Catch-all; Taichi

[momming]

Comments

[goalsides]

[the nice thing is that this is all pretty brainless for him, autopilot motions to keep his body moving and busy. when he spots otome though he stops, changing direction to jog over to her with the ball.]

Otome-san. [he grins. can't believe otome's still one of the few to get an honorific.] How's it going?

[momming]

[ What a sweet kid, using honorifics!! ]

It's been interesting, to say the least... you've got quite the impressive form with the ball, Taichi-kun! Do you play on a team?

[goalsides]

[it's only because she asked for his and he fumbled. now he's stuck like this forever.]

I've been playing since I was a kid, and I'm the captain of my high school's team. [so yes, he plays a little.] Even if nothing else about this school makes sense, this does.

[momming]

The captain!

[ She looks suitably impressed. ]

That's not an easy feat. I'm glad you were able to find some sort of familiarity here.

[goalsides]

I am, too. It's kind of nice after the classes they picked out for us to try. [he makes a face.] Did you go to any of them so far?

[momming]

I did... they were... certainly diverse.

[ That was tactful. ]

[goalsides]

[he looks like he's trying not to laugh.]

Is diverse another word for "bizarre"?

[momming]

Well, a little. Of the classes, I think only the Physics one was truly familiar.

[goalsides]

I didn't even think about taking the physics one. It didn't sound like something I'd be interested in, but if it's anything like the ones I did take maybe that's for the better.

[momming]

Oh? Which ones did you end up taking?

[ Do tell, she's curious. ]

[goalsides]

I regret taking the cat one, but the coloring one wasn't bad? I'm pretty sure I can get an A in that.

[it's mildly sarcastic, but he's also taking the class to prove a point so he looks a little indignant all the same.]

[momming]

[ ... Wow, he does look a little indignant. ]

Er... did someone imply otherwise?

[goalsides]

Just somebody who doesn't know how to read a map. It's nothing. [stupid blonde bass-playing jerks.]

There's that task board, too. I've been checking on it most of the day to see if anything else comes up.

[momming]

[ ... ah. He's already got a rival. ]

Oh, the task board... did you already take care of that?

[goalsides]

[sometimes you hold a petty grudge, it's fine.]

Not yet. I'm still trying to decide what my answer is and what I want to do. Have you?

[momming]

Honestly, I talked about it with one of my dormmates, but I wouldn't mind discussing any of the other options. Another example of bonding, I think!

[goalsides]

Yeah, I'm starting to think the school really wants us to get up close and personal. [but okay, otome is actually someone he likes so that option's not terrible.]

When you think about the question, what's the option that fits you best, you think?

[momming]

Mm...

[ She taps her chin, thoughtfully. ]

Compassion, maybe? Or at least it's one of the ones I feel strongly about.

[goalsides]

That's not surprising coming from a doctor. [there's a hint of a grin.] That's...the conflict one, right?

[momming]

That's right. Shall we try to help each other out with our respective conflicts, Taichi-kun?

[ Tell her all about your future boyfriend-- ]

[goalsides]

[there is no boyfriend he's very straight goodbye.

but he seems a little startled by that because hm. conflict. not a fan, not his jam, would love less of it. so after a moment he says, carefully:]

I don't mind helping you out if I can. What kind of problem is it?

[momming]

... Well, technically, I'm the conflicted one here. I'd heard that time won't move while we're here, but at the same time, I did come from a fairly huge... situation. So I'm wondering how I should deal with being here.

[ Probably not her only conflict, but the only one she'll discuss with a teenage boy who doesn't need additional burdens. ]

[goalsides]

[he takes this very seriously, actually, because it's something he kind of resonates with. so there's a few minutes where he seems to think about a proper answer.]

...don't forget about what you left behind. I think it's okay to make friends here and play along with this whole school thing until we can find a way back, but as long as you remember what's waiting for you there I think that helps. Even if it's something really bad, it'll keep you focused instead of complacent.

Right? But at the same time, you can't spend all of your time worrying about it when we have a new problem here.

[...he's not even sure if she'll answer, but:] Are people in danger?

[momming]

[ She hesitates-- maybe because she was mulling over his words, or maybe because she's not sure if she wants to answer, but she does end up answering him with a slightly downcast glaze to her expression. ]

Yes. They are.

[goalsides]

[there's a look of understanding.]

...it's frustrating to be here when you know people need you somewhere else. But if we really are stuck here, the best we can do is use the time here to learn things that can help when we get home while trying to find our way back. Or at least that's what I think.