pullmeoutalive | Two worlds, one family--

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!kia,
.rp post

Two worlds, one family--

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

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[School... is not exactly what Leon had hoped it would be, but it's also not surprising to him. A normal high school is a) dull, b) authoritarian and c) full of dullards that he has no interest in getting to know at all. There are classes that he paid close attention to--science, for instance, and language. The things he didn't already know, he's interested in. But he picks up on it fast, and studies on his own when he doesn't understand, and soon enough, there's... nothing that there is to offer to him.

With his general attitude, size and intelligence, too, he's an apparent good target for bullies. Someone coming from nowhere, making people look bad and acting like he's too good for them? Yeah, it's not really a surprise that eventually, there's some attempts at intimidation and bullying.

What is a surprise is that he's capable of throwing both of them to the ground without much of an effort; he doesn't carry Chal to school on Otome's desperate request, but he doesn't need a weapon to handle teenagers.

This is why Otome's getting a call to come in and take her child home, whoops.]

[ A part of her had seen this coming. Leon was a quick learner, who avidly devoured everything new the school could give to them, but he was already finished with homework before she even made it home, and Otome had wondered if maybe this sort of thing was too easy for him.

She'd shared her quiet pride and concern with Chaltier, of course, but holding a one-sided conversation without Leon to translate feels a little silly.

And now here she is, frazzled from having been pulled mid-lecture to come to the high school. She looks more worried than upset when she enters the office, looking around for Leon.

Except she doesn't get much of a chance, because then the principal is pulling her aside to speak in hushed, rather annoyed tones about the students who were still recovering in the infirmary.

Ah. ]

[When he sees her there, he ducks his head a little. It's the first time since the entire situation--he'd refused to back down on it when the teachers and principal confronted him, keeping his chin high and poised as ever. This was nothing compared to dealing with the king and Hugo.

... But Otome... she seems frazzled, and he does feel badly about that.

He'll wait where he's supposed to wait, arms crossed and expression petulant, without a single scratch on him. It would take more than high school bullies to hurt him, which... ironically does not really help his case much that they started it.

And when she's finally free and comes closer--]

This was not my fault. They started the altercation; if they wanted a fight, they should have been prepared for the consequences.

Leon...

[ It's all she says at first, before she glances back at the principal, bows politely, and rests a hand on his shoulder to guide him out of the office. And it remains all she says until they're outside of the building, and she turns to face him properly. ]

... Was this the first time someone tried to start something with you?

[He'll follow right along with that, sure; he's not interested in staying there much himself. Out they go! He won't even shrug off her hand on his shoulder, though he is tense (not from the hand, but rather the entire situation). It's Otome. He knows it is. But even so... well, he's used to punishment taking a different form than this for embarrassing Hugo in any way.]

...

[How should he answer that? The gossipy comments were easy to ignore for the most part. The posturing was more irritating, though he could avoid that too. The snide words--well, it's far from the worst he's ever heard.

But....]

... Something like this, yes.

[It was the first time someone had picked a legitimate fight, which is why it's the first time someone was sent to the nurse's office.]

[ Like this. So this was the first time a fight had been started, but Otome's not an idiot. There are other ways of mockery and bullying, and she doesn't doubt that Leon's faced this.

She sighs, then, pressing a few fingers to her forehead. There are a few viable options here, but what would be best? There's a chance this could happen again, and if it does, it could lead to expulsion... ]

Would you be happier learning from home?

[... Learning from home? Leon's quiet for a moment as though considering that. It would be more along the lines of what he's used to, which is why he asks first--]

With a tutor?

[It's said in a reasonably neutral tone, even if he didn't much like dealing with tutors when he was a child. He's aware he's putting Otome to plenty of trouble already, so he won't be difficult if that's what she wants.]

If you consider me a tutor, yes. I have a friend who teaches at the university with me who probably wouldn't mind working with you on science, too. But your level may be more suited for college, and I do still have a lot of the textbooks... if you wanted to give it a shot.

[... It would be Otome.

He can't really hide the way that his shoulders slump somewhat out of relief at that. That would be the best case scenario, really; he likes spending time with her, and she's intelligent. He wouldn't have to feel like he's beating his head against the wall there. And she'd have things to teach him...]

... That would be acceptable.

[pls leon admit how happy you are]

... On one condition.

[ Whoops, there's the Mom Tone. ]

If you're not happy with something, or you need things to change, talk to me. It makes things easier if you don't bottle them inside. Otherwise, I don't know how to help you.

[...... Ah. The Mom Tone, it's here.

He hesitates for a moment, before he nods slowly.]

... Fine. If something is not working, I will tell you so.

[A beat, and--]

For this situation, it was... [He didn't want to trouble her over something that she clearly wanted to work, and he wasn't sure if this was just... how school was??? He doesn't have a lot of experience with public things.] ...unnecessary at the time.

Unnecessary... I see. [ She sees that Leon's not very good at telling her things yet, gosh!! ]

Shall we go home, then? We can go over the books there and see what you have an interest in.

[She's correct.]

Yes, that would be fine.

[Please let's go home, since people are still staring. HOME IS SAFER.]

I have an idea of what I would be interested already.

[...]

If... that would be acceptable. [It's still kind of weird, not to be told what to study or what to learn exactly.]

Of course!

[ To the car, Leon--! ]

You're the one benefiting most here, so it makes sense that you study what you have an interest in.

[Does it............ he supposes he does, but it's still a lot more than he'd ever expect......]

... Right. Of course.

[of course.

He was not at all doubtful here!!!

... let's just. to the car.]

[ Right. And home!

Where Otome will head for the bookshelf in his room and point it out-- you know, because it's so easy to miss. ]

Science and medical textbooks should be on the middle shelf. Philosophy and English will be on the bottom... math's on the top.

[Ah... yes. Here is where he admits--]

I...have gone through a few of these.

[When he was bored and homework was done rather promptly because it wasn't as though it was challenging... all he really had to keep his attention was practicing his swordwork (best done elsewhere, but there aren't many "elsewheres" for sword practice here, so he's just careful in his room) or... reading through the textbooks while talking to Chal. Chal doesn't always get them, admittedly, but he's at least good company while Leon works his own way through them.

And it's a challenge, which he enjoys.]

...

Somehow, I'm actually not too surprised.

[ A boy who had too much time on his hands, reading things? It was better than catching him with porn magazines, so really, Otome couldn't be happier. ]

Did any certain subject catch your attention?

[Could you really imagine Leon with porn magazines though.]

I did not mind the math, though the science was more interesting.

[Learning things about a world that's totally different from his own is fascinating.

... He makes a slight face.]

I did not read much of the philosophy.

[He saw it as a waste of time.]

[ Maybe like... food porn. ]

That's not for everyone, honestly... [ Just Kogami. ] But if it's science... you'll probably love learning with Fumi. I'm not so bad with it, but I'm more medical-based.

[Magazines of this hidden under his bed.]

... I'm not interested in learning with anyone else. [So...there!!! He doesn't want to learn with Fumi, he wants to learn with Otome.]

If you would rather begin with the medical textbooks, I have no complaints.

[ Don't you touch those strawberry sundaes, young man--! ]

... Well, to understand some of the medical terminology, a good grasp of science is pretty much essential. So why don't we do one science textbook, and one medical textbook? We can alternate.

[ Leon, you're precious. ]

[Don't tell me what to do, mom!!!]

That would be fine. [He... likes learning, honestly, it's one of his favorite activities, so he's actually kind of excited about this.]

When should we begin?

Why don't you go through the books tonight and decide which two you'd like to focus on first? I'll come up with a lesson plan based on that, and we can begin tomorrow.

[ Well, it's not too different from teaching her class. ]

Okay.

[That was a little overeager, Leon.

A-ahem.]

That is-- I suppose that sounds fine.

[Nailed it.]

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