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TEST DRIVE MEME - MARCH

TESTDRIVE MEME
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Winter quarter is nearing its conclusion as Finals and Spring Break are quickly approaching. The library is bustling as students frantically prepare, but campus is also buzzing with excitement in anticipation of the school-funded Spring Break trip to Provence.

The administration, however, is not unsympathetic to the stressors of being a student. Comforts such as therapy animals, snack stations, and de-stressing events are being held all over campus to keep students as relaxed as possible and help them prepare for their finals. Daybreak Academy needs their students to succeed, and they spare no expense in helping them do so.

A. STUDY SESSIONS

With the approach of exams, the Hall of Pythia is enforcing 24/7 quiet hours. While it has quiet a few study rooms available, many students will find that the rooms are being booked up at an alarming rate. To account for this, classrooms and media rooms in Theater Lenormand are also being opened up for student use. Many others are spilling over into local restaurants and cafes, coming together as groups to review course material and prepare for their upcoming exams.

During these times, Faculty are expected to take a more hands-on approach as well. Faculty are strongly encouraged to host their own study sessions and rigorously review the exams and what to expect. Faculty are all given first priority for open classrooms and are able to hold after-hours lessons and Q&A sessions as they wish. While it’s not, strictly speaking, mandatory, Faculty can expect it to come up on their annual performance review if they don’t make themselves available to students.

B. THERAPY ANIMALS

Animals have proven to reduce stress, a thing sorely needed during the lead up to exams, and Daybreak Academy has provided three types of therapy animals upon request to aid with making study times much more bearable: The rare Armenian Aralez who is generous with it’s doggy kisses, About six huggable corgi-sized Wooly Bugs with their incredibly soft wool, and a pair of languid Temple lions that don’t mind being used as pillows. Try not to get too distracted from your studies.

C. FASCHING

Also known as Fastnacht Best described as ‘Bavarian Mardi Gras’, Fasching is much like it’s New Orleans and Brazilian counterparts - a celebration of the excess and to live it up until good catholics go give it up for Lent. Least that’s the intent, but like most modern holidays it’s an excuse to cut loose and have fun, and thanks to a sizable German population in Soliel, there is a bit of Fasching in early march with Beer Gardens, Masked Parties, and Live Bands along with decadently rich desserts from both German and French Cuisine. Have fun, but remember there is a curfew.

D. STORYTIME (text)

Hi everyone! This is the Folklore Club! If we could just take a moment of your time…

Daybreak Academy sure is a big school, isn’t it? And the students and staff here come from all over! Here at the Folklore Club, we research myths, legends and stories from all around the world to examine their similarities and differences.

It would really help us out if you told us what your favourite myth or legend is! Don’t be shy - we’d love to see it! Especially if it’s something that we’ve never seen before! And who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone who loves your favourite story too!

[ The results are, naturally, public. ]

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Mnh. [Oh, hello kitty. Kitty who feels...a little like they're wanting something? Insisting something?? It's probably a very smart kitty, anyway.

She looks at the crumpled bit, staring first at it, and then at the cat.] ...Oh.

They said I might 'like' it, I guess, [She says softly, fully expecting this 'smart kitty' to understand.] ...I might know some of the places, or the languages, and things...

[ This class being the one class Kano actually attends, with White Chain being the one professor he is actually terrified of, Kano can at least see where "they" are coming from, whoever it is that's suggested to her that this class might be interesting. Maybe White Chain makes it more understandable for younger students? Maybe Kano's just dumb and doesn't get what she's trying to teach, or is so resistant to learning otherworldly places and languages that it's hard to feel motivated about it.

But he's a cat! And cats are off the hook for actual conversation, thank god, so all Nekano does is flop down on his side and bat at one of the pens on her table— whatever pen she was using to star things.

How would she be with actual essay writing, is one question that might be interpreted as. (Because White Chain is strict, and he still worries...) Or, what other things has she starred? (Cats can't read, presumably) ]

[Surprisingly, she was not the one to star Anything at all. Actually the pens she's been given don't match any of these colours. Someone else marked the sheet. Her pens are just for her own notes and marking purposes.

Reira watches the cat play with the pens in any case, not really moving to stop them.

In any case, there's a little post-it sticky alongside all these marked subjects, where someone has reminded her that she can only pick about two or three 'extra classes'- 'You still have to take the ones in orange!', after all.

Anything that has been starred seems to either involve the Outlands as a general study (geographically, culturally, and so on), or creatures as a whole.

Speaking of creatures- Reira blinks, and eventually holds out a hand for NeKano to sniff. That's how you're meant to say hello to things with strong noses, of course.]

[ In batting Reira's school supplies around on the table, Kano comes to the conclusion that she's a lot more studious than he's ever been. All this highlighting and notes, in a hand too neat to be that of a kid's, she probably follows with a school counselor of some sort...? Good good good, Kano's not the person to help with studies, he's a better cat than he is an upperclassman.

So when Reira offers her hand, he stops his messing around with her pens and flips back over onto four legs, leaning forward to give her hand a sniff. Formalities, mostly, because it's not like he has an actual cat's heightened sense of smell, but in this way, it'll be easier if he ever wants to borrow the form of this tiny child in the future, getting to know her by sight and smell.

And then, because it always makes Maverick happy when he does this, Nekano bumps the top of his head against her hand. ]

[Cats are obviously better than people anyway. That's just, a fact. The proof is right in how a small smile blossoms over he face when he bumps his head against her hand- it takes ages for people to get smiles.

So quietly, Reira starts stratching behind the seeming cat's ears, kicking her feet a bit under the table while she does so.] ...You're a very nice kitty, [she determines with relatively quiet confidence.] ...Very soft, too.

[Important indications of a 'Good Kitty'.]

[ Again, he's reminded of Maverick and he'd never seen a soft, genuine smile out of the other boy unless it was around Nekano, and again, he understands why. Kano might not be interested in animals in general, but they're heck of a lot safer than people are.

Plus, they say good things to him as a cat, always a rarity, always a nice feeling. Being pet is always an incredibly awkward feeling, but he can't swat Reira's hand away like he can with Maverick (who would call him an asshole but still love him anyways), so he endures it and starts up his purr on top of it to show appreciation for the compliments. ]

[Unfortunately for Kano, what Reira does next is probably going to be decidedly unlike what Mav would. Or at least...this quickly. Reira stands- which some would assume means she's about to leave- but abruptly, Kano is going to find himself scooped up as well.

She at least knows how to hold a cat somewhat comfortably, but that can't be very dignified.] ...Soft..~

[Cats are just, The Best, honestly.]

[ THIS WAS A MISTAKE

Not even Maverick is this bold; the moment Nekano gets picked up, he freezes, almost as if going into shock, ample time for Reira to hold him while he screams internally at whatever the heck is happening.

Abort, abort... he really wants to lash out, but he can't..... ]

Myaaaaa...

[ Instead, he'll try the saddest meow that he can muster, it sounds pathetic to his ears, but maybe Reira will have pity. ]

Oh-

[She gives her sound before Kano does.] ...You don't like that. Mnh... [Back on the table.]

...I'm sorry, [She apologizes honestly.] ...Lots of normal kittys like being picked up. ...I...didn't know if a smart one wouldn't, [She tries to explain, as though all 'smart cats' would somehow enjoy the exact same things.]

You still like scratches though, right?

[ Oh, fuck fuck fuck, she's upset and he screwed up.

It surprises him how immediately this child picked up on that, so that regret washes over him right away when he's set back onto the table, along with confusion, because do cats like being picked up? He always sort of thought them as proud, standoffish animals, but it'd make sense because "Nekano" was supposed to be a stray— less evident now, given the collar Maverick had given him that he makes sure is on whenever he's in this form— but he's a cat who isn't all too keen on being touched, but... letting people pet him makes them happy...

And that's what's most important.

He stands up and bumps his head against Reira's hand, arching his back so she knows it's okay to pet him, as long as his feet remain firmly on a solid surface. ]

[Well she doesn't seem upset. Just apologetic, which is a lot more than most could say about kids who've found out they did something wrong.

The head bump gives her the answer she needs though, so she nods and smiles a bit before resuming in the petting.] Mnh. Okay, just scratches then. Umn...I'll ask about other things, like treats too then, [She decides for their sake, nodding to herself.]

[ He shouts "French fries!!!!" in his head. But its not as if she can read his mind. ]

Myahhh~

[ How is he supposed to convey treat words unless she shows him like... a menu or something, or they do what he and Maverick do, which is Nekano screeching for food and Maverick giving him whatever he has on hand, because he's good and generous like that. ]

[If only there were a mood for French Fry.

If only. The small boost in mood at least says treats would totally be a good idea though- but Reira doesn't have treats on hand, not now anyway. So she goes to pack up her papers instead...handily slipping them into a bag she was given with a nod.] Mnh. Treats now then, [She decides, not really seeing any reason why you wouldn't put it off. A happy thing can only be a good thing after all.]

They said that now, I can get food from the 'Cafeteria' place all the time, instead of just when someone takes me there, [She explains.] ...So we just have to find the treats there.

[....Dear god, he really can just point at a menu can't he.]

[ His mood perks up even more, because cafeteria food is always good. He doesn't go very often, what with so many people all at one time during peak meal hours, but there's always less during exam weak and now shouldn't be too busy either.

He waits until Reira's finished packing before leaping off the table so she isn't tempted to grab him again and carry him; he's a smart cat, apparently one that understands what's going on and leads the way to the cafeteria himself, tail aloft like a flag for Reira to follow. ]

Oh good, [is her response to that. Aside from patiently waiting for him to hop down as well (they're working very well together in her opinion), she's more than happy to follow this cat.] You know where it is too.

You probably get your treats there then, [She determines with some relief. It would be an awful shame if the right food wasn't there. She'd normally assume any cat would just want a bird, or maybe a fish, but given the Picking Up Upset, that would just be rude.] ..I haven't tried a lot of the things there, [She continues rather conversationally.] ...Just the things the teachers and doctors had...

...And nothing here is like the places in the 'outlands', mostly, [She continues- it's made knowing what food tastes good quite interesting to figure out.]

[ Kano would probably cry inside if Reira somehow caught him a bird and expected him to eat it; these are small but very good mercies.

She says very curious things, though, that catch his attention and has him slowing down somewhat, like they're conversation partners walking side by side instead of a cat leading his human over to get him treats. There's concern over the word "doctor," especially, because hanging around doctors is never a good thing, and then just plain curiosity towards the "outlands," which has always been sort of a vague concept for Kano, the same way "heaven" is a vague concept, or the "future."

But if Reira hasn't tried a lot of things, it can't be just french fries!! They've got to try one of everything, at least a bite or a half each. ]

[Kano is going to be the most spoiled kitty yet. But if he wants any answers, he's going to have to hang around and wait for the right moment- she's not exactly one to spill all the details right away, and certainly not without a good reason.

Soon enough, the cafeteria will be in view though- along with the few scattered students who've come to get a snack in their midterm strife. Mostly it's just the usual display of food that has yet to be cleared before the next meal-time. Occasionally something is replaced, but it's not exactly a busy hour of the day.

Reira pauses.] Hmnhh...

[...come to think, she's only really been here at mealtimes, she realizes.] ...I don't know where to start when it's not 'supper'... [She slowly looks to Kano. ...You. You...know, right, Kitty?]

[ Not having all the details is just fine with him; he doesn't need to be any more concerned about people he'd sworn to himself not to be concerned over, to only worry about him and his own and it used to be such a small, nice, manageable number.

He can't do much about doctors, but he can show Reira proper non-supper food. Looking around, it's a lot of pastries, little individual cakes that can be set out and displayed, and Nekano has to look up to her to wonder if she likes sweet things at all, as it doesn't tend to be his preference but he will still eat it.

...is there anything cats can't eat? He should probably also know that, but his mental list of things that he cannot eat consist of things Maverick won't let him eat, and there's only one item on his list and that's fake carnations. ]

[As far as Reira is concerned, this is a very smart, probably magical cat. He can eat whatever he wants. So as Reira is led to the sweets counter- where there is notably a lot more sweets than the last time she was here, that's so not fair, 'Last Time'. There's at least a spark of recognition in those eyes- though the over all response seems to be...rather faint. Internally she's absolutely looking at all this and thinking OH, yes, though so that's great.] Umnh...mnh...

[It takes a bit of looking to find the plates.

She grabs two. Both are set on the little shelf along the food trays before she looks down.] ...Are you allowed up to see?

[Otherwise this is going to be super hard to get sweets on the plate honestly.]

[ Is he allowed up? He's a cat, he can do what he wants. ...but the lunch ladies would have a word with him if they catch him, so what he chooses to do is to have Nekano leap up onto Reira's back and hang over her shoulder to look, claws digging in just enough to not slip, but not to hurt.

This way he can see, meowing at something that looks like a cheesecake, remaining quiet in front of some sort of gelatin with bits and pieces of ...something... suspended inside, etc.

Salty things he's a bit less choosy, though, choosing to leave his purr on in front of the savories, things like crab cakes and salmon crepes. ]

Oh-! [OH! Well, that works!! And makes everything easy! She'll very gladly be filling both plates, and while it takes her a lot longer to pick for herself, she doesn't really hesitate that long whenever Kano meows. Purring is what gets more thought- if only because she's trying to make sure he has room for the Best stuff on the plate.

...

actually hold on wait a minute here, she's realizing something isn't right.] ....Can you eat all of it?

[Well a person certainly could, but....well.]

[ Can he eat all of it? Yes, theoretically, although he's never had much of an appetite for food and wouldn't eat so much all at once if it were only himself. But this is a growing child he's got with him; Reira can just eat everything he doesn't eat, grow up big and strong and tall off cheesecakes and crepes. ]

Mya!!

[ That's a yes! They can definitely eat all of this!! ]

Umnh...

Well, okay, [she determines, continuing until it's time to get those plates to a table.] If you're sure, it's probably fine.

[Yes because that's how it works, being right about things.]

Hmn... [Now, where to sit...]

[ He's very very sure! As for where to sit... Nekano doesn't even turn towards the sets of benches and tables around the cafeteria; he'd never eaten there himself, in the rare instances he gets cafeteria food, but prefers to hide away somewhere by himself to eat.

These little hang-out spots are getting more and more the longer he's been here and found different places to be, so the place he leads Reira to— bounding off her shoulders and back onto the ground, throwing occasional glances over his shoulder as he ambles off to make sure she's following him— happens to be somewhere close by he used to hide himself away and listen to the commotion of lunchtime without actually being seen.

It is, essentially, a catwalk high above the room, like you'd see in a theater. ]

Mnh? ...That way? [This is just a regular trail of things that none of the adults showed her, isn't it!] ...I didn't know we could leave with plates, [She comments as they go, steadily following and carefully making sure that nothing is dropped.

But she doesn't say anything about turning around...and soon enough, they're up above.] Ohhhh...

[The plates are carefully set down, and she marvels somewhat at the sight below.] ...You can see everyone...

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TEST DRIVE MEME - MARCH

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