InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Salad Trident?"

Sumi Akio (so_sumi) wrote in st_margarets,
@ 2017-08-15 11:23:00

Entry tags:

character: rafe farrowe, character: sumi akio, location: pegasus dorm

Meeting the Head of House
Who: Sumi and Mr. Farrowe
When: Tuesday Afternoon
Where: Mr. Farrowe's office
Warnings: None. Should be pretty tame.

Sumi had been at the school for a little while along with the other Standards, but to be honest she had mainly kept to the woods. She would wave at others if they waved at her, but she preferred the company of the creatures in the woods. Some of them had strange tales about the going ons of the school, but mostly she just enjoyed talking to them rather than the other people. Perhaps she should give the other people a chance. She just had a harder time talking to them.

If she wasn't in the woods, she was in her room with her games. Her father had sent her a few new ones as a plea for forgiveness. She enjoyed the games, but she didn't really like that he did that rather than attempt to understand how she felt. She was growing more comfortable with the idea that her imaginary conversations with animals weren't actually imaginary though. Once you discover things like witches, wizards, vampires, fairies, and werewolves actually exist and they all say that you're Doctor Dolittle, it's a little difficult to argue with them. Probably another reason she was shying away from people was just the fact that finding out that your future classmates have power like that kind of caused her to be a bit nervous of them.

Today was the second day of class though, and so Sumi had been forced to at least be around the others a little. She wasn't entirely sure about the whole meeting thing though. She knew that teachers were typically friendly enough. Some weren't, but most teachers chose their profession. Also, thus far Mr. Farrowe seemed kind enough. He did look a bit severe at times though. She had heard that one of the other head of house teachers was a werebear. Honestly meeting a bear sounded a lot less troublesome. Maybe he would even change into a bear in order to make her feel more comfortable. She smiled a bit at this thought.

She wore a denim skirt with a brown shirt as she approached the door to Mr. Farrowe's office that day. She had considered sneaking one of the birds she had been talking to earlier in order to have a little bit of company for this meeting; however, the two of them were busy looking for food for their children. So here she was. Alone. She knocked lightly on the door. Part of her was hoping that maybe he had forgotten or got busy. She knew that hoping someone would be flaky was not the best thing to hope for from a teacher she would be learning from.

"Mr. Farrowe?" she said in a voice that would only just barely be able to be heard from the opposite side of the door, "You wanted to see me?" She stood for a second before realizing how vague that was, "It's Sumi Akio."

(Post a new comment)

redensign
2017-08-15 06:21 pm UTC (link)

A new school year meant new students. Rafe was still wrapping his mind around the loss of Sorin. He'd learned of it from his friends who'd gone to aid it. He recalled the practices on the school field that would assist Sorin in training his summons for the battle. Rafe tried not to tread down the "what if" path. What if he had been there? Would Sorin have died? What if the training wasn't enough? What if . . . a dangerous line of thinking. He grieved but also had work before him, so he used the work to give him focus and direction. He was late in finding the mentors of his house, but he would help his students as best as he could until the roles were filled.

As pensive as he was, he waited behind the desk, finally getting to meet one of his new standards and have the one-on-one talk he usually did. It was a good thing he was a vampire because he could hear Sumi quite clearly from the opposite side of the door. Rising from his chair, he made his way to the door and opened it, a smile emanating warmth and welcome greeted her.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Akio," he said, "Please, come in and take a seat. Make yourself comfortable." In the classroom he told stories and lectured but also tried to engage students. But he also had to put a firm foot down too about classroom policies, allowing for mercies on occasion when he saw it appropriate. Now that he wasn't about to start a lecture, and with many of the Pegasus duties completed, he could relax a little and set aside other thoughts.

He moved to the side, allowing her to step in but leaving the door ajar. Rafe returned to his seat, "How are you finding the school so far?"

(Reply to this) (Thread)

so_sumi
2017-08-15 08:17 pm UTC (link)

"Good afternoon," Sumi bowed politely when he opened the door. She may not have been actually raised in China, but she did still recognize that as polite etiquette for entering a teacher's office. She then moved to sit in one of the chairs in front of the desk. She was glad he seemed to be in a good mood at the moment.

Her eyes wandered a bit around the office taking in some of the decorations. "I am alright," she assured him, "It is a bit odd though. It sometimes feels as though the hallways change." She wondered many times during her trek to her classes if this was what mice felt like when humans tested their intelligence with mazes.

"Why did you want to speak with me?" Sumi asked, hoping she wasn't being too forward. She had never recalled her teachers at her previous school wanting to do that. They mostly just spoke with her father about her, and her tendency to not socialize with the other children.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

redensign
2017-08-15 09:35 pm UTC (link)

"Ah, that's because they do," Rafe said, "I'm sorry you weren't warned about that. We'll have mentors soon enough for you to seek out that can help you with that." That always threw students off, even when they were informed of it. Settled into his chair, he continued, "The school itself is something of its own entity. This very building used to be in Europe before it came to settle here." That also might surprise some students because the entire campus moved around via magic, not just the school in spirit relocating.

When asked about what he wanted to speak to her about, he explained, "I like to meet with each of my students in Pegasus. I'm your head of house and therefore responsible for you care and wellbeing. I don't want to leave all of this entirely upon the shoulders of the mentors. So I wish to get to know you."

He offered a smile and continued, "So, tell me a bit about yourself. Your likes, maybe a few dislikes, and feel free to be honest."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

so_sumi
2017-08-15 10:35 pm UTC (link)

Sumi tilted her head curiously as she listened. This was crazy. Things were so much simpler when she just believed she was imagining animals speaking to her. Now she apparently was going to school at Hogwarts. This was like the plot to some kind of RPG. Except in her version she befriended the creatures rather than fought them.

"I like animals mostly," she told him simply before returning to the thing that had truly caugh her interest, "What do you mean it came to settle here?" she asked, "You make it sound as though this is like the castle from Hauru no Ugoku Shiro."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

redensign
2017-08-16 03:40 am UTC (link)

"Ah, an excellent film," Rafe said, familiar with the works of Miyazaki. He shook his head once, "Not quite so grand as such. See, the school itself is magic, thus why it is the perfect place for those with gifts beyond logical understanding. The school has the ability to move itself via magic. It's very old magic that I don't know if anyone really understands except perhaps Ms. Menides, our headmistress." That was the simplest way he could explain the school and also tact on "if you want to learn more, talk to the headmistress." She'd been gone for months now and some of the staff were starting to whisper and ask if she'd ever return. Rafe had hope and expected that she would come back when it was time for her to return.

He then asked, "I can understand why you would like animals, considering your ability. How long have you been able to communicate with them?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

so_sumi
2017-08-16 05:12 pm UTC (link)

Sumi smiled at his reply. She hadn't completely expected him to recognize the name of the film. She felt as though a building moving by magic sounded familiar, but she wouldn't press the matter since he was obviously trying to inform her that he wasn't exactly an expert on the matter. She didn't recall seeing a headmistress yet though.

She shrugged at his question. It was hard to tell exactly. "I thought it was just my imagination before," she informed him, "I've just always liked animals, and they like me." She looked to the teacher apologetically, "I am sorry I'm not able to answer you properly, but I really do not actually remember a time when I wasn't speaking to animals." She didn't even realize it was something strange until she was told point blank that most people can't do what she does.

She bit her bottom lip nervously. "I also like videogames," she said hoping that she wouldn't upset him for something like that. That was probably not what he wanted to hear.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

redensign
2017-08-16 08:56 pm UTC (link)

"It's alright," Rafe said, "I think now that you're aware of what gift you have, you will be able to differentiate it better. It will be interesting to see how it develops. You're a Standard and it's good you're here. The classes will help see what you can do." It wasn't too common of a power to have, and he wondered if maybe she'd be able to communicate to weres at some point. The were mind was more complex than the mind of an animal. It wasn't all instinct and survival.

He smiled, "That's good. There are plenty of other students here. House Sphinx and House Kitsune have a number of consoles set up in their common rooms. You should be able to find friends easily through it." She seemed shy to him, so the video games would be a good way for her to put her foot in the door and start making more friends, and not just inside her own house.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

so_sumi
2017-08-16 11:12 pm UTC (link)

He thought there was more she could do than just talk to animals? Isn't that crazy enough? What else could she learn? Did they have some way of telling what everyone's potential was? That would be weird, but interesting. The more she thought about it the more it sounded like the plot to a game or anime.

"I brought a couple of my own," she informed him. She understood what he was after, and maybe she should at least attempt to show an effort for that. If she didn't, he'd probably call her father. Therefore, she nodded, "Thank you for letting me know about the other game systems though."

She then tilted her head and allowed her curiosity to take hold again. Though it was something that caused her to be a bit nervous, she had to admit that it also held her interest what he said before. "What more do you think I can do?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

redensign
2017-08-22 04:55 am UTC (link)

"Very well," Rafe smiled. He was less concerned about students in Pegasus getting distracted by video games as those in Kitsune house. Kitsune claimed many of the free spirits who were all too happy to neglect their studies in pursuit of more entertaining options. Sumi didn't seem to have the personality to dive into video games and neglect her own duties. From what he read, she worked at an animal shelter.

He smiled, "Many who come here possess only the start of something. We had a witch who had a strong connection to nature and in a time of need, and with a witch circle, he was able to give the trees of the forest nearby the ability to walk. We even have a young man, a shaman, who can venture into the spirit world but also learn to affect it. So you can understand animals, but perhaps that might grow into something more."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

so_sumi
2017-08-22 07:30 pm UTC (link)

Though it was an interesting prospect that her power could grow into something anywhere near as comparable to a person causing a forest to rise up and walk, she wasn't sure how speaking to animals could grow that much. On top of that, did she actually want that kind of power? It was a little intimidating to be honest.

She had a momentary feeling of loss as her thoughts went to her grandfather. He was usually the one to push her to try newer things, and to test herself. He always had a great deal of faith in her. Supposedly it was even his idea to send her to this school since he was not around to help her. She wasn't sure how much of that she believed, but it was easier to believe that than to constantly be upset with her father.

"I will try not to disappoint you," she told Mr. Farrowe.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

redensign
2017-08-23 06:59 pm UTC (link)

"I think you should try not to disappoint yourself first," Rafe said, "Follow the rules and do your best, and that's all I ask. Any personal growth comes from your desire to achieve it." The teachers could encourage and drive their students forward, but ultimately the student had to decide what they would do. Many students mistook school for being taught facts and maybe that was included, but it also meant teaching students to teach themselves.

He glanced at the clock, "I'm sorry that I may have to cut this a little short but I'm currently Head of House and taking care of some mentor duties until I hear back from those I've asked to take on the position." Rafe rose from his desk, "If you need anything, let me know immediately but I'll try to see if I can help too." Most times people appreciated getting the help without having to ask for it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

so_sumi
2017-08-23 07:31 pm UTC (link)

That was a strange statement to come from a teacher, thought Sumi. She was not used to that sort of thinking. Her experience thus far with school had been that you learned what the teachers wanted you to learn. Honestly that was something more likely to have come from her grandfather than anyone else. She looked at him curiously as he continued. She finally nodded her head unsure of how else to respond.

She stood and bowed again to him politely. "Thank you Mr. Farrowe," she told him, "I will be fine. I am certain." She made her way back to the door, but stopped once more before exiting. She smiled at him and then left without another word.

(Reply to this) (Parent)