Being Normal (IC/Closed)

[The Warriors of the Sun]

"That is fine with me, Kat, it is your room. And talking sounds great to me, better than some large social gathering, and anyway, I still need to catch up with you," replied Riley as he pushed open the door to the school when they made it to the entrance. He held the door open for her to let her pass and continued, "I've missed this place too, maybe you just like school more than you are willing to admit." Riley stuck his tongue out at Kat jokingly as he let go of the door. "Call me odd, but this school has to be one of my favorite places to be. Most of my favorite memories are all here, though I don't have much of those." Riley thought for a moment and realized his comment could be taken negatively and quickly added, "Memorable moments, I haven't done a whole lot that is impressionable."

[Penguinia-Tempor]

"The elections are done already?" Marcus asked, somewhat surprised. Elections generally took a while, far longer than the first meeting, at least.
"Well...I guess that we could seek to improve the school around us by building another staircase. That could work. Anyway...a party...will alcohol be served at this party?"

"Eh, I'm not sure. I don't have much of a taste for booze..." Adam said, pulling out his phone and looking through his calendar. There were appointments and classes to keep track of, the community club's next meetings, and of course, the party. It was going to start in about an hour or so, and he knew that he had to get there soon. "But anyways, the party is starting soon, so I suppose we can go over once I change into some more...comfortable clothes." Adam continued, gesturing at his uniform. He entered the dorm room and headed to the closet, where some of Marcus's stuff already was, Adam combed through his clothing, knowing that he would have to make a good first impression there.

[Aenglaland]

Lilya smiled at Eli, "Not a problem at all." folding the corner of the books page to mark her place and shut the cover with a Snap! She set it down on the bed and stood up.

"It wasn't that long, I needed to do a bit of reading anyway." Lilya grinned, opening the door and stepping outside, "This is going to be fun I assure you!" A nagging thought crept into the back of Lilya's mind but she dismissed it. It persisted still and was a fairly common thought for Lilya to have which in part made it easier to dismiss. She doubted the truthfulness in her statement despite not having any evidence against the point she didn't have any for it either. So the thought persisted, making Lilya a little bit nervous.

Eli smiled, as both them stepped outside. She closed the door before facing Lilya again "Yeah, it will be! It's been a while since I had some tea...I wonder how many kinds of different tea exist..." she said. Eli felt excited for having the chance of knowing more about her roommate. Her likes, her dislikes, her hopes and dreams...Everytime Eli met new people, she always felt like this. She felt excited...and nervous. What if her roommate find her boring? Or annoying? Or "too friendly"? These fears were always present at times like these. Eli tried to dismiss these feelings.

"So, you're from Russia too?" Eli asked, with a bright smile on her face.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Marcus sighed and decided to break the law. Lighting a cigarette, he leaned on the wall to the right of the doorway and took a drag as he waited for Adam to emerge.

[Videssos]

Seiko bore witness to what was perhaps an emotional outburst of sorts, a plea for friendship, and a confession of at least some of what lay within Prokop's mind. Not particularly used to such things, Seiko's mind had nonetheless begun processing what the other student had said, with a considerable speed. Though there was always a part of his mind that took a guarded, cautious approach towards others, he was generally not one to refuse such a request. "Certainly," Seiko replied, smiling faintly.

As much as part of him was ever cautious, and prone to showing to others a façade of varying degrees, so too was he often prone to saying few words. Though of course, that likewise depended on a number of factors, be it the situation, the nature of those to whom he was speaking, and so on. When Prokop said they had much in common, and then proceeded to mention something of his past, Seiko supposed that was true. At least to some extent, perhaps. There were certainly some memories that refused to disappear into the abyss of the forgotten, even if Seiko did at times, seem to be able to forget things intentionally. Though he wasn't sure if they were ever truly gone, or just somewhere in the inaccessible depths of certain parts of his mind.

Prokop had in fact, intentionally toned down what he had to say about his past. He did not mention his failed suicide attempt that had left him permanently with several large and very unsightly scars as well as immense shame and guilt, or the short time he had spent thereafter at a mental hospital which had left him with additional shame and guilt. He wanted to tell Seiko everything at some point, but not just yet, and certainly not when anyone else was around. He felt that if such information was widely known, it would ruin his chances of getting a good career and the possibility of ever living the "normal life" that he wanted so desperately.

"My friend Seiko, there is... Well, there is more that I must tell you... I... I will tell you some day, but right now I do not trust you enough."

Yet somehow keeping a secret from a friend just made him feel worse.

"Maybe... Maybe... Maybe I can give you some kind of cryptic answer now?"

No! He could not just hold something like this inside of him indefinitely. He had to tell someone, and he had to tell someone now! He lifted his poet shirt/ blouse to show Seiko how he had mutilated himself.

"I did this to myself! Not only that, but I was kept in a mental hospital for a week after the wounds healed!"

That was definitely a foolhardy decision. What was he thinking to tell what was previously his most closely guarded secret to someone he had just met?

"I mean... I mean... Well, if anyone else finds out I am afraid... It will ruin my life... You know... You know that... You know that more than anything... more than anything I just want to be able to... to live a normal life."

That was last thing he said. He could not speak anymore, even if he had wanted to. He just yelped and collapsed on the floor into tears.

Seiko's eyes widened for a moment, though he had already gotten the sense that Prokop had a certain, sensitive past that he had deigned to reveal, to an extent, to Seiko. Thus, he wasn't as caught unexpectedly, or by as much surprise as he would have otherwise been, by Prokop's continuation of bringing forth his secrets. From the start, it had been evident that some form of unfortunate past had likely transpired. Silent for a moment, he murmured his next response, "Don't worry, I know how to keep secrets..."

That was certainly true. One could say he had long since learnt that the benefits of keeping things hidden far outweighed the alternatives. Even giving hints and telling half-truths could be risky enough. Prokop, on the other hand, seemed to be somewhat more impulsive and quick to act, at least if the current situation was anything to go by. Though with Prokop's mental instability clear as he broke down, Seiko himself wasn't particularly sure what to say. Instances such as these were innately something that needed to be handled in the manner that resulted in the alleviation of fears, anxieties and unhappiness. Be that temporary or otherwise. One could say he found situations where someone was depending on him to stop their crying, to be a bit awkward. Even if it was itself a rare happening. Seiko's mind working, he returned once more to his view on what Prokop kept saying, a desire for normality, to whatever degree that desire might extend.

[The High Tatras]

Soon Prokop was back on his feet, but he still said nothing. Instead, he immediately left the room and ran away as far as possible. It wasn't long before he was no longer in the school complex, and inevitably he found that he was lost soon thereafter.

About 1 hour later:

Prokop was no longer depressed. In fact, he was actually smiling, which was something he rarely did unless he was very genuinely pleased. There was someone accompanying him as well; a calico kitten whom he had found alone in an alleyway and decided to adopt after playing with him.

Eventually, they found their way to a coffee/ tea shop, which they entered. The customers stared in puzzlement at the androgynous-looking boy dressed in 18th century lounging attire and his scraggly and unkempt feline. Prokop ignored this and carried the kitten with him up to the counter where he ordered.

"Um... A Wiener Melange for me and a saucer of your milk for my new friend, please... What do you mean animals are not allowed here? Um... Okay, I will sit outside then."

He went outside with the kitten and searched for a table, eventually finding one where he thought he saw...

"Um... Seiko, is that you? Julius, is that you? I have another new friend now, as you can see, and I need help coming up with a name for him."

[Tracian Empire]

Soon Prokop was back on his feet, but he still said nothing. Instead, he immediately left the room and ran away as far as possible. It wasn't long before he was no longer in the school complex, and inevitably he found that he was lost soon thereafter.

About 1 hour later:

Prokop was no longer depressed. In fact, he was actually smiling, which was something he rarely did unless he was very genuinely pleased. There was someone accompanying him as well; a calico kitten whom he had found alone in an alleyway and decided to adopt after playing with him.

Eventually, they found their way to a coffee/ tea shop, which they entered. The customers stared in puzzlement at the androgynous-looking boy dressed in 18th century lounging attire and his scraggly and unkempt feline. Prokop ignored this and carried the kitten with him up to the counter where he ordered.

"Um... A Wiener Melange for me and a saucer of your milk for my new friend, please... What do you mean animals are not allowed here? Um... Okay, I will sit outside then."

He went outside with the kitten and searched for a table, eventually finding one where he thought he saw...

"Um... Seiko, is that you? Julius, is that you? I have another new friend now, as you can see, and I need help coming up with a name for him."

The tea shop near the school was pretty cool, and had good tea, even if took some time for Julius to find some British tea. After this, he took a seat near Seiko and started to read a book.
The British boy wasn't surprised when Prokop approached them with the cat. He had already noticed him earlier, when he entered the shop.
Julius put the book he was reading on the table and looked at Prokop and his cat."Nice cat you have there.", said Julius. After taking a sip from the tea he looked at them again.
"Well, the first question would be: is it a male or a female?"

[Iryllia]

Eli smiled, as both them stepped outside. She closed the door before facing Lilya again "Yeah, it will be! It's been a while since I had some tea...I wonder how many kinds of different tea exist..." she said. Eli felt excited for having the chance of knowing more about her roommate. Her likes, her dislikes, her hopes and dreams...Everytime Eli met new people, she always felt like this. She felt excited...and nervous. What if her roommate find her boring? Or annoying? Or "too friendly"? These fears were always present at times like these. Eli tried to dismiss these feelings.

"So, you're from Russia too?" Eli asked, with a bright smile on her face.

"Yup, Vladivostok born and raised. Enclave of the east and such." Lilya smiled reminiscently "A strange place, compared to the rest of Russia at least. A lot more foreign Influence I've seen. Oh and wonderful food!" She grinned this time. "What about you? What part of Russia did you come from?" They talked as they walked. Down out of the accommodation building and across the grounds towards the school gates. Lilya's mind strayed little. Focusing on the task of navigating and talking simultaneously

[Videssos]

Soon Prokop was back on his feet, but he still said nothing. Instead, he immediately left the room and ran away as far as possible. It wasn't long before he was no longer in the school complex, and inevitably he found that he was lost soon thereafter.

About 1 hour later:

Prokop was no longer depressed. In fact, he was actually smiling, which was something he rarely did unless he was very genuinely pleased. There was someone accompanying him as well; a calico kitten whom he had found alone in an alleyway and decided to adopt after playing with him.

Eventually, they found their way to a coffee/ tea shop, which they entered. The customers stared in puzzlement at the androgynous-looking boy dressed in 18th century lounging attire and his scraggly and unkempt feline. Prokop ignored this and carried the kitten with him up to the counter where he ordered.

"Um... A Wiener Melange for me and a saucer of your milk for my new friend, please... What do you mean animals are not allowed here? Um... Okay, I will sit outside then."

He went outside with the kitten and searched for a table, eventually finding one where he thought he saw...

"Um... Seiko, is that you? Julius, is that you? I have another new friend now, as you can see, and I need help coming up with a name for him."

Whilst Julius nearby had mostly minded his own business, Seiko had been idly reading a copy of volume 5 of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon. Hearing his name, the blonde half-Japanese, Half-Swedish student looked up towards Prokop, noting the cute kitten he had acquired. "Oh, hi..."
Seiko himself was quite fond of animals, such as cats, dogs, rabbits, birds and most others. Even ones some were squeamish about, like snakes. "Name?" Noting the contribution from Julius, he nodded in agreement, "Well, would be an important element of naming..."

[The High Tatras]

Prokop spoke to Julius and Seiko.

"Um... The kitten is male, as evidenced by the fact I referred to said kitten as "him". He is very high-strung and free spirited; maybe I should call him Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Or perhaps I should call him Francis Bacon, because he is very curious and "into everything". That would be rather cruelly ironic though, because he was cold, wet, and shivering when I found him. He also has a calico coloration like a very dashing and debonair gentleman; and I am sure he will be treated like a little prince in our dormitory. Um... We can keep him, right? I mean... He ought to stay with us until we can find a good permanent home for him... Is... Is he, strictly speaking, allowed at school? We cannot... We cannot just turn him in to animal control or... or they would..."

Prokop's eyes started watering again before he finished his last sentence.

[Tracian Empire]

Prokop spoke to Julius and Seiko.

"Um... The kitten is male, as evidenced by the fact I referred to said kitten as "him". He is very high-strung and free spirited; maybe I should call him Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Or perhaps I should call him Francis Bacon, because he is very curious and "into everything". That would be rather cruelly ironic though, because he was cold, wet, and shivering when I found him. He also has a calico coloration like a very dashing and debonair gentleman; and I am sure he will be treated like a little prince in our dormitory. Um... We can keep him, right? I mean... He ought to stay with us until we can find a good permanent home for him... Is... Is he, strictly speaking, allowed at school? We cannot... We cannot just turn him in to animal control or... or they would..."

Prokop's eyes started watering again before he finished his last sentence.

"I think that you can keep it. I don't know if animals are allowed at school, but we will find a way to keep it.", said Julius. The British student took another sip from the tea before continuing.
"I think that the person that should decide his name is you. You are the one that can find the best name for him. Good luck."
Julius returned to reading the book.

[Aenglaland]

"Yup, Vladivostok born and raised. Enclave of the east and such." Lilya smiled reminiscently "A strange place, compared to the rest of Russia at least. A lot more foreign Influence I've seen. Oh and wonderful food!" She grinned this time. "What about you? What part of Russia did you come from?" They talked as they walked. Down out of the accommodation building and across the grounds towards the school gates. Lilya's mind strayed little. Focusing on the task of navigating and talking simultaneously

"Ohh, Vladivostok? Only went there once, several years ago..." Eli said, trying to remember when exactly this happened, but without success. "I was born in Moscow and lived there for some years. Then my parents decided to return to this city. Last time I visited Moscow was during Christmas holidays last year, with my parents and my sisters. It was fun with all that snow, but I don't think I'm suited to live there anymore, and I don't intend to leave either. I grew up here, after all." she added, smiling. But, surprisingly, the smile faded away. At first she wasn't sure she should say this, but Eli was a honest girl, so she decided to say it anyway. "And honestly...being in Russia makes me feel a bit bad. You see..besides managing his company, my grandfather was deeply involved in Soviet, and later Russian, politics. He still is. When we left Russia, my grandfather retired from our company and chose my father as its next head. Then, a few years ago, mother told me the things my grandfather did...I sort of want to stay away from that part of my family. My father fortunately didn't followed my grandfather steps, and decided to stay away too, but still...It affects me somehow." she said, gazing into the distance. Seconds after, she shook her head.

"I'm sorry..Talking about these boring things, I'm probably annoying you." she said, apologizing to Lilya. "I can't wait to see the tea shop." she said, with a bright smile.

[Scamvidia]

"That is fine with me, Kat, it is your room. And talking sounds great to me, better than some large social gathering, and anyway, I still need to catch up with you," replied Riley as he pushed open the door to the school when they made it to the entrance. He held the door open for her to let her pass and continued, "I've missed this place too, maybe you just like school more than you are willing to admit." Riley stuck his tongue out at Kat jokingly as he let go of the door. "Call me odd, but this school has to be one of my favorite places to be. Most of my favorite memories are all here, though I don't have much of those." Riley thought for a moment and realized his comment could be taken negatively and quickly added, "Memorable moments, I haven't done a whole lot that is impressionable."

Kat giggled and punched Riley in the shoulder lightly. "I'm pretty sure you are already odd without anyone saying you are, and I bet all of those memories involve me because I am easily your best friend. But I will never admit I actually enjoy school, no matter what. Now lets hurry up and get back to my room so we can do absolutely nothing but lay around."

[Iryllia]

"Ohh, Vladivostok? Only went there once, several years ago..." Eli said, trying to remember when exactly this happened, but without success. "I was born in Moscow and lived there for some years. Then my parents decided to return to this city. Last time I visited Moscow was during Christmas holidays last year, with my parents and my sisters. It was fun with all that snow, but I don't think I'm suited to live there anymore, and I don't intend to leave either. I grew up here, after all." she added, smiling. But, surprisingly, the smile faded away. At first she wasn't sure she should say this, but Eli was a honest girl, so she decided to say it anyway. "And honestly...being in Russia makes me feel a bit bad. You see..besides managing his company, my grandfather was deeply involved in Soviet, and later Russian, politics. He still is. When we left Russia, my grandfather retired from our company and chose my father as its next head. Then, a few years ago, mother told me the things my grandfather did...I sort of want to stay away from that part of my family. My father fortunately didn't followed my grandfather steps, and decided to stay away too, but still...It affects me somehow." she said, gazing into the distance. Seconds after, she shook her head.

"I'm sorry..Talking about these boring things, I'm probably annoying you." she said, apologizing to Lilya. "I can't wait to see the tea shop." she said, with a bright smile.

"Ah it's fine." Lilya smiled at Eli reassuringly. "I had, had mind you, an uncle who told... um..." She coughed tactfully "Rather... Age inappropriate stories about his wartime exploits. Said it'd build a 'Proper sense of Russian patriotism' or something like that." sighing reproachfully as they left the school gate. "Still, half those I don't care to remember and I doubt I will be reminded any time soon. It's been I'd say about four years since I've been home, if I could call it that. Three since I've talked to anyone in my family. So I'd say I'm good to forget." She smiled wistfully, and then added "The tea defiantly helps. It's just around the corner." The Tea shop was a rather small, old-fashioned looking building tucked into the side 4-story tall building. It's open side led out onto a patio, which again bordered a small park tucked in behind a few buildings with a small entrance onto the street. A small chalk board stood out on the street with the day's menu written out carefully. The sign above the door read: "The Shanghai" "Welp. Here we are." Lilya said, smiling.

[Aerospace Forces]

Aethras looked around the area rather uneasily. He had already been waiting for everyone to show up for a while, and no one that he recognized had showed up. In addition, the neighborhood and general surroundings was starting to make him a bit uneasy. He had already seen a number of people give him rather strange looks - which he thought was a sign of possible trouble. With night quickly falling, he decided to duck out of the way of unneeded issues and seek somewhere else to possibly have a light meal or drink.

Looking up a list of potential locations on his smartphone, he narrowed it down to a particular tea shop in the area. Well, this certainly looks interesting. Not too far away either. Should start walking before it gets much darker though. He placed his phone away and started on his way towards the shop.

After a number of close calls and walking through a number of what seemed to be slightly sketchy areas, he finally arrived at the tea shop. Not ever taking that route again. Anyways, this seems to be the right area, He quickly entered and looked around.