~ 21 [Action]

[silverworld]

[One of our resident school teachers has just finished one of those important household tasks we must all face: grocery shopping. Of course, it's not so much shopping as stocking, considering the lack of a cash register in every store. Gelda's making her way back to her house, carrying two large bags filled to the brim with an assortment of groceries. Are they heavy? Yes. Yes, they are. She isn't going to complain, but if one were to offer her a hand, she wouldn't say no.

(hint hint)]

Comments

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[Oh, a young teen who isn't attending school yet? The place isn't mandatory, of course, but it's still a shame to see talent going to waste. Plus, school is a wonderful place to make new friends. She shakes her head, smiling softly.]

Oh, I wouldn't want to be a bother.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

It's all right. I don't have anything to do right now anyway.

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

Well, all right. So long as you let me know when it becomes too heavy for you.

[She holds out one of the bags for Kouichi to take. It's the one that isn't quite as heavy]

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

I will. [Well, not really, but she didn't need to know that. Kouichi immediately takes the bag, balancing it out to make sure he doesn't drop it.]

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[It seems like Kouichi's handling the bag just fine so far. Let's give him a chance to show his manly side. She'll start leading the way.]

My house isn't too far from here. It's number 27.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

[He's a very manly 11-year-old. He walks alongside her, mostly trying to make sure the bag doesn't fall. He doesn't really talk much though, so he'll stay quiet for now unless Gelda decides to start a conversation.]

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[Conversation starting it is!]

I must admit, I haven't seen you around the village before. Are you a New Feather?

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I am. I just got here a while back. [A pause.]/small> Have you been here long?

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

Yes, I suppose I have. I arrived here over a year ago. Perhaps even a year and a half, by now. Most residents don't seem to stay that long.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

That's unusual. Is there any reason for that?

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

As far as we can tell, it seems to be completely at random.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

I see.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you normally do around here?

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

I'm one of the proud teachers at the local school. Though, sometimes I also do a bit of volunteer work at the clinic.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

[Kouichi pauses in his steps at that.] Do you know who's in charge of it? I was thinking maybe it wouldn't be so bad to get back to studying...

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

Professor Sage is in charge, by all accounts. However, if you'd like to join our classes, you needn't contact her. A simple admittance test to determine your educational progress is all that's needed.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

An admittance test?

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

Nothing too elaborate. The other teachers and I would simply like to know what to expect of our students. Education differs greatly in most worlds.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

That sounds good to me.

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

Excellent. I can schedule the test for Monday, if you'd like.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

That sounds great! Thanks.

[A pause.] Are there a lot of other students there are well?

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

Considering it isn't mandatory, the school is very well-visited.

[Seriously, the kids are given a choice and they're coming to school anyway. They must be really bored.]

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

There must really not be a lot to do here.

[Pause.] I mean... I didn't mean that in a bad way!

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[Gelda just smiles at that.]

It's fine. They are attending school and that's ultimately what is most important.

[stalkingmybro.livejournal.com]

I guess so.

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[... Oh, wait.]

How silly, I just realized I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gelda Nebilim. And you are?