person’.” Natalie laughed. “Hopefully less dramatically than those two. I promise I'll spare you.”

[nvtclie]

reellykenzie·:

“My dad was always protective, but he never hid the hard stuff from me. He was always honest with what was going on. He just taught me why they were wrong and stuff like that. Also how to defend myself, how the law works, and stuff like that,” she explained. “I don’t really think of doing that when I am in the middle of a breakdown. I have no idea what they are trying to tell me besides how awful I am and how everything is my fault. Fun stuff to think about.”

“I get that. My mom’s a lawyer, and I swear she’s been trying to engrain the law into me so I don’t end up doing something bad or that would potentially get me into trouble.” Natalie laughed. “That must be good though, knowing how to defend yourself. I bet nobody messes with you.” She wished someone had taught her something similar, at least a few spicy comebacks perhaps. “But you know you’re not awful, right? You’re the exact opposite.”

[nvtclie]

rileyxsteele·:

Riley shrugged. “I would have changed my decision to go home for thanksgiving last year. I wouldn’t have gotten in that car wreck and I wouldn’t be blind.” She pointed out. “But i’d also use that chance to win the mega millions and be a billionaire.”

Perhaps Natalie shouldn’t have spoken so abruptly, but at least she were comfortable enough to share her life. “I’m sorry,” she replied. “I know it’s cliché, but they do say everything happens for a reason. I’m sure you’re suppose to do something great with your life, regardless.” Despite it all, she really did believe that. “I’d love to be a billionaire, although, sometimes I think I’d run out of things to spend money on.”

[nvtclie]

jenevievemccoy·:

“Ooo, shopping, now you are speaking my language.” She said with a smile. “I might have to take you up on that offer, because I need some new hot spots to get some clothes from.” Her clothes were starting to get baggy. “I’m Jenevieve McCoy. I’m a senior with the high school, my sister is a freshman though, maybe you know her? Juliet?”

“Well, we could go down if you like? Find you a new outfit to replace this coffee stained one. Unless you’re busy.” Natalie suggested, with a smile as she gestured towards the campus exit. “Nice to meet you, Jenevieve. I don’t think I’ve met your sister yet, but I’m sure I will at some point. I’ll look out for the name McCoy.”

[nvtclie]

thexcowardlyxleo·:

Leo felt his jaw clench as he heard the nickname, but he didn’t say anything of it. If she thought this was him being stubborn, she was in for quite a time. Besides, it made him feel like she was patronizing him and like she was treating him like a little kid. Not that that wasn’t deserved, though. Maybe if he’d stop acting like a kid throwing a temper tantrum, he’d stop being treated like one. He fiddled with the pen and almost instinctively started doodling in the margins of the notebook as he actually tried to give it some thought. Of course, his mind was blank, though. Or not blank, just thinking about anything and everything except for poetry class. “Lots of poems made me feel things, but the feeling is usually under the umbrella of annoyance,” he answered through a soft mutter. If he actually picked a poem that resonated with how he was truly feeling, everyone would think he was crazy- more so than they already did. “It doesn’t even matter if it resonates with me or not, no one is going to pick a poem that resonates with them, or tell the class how they’re really feeling, no one ever tells anyone anything. And besides, It’s not like the teacher’s really asking for that either. They say they are, but….” he let his sentence trail off, and instead just concluded it with a subtle shake to his head as he continued to draw patterns and abstract designs in the margins.

Natalie could understand his apprehension, and his outlook on the world -- or at least the world that kept its barriers at the edge of Luxor. Whenever people made out that they expected certain things from you, it was usually easy to get away with the bare minimum, and with teachers theses days, Nat could resonate with that. However, it wasn’t in her nature, and she wasn’t a teacher and probably after trying to teach Leo she wouldn’t be, but she would get through to him. She was determined. “Alright,” she sighed, as she let her eyes skim over the patterns he began to draw. “Have you ever heard of William Wordsworth? He wrote a poem called ‘I Wandered as Lonely as a Cloud’, that’s the one we’re going to use.” Taking her phone from her pocket, she began to search for a written version to make sure her memory were correct. It wasn’t exactly ‘meaningful’ to Leo, but it provided enough academic integrity to possibly secure him a good grade. If he could speak about it. Handing her phone over, she gestured to the notebook. “Write this poem down and tell me your first impressions of it. What do you think about it?”

[nvtclie]

reellykenzie·:

“Well, I know where to get them, but I just never wanted to. My dad was a cop, so I kind of got the whole ‘drugs are bad’ thing drilled into my brain at a young age,” she explained with a shrug. “My therapist suggests I journal or something, but I just sort of repeat things that I know are true and like… not what my thoughts are trying to tell me. Like what is reality versus what I’m thinking and spiraling about. And the fact that I’m not some psychic who knows things will always be that bad like I think it is.”

“Your dad being a cop must have its advantages though, you know, growing up and never being introduced to the bad stuff of the world. I think a lot of people would kill for an upbringing like that.” Natalie said. She wasn’t talking about herself, of course. Her parents were strict enough when it came to things that would potentially ruin her life. “Well, your journal is suppose to be your private place, maybe you should try it again and just don’t even think about what you write. Just write.” She suggested, smiling. “What else do you think your thoughts are trying to tell you?”

[nvtclie]

ridiculousyoungicarus·:

Zander could appreciate the peace and quiet the canal brought, especially now. Usually when he came here to think, nobody else had been around, but today there was a face he didn’t quite recognize. Although he supposed for the most part he wouldn’t be able to recognize the majority of his peers, even if he’d been more sociable these past few months then he’d been in the past four years of attending Luxor, that was still a bit too much to ask him to keep up with. “Yes, but I don’t think hardcore drugs is the answer. I’ve babysat people during heroin trips before, and it practically pressed a fast forward button.” 

“I’m particularly needle phobic so I don’t believe I’d fair well if it came to trying heroin, which I never plan to do, by the way.” Natalie stated matter-of-factly, however, with a laugh toward the end of her sentence. “I think fast forwarding time wouldn’t be so bad though, I mean if you were still able to achieve things throughout. However, I think I’ll stick with trying to pause time. What about you?”

[nvtclie]

freyamcdgl·:

“I can’t see myself being relaxed in an environment like that. Bored for sure, but relaxed? I don’t think so.” She shrugged, chuckling. “I don’t have the attention span for anything but plays. I just love theatre, everything happens at that very moment, there’s no way so you could replicate, with movies you could watch the same scenes over and over again and it never changes but an actor simply can not replicate their performance, it’s impossible. I like that.” Another shrug. “I have never been into shopping.” Freya nodded her, smirked a little. “I see, you like establishing dominance. Politicians do like power,” She paused to smirk again. “So do serial killers.” She joked, chuckling. “Does this mean I am talking to the first female president of United States?”

“Well, the person who invented the idea of a spa will be spinning in their grave right about now.” Natalie teased, as she listened to the other begin to speak about the theatre. Watching plays had never really been Nat’s sort of thing, she much preferred being in them, if ever given the chance. “I suppose that’s true. It is definitely an art form that isn’t given enough credit, or at least in my opinion.” She shrugged. “President or serial killer, who really knows.” She teased with a small laugh. “Best stay on my good side if I become either one.”

[nvtclie]

thexcowardlyxleo·:

Leo knew she was right, and just slouched over the wall, sighing heavily. He didn’t have time for this stupid project. Not with everything else going on. “It’s about poetry, we have to find a poem and talk about it.” He explained through tired mumbles. He didn’t know the first thing about poetry- the only reason he signed up for the class at all was because he saw the class list quick and thought it said pottery. Not that he’d admit that… he had some pride left in him, surprisingly enough considering how self deprecating and sabotaging he was. When he heard her suggestion, he turned to see the group just to humor her, but that was about all he could do. “I don’t…. I don’t even know any stupid poems.” Sure he read some for school, but none that stood out enough to him to talk about them. And what did that even mean? The structure, the rhymes, the word choice, other technical aspects? Or more personal… what it meant to him, what drew him to it…. Both sounded the worst case scenario.

It was frustrating to teach him sometimes, but nevertheless, Natalie persisted in the attempt and hope that she’d somehow pull himself through his doubts and succeed. She refused to give up on him. He was a good kid really. Her eyes flitted from the crowd and towards Leo, as she searched her brain, scanning all the poems she possessed the knowledge of in order to help. “Okay, Mr. Stubborn.” She teased, as she handed him her notebook and a pencil. “We need to find something that resonates with you, and how you’re feeling. Is there any poems that you know that even made you feel something even the tiniest?” She could have given him one that she knew, but that wouldn’t be fair, it’d be cheating. It wouldn’t be true to him, and she was sure that would be the only way she’d get through to him. “Something you feel comfortable reading to me?”

[nvtclie]

ofxceaneyes·:

“Absolutely, and without it, would we really face what happened?” he have avoided his problems a lot of times, pretended they didn’t exist before, until he couldn’t take no more, “I guess I am kind of young, I’m sixteen, but I feel like even if I was older, I wouldn’t want to drink either,” he supposed that he would only find out, when he got older, but he was not a big fan of the taste of it, so he had a feeling that even when he was an adult, he wouldn’t want it.

“I think a lot of people would prefer to brush things under the rug, I mean that’s where that expression comes from, right?” Natalie said, as she shrugged. She’d never really given it much thought before, as she’d always been one to face things head on. However, she supposed, if she really could, if she could choose, there’s a lot of things she’d choose not to face. “Oh yeah, you should definitely not drink or get into any bad habits. It just causes more problems in the long run.” She nodded, however, impressed that she’d met a sixteen year old who didn’t want to drink. “What do you do for fun then?”

[nvtclie]

loren-velazquez·:

Loren looked up from her homework to where Natalie was sitting, clearly not doing her own work, letting out a small laugh. “I think that is definitely the appeal of hardcore drugs,” she confirmed, tapping her fingers lightly against her paper as she considered for a moment. “Never really gotten that feeling myself, personally. Pausing seems like….I don’t know, giving up, or something. Though pausing time? That I can get behind.” 

Natalie briefly skimmed the paper that Loren had been working on, out of boredom, not particularly sheer interest. As was evident by the lack of work on the blank page in front of her that lay steadily against on a notebook on her own lap. Sometimes it was difficult for Nat to get ‘into the done’, especially when she went on one of her tangents. “Sometimes everyone need to press pause.” She stated bluntly, but however with a smile. “Sorry we’re not all workaholics like you, Lor.” There was a laugh emitting from her lips as she reached into her bag for a pen. “Pausing time would be an awesome super power.”