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Post by Kawano Minoru on Apr 5, 2009 23:54:08 GMT -6
The sky was now thoroughly painted with fine grey tones of pre-morning light. Minoru stared upwards, watching each of the stars that had kept him company throughout the night disappeared. He sighed frustratedly as he secured the zipper of his coat and began to descend Wildcat Peak. For a long time his inability to take upon himself his true form had been nothing more than a nuisance, he had possessed other outlets throughout his youth. Now, however, his emotional outbursts were long behind him, as were several of the comforts of his second home (that is, Japan). Minoru now felt as though he really were missing something, without either of these crutches, or the capacity to really be himself.
He contemplated this as he trod quickly through the serene landscape of his backyard. It was not as though anything was truly wrong with his life. He was now completely familiar with his new school, and having already learned English it had not been hard for him to fit it. And family life was as consistent, and typical as ever. He felt uncomfortable though. He knew full well how others would react if they knew what he was, let alone if they saw him- but it was not for them that he wanted to change. It was so he could simply, just once in a while, be himself.
Overhead a few bats were winging their own way home, he could hear them talking amongst themselves. He had not seen to many bats when living in Kyouto, but his East Bay home was much less compacted, and more conducive to wildlife in general. Minoru felt a twinge of envy as he looked at his watch. It was later than he thought. While his parents operate under the assumption that he went running each morning, he could not risk being back to late. He cast one more reluctant glance at the bats overhead, and broke into a run.
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 12, 2009 9:13:35 GMT -6
As he ran by an alley, Briarthorn stepped from it, calling out, "Excuse me, Minoru." in a voice that was both quiet and, somehow, carried directly to his ears. The Indian-looking woman smiled warmly at him. "If I could just have a moment of your time, please. I mean you no harm, I assure you." As she was on a somewhat tight schedule, there was a--very slight--impulse behind her words, making them both powerful and carrying suggestive power with them.
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 15, 2009 20:17:17 GMT -6
Minoru stared perplexedly around as he heard his name called. It was quite a powerful voice, that much he had to admit, and with a peculiar quality that nearly forced him to obey. Or at least, bestowed upon him a great desire to follow it. He came to a abrupt stop, stepping back a pace or two so as to see the person who had called to him from between the two garages. "Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?"
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 16, 2009 7:13:30 GMT -6
"Actually, I do believe there is something I can help you with. My name is Briarthorn, and I run an academy for, among others, individuals such as yourself." She anticipated his next question and replied, "By that I mean, of course, Youkai. While by no means commonplace, we have had them in the past."
Briarthorn neglected to mention that one of them was, perhaps, one of the most glaring failures of the Academy. No use dwelling on past failures, especially ones safely locked away.
"I can teach you more about your powers and, perhaps, that amulet of yours as well. I will need to talk to your current caretakers, of course."
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 16, 2009 14:10:00 GMT -6
Minoru looked pensive for a moment as he considered this. There was no point denying it, or arguing against her, especially if she knew about his amulet. It was currently well concealed, and here in America only his parents were aware of it's existence. Furthermore, his sense of smell, though perhaps not as well defined as his hearing, told him plainly enough that she meant to harm.
"Not commonplace?" He thought on that for a second. If they were rarer, what sort of people- or creatures- were most often taught at this school of hers? But that was purely a thing of curiosity. The thought of 'powers' and, more importantly, the ability to actually change his form, was more than tempting.
He nodded, "My house is down two blocks, will you come with me? I don't think my parents will be up quite yet, but they will be soon."
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 16, 2009 19:41:41 GMT -6
When they arrived at the house, Briarthorn sat down in the living room and asked, "Might I get a spot of tea while I wait?" The statuesque woman sat up straight and proper, underneath her breath casting a small spell on the house itself, that any who would wake up in the near future would be awake much faster than normal.
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 16, 2009 22:00:50 GMT -6
It was already in Minoru's mind to serve tea, doing so was a necessity, and he immediately set about boiling water. Upon entering the kitchen he found that Shiori was already up, though it seemed Hisashi was nowhere to be seen. "Ohayo," he said, and received an appropriate reply before explaining about the visitor, "Kyaku wa koko ni iru. Gakuin no kouchou, Briarthorn-sensei desu. Sensei wa ore ga anou gakuin ni iru o hanashitai. Omoushiroi yo."
"Eeeeeh?" his mother replied looking somewhat surprised at the announcement. What sort of headmaster came at this time of morning to discuss her son attending their school- unannounced, and especially in America? But then, while peculiar, it was not adverse. Moreover, Minoru appeared more excited about this than he had about a good many things. He was now well behaved and diligent, but not as enthusiastic about things as his peers generally were. Shiori took the prepared tea from her son saying, "Chichi o tsuretekute."
Minoru nodded and went upstairs to find Hisashi as Shiori went to greet their visitor.
"Mrs. Briarthorn?" she said, placing the tea on the coffee table in the living room, "I am Shiori, Minoru's mother, it is nice to meet you." She bowed in a refined fashion and added, "Minoru went upstair to ask his father to join us. He tells me that you run a school, and would like him to attend?"
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 17, 2009 7:49:19 GMT -6
Briar nodded. "Yes, that is correct. This is a delicate sitiuation, so forgive my bluntness, but your son is of a sort that I believe would very much benefit from schooling at my Academy, the Briarthorn Academy for Troubled Youth. As I understand it, he has had a troubled past, before you first found him as a child. My school can help him come to terms with it, perhaps better than he could on his own, and will have him among other, similarly troubled youth."
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 17, 2009 21:21:08 GMT -6
Shiori chuckled a bit at this, for it certainly was true. Minoru had mellowed out as he had grown, but there was no denying his nearly delinquent status as a child. But then, many children would have emotionally reacted that way to being abandoned (Shiori firmly believed that this was what had happened to her son). She was opening her mouth to say something when the other two family members entered the room. Minoru had obviously explained things to his father as well because the first words out of his mouth (after introduction) mimicked his wife's, "Minoru tells me that you run a school, and would like him to attend. What sort of school is it?"
But Minoru, his excitement getting the better of him, broke in, "I want to go. And would you really be able to do something about my amulet?"
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 18, 2009 8:00:19 GMT -6
"It is a school for troubled youth." She said tactfully. "Especially those in Minoru's rather unique position. It is free to attend, and we are very, very insistent that our students maintain a strict academic regimen. And as for your amulet, yes, I do believe I can tell you some things about it."
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 18, 2009 19:02:30 GMT -6
Shiori and Hisashi exchanged looks. Minoru's uncharacteristic excitement was nearly reason enough to allow him to attend, but not entirely.
"What about credentials?" Hisashi asked, "And rankings? You'll understand that academic standards are of the utmost importance, so I am glad to hear that studies are firmly emphasized, but all the same." He did not care for the idea of sending his son (adopted or no) to any place but the best.
But Shiori had a different concern, "What do you mean by 'Minoru's rather unique position'?"
Minoru looked quickly from his mother to Briarthorn with some anxiety. His parents, of course, had no idea what he truly was; they thought him a trouble child, but still human. It was suddenly brought to light, though he had really known it for sometime, that he did not actually want them knowing what he was. He did not want to shatter the current reality. He gazed intently at the headmistress, nearly praying she would not reveal what he was.
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 19, 2009 6:36:36 GMT -6
Briarthorn reached into her briefcase and removed several documents that, to Minoru, looked blank. However, to his parents, they listed very convincing rankings and documents for the school--all listing Briarthorn Academy near, though not actually at, the top, of school in the world. And definitely higher than his current school.
She spoke again, and this time her voice once more contained the power of suggestion. "I mean only that your son was orphaned by violence. Violent and traumatic events such as that are commonplace among our students. He will learn to cope with other teens in his situation."
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 19, 2009 9:33:07 GMT -6
Minoru's parents looked first curious, then impressed, and finally convinced. The rankings were certainly desirable, more so than his current school, and even surpassed the high school that Minoru had planned on attending when still in Japan. Moreover, they suddenly felt sure that there was no better school for their son to attend.
For his part, Minoru looked intently at the Headmistress, surprised that she had not revealed what he wanted to remain a secret. Perhaps she was able to understand his thoughts? Or at least intentions? Maybe is was an indication that he really could trust her? But he really had not expected her to say what she had said.
"And when does your next term begin?" Asked Shiori.
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Post by Headmistress Briarthorn on Jul 19, 2009 22:39:13 GMT -6
"It begins three days from now, and I would like to have him in the school today or tomorrow. Do not worry about too much clothing--uniforms have been provided. I apologize that it was a bit of a rush, but some times certain students do not come to my attention until late." She said in a smooth and calm voice. "If he gathers up his things, I can take him there now, or I can return tonight or tomorrow morning if that is more desirable."
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Post by Kawano Minoru on Jul 20, 2009 11:32:04 GMT -6
Three days? The was not much time, but then, how much time would one need? But Minoru was anxious to go, and soon. He voiced this opinion, and made a dash for his room with waiting for a reply.
His parents, however, had no thought in mind of stopping him, or refusing. If nothing else, the obvious high standard of this school, and the headmistress coming herself to recruit their son, was enough for them.
A few minutes later Minoru returned to the sitting room, a single bag in hand, ready to leave.
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