Catch-all; Taichi

[momming]

Comments

[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.

[momming]

No, I'd say that's a good mindset to have. I don't know if what I learn here will help, but maybe I can find a new source of strength here.

[ She dips her head a little. ]

Thank you, Taichi-kun.

[goalsides]

Anytime. [he seems a little relieved that what he's said isn't written off, at least.] I think strength can be found in all kinds of places. Especially when you don't know you need it. So...I hope you do.

[momming]

I'll certainly keep an eye out for it!

[ And-- ]

But fair's fair. Any conflict I might be able to lend an ear to?

[goalsides]

[ah.

looks at wednesday's bonfire thread
looks away

that is to say, when she asks taichi seems to pause for a moment, thinking this over carefully. a conflict, huh? conflicts are...complicated, to say the least, and he looks at the soccer ball more than at otome while he debates what to say.

...in the end...]

Ah...I can't decide if I want to take another class or not. The enrollment period's still open, I think, but it's hard to pick.

[yeah. this is also just a bad deflection since taichi doesn't like school but that's fine.]

[momming]

[ She's not about to try and ask him to share anything deep. She's known him for a couple of days, and only that, and she knows from experience that teenage boys open up on their own time or they act like feral kittens if you prod them. ]

Were there any other ones that interested you?

[goalsides]

[great, now he has to consider that.]

...to be honest, no, but it sort of feels like that taking them is one of our best chances at getting some answers. And I'm still trying to figure out why I'm on the Dean's list in the first place.