Welcome~

Yeah, I'll get back to ya in a sec~

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

Rubbing the bridge of his nose slightly, it seemed the musing he had made of the two of them having some similarities but being differing ‘people’ may have gone over the other’s head a little: but he didn’t wish to be rude and correct the other. He’d keep silent about it, but she wasn’t entirely wrong - perhaps those shared similarities may make conversation easier in future.

On hearing the apparent reason for his ‘coolness’, he blinked his red eyes, feeling a pang of sadness hit him at the words - so…he seemed an ‘aloof and unsociable person who appeared judgemental’? That was likely due to his seriousness and out of habit to protect himself from being hurt by ‘false friends’ again, but…perhaps it was also the reason people kept their distance, and he found social interaction to try and see if there were those ‘loyal’ of trust harder than it should be.

Perhaps he himself, was to blame for his own loneliness in this city. That was sad to think about.

“…No, you didn’t bother me. I hope I wasn’t…too aloof of a person to talk to for you.” 

…If he was to blame for his own state, then…perhaps he should try and fix it, somehow.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

Konata blinked at the sudden change in mood, and automatically felt regret. She knew she could be blunt at times and weird about her “character” profiling, but whenever she sensed her jests hurt someone else’s feelings, she would be plagued with guilt.  Her worries seemed to be confirmed by his last statement.

“L-Laurent san.....I didn’t mean anything bad by what I said, honest. I’m just...kinda weird sometimes. I like to mess with people sometimes, but I don’t mean any harm, so I’m sorry if what I said offended you....” She said, her face and tone in all seriousness.  “Besides, I was kinda skirting around the fact you’re pretty handsome too, so that’s actually where most of your cool points come from, but I didn’t wanna be like....all upfront about that and seem like I’m hitting on ya or something.....” She said, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.  Damn....I meet someone nice and try to be friends and my weird personality kills it... She thought to herself, sighing a bit, before smiling sheepishly.  “For what it’s worth I really enjoyed talking to ya....you seem really interesting.  And nah, you weren’t too aloof.... and ya know, what I meant in reality by “unapproachable”, I really just meant that you seem mysterious, and you’ve got good looks. So I didn’t really mean unapproachable in a bad way, I was just kidding around....” She said, nodding some before standing up. “Kinda like that book we were talking about, right? Kinda alluring, but full of secrets that has some kind of mysterious aura about it until you actually read it.” She said honestly, not sure if her words would make things better or worse. 

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

Raising his brows slightly at the other’s excited tangent, there - well, at least he didn’t have to feel so concerned about rambling too much and over-explaining things, as it appeared the young madam in front of him got equally as animated as he tended to do when explaining matters to someone: only, they weren’t scientific or informational matters, but matters of stories and exciting things that had happened. “I wouldn’t say it was a rant, myself - but given I just stated I myself have a habit of over-explaining things, I’m probably not the best judge of that.” Honesty aside, the librarian rubbed his nose where the bridge of his glasses rested a little, musing: “I am…unaccustomed to such lofty praise. T’would be fine if I felt I had earnt it, but I merely speak the truth - words that everyone should logically think to be true. I am h-hardly ‘cool’ for doing so…though I know you will continue to keep calling me that regardless. As for myself being the type of guy people all think are cool…You’re the first person to call me this. Ever, so, I cannot say that ‘everyone’ shares your view of me…”

…That honest, modest truth aside, though his efforts to help her not feel awkward helped a little - she had a point, with her logic in why she should have automatically known what the book was about, there.

“Well…it puzzled me a little before I read the book, so your last statement has truth to it, as well. Is there anything else that you needed assistance with…?”

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Hmm, yeah, I guess I know what you’re saying. Two peas in a pod, I guess! Birds of a feather and all that junk.” She said, not really taking anytime to acknowledge that they were actually pretty completely different. 

“Well, I’m glad you understand that at least.” She said, nodding a little bit before launching into her next rant.  “That’s just it, Laurent-san.” She said with a grin and a dramatic pose. “Of couse you don’t get it all the time- that’s because you’re cool! See, the average person would be too shy or intimidated by you to say so. Plus sometimes that’s weird you know, just calling a person cool out of the blue? Especially if they don’t know you- but trust me, you totally give off that cool unapproachable guy who’s probably really smart and doesn’t have time for people of a lower caliber than he.” She said with a decisive nod. “That’s the thing! You look really smart too, and I bet you are, so that’s a huge score on your ‘cool’ levels.” She said and then blinked.  “Ah, well then! Maybe there just is something magical and secret to it after all.” She said, seeming to calm down some.  “And oh uh....well, I guess not.” She said, expression fading and blinking up at him for a moment. 

“Ah, yeah.....sorry, I kinda forgot you were someone on work duty here. Sorry for bothering ya.” She said, rubbing the back of her head a bit awkwardly. She probably just weirded the hell out of this guy- not that that was new for her.

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

“I am gladdened that the idea was both understandable and agreeable: to know my words were…er…not simply just ‘rambling’ as I have the bad habit of doing when I first meet someone is a heartening matter indeed.” A small, satisfied nod from the tall librarian, there - but concerning the further praise, Laurent diverted his gaze and mumbled a little, before exclaiming: “Well, you’re evidently not backing down from this…it’s still rather flustering to hear such praise and good words spoken of me, however.”

Thankfully for himself, he wasn’t so flustered that he was stammering or turning red just yet - but with the other being sheepish regarding the book, he shook his head. “If you haven’t read the book before, it is understandable that you would not know - do not worry.” A pause there, as he listened to the other’s last…rather cheeky statement, he adjusting his glasses. “It is a rather well-known classic, so I have hopes you will enjoy it…”

Trying not to get flustered, there.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Yeah! And nah, you weren’t rambling! But man, if you think that was rambling, you should here me sometimes! Talk about a person who doesn’t know when to shut up sometimes! I’ll talk someone’s ear off without even realizing it, half the time delving into topics they don’t even know anything about!” She said with a definitive nod.  “Like, sometimes it’ll just be the start of somethin’ real simple, right? Like a trip to the dentist! We start talking about how people are afraid of dentists, and then I start going on and on, like, I’ll in the end be talking about some game I’m playing, or get into the real weird topics about dentists and “drills” and stuff..” She said. 

“Heck though, I just went on a rant right there, didn’t I? Point and case proven!” She said, and then nodded again. “Of course I’m not! And awwwh, so you’re that type of guy who gets kinda shy over praise, huh?” She said with her typical mischievous smile. “I wouldn’t have taken you for the type! But now that I know that, I think I’m getting a better knowledge of your profile.” She said, going into her own world of categorizing people and creating strange bios of people she met in her head. She nodded again and leaned back a little. “Don’t worry though, really! You don’t gotta be modest! Your the type of guy people automatically think are cool!”

She made a slight face. “Well yeah, I guess so. But I mean, ‘The Secret Garden’? What the heck did I think it was gonna be about, a Public Mountainside? An Open Forest? The Obvious Lakeside?” She said and then shrugged a bit. “I guess the title is just obvious, so I should feel kinda dumb for not even guessing that.” She said, and then grinned.  “Or! Maybe I shouldn’t!” She said, as if having an epiphany. “Maybe the Secret Garden is so secret, it gives off an aura that puzzles people until they actually read the book, keeping the title that much more accurate!” She said, going off on yet another ramble.

[hopeseedlings]

{ ✤ } “Ah. Hey there, Izumi-san!” He gave her a nod, surprised to find that his new roommate was waiting for him. She seemed like she was an okay person and he wouldn’t mind making friends with her.

“I was just looking at my exam grade I just got back today. It’s not that great though.”  

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Oh, man, I’m sorry to hear that.” Konata said with a smile on her face. “Don’t sweat it too much Makoto-kun, those are words I know way too well! I was always doin’ not so great on exams and all that and I made it through! I might even be taking some University classes soon!” She said with a prideful nod, not minding to bother explaining what her terrible track record with school was.  “How ‘bout I make us some tea? I say they best thing to do after an exam is forget about it- the past is the past, after all!” She said.

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

“Indeed: it would also be terribly rude and bossy to expect folk to listen to a ‘new soul’ to a library like they were, say, the president or main person in charge. I have no intention of doing that when they barely know me, and do not know of my trustworthiness: I will gradually work on my ‘trustworthiness’ and reliability over time here, so that my suggestions hold more weight.” A pause, there, regarding the blue-haired madam’s suggestion. “Well. While I may be unable to make suggestions at the time, I am certain that the library would be happy to listen to a customer’s ideas, you are correct. That would be most kind of you…are you sure you don’t mind?”

A concerned squint from the librarian, there, but the topic of praise moved Laurent off his concern. “Ah…I wouldn’t necessarily call myself ‘cool’. Nobody uses that word in context to myself. That aside…the Secret Garden is about what the title muses -a ‘secret garden’, forgotten by time and hidden away. I cannot say too much - it would spoil the story. It is a gentle, soft tale, and easy to listen to, I can say that much, so it sounds like it would be good for one who wishes to relax as you, yes?”

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Yeah, I can totally see where you’re comin’ from.” She said with a nod and then grinned. “Of course I can do it! I don’t mind at all! I like the idea too, after all, so it’s a win-win for both of us!” She said with a confident nod and her arms folded across her chest. 

“Well, I’d say you’re pretty cool! One of the chillest librarian guys I’ve ever met. So, I guess consider that word been used in context of yourself, ‘cause I’m not takin’ it back.” She said with a grin and then tilted her head slightly at the mention of the book. “Huh.....yeah well, I guess I could have just guessed that one.” She said, feeling slightly stupid.  “Yeah, maybe so!” She said, then smiling sheepishly. “Though, I gotta admit, books with words tend to make me sleepy! If a cool guy like you is tellin’ me to read it though, it must be readable.” She said with a slight mischievous grin.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

Hey y’all

// Just letting y’all know I’ll be getting to replies sometime after this week with both Konata and Avery! (and get to those starters with Avery), I have saved the drafts so they’re there and ready. I have finals this week along with work so I’m swamped! I’ll try to maybe get to a few here and there if I can, but if not, expect replies next week! 

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

Regarding the apology, Laurent gave a few gentle shakes of his own head to that: she’d woken up and not disturbed anyone in the end, so really the only one who had to apologize was he himself. His serious expression betrayed a hint of his own excitement that his idea was a most sensible one, however, and he nodded: “Yes, exactly. Of course, the problem with this is that I have only just started working here, so I have no right to make suggestions or demands, do I? However, to make the library feel a relaxing, gentle place that all can feel safe in as you mused with your ideas: like a second home of comfort and aid of knowledge - that is something I should very much like to do if I am allowed to after working here for a time.”

A gentle nod, there, before the tall male blinked at her suggestion to ‘rule-breakers’. “I most certainly would not lay my hands on a sleeping lady! That would be most terribly impolite of me…if you hadn’t woken up after a while, say, had it gotten too distruptive -  I would have woken you up sternly, yes, but not like that.” Seemed the librarian was a bit ‘old-fashioned’ in his views. “That aside…it seems you and I are somewhat alike in being new to this place. If you find yourself wishing for peaceful, quiet things, The Secret Garden is a good read, for example…”

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Ah, I see.” Konata said, nodding her head in understanding. “Yeah I guess it might seem weird if you just start working somewhere and start wanting to change things around and stuff huh?” She muttered, thinking for a moment before her eyes lit up a bit “Hey, though, maybe I could throw that as a suggestion to the manager here, couldn’t I? Managers love valued customers’ opinions and ideas after all.” She said, not acknowledging the fact she typically came without ever renting anything. 

Konata blinked for a moment at the passion in his words and his politeness. “Oh, hey, well that’s super cool of you then. I guess women aren’t as nice as a guy about smacking around another lady though.” She said, not realizing that she kind of, in fact, just had known weird people rather than regarding as getting hit in the head because of sleeping a generalization she put on the masses.  “Hmm....” she muttered, blinking. “Yeah, I am pretty new around here. And oh yeah? The Secret Garden?” She asked, making a mental note of it as a book to read if she ever actually got around to reading a book without pictures. “Alright, thanks for the suggestion!” She said with a smile. “What’s it about?”

[txnmei-deactivated20150813]

Frostbitten Mornings|| Kija & Konata

[txnmei-deactivated20150813]

Kija cants his head. “I suppose from time to time I understand.” he comments, “when I get hungry, or I’m tired, it gets very difficult to focus.” Perhaps it wasn’t quite the same thing, considering the girl hadn’t mentioned tiredness, but just a lack of attention from the start—but it was the only comparison he could think of in relation to himself. However it was what was said after that intrigued him; “you don’t catch colds if you’re dumb?” he looks mildly confused; he wasn’t dumb according to her, but he couldn’t even remember the last time he got sick.

He laughs, “I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to your height.” smiling, he allows the other to continue—rambling on about some kind of idea regarding hide and seek… and a party. Actually, the idea itself isn’t bad, and Kija would be inclined to agree to it. However, he has the same issue as the girl. “I’m afraid I don’t know many people around here either, so I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea who to invite.” he rubs the back of his head a little and looks up at the sky for a moment. “It’s a nice idea though, it’s been a while since I saw any fireworks.”

She seems disappointed, but not surprised, to hear that his studies take up the majority of his time. He knows it’s not the most conventional way to pass time these days; but with the way he was brought up, and the kind of person he was, for him it is something fun. “Manga… I flicked through one once at a library, since I happened across it—but I never really sat down and read any.” Now that he thinks about it, despite the simplicity it had actually looked interesting. If only he could remember what it was called.

“Pokemon cards?” there’s a brief frown; manga he’s certainly come across, but these pokemon cards didn’t share the same fate. Still, he let he speak about them without interruption—it was nice to hear others speak about the things they like, generally. Watching their eyes practically sparkle and their joy become obvious was likely his favourite aspect of listening to people in that way. “I’m like that, too.” he comments on her final statement. “Though I expect it’s for different reasons; I, too, can often be found in my home.” Well, apartment if he was to get technical.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

Konata nodded. “Right? With me something seems to always come up though, I’ll get hungry, or distracted, or just sleepy! It’s so hard to fight off when I’m trying to do things like study!” She said with a frown and a nod and then blinked up at him and grinned. “Yeah, so the old wives tale goes.” She said, seeming to noticing the slight confusion on his face. “Don’t worry about it too much, its just a superstition, but it rings pretty true for me!” She said, laughing a little bit.  “Hmm, yeah, maybe.” She said, putting an index finger to her chin as if in deep thought for a moment and then shook her head and then smiled. “Haha, yeah, guess we’d be the only few, huh? That’d be kinda weird and lonely, just playing by ourselves.” She said with a nod, then tried to think over other people that she had met here. Would those people even be willing to participate in something so “childish”? But maybe it would bring out a different side of those people. “Yeah, me too! I wonder if there’s any festivals they have around here that show fireworks?” She wondered aloud as they walked.  “Mhm!” Konata said with a smile. “Ah, you have? Well that’s great, but it would be even greater if you totally got into it! I could totally see you liking manga.” She said with a nod, even though in reality she actually had no idea if he was that kind of person or not- she liked to shove her interests onto others though, nonetheless.

“Yeah, they’re really fun to collect! Sometimes ya get rare ones and it gives you this real feeling of pride! They’re just as fun to collect in the video games too, but the cards are special in their own unique way.” She said with an affirmative nod.  “Oh, so you’re a shut in too, huh? Yeah, there’s all kinds of people like us that stay in our homes more often than not for whatever reason.” She said with a nod as they continued to walk, looking in front of her again. “Yeah, but I guess it’s nice to get out sometimes too.”

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

“Mm - it was more that I was worried about the fellow library-goers complaining. If it were up to me, I would allow people to rest in the place all they liked, as long as others weren’t disturbed by it: quite frankly, it makes me feel happy that someone should consider the library friendly and hospitable enough to entrust their good rest in. Perhaps a separate room for those who wish to have a place to relax would be a good idea for the library…” Adjusting his glasses slightly in clear thought about the subject, the tall fellow was cut short from his musings on how to make the library comfortable for those who wished to relax THAT much and for normal goers of it by the other being gladdened by his understanding.

“I would certainly like to hope I am an understanding sort: people might be deterred from coming here if I seemed too brash, you know?” It seemed that as a assistant to the library, he was quite keen on making as many different sort enjoy the place as possible. When the stranger laughed and mused she had thought her words very direct, Laurent found his hand adjusting his glasses again. She certainly had never met Morgan, then. Morgan was so much more blunt and forthright than that, that her actions hadn’t seemed direct at all as a consequence, not compared to what he had experienced from Morgan.

“I have just started my work here, so I cannot accurately say how I feel I am doing in it: I moved to Toshi only two days ago.” This was fair enough: he couldn’t exactly give a ‘proper’ explanation given he’d just started work. “This is a much bigger place than I used to live in, so…I suppose it may take me some time to fully get used to it, hm? Ah, but I’m rambling. Is there any books you would like to check out today, or return?”

His serious expression flickered back, he shifting to ‘work mode’: seemed he felt he’d been talking a bit much, so he wanted to look professional.

Either that, or he felt a bit socially awkward here, and wanted to be of use rather than start stumbling mid-word.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Oh.....well yeah, sorry about that.” She said, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly, then nodded and grinned at his hypothetical idea. 

“Oh, hey, that’s a great idea!” She said with an enthusiastic nod. “You could have comfy couches and stuff, and maybe even a pair of headphones by each couch that played those relaxing like ocean or rainforest sounds! Ya know what I mean?” She said, crossing her arms and nodding determinedly. “Oh yeah, tons of people would flock to that for sure! Because ya know, I kinda fall asleep in libraries a lot, but doesn’t falling asleep in a library have a sense of strange comfort yet something mystical at the same time? Because you’re surrounded and enclosed by books, but those books contain fantastical stories that are all around you!” She said, despite not even being an avid reader aside from manga herself.  “And yeah, I get that.” She said with a nod then a slight smile. “Doesn’t mean ya gotta be super nice to rule-breakers like me though. I’m sure I was being really annoying! My teacher back in high school used to knock me upside the head so hard it formed knots when I fell asleep!” She admitted, as if it were the norm. 

She blinked up at him. “Only two days ago, huh? Well, I’ve been here for a little longer than that. I don’t know how long, exactly, I haven’t really been keeping track of time at all lately....” She muttered, sort of staring off.  I really gotta at least know what day it is at some point.................. She thought to herself before looking back to him. “Yeah though, I’m not too familiar with the city either. I’ve been out a couple times, but i’ve also been cooped up a lot or have been going to just here or the bookstore, so I really only know my way to a couple places.” She said, and then smiled, standing up.  “Well, actually, I had come here for something, but I totally forgot why with my slumber and all.” She said and smiled sheepishly. “But since I’m here, how’s about some recommendations?” She asked, realizing that the man was pretty tall- not that that was a new story. Almost everyone was tall to her. At some point tall just became tall. 

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

[eludicatortimetraveller]

Regarding the stranger’s initial jumpy response that she had not been sleeping, Laurent raised his brows ever so slightly, but remained silent. The stranger likely knew her own statement had quite clearly been false: one could not be expected to have the most coherent of trained thoughts on first awakening somewhere. He wasn’t about to be rude and judge the poor miss for a simple fact of logic as that: and it seemed that keeping silent had been as sensible as he had hoped it would be, with the other realizing what had happened and all.

“You needn’t be the one to apologize: if one has had a restless partaking of days, it is only natural they would fall asleep to recover their energies: it likely did not help matters that the chairs here are exceedingly good to curl up in with a tome or two. Maybe more.” If anything, he was the one who needed to apologize. “Well, yes - it is true that you should try not to sleep in libraries, but it wasn’t as if you could have helped it…” Trailing off, his brows knitted in obvious concern - though the expression seemed to ‘pause’, as if the tall male was trying to make sense of things, when the blue-haired maiden made so many requests.

“Those are, by far, the strangest things I have been asked for in regards to an apology. Is this a way of learning more about someone new here in this strange city?” It was clear that the tall librarian saw those cheeky comments for the jokes they were, and so he mused: “If you wanted to learn more about me, there are far more forthright ways of asking than beating about the bush like that.” 

His voice held a wry, slightly bemused tone, there: despite his seriousness, he too was capable of a kind of humor, it seemed.

“I do not mind saying my name, of those things you asked of me, however. I am Laurent Caroban - new assistant librarian to this place.”

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Hmm, yeah, I guess not, but I still feel kinda bad bothering people with my snoring and all, y’know? And you were one of ‘em that was kinda bothered so I guess I feel like I owe you an apology.” She said with a slight smile.

“Ah, I know though, right?! You totally get it. I always come to the library for some reason or another, but the ambiance of it is so peaceful and quiet, and everyone else around you is peaceful and quiet, it kinda sets this mood ya know? Then ya start getting too relaxed, and before I know it, the zzz’s come and get me!” She said with a nod. “Probably doesn’t help that I was up all last night, either, but.” She added. The blue haired girl let out a little bit of laughter at his response to her obviously strange request. “Really, you thought it was beating around the the bush? I thought I was being pretty direct!” She said with a grin and then nodded before smiling up at him.  “Ah, alright then. I guess we can make do with that for now. Although, to be honest, I don’t think you really owed me an apology at all.” She said with a nod.  “My name’s Konata Izumi. Nice to meet’cha Laurent!” She said, bowing her head a bit before looking curiously to him.  “Ah, okay. How’s that going for ya? Are ya new here to Toshi in general, or just a new assistant here?” She asked, wanting to know if he too was newcomer and just getting used to the town. She hadn’t been here for very long after all, either. 

[eludicatortimetraveller]

No noise in the library please (eludicatorlibrarian)

Having just recently gotten the bare basics of ‘locations’ of the city, the tall male felt that he should start quite seriously on his assistance of the Edamame library - after all, he probably wouldn’t give a very good first impression if he didn’t show up for his first day of assistance work, and that would never do. Goodness, no! Thankfully, his limited knowledge had been enough that he found the library with little problem, and was now silently sitting at the front desk that organized with the lending of books and returns. 

Though, it certainly wasn’t as quiet as he may have hoped. As in, there was a stranger snoring loudly on one of the comfortable soft chairs further on in the place made concentrating on what titles were being taken out quite impossible. Other people seemed a little cross about it, but at the same time, waking the other up would be rude, so he decided to try a third option.

Theoretically, if there was, like…a folding screen temporarily put in front of the stranger, they could sleep in peace without continuing to disrupt others. The folding screen should block the noise out, so he assumed. It seemed as if his intentions - though kind - may have in retrospect not been the best, though: as he wheeled the folding screen, he froze at realizing too late it made squeaking noises when the wheels moved.

…he’d woken the stranger up anyway, hadn’t he? “I…do apologize. I did not mean to wake you from your resting slumber: I was trying to move this so you could remain undisturbed and the snoring did not disrupt other library-goers, so this is my fault. Is there anyway I might properly show apology…?”

…He felt really bad about it.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“.........” The sound of squeaking screens and a stranger above her startled her awake, looking around almost as if expecting a knock to the head.

“H-huh, no, I wasn’t sleeping!” She said out of habit; as falling asleep in a place she wasn’t supposed to wasn’t exactly unheard of when it came to her.  “O-oh.....sorry.” She said quietly, realizing where she was, temporarily forgetting.  Right, the library. I came here for some reason but did consciously decide to sleep after all, but maybe I was snoring or something.... She thought to herself, blinking her eyes awake, rubbing them a bit, the male’s voice confirming her suspicions.  “Nah, I’m not supposed to be fallin’ asleep here really anyway, am I?” She said with a slightly sheepish smile up at the male. “Especially if I was snoring and all that, I didn’t mean it.” She said, waving her hand a little bit.

“And apology.....? Well, I don’t really think there’s a need, but if you really wanna apologize....” She muttered, making her face turn grim and almost emotionless.  “ Just give me your first and last name, coordinates of residence, monthly and annual income, birth certificate, name of last spouse, and mother’s maiden name. We may then proceed to the next step of human identification.” She said with a straight face. I wonder what he’ll say? She thought to herself mischievously.

[txnmei-deactivated20150813]

Frostbitten Mornings|| Kija & Konata

[txnmei-deactivated20150813]

Kija hums a little at her explanation of thought; it certainly makes sense to think like that, and there is complete logic behind the train of thought. Wise to seek knowledge, to gain knowledge for intelligence… “Maybe you’re right,” he states, “but there are still plenty of people out there smarter than me, I can’t slack off just yet!” he smiles widely and continues walking, feeling somewhat accomplished that he’s realised he can call himself smart and intelligent.

He laughs a little awkwardly; though it’s true for convenience, Kija dislikes intentional deception. However out of politeness he decides not to say something; what she does, doesn’t harm anybody, and it’s her moral choice to make—not his own. “You can probably fit in small spaces too!” he attempts some optimism, “playing hide and seek would be very easy.” he knows the game is perhaps not suited to the older teen generations—those progressing quickly to adulthood—but the game is still fun nonetheless.

“My free time?” Kija looks a little surprised for a moment; how should he answer? It’s not like he does anything special, though. “…Studying, I suppose.” he states with a sigh; he knows he really ought to get out more; like his roommate, Jae-ha. “Though back home I used to enjoy card games with people in the village; they are quite entertaining since there’s such a big variety.” he realises he probably already sounds like an old man, and soon silences himself.

He purses his lips a little and thinks on the girl’s comment about him. “Well, it’s certainly a chance of scenery,” he answers, “but it’s not as though I was raised secluded; I have fair knowledge of the world around me, and I have travelled before. Though I admit I am still getting used to things here.” he chuckles.

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“See! That’s the spirit!” She said with a nod, knowing that this was obviously a hard-working fellow in front of her. “Oh no, of course not. Though I gotta admit, I don’t understand how people like you keep it up! It’s impressive! When I start studying for things I start to get sleepy or antsy and get the urge to do somethin’ else, ya know?” She said with a smile and a slight sigh. “That’s what I get though, I guess, I’m pretty dumb! So basically what I said to you goes for the opposite of me.” She said with a nod. “That’s why I don’t catch colds and stuff!” 

“Oh, yeah! That’s true!” She said with a nod. “People are always askin’ me to squeeze in places where they can’t to grab something they dropped or things like that.” She said with a nod. “So yeah, I guess it can be useful sometimes.” She said, then contemplated the hide-n-seek comment.  “Hmm, that’s true. Ya know, wouldn’t it be kinda fun to gather a bunch of people our age or so and just play some huge game of hide-n-seek in the dark? It’d be like a party but getting to really relish our inner childhood again!” She said with a nod. “Oh, oh! And we could have it to where we had drinks and snacks and stuff too, and maybe even fireworks and other stuff!” She said, then realized she was getting carried away. “I don’t know too many people around though, so I guess that’s a no go for me to plan.....plus, I’m not any good at planning, so.” She said sheepishly then shrugged it off, as if she had never even mentioned it. 

Oh no, it’s exactly what I feared.... She thought to herself, half-knowing that was going to be his answer. “Oh man, so that’s what consumes most of your time, huh?” She muttered, thinking to herself for a moment then looking back up to him. Figures, someone who was homeschooled was bound to be sheltered.  “But that’s no way to live life!” She said, nodding determinedly up at him. “Do you read anything besides like, schoolbooks? Manga? Have any video game systems at all?” She asked, and then just sort of smiled. “Well, I don’t know about playing cards, but I like Pokemon cards. Those are real fun to collect. I can name every single one, ya know!” She said proudly, slightly deterring a bit from the topic she had been on in her moment of pride, only to realize he probably had no idea what she was talking about....but oh well.  Perhaps she could guide this poor man out of his hole and befriend him......it felt like a crime not to, honestly, just letting someone live in their own sheltered world like that.  She smiled again. “Yeah, this place does take some getting used to. I’m not really used to it at all, but then again, I hangout indoors a lot, so.” She said with a nod.

[erikmoon-deactivated20151104]

The Cow Comes Home ☊ Konata & Lambo

[erikmoon-deactivated20151104]

Well, whatever Lambo had been expecting in a roommate, it wasn’t this girl. She seemed nice though, and as long as she didn’t pull a rifle on him, Lambo wasn’t about to change his mind. He lowered his hand from his hair, in favour of picking one of the balloons from the bunch and offering it to her.

“I’m Lambo. Actually, I’m staying in apartment number one and I haven’t met anyone else in the complex yet so… here we are.” He laughed softly at her question with a small shake of his head. “It’s not anyone’s birthday that I know, but I work at the amusement park and little kids always try to play with me. Today there was a field trip I guess, and a bunch of them decided to give me balloons. They’re cute and all, but I’m not sure what I’d do with this many.” He smiled sheepishly despite his rambling. “It’s a pretty lame present but I figured it was better than nothing.”

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

Konata blinked and kind of just took the balloon in a vaguely confused manner and then just smiled with her typical mischievous grin.  

“Mmm, okay then, well hello Lambo.” She said with a nod and a slight bow. “My name is Konata Izumi.You can call me Konata, though, no worries, I’m not too worried about honorifics.” She said with a nod. “Oh, an amusement park, huh? Sounds like it could be a fun place to work.......for working, that is.” She said with a smile and nodded.  “Well heck, bring em on in! Don’t know where my roomies are, but i could put some random ones in their rooms and odd places like the refrigerator to weird ‘em out of somethin’ and pretend I don’t know where they came from either.” She said, holding the balloon then moving out of the doorway. “Come on in, balloons and all!” .

[erikmoon-deactivated20151104]

The Cow Comes Home ☊ Konata & Lambo

When Lambo signed on to work part time at the amusement park, he honestly thought he’d just have to hand out balloons in exchange for free candy. Who would have thought that work would entail well… work? Not this guy, that’s for certain. He trotted around in the cow costume, letting little kids tug on his tail and doing terrible dances. Thankfully it was only a few hours a day, and boy was he excited for his shift to end.

Ah yes, after a hard few hours at work, Lambo couldn’t wait to get back to his apartment. Though, come to think of it, he hadn’t even introduced himself to any of his neighbours yet. He reached up with his empty hand to ruffle his hair as he sighed. Better late than never, and better now than later. The teen stopped in front of room three and gave the door a knock. Maybe it’d be someone nice enough to take one of the dozen balloons he had brought back with him.

shiftless-shorty

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Ugh, no way!” Konata grumbled to herself at her computer. She had just lost a ton of XP points in her net game, which was obviously quite frustrating, considered she had worked several hours racking them up. “I should have called in my friends for that fight, I knew it! But pride consumed me, sick pride!” She said to herself, putting her hands around her throat and making a mock choking sound as if she were dying. Her demeanor changed though when she heard a knock on the door. “Huh, wonder who that could be....” She muttered to herself. They didn’t really get too many visitors around. She wondered if it was just a FedEx or UPS man.  She made her way to the door and looked up to the person in front of her with surprise. 

“Oh hey, who are you?” She asked bluntly before looking back behind her to see if any of her roommates were expecting someone. Although she was pretty positive neither of them were there. She looked back up at the person holding balloons. “Is it someone here’s birthday or somethin’, or....?” She asked curiously. 

[txnmei-deactivated20150813]

Frostbitten Mornings|| Kija & Konata

[txnmei-deactivated20150813]

Kija was a little bit embarrassed; he did truly like to study, and to be complimented on his intelligence (even if the other had no hard evidence he was strictly so smart) flustered him somewhat. “I-I hardly think it’s modesty. I study to make things easier for myself, rather than learn more…” he admitted, pursing his lips a little bit, for he felt that no argument would contend with the girl’s words. “…I suppose it does help me go a little further when I can work faster…” he added, realising the truth to at least some of what she had said.

“I’m not sure what liking studying has to do with actual levels of knowledge and intelligence—if anything the two are quite difference. I could have all the knowledge in the world, but if I could intelligently apply it correctly, it would all be rather useless.” Realising he went slightly off on a tangent, he shut his mouth only to be startled by her age after the revelation.

He let out a long sigh, thankful for the girl’s oversight to his bewildered exclamation. “I suppose looking so young can come in very convenient at times,” he thought to times where he wished he could have gotten away with that sort of thing, though he was far too honest a soul to ever use deception to his advantage. Kija proceeded to listen to her tale of passing time.

“I can’t say I’ve ever partaken in online gaming,” honestly, it was the first time he’d heard of such things. His village wasn’t the most… up to date place—very traditional. Perhaps that was the reason he wasn’t as good with technology as others he knew in class (and thus why he resorted to books from libraries to consult with for information).

His head shook, casting aside thoughts to answer the other’s question confidently. “Twenty years old.” he smiled, “I’ve been in education since I was small, but I was generally home-schooled or attended places close to my village—this is the first time I’ve come out of my way to study.”

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

“Hmmm....” She thought for a moment, putting an index finger to her chin. “Yeah, I mean, I guess I can see what you mean by that. But I always kinda thought of it like this, even if that’s true, doesn’t it make you a  wise person to want to learn more? So in the end, even if you’re studying to learn things you didn’t know, doesn’t intelligence drive that ambition somewhat, and is ultimately behind things?” She asked, getting rather philosophical about it, then smiled.  “Hey, hey though, maybe that’s just me! You just seem like the smart kind of person to me too, is all. I just know that smart people usually tend to study.” She said, waving her hand a bit.

“Oh yeah, you know it!” She said with a grin. “Like playing as people’s kid sisters so I can’t get children’s tickets prices to the movies and stuff!” She said with a proud nod, folding her arms across her chest. “Yeah, I guess other than that though, there’s not really a whole lot of upsides to it....” She said, admitting with a slight sigh, but just shrugged. 

“Oh, yeah?” She pondered, looking up to him. “What kind of stuff do you like to do in your free time then?” She asked, wondering if he was going to answer with studying. If that was the case, she really needed to help broaden his horizons- what if he had been stuck his whole life with parents that sheltered him from all the wonder the world had to offer with studying? That’d just be a crime for her to not step in!  “Ah, I see....” She muttered, wondering if that half-way confirmed her theory. Home schooled people she noticed tended to be super studious but really naive and sheltered, though she wouldn’t jump to conclusions right away.  “Must be pretty different then, getting out on your own and discovering the brave new world and all that!” She put in with a smile.

[hopeseedlings]

{ ✤ } “This isn’t good…”

All that studying and he only improved by 1 single mark on his exam… Man, he was pretty average. (Or maybe he was just bad at studying in general)

[shiftless-shorty-blog]

Konata stepped out of her room, stretching a little bit. She looked around. Surely one of her roomates had to be around by now? She was still yet to meet someone.  She blinked as she walked down the small hall and past the door which enclosed one of her fellow roomates. 

“Oh hey, you’re actually here.” She said, although, admittedly, she could have holed herself up in her room so much no one knew she existed either, even though she had been out and about a few times. “Why the long face?” She asked, actually somewhat concerned for her fellow roomate.

[xyzismywaifu]

こなたさん [Konata-san]