InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "yo moguls"

disappear_npc (disappear_npc) wrote in disappear_rpg,
@ 2009-10-24 03:35:00

Entry tags:

parents

Who: Parents (No kids)
What: Parent's Evening!
Where: Nanakamado
When: Evening
Why: So the parents can RUIN LIVES SOME MORE/BE EMBARASSING/WHATEVER.
Note: I don't intend to play the teachers very much. I doubt this is a surprise.

The amount of students at Nanakamado meant that it was almost impossible to book slots with all the necisarry teachers within the same time block. As a result, parents were forced to wait for a long time between each appointment.

The school had clearly foreseen this problem, the assembly hall had been prepared with seats and refreshments to keep perents who they didn't want to enrage from becoming too frustrated with the wait.

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anthesphoria
2009-10-24 05:24 am UTC (link)

Having abandoned her daughter-in-law for having the gall to speak ~~that evil language~~ English in her presence, Fumiko had begun moving around the room, very slowly, looking at some of the displays from the art and cultural clubs. There was a particular flower arrangement on one of the tables that drew her attention and (still taking tiny, slow steps) she made her way closer to appraise it.

After a few minutes, she felt confident in declaring, either to those who were nearby her, or to nobody at all, "This isn't entirely without merit."

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	pinksunbeam 2009-10-24 05:28 am UTC (link)
	Akiko had left her husband to talk to Maeko's family to get herself a new drink. She noticed an older woman apprising the flowers. "Flower arrangements? I suppose not, though I don't see the use in it. Pardon I couldn't help but hear you while passing. Does your grand child go to this school?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

anthesphoria
2009-10-24 05:35 am UTC (link)

"The use?" Fumiko turned around, looking upwards, eyes fixing on Akiko after a moment or two of squinting. The overhead lighting in here wasn't great for her old eyes, after all, and bothering to crane her neck upwards for people was irritating.

"I meant the application of the technique. Whoever did this has had some basic training, although the work here—" she pointed to one of the three stems "—and here—" a leaf slightly crooked "—is sloppy at best. But the overall execution is balanced enough to show some promise, assuming the poor child gets proper tutelage in time."

A pause, and then she answers. "My granddaughter is in her first year of high school here, yes. And your own child?" She made the assumption.

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pinksunbeam
2009-10-24 05:44 am UTC (link)

Akiko stared at the arragement and apprased it, "Well at least they used a decent sort of specimen. I wouldn't know about the technique, that's more something my daughter might know about."

"Misaki Aoi, she's a freshman as well, and if she doesn't get her grades up she will remain a freshman while her peers will be graduating." Akiko frowned some. "And you're granddaughter is?"

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	anthesphoria 2009-10-24 05:49 am UTC (link)
	"Kondo Kozue," Fumiko says. After all, it's hardly evident, with Kozue being a half-breed like she is. Terrible shame, that. "And I am Kondo Fumiko. A pleasure to meet you." She bowed slightly. Then, her expression soured slightly at the mention of grades: "That is unfortunate." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pinksunbeam
2009-10-24 06:43 am UTC (link)

"Kondo...I think I have heard your name in passing from my daughter." She bowed in return, "Dr. Aoi Akiko, I am most greatful to make your aquaintence Kondo-sama."

Let it not be said that Akiko was one to pass up the chance to network and make connections for her family. Not only that but if this was the Kondo family that she had heard of then maybe there could be some donations to the school. If not perhaps something to get Misaki a more suitable husband in the future.

When the subject turned to grades Akiko frowned some, "Yes. I'm rather disappointed in her. She has always been below my other children. Her mind is always filled with drawing dresses and clothing. It's rather a shame. Her father and I both work hard, and were hoping that she would make more suitable choices in her life. As it is, she tends to want to play dress up with her friends rather then study." She shook her head some, "I do hope she is not causing the grades to go down for your granddaughter."

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anthesphoria
2009-10-24 06:49 am UTC (link)

"I wouldn't be too concerned about that. Kozue could do worse, but I think that she would actually have to make an attempt." It might be hard to tell if Fumiko was sour about this or not—she might well have been commenting on anyone's grandchild, or the weather. "Not like her brother at all. Although, they do share that trouble with obedience."

Oh, never mind. There was the judgment and the grandchild-recrimination.

"Perhaps she's just not meant to follow in your footsteps. You're a medical doctor?"

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pinksunbeam
2009-10-24 06:58 am UTC (link)

"Biologist, and a minor in behaviorial studies," Akiko explained, and had to wonder if the old woman would really be able to understand that. She had to assume so, else why would she be there in the first place. At least she seemed like an intellegent woman to talk to unlike the yahoos who were making noise on the other side of the room.

"My eldest daughter is going in for psycology, my elest son was a botonist but decided he prefered working as a florest," At this she let out a heavy sigh, clearly disappointed in the fact that he had chosen to do this. "But at least he still stayed with science. Misaki's sister before her is studying to be a math teacher like her father."

"My daughter unfornately does not see the merit in science. She feels that it is not something that excites her, but a career is not about what excites you, it's really about where you can excell professionally." Akiko said in a serious tone. "She tends to believe in silly prattle and such." The word brother did not slip from her mind. "What about your granddaughter? You mentioned she has trouble with obeience? And might I inquire what your grandson does?"

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anthesphoria
2009-10-24 03:40 pm UTC (link)

Considering that she or her family had enough money to send children to Nanakamado Escalator School? Chances were good that Kondo Fumiko knew what biology was, at least. Even if she did look a bit like a relic from another century.

"She will come to understand what she needs to find in a career, sooner or later," Fumiko agreed, looking only slightly judgmental about the whole thing. "Unless she's just better cut out to be a wife and mother, which is certainly not a bad choice. You ought to have a child to take care of you in your old age, unless your son plans to marry a nurturing sort of woman. And, if she decides to become a housewife, you'll have grandchildren—they are a joy, despite their occasional failings." It seemed that Kondo Fumiko couldn't keep herself from taking any opportunity to complain, and, speaking of grandchildren…

"My Kozue? She and her brother both have such trouble with filial piety. It comes from the bad blood from their mother, you see." She paused to glare across the room at Kondo Maria's back, because the thought had occurred to her, and just so that Akiko could see exactly what she was talking about. "For instance, Kozue refuses to come home on weekends, even though we're less than two hours away by train. She insists on attending this silly sports club she's part of, instead of furthering her studies in the tea ceremony, and she's never even learned the koto." From the recrimination in her voice, you'd think Kozue had actually joined a street gang or something. "And, yes, my grandson, Shinjiro. He's an alumnus of Nanakamado, and is currently in an accelerated bachelor's and M.B.A. Program in Tokyo." She smiled (or… smiled as much as Kondo Fumiko almost ever did). That, at least, she was proud of.

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pinksunbeam
2009-10-24 05:06 pm UTC (link)

"I should hope so, her idealized ways are trying at the best of times," Akiko agreed, though she found the idea of just being a wife and mother to be a bit of slight. She had always determined never to be one, and was making damn sure that her daughters were not going to either. On the other hand Misaki never seemed to be the sort to follow in her sisters more intellegent approaches, not to mention the fact that she was the extra daughter in a way. "Well in a way Misaki would be most suited for this role. She can be a bit of a crybaby at times, but I'm weening that out of her slowly. My eldest son...a nuturing woman? I wouldn't know, he's only 23 and insisting on getting married to this accountant. She's a flighty person."

Akiko closed her eyes and sighed, "But grandchildren can be a bother as well though. They are raised by their parents and grandparents tend to have very little say in how the child turns out. Which is a disappointment, at least I know it will be for me. My son wants to do a non conventional approach to raising children."

"Bad blood? Do they have some sort of disorder?" She asked curiosly, and glanced over at the western woman that Fumiko was looking at. She raised her eyebrow some. So that was the daughter-in-law? She was a rather pretty in her own way, though Akiko had always prefered lighter hair color to her own black. She glanced back at Fumiko, "Ah, she has western blood. Interestingly enough that could be a plus in some cases for health problems that some of the upperclass still suffer here. But I can see what you mean, cultural differences would breed a more determined set of social ideals." She thought a moment, "She is in a sports club, your Kozue-san? Which, may I ask, I was in a sport while I was attending universtity. It might be a good thing for her to attend the sports as a means of networking to further herself with business people."

Akiko blinked, she really did not see how Koto or tea ceremony would help the girl, other then to place her in a waitress role to her husband. And in Akiko's eyes that made her little more then a house maid, far worse then a stay at home mother. She sighed some, "I wish my daughter would at least get interested in something other then Ikebana or Cooking Club. She has her mind on clothing a lot more then her studies. You live only two hours away? That is rather disappointing that she doesn't come to visit."

"Ah, a smart young man your grandson truely is. My eldest daughter Horoto is at Tokyo for studies for her docotorate. She comes by every two weeks or so to see me," Akiko paused as thoughts swirled in her mind. Ths family was well off enough, and Misaki eventually would need to do something....She carefully asked, "Your grandson, what year did he graduate from Nanakomado? Perhapse he was in my daughter's graduating class."

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anthesphoria
2009-10-24 06:40 pm UTC (link)

As if Fumiko wouldn't recognize that line of questioning. "He graduated a bit more than a year ago. Your daughter, Horoto-san, what year was she in?" The question was carefully disinterested—Fumiko didn't know enough about this family, or the daughter, to want to commit to anything for her grandson just yet. They were... what, scientists? The Kondo Family could do better. Unless there were some important details she'd yet to learn.

"Kozue plays Tennis. At least she hasn't taken up something truly undignified. Ah, but your daughter is in the Ikebana Club? Kozue attends that club as well. I don't see why you would object to having a child study such important traditional expressions. How else are children to get any culture?" She shook her head slightly, and her eyes wandered back to the back of Maria's blond head across the room. "I suggest you re-think the idea that parents and parents alone raise their children; if you take a firm hand in the raising of your grandchildren from day one, your daughters and daughter-in-law will never have that problematic opinion that they are somehow entitled to decide things about their children." She nodded, then. "And, for heaven's sake, disavow your son of that 'non-traditional' nonsense. What a nightmare. My daughter-in-law wanted something like that, but she has very gracefully learned the error of her ways."

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pinksunbeam
2009-10-24 07:27 pm UTC (link)

"She's going to be twenty two this year,"Akiko said calmly and nodded some. "I'm not sure if they graduated the same year. Horoto was always busy with her academics. I don't believe she mentioned him, then again she was always associating herself with the psychology students of the university." She gave a polite shrug, "Perhaps they have met in passing."

"That was the sport that I took up in University. It's rather interesting, and gives you a chance to network with asscociates that can push you farther." Akiko explained waved her hand some, "Yes she is, and she gets enough culture as it is through studying history and working for my son Hikaru's shop. The problem is that, even with knowing it, it will do her no good in the real world. Tradionally yes it is a lovely art, but in all praticality, what good will it do her in the end? Can you honestly earn a living crafting flowers?"

"Her late grandfather, my father, was the head of the university for several years. He always prefered his children and grandchildren to not follow the steps of his father. The man was a dreamer, and if not for my grandmother, my father would never have gotten the education that he needed to excell in his field." She shook her head, "I am hoping that if I ever get the chance to become president of the university, then hopefully Horoto would become next in line."

Akiko smiled cheerfully at this comment about firm hand, "My thoughts exactly. However, he is as stubborn as they come, my son. He thinks the way I raised him was 'impractical' and believes that it harmed the way his sisters think. He's just listening to that woman's complaints on my rearing."

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anthesphoria
2009-10-24 09:00 pm UTC (link)

Good lord, this woman couldn't control her own son when he was only twenty-three? This was a perfect argument as to why women shouldn't have jobs—it pulled them out of touch with their families, and then, before they knew it, their children were doing whatever the hell they pleased, marrying flighty accountants ~~and foreigners~~.

"I suppose if my granddaughter had to worry about earning a living, my concerns would be different," Fumiko said. It would have been a concession, except for her exceedingly superior tone. A very oh, that's different for you, you're poor people sort of inflection and an almost sympathetic, bland almost-smile. "But she is prepared for her place in life, which is all a parent can aim for. She has learned, and is learning, the skills that will make her an proper, traditional wife once she graduates." … Nanakamado? Or somewhere else. Either way, clearly, Fumiko had a plan set out already.

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pinksunbeam
2009-10-25 04:53 am UTC (link)

Akiko gave a little smirk, "Money like all things fades with time. I'm sure that your granddaughter will do perfectly well, however the factor is that it all depends on her intellegence. I'm sorry to say that looks do not win over much anymore. With out proper education, breeding is, unfortunately nothing."

If there was one thing Akiko prided her family and her blood line in it was the history of academia and educators that resided in their family. "I see, and your grandson, what is the plans for him?"

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anthesphoria
2009-10-25 08:24 pm UTC (link)

"My grandson will begin working for my son's company, naturally," Fumiko responded smoothly. And personal plans? Well, for someone who regarded proper breeding as "nothing"? Those certainly weren't up for discussion. The old woman's nose was rising ever-so-slightly into the air as the conversation continued; her sense of personal superiority was only being confirmed, over and over again. (Then again, there were few places that Fumiko went that her sense of superiority wasn't confirmed. Some people wore rose-tinted glasses: Kondo Fumiko wore ego-tinted glasses.)

"Education is merely another kind of attachment; as is beauty, as is money." Another vaguely superior slight nod.

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pinksunbeam
2009-10-26 02:17 am UTC (link)

"I see, and I assume he already has plans for marriage yes?" She asked causually. The more she spoke to this woman the more she had to wonder if Fumiko could ever look at anything besides the idea of breeding. She suspected that the woman could be entertained for a while though the grand idea of tradition, but in time even that faded to the laziness and stupidity. Which in turn lead straight to people not making educated choices and following the masses. It sickened her that there were people out there that found the idea of being an idiot but from a well off family better then being an educated person from a professional family.

"With out it though, would we not be able to afirm ourself from those that are beneath? I'm sure you've heard of the saying of the rich fool and the poor wiseman." Akiko said.

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