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 Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:59 pm
A new day. Things seemed to get more complicated when they got interesting. New things only brought more papers to be done and ever more questions from unknowing students, of which he figured there were many. No matter, business was business just like teaching and existing. Everything was done with a purpose, and it was with a purpose that he was still trying to understand that he left his office that day.
With his eyes downcast, he shuffled through the papers in his hand meticulously as he began to walk down the hallway. In truth, he was going to look for Lorioth, since he missed his colleague, however, the paperwork also needed doing. It seemed it always did. The head of the science division was keeping half an eye out for people in the hallway to be polite though, for he was not a rude person. Stern, compassionate and sometimes gentle but rude he was not.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:33 pm
The boy didn't miss a beat after getting back to school, already going about his work and essay that had been sorely neglected. RuiZhi had a few books tucked under his arm, his brown eyes engrossed within a diagram he held in his hand, lips moving in silence as he took in the picture and words upon the paper.
RuiZhi was also not a rude person, not by any stretch of the imagination; although he was tangled in his own thoughts, he still kept enough of his attention in front of him to ensure he didn't walk into anyone or anything (the latter of which he would find far more embarrassing). He rounded one of the corners of the hallway, glancing up over his work and stopping dead in his tracks. His curious gaze fell upon a man he had never seen before, but one who had to be in relation to the science branch, since they were both in the department.
Waiting a few nervous seconds, the boy gave a shy smile, offering warmly, "Good afternoon, Sir."
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:49 pm
There was a pause in the shuffling of papers as he lowered them and looked upon the student in front of him. A gentle smile spread across his lips and he promptly nodded, "Good afternoon..." What was this? He couldn't remember the name of this student, nor the first name either. He'd come after that China expedition hadn't he? It was regrettably embarrassing for Ardanay Veilwood to fall short with the name of students, especially those in his own department.
"I do recall looking over your file, but I am coming up short with your full name. Though I'm sure if you're looking through books in this department you are most certainly a science student." He said calmly and almost apologetically, as if this sort of thing happened all the time. In fact, it really didn't. Not many students came to ask him things as he wished they would. Independence was such a big thing in this school, it was rather disappointing for a teacher such as himself.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:42 am
The young boy fairly stared at the man as he opened his mouth and spoke to RuiZhi, leaving the Chinese native somewhat baffled. The man's words were a bit more eloquent and polite than he was used to, compared to all the other teachers he had met. The only other person who had such a lilt to their words was Dante, but the boy had chalked that up to him being old and learned. Who was this new and well-spoken man?
The man's perfect English seemed to destroy RuiZhi's own meager grasp on the language, making his cheeks flush in the slightest. "I'm RuiZhi Tai, Sir, and I'm afraid I've never met you." Well, wasn't that just the glaring obvious? He ducked his head a little, feeling embarrassment creep into his face. The boy gave himself a mental kick; the man was a teacher, he was here to help and he shouldn't be ashamed for trying to make an effort to speak to him. The small pep talk gave him a minute bit of confidence, enough to raise his chin and give a small smile to the taller and willowy man.
He would have offered his hand, but as it were, both teacher and student had theirs full. "I meant to say I haven't seen you around, b-but it's nice to meet another Professor, of Science. Sir." Still a less than acceptable greeting, but he decided to keep his mouth shut lest he stuff his foot further in it.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:21 pm
"Well Mr. Tai it is nice to see a student working on things," Professor Veilwood said calmly. He had a particularly way of addressing the students. First name basis was far too informal for Ardanay, he much preferred the way the older teachers would address their students. Of course this lead to mis-communications where certain students felt he had given them power, and only too late had they found how very wrong they'd been.
He was rather amused by the other's behavior, never having known someone to be so shocked by his speech. Was it truly that strange? Simply he spoke with respect that any student in this school deserved, but also with graceful command and knowledge. There were reasons for his position, it wasn't just his intelligence. At least, he thought so. "And students have not often met me, though I know of them. I'm Professor Veilwood, head of the science division here." He gave his gentle smile as if trying to reassure the boy.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:55 pm
RuiZhi's eyes became wide at the introduction, prompting him to bow deeply to the man. "It is an honor to meet you, Professor Veilwood," he said as formally as he could, carefully choosing his words since his English seemed to have escaped him. He stood and smiled brightly at the Professor, using the back of his hand to brush his braid over his shoulder, shifting his gaze momentarily to the papers grasped within his fist and the books tucked under his arm. "O-oh, well yes, I...this is a school, and I...intend to make use of the," he paused for a brief moment, sifting through the words in his mind before plucking one that he had learned only recently, "facilities."
Again, he turned the full shine of his smile onto the willowy man, quite pleased that he'd managed to recover somewhat, especially in the face of someone so very important. He'd make sure not to forget that name, and perhaps inquire about it later. "It is very nice to meet you." A small hesitation, before adding, "I don't mean to keep you, Professor Veilwood. I'm just surprised...pleasantly so." YES! He mentally gave himself kudos for sounding less of a fool for the moment.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:33 am
If ever there was a time to laugh in desperate times and situations, Ardanay chose this time. It was a clear laugh, short and low and more on the chuckle side then anything, but it was true. Never quite yet had he encountered a student who had trouble talking to him a way. The professor wasn't sure whether to chalk it up to perhaps a lack of the English language or nervousness, but no matter because it didn't really make a difference.
"I apologize for laughing, but I have not yet met a student who holds me with such high respect. I am just a teacher really so despite the title of my position, Mr. Tai, you need not hesitate. This is, of course, only if I'm reading your words correctly. If I'm quite wrong feel free to say so," he finished with a gentle gaze. His traditional one as per the usual, for there was nothing else he really cared to show the students. The boy had said a lot more, but it was better to say only what was needed and Ardanay had most certainly felt bad for laughing when the meaning was unknown and so to avoid problems, he had explained. (Which was more talking than he usually did.)
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:40 pm
The boy didn't seem to mind the laughter in the least, choosing to simply smile at the older man while he explained himself. "Oh, it's not a concern, Professor Veilwood. Laughter is healthy." At the point of Ardanay's statement, RuiZhi added, "There is no 'just' being a teacher, in my opinion. What you and the staff do here is heavy work. It's very respectable." While 'heavy' wasn't the word he likely meant, it was the only one he could think of at the time that expressed the magnitude of what the school really meant. The Chinese boy was not diluted to think any less.
"I respect that you are here and that you Head my division. I respect that you've chosen to be what you are, rather than anything else in the world." His mother had taught him to appreciate each person and their job, for every person has a function, no matter how high or low; there was purpose to each decision made. "You can call me RuiZhi if you'd like. I am just a student who is reaching for the stars. Surely all great Professors start that way."
RuiZhi gave an enigmatic smile to the man. He wasn't trying to flatter anyone, simply state his opinion in a manner that others could understand or empathize with. It was true that he deeply respected each person he met at the school, and the man before him didn't deserve any less.
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:36 am
Ah. It became quite clear in that moment why he was a science student and why he was a member of this school. A student like this was certainly worth having around, what with all his spirit and strong beliefs of respect and manners. It was understandable that his vocabulary would be off from the norm but even Ardanay had to admit that it held a lot more power that way. He was a serious and kind man, and nodded slowly at the little speech. There were not many students like that.
He would not however, use a students first name. For his own beliefs were thus: first name could indicate friendship, power, disrespect so many times. Using formalities with the proper tone of voice could indicate nothing BUT respect, and commands, seeing as he was in charge. It was wise to keep things that way.
For a moment, his eyes washed over his paper work and then looked up again, giving the other his famous smile though a hidden pain was in his eyes. Yes he degraded himself. He did so without realizing it, and only when RuiZhi said otherwise had he felt that self-hate again. No student ever saw it though, for he was too practiced with his happiness that truly was not a mask on most occasions.
"I am honored to have a student such as you Mr. Tai. All the students here are polite, as I'm sure you must know by now, but never have I spoken to one so unafraid of my position nor with such strong beliefs." He nodded thoughtfully. He was stern and critical at this moment, but in the kindest ways. He truly was grateful. "For all my knowledge, the only other student who comes in here to study is a boy named Nathaniel Jacobson. If you haven't met him yet, perhaps you should.... it might benefit the both of you to have another person to bounce ideas off of." He was saying this simply in case the boy needed help for at this moment in time it was quite obvious he couldn't give it.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:41 am
RuiZhi looked a little confused at the first statement, puzzling the words over in his mind. Afraid of one's position? That seemed odd. Surely, the boy respected each of the people who worked at the school and those who attended it, but to be afraid of those trying to help you...it seemed a little odd, but not enough that he'd say something. He was, after all, from a different world than most of the people here. He would no sooner expect them to understand how he thought than he could hope to understand the rest of them.
"Nathaniel Jacobson," he repeated, although with his accent it came out sounding more like 'Nay-then-eel Jay-cohb-sun.' He'd get it eventually, as he did with all people and names, but it wasn't one he had heard before. "I have not met him, but I will receive him kindly. We can use all the help we can get." His words were chipper and full of cheer, seeming to have forgotten his previous nervousness and stutterings. RuiZhi was the type who worried less about how he appeared to others and more about the impact left on him.
Just as he had forgotten his previous stumble, he did not see the well-hidden angst in the older man, which was just as well. He was just a boy, after all, and couldn't possibly hope to understand such issues. As it were, RuiZhi's mind was off wondering who this other boy was and why he hadn't seen him before, happily spinning his wheels of naivity.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:02 pm
The sound of footsteps trod down the hallway and the professor muttered something, "Speaking of Nathaniel Jacobson..." The teacher with envy-green locks turned around to glance down the hallway, and sure enough there was a brown-haired boy with bright emerald eyes walking towards them, his nose in a book meticulously. "Mr. Jacobson, what are you researching today?"
And then he paused mid step and lifted his eyes from his book. Widening a little he closed it, using his finger as a place mark and then giving a brilliant smile, "Hello Professor Ardanay! I was just researching different types of poison today and their chemical structure..." There was a glimmer to his eyes, as if he'd found what he'd been looking for.
"I hear you have not yet met Mr. Tai," he said nodding gently with approval to the topic of study. He stepped back a little and waved his hand to the young Chinese student standing on his other side. There was little Ardanay did not know how to coordinate.
"No..." he said slowly, shaking his head. It was with curiosity that he did this, the head of the science department rarely did such things to the British boy's knowledge. However, to be polite and well-behaved before his own teacher, her stepped forward to RuiZhi and tucked the book under his arm. Outstretching his hand for a shake, he gave a concealed smile, "I'm Nathaniel, it's nice to meet you."
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:54 pm
Keeping quiet while the two talked, RuiZhi watched the interaction, picking up traces of familiarity. It would make sense, he thought, that two of those he had not yet met would have been together. The thought made him smile in amusement, shifting his warm brown eyes to Nathaniel as he was addressed.
The boy quickly shuffled his papers into one of the books, tucking it under his arm with the others to free up a hand. He took the offered hand, giving a firm yet gentle shake, one of respect. "Likewise, Nathaniel. I'm RuiZhi. Professor Veilwood and I were just discussing the science department and your name came up." He hoped to impart a kindness and high regard to both of them, that they were important and well thought of.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:19 pm
"Oh?" said Nathaniel curiously as he looked towards the Professor, who only continued smiling. "Was there something perhaps you needed help with then?" He really hated the idea of helping, especially now when he had an idea brimming in head that he needed to get down quite soon. However... he had to learn to be polite. Being rude and ignorant of everyone would not make him favorable when he finally had the perfect poison for his little 'friends'. Especially when it would most certainly be so dangerous it could wipe out the planet... or so he hoped.
Finishing the shake, he took his hand back and ruffled his own hair a little, annoyed of how it was getting in his eyes. Finally, folding it across his chest he tilted his head to the side a bit, "I know this department well enough..." He wasn't boasting, it was just the truth. If he wasn't in his room researching or outside taking notes, he was here.
Ardanay watched them get along and thought it was simply splendid. Of course, now would be the time to take his leave for he did have things to work on and people to go see. It was just this much easier. "Well I think you both can manage by yourselves. I need to take my leave now... seek out somebody if you want to experiment something... there are still a lot of supplies we haven't gotten yet." He offered a gentle goodbye smile, adjusted the books in his hand and began walking off, with a stern stride and a carefree farewell wink.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:11 pm
RuiZhi blinked at Ardanay as he walked off, giving an awkward little wave in farewell. What a curious man! Not wanting to be impolite, the boy turned to look back at Nathaniel, giving a slight shake of his head. "Oh, no, I don't need help just yet. B-but it's always good to know my fellow students, just in case. Likewise, if I can be of assistance..." He smiled warmly, tilting his head, his braid snaking over his shoulder again.
If Nathaniel knew the area well enough, did that mean he was a full-time student? RuiZhi didn't think so, since he wasn't wearing a uniform, but he could easily be missing the badge, too. "I don't mean to keep you, if you're in a hurry." He paused, then added thoughtfully, "I suppose great minds think alike in that respect, with Professor Veilwood too." He was trying to compliment the other in saying that he seemed a lot like the Professor, but again, his words were failing him. Ah, one day he'd get a grasp on the darn language!
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Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:32 am
It took Nathaniel a moment more to realize the other didn't have quite the vocabulary extent of himself for her was a bit new to the language, or something along those lines anyway. He continued smiling however and nodded, acknowledging that it was all right. "I don't often like to ... endanger people with assisting me, since I've been trying to get my hands on some dangerous substances lately, but still thank you very much for the offer." It was semi-true... he couldn't really find most of the things he needed lately, but he'd go out and buy them or apply for them because he did need something more dangerous then what was around.
"And no, no hurry... I was just going back to my room to take more notes..." He paused at the compliment, not really understanding it. He nodded a bit more slowly, "Well the Professor does have a lot more work than students do... and even though I've only just registered I still have been trying to utilize the facilities for research."
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