[video] 01

[arpeggiopixie]

.. .. .. .. ..

[A new face shows up on the feed with a cool countenance and a pair of blocky shades obscuring his eyes. He tips his head just enough for the sunglasses to catch the light from the laptop screen and glint, but he says nothing for a good, long moment.

And while it might go unnoticed, he swallows. He begins to mumble to himself. (Hover over the text for translation.)]

...... ... ...

[Struggling to find the words to introduce himself, Machi grips onto his arm. Nobody here would understand Borginian, but that was the only way he was used to introducing himself. He angles his head downward for a moment.]

... ...This language, I understand little. I try learn... learning it. I must. Excuse my poor speaking.

My name is Machi Tobaye. Here, I am s-student... Never do school, before. No big school. Me, I do piano, like piano. ... ...

Sorry. ... I not speak well, yet. I want improve. I want practice. So, please talk with me.

Comments

[video too]

[for_truth]

Uh... Okay!

I'm Hilda, nice to meetcha! Sweet shades. You been playin' piano long?

[all vidyas]

[arpeggiopixie]

[SWEET...? SHADES, WHAT? This is going to be a disaster.]

Yes. Very long. Eleven years. More years, maybe.

[But if he's ever going to learn, he'd better ask, even though he feels a bit embarrassed about asking what was probably such a stupid question.]

... ...What is, "sweet shades"?

[always and forever (for this thread, at least)]

[for_truth]

[A disaster, indeed...]

Holy smokes, dude! You must be awesome at it!

Oh, uh, "sweet shades" means, like... "I dig--" No, um... "Your shad--" Hold on... ... It's like, "I like your sunglasses!"

[arpeggiopixie]

Ah... Understand now. Thank you. I like, too. The shades...

[He wonders if pretending to be blind means that he shouldn't have an opinion on how they look. Time to pretend it never happened.....]

Awesome with piano, no. I still practicing many times. Good, but can be more better.

[for_truth]

I guess practice makes perfect, huh...?

Hey! Where ya from, Machi? You like it here so far?

[arpeggiopixie]

I come from Borginia. ...Maybe I like. Yes.

[It was hard to give an enthusiastic answer when he was feeling a little shaken up by this new place and homesick for a place he couldn't go back to. He doesn't even try. He shrugs halfheartedly.]

In time, maybe more...

[for_truth]

It must be hard to get used to so much new stuff, but at least you got lotsa time! Classes ain't gonna start for a while.

If you need a hand findin' stuff and everything's still where I remember it I could totally try to show ya around sometime, if you want!

[arpeggiopixie]

Show around? Yes, I-- ...

[ARGH, but "showing him around" should be pointless! He's pretending to be blind, so it would be mostly useless to him. He doesn't want to lie outright, but he also can't accept so easily anymore.]

...Is helpful, I think. If you can show me.

[for_truth]

[Hilda doesn't even know, she's gonna feel so dumb whenever they meet face-to-face...]

You got it! I still gotta run around campus to see if anyplaces moved, but after that I can totally give you a tour!

[arpeggiopixie]

[He smiles a little.]

... ...Alright. Tell me, when you done this.

HAHA I FUDGED UP BAD

[for_truth]

Will do! I'll shoot you a message over the network once I check it out.

[Video.]

[golonghorns]

[Weird. Even the Japanese students and people from like... medieval times seemed to speak perfect, if sometimes accented, English to Joel's ears. Even some of the upright animal creatures he'd seen here spoke English. Why didn't this guy speak English. Enquiring minds wanted to know.]

Welcome to Smash Academy.

What country are you from, originally? I'm not familiar with your language.

[Video]

[arpeggiopixie]

...Borginia. Until eight months ago, always Borginia. I speak Borginian.

[Video]

[golonghorns]

I haven't ever heard of your country. I'm a Texan. From America. My name is Joel.

[He's just going to assume you know where America is.]

What's your country like?

[Video]

[arpeggiopixie]

[Luckily, he does. And he has a vague idea of the stereotypes of Texas. Yay.]

Texas, yes? I know it. But, have never been at Texas.

Borginia... Many people, but quiet... People try making happy in other peoples. [He pauses to reflect on that sentence, which he's sure is incorrect.]

...Not sure how to say. Family... But, not. Is big, Borginia, but feels small. Many t-toureests, however. Wanting history... things. Makes money. So, peoples with many money. Also there.

[That was hard. He pulls a bit of a face.]

[golonghorns]

[OK, so, it wasn't perfect English but it was good enough for Joel to know what he meant.]

Sounds real nice. Friendly people, making each other happy peacefully and looking after rich tourists.

Texas is big too, but it ain't... uh, isn't that quiet. Gets pretty hot there in the summer time. If you ever get to go to Texas, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. There's a lot of good food and things to see. And if you like sports, we have great sports teams.

[arpeggiopixie]

Borginia, we have no sports. No major sports... teams. I do... not know about sports.

[He is interested, however. Simply because he doesn't know much about it to begin with.]

[golonghorns]

No pro sports teams? Huh.

[That's just unnatural.]

Do they show other countries playing games on T.V. out there, at least?

[The kid seemed pretty European. Weren't they all into soccer? Of course, they called it football out there. He'd have to be mindful of the distinction.]

video

[roses_are_blue]

[Wow, that was some kind of language. Nothing he heard of, and he had been here for a while (even if he left and came back).

He was interested and curious.]

That's a very unique language, it has a very rustic sound. Where are you from, Machi?

Ah, and I'm Garry. The painting teacher.

video

[arpeggiopixie]

Hello, Guar... Garry.

[WHEW. His pronunciation sounds close. So close.]

I am from Borginia. I speak Borginian.

But no more speak Borginian. Here, nobody understand... So I learn this language.

video

[roses_are_blue]

[Oh poor thing. Was he someone who got sent here from one of those far off lands far different from anyone else? Sometimes that happened, culture shock and all. He probably had no idea what to make of anything when he first arrived.]

Well, if there's anything you don't understand or need help with, I will do what I can, alright?

video

[arpeggiopixie]

[This Garry person seems very nice, he decides. His aura is nice. Machi nods. If he needed help, he would surely try to reach out instead of keep it to himself this time.]

... In painting class? If I look for help, go there?

video

[roses_are_blue]

Classes aren't in session right now, and I'm not in linguistics, but I can do what I can. My office is always open, at any rate.

[He's actually trying very hard.]

[andthefungoeson]

[Here's someone who hates the word "practice"]

The hell?

[arpeggiopixie]

...Hm?

[andthefungoeson]

The hell's with practicin'? What's the point, man...

[arpeggiopixie]

[Uoogh he talks funny... Lazy. Machi frowns just a bit, trying to comprehend what he's saying.]

I must. Or else, can not talking.

[He wants to say, Do you not hear how poor my handle on this language is? But that's long and wordy - too many words for him to string together.]

[andthefungoeson]

Who cares about practicin' yer talkin' already.

[True, it might be good to be able to throw out words as you'd like, but practicing sucks--

...Says someone who could only be like some loud bird in his final moments before.]

[arpeggiopixie]

[Machi now sounds just a little ticked. Belatedly, since Leon's a hard one for him to understand.]

...Is diff-ee-cult. Mostly, when people talk fast. Or, lazy. Like you.

I having hard time understanding. Like this, no easy. So I practice.

[andthefungoeson]

'Ey! I ain't lazy! I just hate puttin' effort, alright?

video;

[atmyage]

[What an interesting language! She wonders what it is.]

Nice to meet you, Machi! I'm Ema Skye.

[She gives him a smile.] I bet you'll know English in no time, don't worry!

video;

[arpeggiopixie]

... ...!

[Machi is SO SURE that he knows this girl. She looks almost the same as that detective - though he couldn't remember whether the name matched up - but something's off... It's her attitude, maybe. The detective gave off a different aura, he thinks. He doesn't know whether this is her or not.

So he wipes that surprised expression off his face. If he's pretending to be blind, he shouldn't have even been able to equate her appearance to anybody.]

...In no time. I hope. Would be... . Make easy for me.

video;

[atmyage]

[If he acts shocked or surprised, she doesn't notice it.]

Yeah, and we'll help you! That's why you go to school, right?

[Maybe schools that aren't this particular one...]

And maybe you can teach other people your language! What language is it, anyway?

[forgetbeam]

Right! Full on immersion is the best way to perfect a language! You'll become a pro in no time!

[Whoops, maybe he shouldn't get too ahead of himself here. What's a nice simple greeting to start...]

Hello, Tobaye! My name is Kiyotaka Ishimaru! Welcome to Smash Academy!

[More like welcome to hell.]

[arpeggiopixie]

... ...

[He talks fast, so Machi needs to take some time to process the gist of what he's saying. Hell indeed. But the second part isn't so hard...

Still. "Full on immersion" was exhausting and frustrating, he thinks bitterly to himself.]

Kiyotaka, thank you. Lots to learning, this language. I... have no choice. I will do it.

[forgetbeam]

Well, if you need a conversational partner to practice with, I'll be more than happy to help!

[No, pick anyone but him. For your own sake.]

[arpeggiopixie]

[But he just offered...]

Oh. I will remember.