They couldn't help it then, the laugh that came from their throat a little too loud at both the comment of resetting their scoreboard and the idea of having to walk a book -- though now Paloma was determined to make this reality happen. "New year new us? I mean, just in case we fuck it up again we do have the official new year, the Jewish New Year, Chinese New Year, hell, we could even go based on the Aztec calendar's New Year. I'll research more to give us excuses," it was a relief after all that Ryan did take her lack of communication in stride, the way she would always return the favor for him too. Everytime. "You've got to come on a walk with me now, right? Us and our pet book? We might need to name it if it does start walking once we put it on a leash."
Ryan felt a strange yet welcomed warmth in his chest as Paloma laughed loudly. It was real, tangible, proof that they really were okay. Ryan had craved a connection with them time and time (and time) again, only to mess it up. They were stuck in a cycle, and he wasn't sure how to break it so they could just... he didn't know, be? That would have to be a problem for a later date, given Paloma was here now and happy to see him. "I appreciate your dedication to our arguably, joint, hopelessness. I think after our - what? 34th try? - we'll get it right," he joked back. Ryan raised a brow at them, barely fighting back a laugh. "And where are we going to get a leash? Appropriate answers only, please. We might have to carry them first, you know? Book's first walk... might be nervous. How about you tell me what you want to name them, and I'll immediately veto it. Deal?"
ivelisse knew what she wanted and how to get it and, in that moment, she wanted to bother somebody. she soon had ryan in her sights, and made a b - line for his table ; they ignored his words as they shifted into the seat beside him with a crooked, knowing grin. “oh, please, i’ll be as quiet as a mouse — ” she lifted her hand and closed her fingers into a fist. with ease, the volume of their talking quietened and quietened and quietened as though ivelisse was turning down the volume dial on a stereo. for a moment she continued to speak, but silently. she made an expression as though she was laughing, and loosened her fingers to grant herself the ability to speak once again. “what'cha reading ? anything fun ? ”
ryan had been primed to protest ivelisse's claims of being 'quiet as a mouse' when they flashed that grin. of course. ryan shook his head, making a show of disapproving of her cheating with her power, but in reality, he was poorly fighting off a smile. "you make it quite difficult to argue with you, you know that? by all means, keep the volume up - i've read this a hundred times before." ryan flipped the book around, cracked spine on full display, to show mary shelley's 'frankenstein'. "fun might not be the best word, but i'm enjoying myself. company and all, i suppose. are you reading anything currently?"
as much as she likes being home, spending time with her family and friends, there's always a part of her that's counting down the days until she's back within these walls. surrounded by people just like her. a sense of belonging that jane had never felt until the academy. no one scared of her, looking at her like she was losing her mind. true acceptance.
so, it's safe to say that orientation passed like a breeze. eyes can't help but scan the room as she wanders through and when they fall onto mr. myserious in the corner, they light up— not a second wasted before jane's skipping over.
“ you're joking, right? there's plenty of room left over, ” at least for her. and if there wasn't, she'd make room. “ my dream is to pick your brain and see what book has your attention today [ ... ] well, not actually pick your brain. i've gotten so much better at that since last year. ”
ryan could tell right away that she wasn't going to give up so easily. he wasn't exactly the most exciting company in the world, though. there was still a chance she'd cut her loses and leave him to it. he let out a soft sigh, folding down the corner of the page he was on before moving over so slightly. perhaps a day would come when he wasn't such a sucker for someone who knew what they wanted.
"well, if you're going to bring logic into this, jane... i'm hardly going to stand a chance," ryan almost smiled. he let out a surprised, quiet, laugh at her comment before shaking his head. "glad to hear it. i'm not so sure if you'd have a good time in 'hotel jung' anyways, there's nothing exciting on," he added, tapping his forehead. "it's a classic, really - the book, i mean. boy meets girl, world tears them apart, everything seems lost and then the day's saved just in time for the sequel."
Kai released an exasperated sigh as Ryan continued to joke that he was his best friend. It was a joke, right? He had only shared a room with the guy for three years–he didn't even know him. "Well, nothing now, I suppose." He closed the book, revealing the title: The Name of the Wind. It was difficult enough reading fantasy names without something chattering in your ear. As Ryan pulled out his own book, Kai visibly grimaced–he fucking loathed what this guy did to his books. "Can you even still see the words in that?"
"A tragic end to your story," Ryan commented as Kai closed the book over. Although, he made no effort to move along and leave Kai to it. Maybe he wanted to catch up. A wry smile tugged at Ryan's lips at Kai's grimace, he really hated when Ryan pulled out his old books. "No, actually. I just have it memorised so well that I know just when to turn the page. Now you know my big secret, don't tell anyone," Ryan said dryly. "And how are you now we're back in full swing?"
the energy of orientation week still buzzed at the edges as students found their pace amongst their class schedules. josie had found the prior week anything but orienting, but now in the rhythm of classes, it was like the weight was disappearing, little by little. with a break in her schedule, she's wandering the halls, peering into rooms, about to give up and head to the courtyard — when she spots ryan. she doesn't hesitate to walk up to him, smile spread across her face, amused at him sitting in the corner with a book. “ c'mon, you can't make room for me? ” she jokingly pouts, batting her eyes before she breaks into a laugh. ryan was one of the few people on campus whose presence was like the glow of a hearth in midwinter, warm and inviting, someone whom with she could let the facade fall. she finds a chair to pull over and sit next to him, leans near to peer at the pages before him. “ what are you reading this time? anything good? ” she asks. “ i just got a reading assignment already… has to be better than that, i hope. ”
ryan couldn't help smiling as josie pouted and batted her lashes, rolling his eyes affectionately as she brought a chair over. "how could i say no to you, josie?" he replied. ryan looked over at her, his face softening as she leaned over to look at his book. she was close. it was totally fine. "i'm sorry to disappoint you, but i'm already cosied up to 'strategic diplomacy 101' in all its glory. and miniscule text, i mean, look at that-," he sighed, turning the book around so she could fully see. "another year, another mountain of coursework. nothing you can't handle, josie. how're you settling back in to this... non-stop fun?"
Ryan had successfully survived orientation week. While it was hardly his first time around, all the bright and beaming faces were a lot to handle. The nervous energy, the unknown powers. The possibility that he might see himself a little too clearly in the eyes of some scared, self-loathing, kid... Yeah, all things he wasn't interested in. Plus, the party. That had been rough. Content that the forced socialisation was over, Ryan was now tucked into a corner with a book, eager to blend back into the background. And yet, when he heard footsteps approach, he couldn't stop himself from looking up. "I'm not so sure that this corner's big enough for the both of us, but if it's your dream... I can move." @vanguardiastarters
"Sooooooo, I think, I ghosted YOUR text this time? SOOOO, I guess it's my turn to bother you? Plus, I just had a book BARK at me and though I'm usually against the whole burning books thing, I thought, I think I know the perfect person who could burn this godforsaken book..." Paloma puts it on the table in front of Ryan, watching as it barked again. "Is there a chance someone turned a dog into a book? 'Cause I don't want to burn a dog. That would be horrific."
Ryan had been minding his own business, as usual, getting a head start on this semesters reading, when he heard their voice. Paloma Aponte. He looked up from his oversized textbook with its miniscule font and lost the battle with a smile. "You're right about that, but I think that might just make us even. Maybe we should reset the scoreboard? New year and all that. You're going to have to back-pedal on the whole 'barking book' dilemma, though." Ryan raised an eyebrow at the offending item they'd placed on the table. "That would be horrific. I'd say there's a slim to none chance, but you never know around here. Have you tried taking it for a walk instead?"
It had only been a week since everyone had come back to Vanguardia and Kai was exhausted. He wasn't sure he had ever socialised more in his life and he'd only spoken to like three people; it was too much. It was a small mercy that people were still avoiding his lunch table, so he was able to eat in peace while he read, but that was short-lived. Someone dared to sit across from him, and Kai glared over the top of his book. "Did I say you could sit there?"
Ryan barely fought off the smallest of smiles when Kai glared over the top of his book. New year, same old Westlock. Ryan found it quite comforting, truth be told. "Well, I thought it was explicitly implied given that we are the best of friends," Ryan said dryly, but not entirely without affection. "What are you reading?" he asked, reaching into his back pocket to set his own battered and bashed book down. Kai hated that.
( andré dae kim, cis man & he/him. ) LEARNER'S FILE #160500 : RYAN JUNG is registered as a FOURTH YEAR student, age TWENTY5 YEARS OLD, training and refining their power(s) of PYROKINESIS under the institute's programs. evaluations describe them as COMPASSIONATE, SELF - CONSCIOUS, and CLOSED - OFF, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. academic records indicate both potential and dedication, and their performance continues to be monitored to ensure compliance with institutional standards and preparedness for real - world application of their abilities. ( PAIGE, SHE/HER, 29, GMT. )
RP Tag / Pinterest / About
Who Is Ryan?
Name: Ryan Jung
Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Alberta, Canada
Power: Pyrokinesis
Occupation: Fourth year student studying Introduction to Strategic Diplomacy, Applied Ethics of Power and Uncanny Sciences (majors) Advanced Natural Studies and Applied Metahuman Physiology (specialised)
Background ☆ | ⋆｡°✩
This is Ryan "I don't have a tragic backstory" Jung. No, really. You can guess all you want... it's Ryan "I definitely don't have a tragic backstory" Jung. (Read: he definitely does have a tragic backstory). Ryan doesn't talk much about his past, and anything he does say is purposefully vague. He doesn't talk about his parents, his friends, his life before Vanguardia. He is mysterious. Brooding. Unbothered by any whispered rumours or gossip.
At Vanguardia ☆ | ⋆｡°✩
So, life for Ryan really begins at Vanguardia. If he's being honest with himself, he doesn't want to leave. This is the safest place for him, it's the best place for him. It's somewhere he believes keeps him under control and allows him to learn everything he can about his powers and more.
If he can one day join the faculty and give some other kid a safe place to be, he will. If not, if needed, Vanguardia can lock him up for everyone else's safety (not that they do that, of course).
He is quiet, thoughtful, a little broody... but really very kind. He has a big, soft, heart and while he doesn't go out of his way to get to know other people, he'd never turn anyone away. Ryan doesn't ever let anyone get too close but that doesn't mean he wouldn't like to.
Would rather spend his time pouring over his studies than attending anything remotely social. The yearly party for orientation week is just about all that he can handle. Ryan and fun don't really know each other!
Ryan is a lover yearner not a fighter. He doesn't even really like to practice sparring or taking any classes that steer more in that direction. He wants to use his intelligence to contribute, not anything else. His worst fear is having his power used to destroy. He won't.
It's not a secret that Ryan's power is Pyrokinesis, but he works hard to keep it to himself. When it comes to his power, he's hyperfocused on controlling it. Wishing he never had it.
Additional Info ☆ | ⋆｡°✩
Will very occasionally crack a joke and it is a very big deal!
Cracks the spine of books, folds the pages, stuffs whatever he's reading into his back pocket, scribbles and highlights too.
He's giving some Jess Mariano / Ryan Atwood vibes but without the initial attitudes and fists of fury.
Wants and yearns, but will never do anything about. Some people just aren't meant to have, y'know?
Wanted Connections ☆ | ⋆｡°✩
Friends - are they casually friendly? Always save each other a seat in class? Study buddies? (Maybe Ryan is helping them/tutoring) Did they maybe get a little too close and Ryan pushed them away??
Helping hand - Ryan helped your character out! Maybe he dried their tears, held their hair back, was someone they confided in, and he's respected their wishes to Not Talk About It, etc.
A fun influence - someone to encourage him to have a lil fun!! Live a little!! He's be super endeared towards them <3
Crush/carries a torch/unrequited or requited or mutual pining!? - Ryan would rather perish than act on his feelings, but he's been making heart eyes at your character for a long time now #rip
Ex maybes/almosts/short-lived romancés - again, Ryan is one to get never-close-enough. So, if your character got tired of waiting ('waiting for you is like waiting for water in this drought, useless and disappointing' LOL) or frustrated that he could never give enough... #rip our exes
'I'll make a man out of you.mp3' - maybe someone who wants to encourage him to learn more fighting skills / using his power for attack/defence. Definitely not happening, thanks!! On a more antagonistic note.... maybe they're always prodding/pushing Ryan about it.
