Like Water

kindness isn't a weakness -- it's a strength | makoto tachibana | sophomore | | boys dorm B-1 |

[minimatsuoka-deactivated2014102]

where for art thou pool [open]

[minimatsuoka-deactivated2014102]

As oblivious as Makoto had been, Gou was just as clueless. She stood motionless, caught up in her own internal worrying until she felt another body accidentally slam into hers. Unfortunately, she was a great deal tinier than Makoto and wasn’t as lucky. She was unable to catch her balance and fell over, catching herself on her knees.

She pouted and looked over her shoulder, ready to give whoever had knocked into her an earful about watching where they’re going, but the sight of a familiar face cut her tirade off before it could begin.

"Makoto!" She picked herself up quickly with perhaps just a little too much vigor, but her experiences at the school hadn’t been amazing yet, so who could blame her for feeling so relieved? "Yes, it’s me! I didn’t know you were transferring schools as well."

[orcamako-blog]

Thank goodness he didn't hurt her-- she looked as lively as ever. Of course, Makoto was too preoccupied wondering why she was here to think too much about running into her, as embarrassing as it was. If he was going to meet her here, he would have rather done it in a more dignified manner. Well, lots of things in life are rather undignified, so he tried to shake away that thought.

"This is really surprising... I had no idea you transferred schools. How come?" He asked, a big smile on his face. It was so nice to see a familiar face in the school, now he didn't feel so lonely. Maybe they were even a part of the same swim team! "Were you headed somewhere? Ah, it's not class, is it?"

There were other things he wanted to ask, like if anyone else from Iwatobi transferred as well... but swamping her with questions right after meeting her again would be rather rude.

[minimatsuoka-deactivated2014102]

where for art thou pool [open]

If nothing else, Tancho Academy was certainly bigger than Iwatobi High School. 

When her transcripts had been sent over to transfer schools, Gou had been offered the position of swim team manager. Despite her hesitancy, she accepted the position if for no other reason than to be somehow involved. She hadn’t been exactly ecstatic about transferring schools, but she’d promised her family she’d try her best to be positive about the experience.

Anyway, she decided that as the new team manager, she should probably actually…find the pool. The map she’d been given at the office wasn’t terribly helpful, and she found herself staring at it, solitary in the middle of the hallway. She squinted, not even sure if the pool was supposed to be indoors or outdoors.

She sighed and shut her eyes in an almost comical frustration. “I’m so lost.”

[orcamako-blog]

Continuing his own little tour of the school, Makoto found it a little easier to navigate the Academy. Well, one would hope so after all the walking and 'sight-seeing' he's done. "Let's see... oh, I haven't seen the pool yet!"

Continuing to walk and look around at the same time, he wasn't exactly paying attention... well, he didn't think it was necessary to since the halls were eerily empty at the moment. Unfortunately for him, despite thinking it was unnecessary, he ended up knocking into someone-- THUNK just like that.

Moving back a little from the impact, he quickly looked below him to see the person had gotten knocked to the ground from the impact. He hurriedly extended his hand. "Oh... oh boy..! I'm really sorry, I should have been paying attention--" Upon a closer inspection, he recognized the person... "Kou... Kou Matsuoka!? It is you, right?"

[ichiryuusreasoning]

locked out [open thread]

[ichiryuusreasoning]

"Ah! You got it! Travail magnifique!" Sebastian seemed surprised that the task of getting the key to even turn was feasible, let alone unlock the door entirely. "It’s a good thing you came along when you did… I-I mean, if I’d had a few more minutes to work at it, I definitely could have figured it out," he stammered, trying to put his feelings of relief on the backburner in favor of coming off as ‘cool’, "But thanks!"

Sebastian took another look at his sad-looking key and pocketed it, figuring he’d just ask a teacher where to get a new one when classes began. It took him a few tries, though, fumbling with it almost as if he had no clear approximation of where his pockets were.

"And yes, I transferred from Themis Law Academy just this week. My name is Sebastian Debeste, you may have heard of me… and you are?"

[orcamako-blog]

Makoto scratched the back of his head and smiled. The boy standing next to him seemed so surprised that the door could open-- Makoto couldn't help but think how refreshing it was to be talking with this student. He hadn't really talked to anyone in the school yet, besides teachers but they didn't really count.

"Oh... oh, no problem! I'm happy I could help out." Makoto did a little bow for some reason, trying to get across a point of 'it's not worthy of a thank you but I appreciate it anyway'.

Wow, that was a little embarrassing. He didn't even ask for his name upon meeting him or even after striking up a little conversation. Better late than never, right? I've never heard of him before... at least I don't think so... he must be pretty important though, to flaunt his name like that. "I'm Makoto Tachibana, nice to meet you!"

After a few laughs, the kind people do to either take up time or be on their way soon, Makoto wondered what Sebastian was doing now. "Are you... going to go inside the dorm now?"

[ichiryuusreasoning]

locked out [open thread]

[ichiryuusreasoning]

What a relief! He didn’t have to wait long after all, only a few minutes had passed and already potential assistance had come by, and he seemed friendly enough. Most people these days didn’t smile at you as they passed.

"Yes it is," he replied, turning to face the other young man, "I’m having trouble getting inside. I’ve been trying since I got here, this key just won’t seem to do the trick…" he withdrew the battered key from the doorknob with a quick, harsh tug to dislodge it from the lock (he’d been a little more forceful in the hopes that would help in any way whatsoever) and held it up to show his fellow student. He had just had it given to him and already the sides were bent out of shape and the paint was cracked, but that didn’t seem to bother him very much.

"You must be a student here, too, right?" Sebastian reasoned. "Has your key been deflective at all?"

[orcamako-blog]

Oh boy, that key looks like its been through a car running it over... Ahh, he's trying to get it out..?! Makoto watched as the locked out student attempted to free the key. Looked like repetition wasn't going to get him very far, unfortunately. "Here, let me give it a try." Makoto took the key, glanced around to make sure no other students were trying to get in, and gave it a go.

"Oh, yes, I am! Well, I'm actually in the B-1 dorm." He answered, still trying to get the key to work. "Luckily, no. But sometimes you need to put these in just right, like so..." Voila, the door opened up and Makoto clenched his fist in a triumphant manner. "Sometimes you need to slant it a little while putting it inside." He handed his fellow student the key.

"You might want to ask someone for a new one, though. That one is looking a little rough around the edges." He laughed a little, no ill will intended. "Are you also a transfer student like I am? Is that why you didn't ask anyone for help getting in? I know how you feel, it's a little embarrassing, huh..."

[ichiryuusreasoning]

locked out [open thread]

The third time’s the charm, Sebastian’s always been told (and never really understood) but he was well past the point of trying the key to the A-1 Boy’s Dormitory three times, and, well, a better ballpark estimate would be about ten or fifteen. Yet no matter how hard he tried twisting the key to the doorknob, it refused to budge; in fact, he had made so many attempts that the key was beginning to bend and warp on its side from the amount of force he’d been using to turn it.

More determined than he was panicked, Sebastian took a step back from the entryway door and withdrew his baton, waving it around aimlessly as he considered his options. Too proud to find a member of campus staff to help him (lest he get lost trying to locate one in the first place) he figured his best (and only, he supposed) course of action was to simply wait around until another resident of the A-1 Boy’s Dormitory came by, and walk inside with them if they didn’t happen to have any trouble entering.

Granted, that could take quite a while, but Sebastian could entertain himself until then. Provided someone even came along in the first place.

[orcamako-blog]

Makoto had just left his room in the Boys' B-1 Dormitory. He got an idea as he locked the door; why not check out the rest of the places he hasn't seen yet? After all, it'd probably do some good to check out his surroundings. Couldn't hurt, anyway.

After walking quite a ways, he caught sight of the A-1 Dormitory. "Oh, is that the A-1 Boy's Dormitory..?" He mumbled, resting one finger atop his lips. He did decide that he wanted to check out all of his surroundings, so off he went to a dorm that he probably shouldn't bother with-- after all, he'd never see it again. Probably.

Walking towards the halls entrace, Makoto caught sight of a boy waiting outside the dorm.

Oh, he must be a resident. I forgot, you need a key to get in. Best I leave, then. Makoto thought, continuing to walk on by while flashing a smile. As he looked back though, he noticed that the boy didn't seem to go inside-- he just kept waiting outside of it. And was it his imagination or was the boy looking at him?

"Um... can I help you?" He asked, walking back to where he was standing. "Is this your dorm?"

[orcamako-blog]

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

Maybe a nice solitary walk... it's nice around this time of year, even if it is a bit humid--

... wait, are you a robot?!