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"I suppose other creatures have odd customs and quirks too..." Hasuko said, unconvinced, "it's just... I wish there wasn't such a persistent rumor about that." Oh, how she found those school yard rumors mortifying when she was a kidlet.

She looked at the large foreboding building up ahead. "Is that the Creepateria?" Hasuko stopped at the entrance and peered in through the doors. "It's quite grand." she said and sniffed the air much like Luce was doing. The smells emanating from the building didn't seem too offensive but neither did they smell all that appetizing either. "Um, how is the food here?"

She continued strolling along the path, "My mother packed me with an alarming amount of instant worm noodles as well as tea and dried bug snacks. I would be happy to share if you would like some? Do you have a favorite food, Loreto?"

Hasuko blinked. She knew just by general knowledge that creepateria food tended to be awful but Loreto's description sounded alarming even beyond that. And she regularly ate worms and leeches and various other wiggly river dwelling creatures. Her mother was always insistent that she ate a balanced diet and not just sweets all the time.

"Brains aren't bad." she ventured politely. "Though I've only ever eaten fish brains and there's not really much there -- just a small morsel. Oh, but fish heads are tasty."

She walked along in silence for a bit. "I hope Riley likes me." she said quietly. "I'm... a little nervous about meeting her."

Hasuko twisted her webbed fingers and looked down at her sandaled feet. Loreto seemed utterly unconcerned in its reply but Hasuko still didn't feel very reassured.

She looked up at the plague doctor's next question. "Somewhat." she replied. "My studies keep me pretty busy and my mother she doesn't-- well, I actually just got my own computer for my 16th birthday a couple months ago. I mean, I knew how to use a computer before that, kind of. But I'm still exploring stuff too. I just tried Groanspring because it was really popular. Everyone back at my old school were always talking about that site."

She smiled. "I'm glad I did though because I found you again. That was lucky."

Hasuko walked along and wondered where Loreto was taking her next on their tour of the school campus. "One of your friends, Christof? Asked me some questions. And then a couple other students? It was kind of fun. I don't really know anyone else here but you though."

"He seemed... nice?" Hasuko said diplomatically. She strolled along the path looking with curious interest at the various school buildings they passed. It had been a little disconcerting being asked random questions by curious Amityville students who came across her profile but it also had been interesting in a way. Hasuko had never been all that good at socializing so it was slightly easier when she could take her time typing up a response rather than talking to a person face to face. She stuttered less, for one.

"Do you have a lot of friends? Here at Amityville, I mean?" she asked, curious. She had snuck a peek at her friend's Groanspring profile and had been surprised and a little intimidated at all the creatures it seemed to know.

"Yes," she nodded and answered Malodore's question. "I've... actually, been kind of thinking of joining a club." She poked her fingers together and quickly added, "I don't know what type of club yet but I would like to get more involved with something. I think. Erm, I mean, back at home the only club I was involved with was the 'Go Home' club -- um, that's kind of a joke about anyone not involved in any activity -- and well, I thought since this is a fresh start at a new school I might try and make a fresh start with myself too."

Hasuko blushed a little and picked up her pace. "Silly, I know, huh?" she said a little deprecatingly.

"Thanks." Hasuko said and ducked her head a little. "Though I suspect our reasons for that are quite a bit different." She plucked a flower from a nearby briar bush and twirled it between her fingers. The blossom smelled pungent but it was a good distraction from looking at her friend. "All I do is study." Hasuko plucked a petal and let it fall. "Sometimes, it feels like that's all I'm good for."

She looked at the tall plague doctor walking next to her. "Um, Loreto, if you don't mind me asking, why did you leave your home?"

"S-sorry, I don't mean to pry, I was just wondering." Hasuko tossed the flower aside. "The fitness club sounds interesting." she said awkwardly, changing the subject. "Though, I'm not very athletic -- especially out of water. If I spill my dish I get dizzy and faint. It's not fun."

"Do you know of any aquatic clubs? Or--" Hasuko's eyes sparkled slightly. "Does Amityville have a faceball club?"

"I could sort of tell, in your letters, I mean." Hasuko said. "You were always so kind and helpful, listening to me and giving me advice for my problems but you never really talked about your home or anything like that." Hasuko chuckled slightly. "I remember thinking it was a little weird that you didn't have a camera and how you never knew anything about movies or novels."

"You're very strong." Hasuko said with simple admiration for her friend. "I... don't know if I'd have such conviction to just leave everything behind like that."

A thought just occurred to her. "Oh, perhaps I should call you 'Malodore' now, ne? You left behind the name 'Loreto' too, didn't you?" She tilted her head at the plague doctor and smiled. "I like 'Malodore', it seems happier."

She turned to watch Luce trot along the path. "A-anyway, I'm sure it's confusing for me to be calling you a different name from what everyone knows you by."

"Maybe I should change my name too?" Hasuko covered her mouth and giggled. "Joking, joking. The swim team sounds interesting though. Perhaps I will check it out once I get a little more settled."

"Then I shall start addressing you by 'Malodore'." Hasuko smiled. "That seems to be your true name, after all." She walked along, clasping her hands behind her back with her curled pinkies. "I'm glad for you too."

Slowly but surely, Hasuko felt herself relax in the company of Malodore. It was silly how nervous she had been, really. The plague doctor was just as kind as ever and their talk really made her feel more encouraged. If Malodore had the courage to pursue and find happiness on its own, surely she could too.

Hasuko didn't hold any illusions about suddenly becoming popular and admired by all of her classmates simply by transferring schools, but it was a fresh start. She could try to be more outgoing and less awkward. Make new friends. She looked over at Malodore, and she could strengthen old ones.

Yes, she would do her best. Hasuko kept that determination throughout the rest of her walk. She eagerly peered into the classrooms and all the other school facilities with Malodore, somehow now more eager and less intimidated by the thought of going to classes there.

She did quail once, in one of the big lecture halls, the science labs too with their array of complicated instruments and beakers and power generators, but for the most part she enjoyed herself immensely.

And then they were back at her dorm and Hasuko found herself standing in front of her door. Pochi was sleeping out in front of it. Bits of feathers and goo strewn about his mouth. Hasuko frowned slightly at him, not sure if she wanted to know what mischief he had been up to.

She turned to Malodore instead. "Thank you for the walk." she said politely but with genuine warmth. "It was good catching up with you. We should do it again sometime, perhaps with some of your friends?" Hasuko smiled somewhat impishly. "Perhaps with Riley? I will admit I am curious to meet her. Um, I mean, if you don't mind and she doesn't either."

Hasuko scooped Pochi up. "Thanks once again." she said.