moonmoonacademy | TEST DRIVE MEME

Entry tags:

*tdm

TEST DRIVE MEME - MARCH

TESTDRIVE MEME
IC Comm | Network Comm | OOC Comm | Navigation

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Ah, I see," he replies with a nod. Rex absolutely does recognise that Reira is not exactly an ordinary kid, but he's... Rex. When he was in the rough age range she is, he was eating dirt so his stomach didn't eat itself and strangling fellow orphans (just until they passed out, promise) that decided to pick on the weird kid.

"It is a difficult thing to determine, especially between differing lifeforms," he continues as he rubs his chin with one hand, the other braced on his knee to stop the wobbling of being in a squat. He's actually thinking of a way to scientifically tell if she's friends with Moon. Because you can work that stuff out with science. Surely. "I also have a creature that is attached to me and he is quite antagonistic sometimes."

"Does she take action to ensure your health and happiness?"

That seems a good starting point.

Truly a school is just a gathering of weirdos. Or something.

~~One hopes those kids stopped picking on the weird kid.~~

Between only recently getting into full conversation with other people, and just as recently getting introduced to the English language, there's a fair amount that Reira has to pause and think about- just to make sure she knows what she's being asked. She's trying her best not to rely on those little translation aids and headphones, and she likes to think she's doing a good job.

Health, certainly. Happiness... "Mnhhh... ...They keep me safe," she determines, glancing at the bracelets briefly. "But... ...I don't know about 'happy'. A lot of things the teachers said make people happy...I don't think I knew about those," she admits calmly.

This squat of Rex' is helping to feel somewhat confident in any ability to book it if she has to, in any case. No way that's going to be easy to stand up from, right?

Also- "...'Antagonistic'..?" what is that word

Rex immediately has a sudden spike of sadness when she explains what she knows about happiness, or rather, doesn't know. It's a feeling (or lack thereof) he's familiar with himself and Rex doesn't think anyone should be like him in any way. His instant reaction is a desire to help, do something useful. Cry a bit.

His face doesn't even twitch, however.

He does launch into teacher mode at her question though because a close runner up to learning new things is sharing that knowledge.

"If something is antagonistic, it means it is hostile to you- it doesn't necessarily mean they are an enemy that wishes you harm, but they are opposed to you," he says it all carefully and clearly, ready to accept questions or adapt the wording to ensure she understands. He doesn't even launch into his own questions, just to make sure she is satisfied with the answer. "Does that make sense?"

Oh no- crying? Well, there's no actual crying of course, but it takes a certain level of emotion to want to cry.

Enough that it has her attention anyway. Rex explaining what the word 'antagonistic' is only a brief distraction as well- "Mnh...I think it does," she says in response to the other's question, quietly logging the word's meaning away.

She takes a moment to pause- think about what she wants to ask, exactly. But after a moment she determines it can't be held quiet. 'Moon' falls into her lap just in time for her to speak.

"...Is it... ...hurting now?"

Is that why he was upset, perhaps?

"Hmm?" Rex is immediately confused by the question- as with anything that is outside of his expectations, he starts to contemplate far too many possibilities. His head tips until it's nearly sideways.

After some deliberation, the only thing he can think to say is the dreaded-

"I'm don't understand the question."

No one mentioned being hurt, did they? He's fine. Perhaps her grasp of English is weaker than it seems and she's hurt somehow, a thought which keeps concern in his heart but off of his face.

"Umn..." At least explaining what she meant isn't hard- though inwardly she is a bit surprised it wasn't understood. "...You said, what you have is 'antagonistic'...that it might cause those things," she adds- since he did after all, say something Could intend harm if it was like that.

And well, he's sad, so. "So...is it? ...Hurting right now?"

“Ah. You needn’t worry. My spirit companion doesn’t harm me,” he explains, assuming she’s asking if his antagonistic creature causes him physical injury. After all, he has no reason to think she could detect hi sadness at her lack of happiness- especially not when he’d deny it to himself.

Though it does bring up another of those chilling thoughts he can’t supress. Someone could study his face for a hundred years and not see his concern when he asks- “Do yours ...harm you?”

They might be entering into a feedback loop of caring a little too much.

"Oh!" Well, that's good then. Or so she thinks. But then he asks if...hers do that? Reira frowns.

"...I don't think they can..? ...They have to keep me safe. So...that seems hard." Or impossible, even.

"Oh- that's excellent." That is very good news. Things that can't hurt little girls are good things, or at least better things than those things that can- much better than those things that want to. "Mine tries to headbutt me occasionally, but he's weak and unintelligent, so his efforts fail."

"Rex." That's how he gives his name. Normally he'd leave it at that as the whole introduction, but since she's a kid- "That's my name. It's pleasant to meet you."

And you know what, it feels it.

"...Oh." Weak and unintelligent huh... "So...he can't hurt you in...Any way," she repeats carefully, almost searching for the confirmation.

...

She supposes it's 'pleasant' to meet him though, yes. "Umn...I'm 'Reira'," she introduces back. "...You already know Moon's name."

And Moon is Unforgettable.

Rex thinks about her question. Technically Indrik could hurt him quite badly if he wanted to- he's pony sized, has large fangs and recently learnt how to stomp on the edge of objects to send them flying. But ultimately...

"...he sometimes gives me a headache if that counts." This is a Rex joke. Don't worry Reira, no one else finds them funny either. Although she may well note the gentle, small happiness he feels thinking about his chubby little companion. Indrik has been so far the only thing he has ever let rely on him. He'll pretend he's a burden and he is but... Indrik needed him.

On the one hand. Headaches are bad.

On the other....he seems happy?

Pain isn't really something she'd associate with happiness, but maybe it's the same as how someone puts up with cat scratches or something. "Umnh...Only if they're really bad ones," she determines, nodding seriously. "Or...umnh...if you tell them not to, and they keep doing it."

"Well, he does not possess any sort of power to cause them. He's just annoying," he explains, whilst the little hum of happiness continues. He wouldn't trade Indrik for anything. But he really would like another legendary beast, maybe one that isn't a pain in the bum? Is that so much to ask? A decent mythological creature? "So, unfortunately, he cannot help it. I am therefore forced to forgive him."

He glances from Reira to Moon a few times, before reaching into his pocket and flicking through his phone and unbidden showing a picture of Indrik. Specifically, the lovely, soft face of a calf, though framed by a lionesque mane of blazing fiery red, skin a shiny golden hide. In this picture, Indrik is half-way through a bench, hooves on the ground both sides. Just pretending he wanted to be there and is absolutely not stuck.

"You see?"

She...doesn't quite understand that idea. Not until she sees him anyway. Because now...

"Oh- ...He's like Moon, and the others." Clearly this thing just doesn't talk for real, and is causing headaches the way her sprites do when they decide the best way out of a situation is to relocate her to a cloud or something.

....

"...They look soft..." No that's not a friend to hug Reira,

"His mane is," Rex confirms unhelpfully. Indrik is pretty aggressive most of the time, partially because he's highly territorial and Rex's vicinity is his territory. But also Indrik's desire to protect Rex and their connection combines to mean Rex's paranoia incites it. A potential threat in Rex's eyes is an enemy in Indrik's. And there no one, no one in the world at all, that Rex does not consider a potential threat.

That said, he may equally react to Rex's desire to pat Reira on the head. Who knows?

"He is also useful as a footstool when I want to put my feet up."

She wants to pet it.

...She will not ask though...not yet.

....

"...what's a footstool." oh no

He's Rex. Of course he answers in detail.

"It is a small piece of furniture that is designed for resting one's feet, allowing the user to extend their legs when seated or place their feet flat if they are too short to reach the ground," he answers as he stands, gently patting one of his legs to illustrate how long they are. "I typically require some extra leg support when using standard chairs."

Being hugely tall is super useful for some stuff (like punching people on the other side of the room) but also finding clothes that fit is a huge pain and his back hurts 24/7.

"I imagine you could benefit from a footstool as well, if your feet don't touch the ground when you sit in a tall chair. That can cause circulation problems."

She's so tiny it blows his mind. Blows it clean out of the water. Little thing.

...He hasn't been around kids for a long while, okay.

"Mnhhh..." Well for her credit, she Is paying attention and taking it in. To that end she looks at Rex's legs when he explains why he needs footstools.

She supposes long legs would have to come with some sort of drawback, given the trade off of being able to reach things.

Also wait what- "Umnh....It causes problems?" Wait what- "...How?"

"Not major ones- it's just that if your soles aren't supported you can be cutting off the blood supply, by applying pressure to your calves," he explains in that glum way he has of bringing the mood down anywhere and anywhen. "If you don't have a footstool to hand when on a chair too large for you, I suggest sitting cross-legged on it."

At least he offers solutions! He's helping. He's helpful.

He's totally helping. Totally.

Reira pulls her legs up to sit cross legged. "Mnh...okay," she determines, nodding slowly. "...um...why does it put pressure on something else, if you're not standing on anything though?" Not even sitting on it, calves are the lower leg right? She thinks they are.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME - MARCH

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject