Description: Just days before the school year is to begin again, and the promised tour of Seijyun takes place! It's hard to keep up the facade of extreme propriety, and Alexis slips easily into her usual casual manner. While the tour is supposed to be an information about the school, both girls find new information about each other and themselves.
With Summer nearing an end and the new school year coming to a fresh new beginning, Seijyun High is growing closer and closer to the days of numerous moving trucks arriving, and families cars filling up the courtyard. Obviously soon er would be a better time at setting up appointements than later, and Yurika Kirishima is about as timely a person as one can get.
The white haired council president actually needs to prepare a new campaign in hopes of getting re-elected, but first things are most certainly first.. The expected arrival of certain gymnast. The time about mid-afternoon, and of course a very sunny and quiet day at that, it's a good atmosphere to be outside, which the musician is as well as a couple of teachers whom are speaking to her about.. Something or other. She's dresses as she pretty much always is on school grounds; her light blue and white modified school uniform, and a parasol in hand to protect her poor white skin from the devilish sunlight. The trio are near the school gates, though the teachers soon seem to be finished speaking and head off in the direction of the park.
Since Yurika had come to Pacific High to discuss with the gymnast about taking a tour of another school, Alexis has been deep in thought. First, she discussed the change with a friend. This apparently offended said friend so much, that he decided to leave the country -- or at least avoid her so much that it seems as though he's disappeared completely.
But it's come to the day, and as the little blonde hates to be late she's made sure she's time. As she approaches the gate, she begins to second guess her chosen outfit of a clingy camisole and a pair of cargo-style knee-length shorts. Perhaps she should have gone with a skirt? No time to run back and change now, though, so she approaches the gate and smiles brightly.
"Miss Yurika! Bonjour!"
Yurika has been paying close attention on her end as well, double checking what she knew about Alexis, and found some interesting facts she hadn't encountered during the pageant.. Nothing rediculously personal, of course, but things she believes might help her get an edge during her conversation to come. It wouldn't surprise her at all to hear that Alexis' friends would be extremely angry about a potential transfer, it's an issue that all school-transferers have to deal with.
Upon hearing Alexis' voice, Yurika turns around and greets the student with a small, pleasent smile of her own, "Oh Miss LaCoeur, good day to you, I hope things have been well.." As one might expect, Yurika's dark eyes slowly look over the others choice of attire. It actually wasn't what she expected at all, not that it was a bad thing. "I'm quite pleased you've still decided to arrive, I would imagine it would have been a difficult decision, even if you are just here to look. I cannot thank you enough for doing so." And her smile gets a bit, just a little bit brighter.
"Well..." It actually did take a lot for her to arrive today, but so far as Alexis is concerned, she is merely here to check the place out without the stress of the pageant surrounding her. After all, it is only fair. "I did say I would come, and it would be remiss of me to refuse your kind offer just because I am having difficulties deciding on it."
When Yurika pays attention to her clothing, the gymnast blushes a little. "I did not wish to wear my uniform, and the day is actually quite warm for the end of Summer. I hope it's alright? I mean, I don't want to embarrass you or anything, since you are acting as an ambassador for your institution."
The musician gives a light giggle, her free gloved hand raised to her lips as she shakes her head. "Oh no no, it is quite all right, please don't worry about your apperance today this is hardly a job interview or anything of the sort. I wasn't entirely certain what to expect... And I am not disappointed, honest."
"I don't do very well on hot days myself, actually.. But I've grown a bit addicted to wearing clothing such as this; that and I really don't look very good in summer clothing." Or.. Anything that shows off more than her neck, she almost adds. "But that aside, I'd like you to know you aren't the only person I've spoken to about coming here this year, and I've done this before last year as well. There's no shame in declining at the last moment; many have because of difficulties with friendship, pressure from peers, or school pride coming in at the last moment. So I want you to keep in mind that if at any point you wish to excuse yourself, you are free to do so without question." Another small smile is given by the musician, as well as a nod of her head. "That said, I suppose we should get started?"
With all that's said, Alexis is left curious. She's free to leave at any time... from a tour? Is there perhaps something going on here besides a tour of an educational establishment? Her brow furrows a teeny bit as she mulls this over, but she shrugs her concerns away. Fact is, she's probably just reading too much into this all, right?
"Job interview or not, one should always try to look their best in order to promote themselves. Sadly, I think I'm totally lacking today, but the heat won out." Relaxing a little, she gives a quick, curt nod of her head and smiles. "Sure! Let's go!"
Yurika doesn't look like she's hiding anything. On the other hand, she's very very good at keeping that atmosphere around her in many situations. The brow furrow doesn't escape her eyes, and yet she keeps a pleasent expression, feigning ignorance. "Hmn I could see how this kind of atmosphere would lead to uncertainty, but I'm afraid I must disagree with your suggestion of being 'lacking'. Now then.."
Walking along the stone walkway, the duo reach reach the yards center where a large statue resides. She gestures off to the left with her free hand, "As you might expect, we have a flower garden. Used ocassionally for social gatherings, but more importantly for Flower arrangement. And then to our east is the dormitory. To the north is, of course, our beloved school which I'll be guiding you through first. Come to think of it, you reside in a dorm at Pacific, correct? Do you have a roomate?"
Flower arranging, as a subject? Alexis glances toward the garden, which she remembers from the pageant, and nods. Though she can't picture someone like Sada Asai spending much time out there making flowers beautiful, she supposes that it would be a good class or extracurricular for some girls.
At the moment though, her mind drifts back to the fight during the pageant, and the fussing she got from her mother at being involved in that. Sigh. This is exactly the school her mother would love, even though the diplomacy and culture of Pacific High suit their lifestyle much better.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, I do. My friend Vanka, from Russia." More information than was requested, but it's not as though she's extrapolating on it.
Quite a number of unlikely faces have a knack for flower arrangement; though one has to wonder if it's by choice, or just so they can graduate. The sigh causes Yurika to pause very briefly, eyelashes fluttering a moment, and then the musician smiles again, "Oh, I see! Well, I wish I could say that Seijyun is a completely friendly atmosphere, but I'm afraid that isn't entirely true.. Some students are actually sent here under the premise of being 'reformed', some are quite competitive.. And then there are some that are a little.. Ah... Overly eager." As Yurika says the last sentance she holds her breath, as if expecting Mignon to pop out at that very moment.
Luckily that simply doesn't happen. "However I think it's best overall to have a mixture of personalities, in fact we even have a number of foreigners in our school." It'd probably be better not to ask about Vanka. It's clear to her that things are going to be very tough as is; she will have to do her absolute best to convince the potential-Seijyunee.
"One of them is a person I admire very much.. Ahem, but that aside, while Seijyun leans quite heavily on tradition, and the more traditional academics, we certainly aren't slouches in the wider-practiced subjects either, such physical education. We actually do not have gymnasts of your calibur, I admit, but our gym is very well funded.. Perhaps you'd like to see with your own eyes however?" Yurika approaches the main doors, and draws it open for Alexis.
The gym? Perhaps Yurika has done quite a bit of homework since she's offering this as the first locale. Alexis almost has to respect that. "It's alright. I mean, that is, I bring my equipment with me." Pause. "Or my trainer does. It's essential for me to use my own equipment so that I can prepare routines and choreography properly before adjusting things for meets and competitions." That, and she's something of a spoiled brat in that regard -- she simply prefers her familiar equipment as opposed to being forced to change it whenever she moves to a new school, such as leaving Russia for Southtown.
As she walks toward the doors, she glances around once more. "So, I know this is totally gonna be way out there," as she relaxes a little more, she's slipping into her 'bad' habits again, "but uhh... I gotta ask..." Fidgeting a little she steps inside. Well here goes nothing! "... if this is a school that's supposed to promote good, proper, ladylike behavior... why is there a large focus on fighting? I mean, you've got people like Sakura Kasugano, and uhh..." Crud! One of her favorite fighters and she can never remember the real name! "... Rainbow Mika..." And that slippery snake, Sada...
"Oh, I see.. I believe I can relate to that, I would not attend to a concert and use a guitar left behind by the last musician present. You must have carried it all quite a ways then, that's quite admirable. On the other hand there are times where one has to make do with what they have, correct?" The musician heads down the hallway along with the gymnast, and comes to a stop before the gymasium doors, where there are windows to see through them.
"Miss Nanakawa?" Yurika replies patiently, of course not even bringing up the gradual shifting in speech and mannerisms. This is exactly what Yurika wanted to see, after all. She knew from the begining Alexis wasn't near her level of social elegance, how long it would take to get her 'up to snuff' was the real question she had. Smile still in her features, she replies quite matter-of-factly, "I'm afraid that is all in your head, Miss LaCoeur. It only seems that large because that is the kind of environment you've been in for so long. I was quite astonished to see the combat potential you even had, which leads me to believe that combat is something that you can see and focus upon without reason. For example, you know who Rainbow Mika and Sakura Kasugano are.. But you hadn't the slightest clue who the Student council president was, correct?"
Yurika seems pretty amused, regardless. "But if I were a fighter, you'd know who I were right away. It isn't your fault, that's simply what happens to people who stay in Southtown. Now to answer your question, I'd like to brush you up on a bit of feudal japanese history. While the men were off to war, it was actually imperative that women were versed in combat, particularly archery and use of the naganita. Seijyun has simply learned to expand; while some forms of combat are less lady-like than others; we believe in being able to defend yourself enough to expand beyond feudal weapons."
"We bring it all over." Quite a ways? Well, several 'quite a ways', actually. "Oh, I do agree with that! At competitions, we use the equipment for the venue. That's why we prepare the routines and then modify them to work with the equipment available. Admittedly, it is often difficult to do this as there are times when we're not allowed in the venues early." Shrug.
Embarrassed and chastened by the other girl, she clears her throat. "Well... I guess I'm a fight hobbyist? I mean, I really like to watch the Neo League," and sometimes partake in it before, "and Saturday Night Fight. Besides, I've met both Sakura and Mika before and they mentioned the school." Or, well... Rainbow Mika did. Sakura she only figured out at the pageant, really.
"Oh, and that's not entirely true! I don't know /every/ fighter, Miss Yurika. In a place like Southtown, the chance of running into a fighter is very high." She relents in her babbling long enough to allow for the lesson. "So, what you're saying is that Seijyun's choice of allowing fighting in an institution designed to create the perfect women, is merely a duty so that they can defend themselves?" That's fair enough, she supposes, and quite like what was mentioned to her before from another source entirely. "I guess that makes sense, but then how would you explain the attitude of some of the students here?"
The musician's focus doesn't waver, while her stance is relaxed she's actually intensely concentrating on the girl before her. There are some things happening at this moment that differ from what she remembers from the first meeting; but the amusing thing is that Alexis' babbling is more amusing than Sada's.. Or perhaps that's just jealousy brewing because of Sada's and Kurow's past relations. Either way she doesn't seem shaken up, and she feels she has a better grasp of what kind of girl she's dealing with. Not violent; yet concerned about fighting in an establishment like this? That's such an interesting trait!
".. You mean like Miss Asai?" Yurika replies. "Well please don't forget that I mentioned that some are here for 'reforming'. Something like that simply cannot be done at the snap of a finger however Miss Asai's reasoning is completely different, and I want you to know that answer, as it may prove very important to you later on.." Her dark eyes narrow just a touch, as she closes her parasol. "She is not fond of foreigners. Were you to be another japanese opponent, you'd find her to be considerably less hostile. I believe that is one of many situations you may find yourself having to handle in the future? .. On a more grander scale?"
The unwavering focus is quite unnerving. It almost as though the other young woman is reading her like a book. Then again, it's not as though Alexis is trying to hide how she feels about anything, it's really not necessary, right?
"Oh... well I suppose so. I mean, she does have that side to her right?" The snake-side. Pausing, she blinks a few times. "Aha! So, she's a total... witch... to anyone non-Japanese? That hardly promotes good international relations though, and doing something like that is really quite important." Despite how flakey and flighty the blonde seems, she /is/ the daughter of a diplomat. "But as I can hardly make myself Japanese, I suppose I should continue to expect hostilities from her if I were to take you up on your offer." Nod-nod. "Hostilities and racial prejudices are going to happen anywhere, but that is why my father finally chose Pacific -- because it does promote a more diplomatic and well rounded outlook to other cultures."
"A witch?" Yurika can't help but cringe slightly, her free hand raised to her cheek, "Oh dear.. So it was that bad, was it? Please don't get the wrong idea, I don't really understand why she harbors the feelings she does, but Miss Asai is not a terrible person. Regardless, that is another thing that I would like of you, as selfish as it is of me to ask of you."
"We do not has many students of a diplomatic background, and I confess our debate teams are .. lacking." Hmn, did she know about that as well after all? "It isn't clear to me whether you are your father's successor, or you plan to become a gymnast in your future, but either way you'd become a very important role-model for the students here. I'd like your assistance in helping to deal with these issues, as well as to help our political classes grow. One could argue you have more to gain from making us stronger, than to be one of hundreds of faces in an already diplomaticly strong environment."
Witch is not as bad a word as what could have been used! Then again, Alexis was not exactly sweet and sugary herself during that fight, despite outward appearances. "People are people, right? While you can attempt to refine them and bring culture into their lives, it is very difficult to change a person at their very core." Wisdom? More like something she's going through all on her very own at the moment.
"W-wait. Debate team? Oh... I well..." Clearing her throat the gymnast is about to continue, but then Yurika continues. "I suppose it could go either way..." AHAHAHA. Lexi? A diplomat in her own right? She's too bubbly and hyper to be able to deal with important political figures! "One could argue, Miss Yurika, that you are attempting to butter me up or warm me to the idea of leaving the relative comfort of Pacific in order to come to a school where there will be difficulties based on the fact that I am an outsider."
Yurika understands that Alexis as she is, isn't exactly the greatest example of any kind of political figure. And she doesn't have a fantastic grasp of Alexis' true personality despite the amount of information she's gathered paying attention to the pageant and the conversations they've had in the past. What's important at this point is to get a solid answer of where Alexis sees herself in the future, and work on it from there, as well as ease off the hopes she's been pushing onto the girl.
What kind of reaction does Alexis expect from her accussing suggestion? She smiles. "Why would I do that if we both understand that is the reality of life no matter where you go, Miss LaCoeur? I suppose that means the other side of the argument is, that I am not trying to butter you up, but rather trying to frighten you. Either way, I'm not going to make the answer clear just yet.."
Yurika gestures to the gymnasium where, if one were to look, they'd see that the volleyball team is actually undergoing a practice session. And while the gym isn't as huge as Taiyo's, it is quite impressive. "As for the debate team.. Well, tell me.. Is your future career for you to decide, or for your parents to?"
"Frighten me? Why, Miss Yurika, I would /never/ accuse you of such a thing." This causes the gymnast to grin. Frightening as the prospect is or not, the truth is that while making a school like Seijyun more diplomatic is a heavy burden, it does have a few pros to it.
"As much as my parents would love to decide my future for me," and her mother would love to see her married into another family of high-standing, "In the end it will be my decision. Truthfully, I already have very lofty goals and if I have it in my power I will see them through." Alexis drifts off, a starry-eyed daydreamy look within her eyes. A podium. A gold medal around her neck. She can totally do it! She knows she can! After a few minutes of seemingly staring at the volleyball team, she shakes her head and descends back to reality. "And if I cannot, then I have other prospects."
"Of course not," Yurika replies humorously enough; she's probably made it pretty obvious she's taken quite a liking to this girl, despite the circumstances. She can see a lot of things she could do with Alexis that'd help the school, but it doesn't mean much if she can't become more convincing.. Or so she thought. She's starting to understand that there's another factor in all of this as well, which actually seems to make the musician relax a bit.
Other prospects? "I understand. You know, it's rather ironic that the gymnastics team isn't the most popular sport in Seijyun. You'd think that of all things, that would be the number 1 activity, especially with all the funding that we put into it. Our top sports are archery, polo, and basketball. I think volleyball comes fourth. But that aside, there is opportunity for you in gymnastics here as well.. How popular is it at Pacific?"
"One would think that gymnastics would flourish in an environment like this, Miss Yurika. Especially the rhythmic portion, being as that it's graceful and quite ladylike, which is, from my understanding, what Seijyun promotes." Alexis offers a smile as the sports are listed, and nods. "It is popular enough at Pacific, though to be honest I don't really focus on it there. I stick to my own strict training regimen, which is quite likely the only reason I come out on top in the competitions I enter."
Folding her hands together in front of her, she curiously asks, "Have you ever considered that perhaps our two schools could work together on something without anyone transferring anywhere? A course exchange could be set up, so that students interested could take an elective diplomacy and political course at Pacific, while those from Pacific that are interested could attend a course or two here that would allow them to better promote themselves as proper ladies." Pause. "Though that would require the approval of both teachers and the heads of the school I suppose..."
Yurika gives a nod of her head, her eyes closing briefly followed by a sigh, "Well.. From what I can tell, it's because of our more popular students. While I've been doing my best to try to combat it, because our more popular students aren't terribly active in more traditional classes, it's popularity is waning. Rythmic gymnastics certainly isn't -unpopular-, but it isn't as strong as it could be either."
Yurika opens her eyes, the dark pools focused on Alexis again, with a light chuckle. "I understand what you're saying, however, and I think it's a wise decision on your part to undergo that kind of training. And your idea is a reasonable one, but it extremely difficult. Perhaps if we were a co-ed school that'd be a different case." Yurika's smile wanes a bit. "Regardless, it isn't a strong move if I do not have you here, and that is what the bottom line is, Miss LaCoeur. I feel that having you here as a student will change things, and open new possibilities. I also believe that such a happening would be beneficial to the both of us. Did you know.."
"That I do not want to be a musician when I grow up? I want to become an emperor."
"If the traditional classes are waning, do you not think that the school should rethink the ultimate goal of teaching the girls?" This is probably the part that confuses Alexis the most. Seijyun has a tradition for... being traditional. If the things that make the school what it is are not able to hold the student's interests, that is quite problematic.
"Oh, that is true though. Seijyun isn't co-educational. Then it would have to be something like an extra program after regular school hours if there were an interest in it..." As she mulls that out verbally, she's left blinking. "I do not think that I, as a single person, could bring about all of the changes that you are seeking, Miss Yurika." As much of a compliment as that is, it is /that/ more than anything else mentioned this afternoon that frightens the gymnast.
"An emperor? An empress? But of which country?"
"No," Yurika replies quite quickly. "You misunderstand, Miss LaCeour, if there's one thing I've learned about this school is that interest leans the most toward its peers. Miss Kasugano is currently here to study to become a gym teacher. The moment that news came out, physical education classes have started to become more popular. I'm greatly troubled by this, but it is an answer that I can accept."
"Now then, while you do not believe that you cannot become one of those peers.. I, on the other hand, believe that you can. You have charisma, you are smart, you come from an impressive background, and you are athletic. My list extends beyond even that. I believe in you, despite the faults you believe you have." Yurika coughs lightly into her fist, having started to feel herself getting worked up.
"Ah.. I apologize, I did not mean to drop that all on you at once, but.. I suppose you can see now why I have been paying attention to you. But I assure you that despite this, I had every intention of giving that much more back to you. I just need to understand what it is you want." As for which country? Well, Yurika looks more relaxed then.. In fact her smile brightens a bit again. "Why of Japan, of course. Though Prime Minister would be acceptable."
"Oh." Hrm. That definitely gives Alexis even more to think about and consider. But it does seem strange to her that the student body appears -- from a glance at any rate -- to be a bunch of sheep. Someone popular starts to do something, the rest all follow. And these are the young women that are supposed to make their way in the world once school is done? Or is it, perhaps, just like Vince said? Is the only option for these sheep-girls to finish school, then start a family?
That would not do at all. Totally doesn't fit with her dreams and goals!
"O-oh! Thank you for having such unwavering confidence in my abilities to be what you believe you need, Miss Yurika." But Alexis is not going to allow herself to be swayed by kind words, sincere or not. "I mean, it certainly gives me more to consider, but I would feel simply awful if I took you up on your offer and then failed to uphold my end of things."
The Japan comment catches her off-guard, and she snaps her head over to peer at the other girl. Empress of Japan? But then she amends with Prime Minister. "Which is why you chose such a prestigious role in student council. That makes sense now."
"As you can imagine, it's a difficult problem to deal with.." Yurika says at first, not seeming bothered in the slightest in the peer that's given to her. On the other hand perhaps that's because she's been given that look numerous times already. "Tradition is something that.. Is extremely difficult to change. But it has, in some ways, evolved just a bit. Seijyun suffers under a stereotype that I simply cannot allow to continue, it doesn't help that many students are... At an impressionable stage of life. But that aside,"
Yurika gives a small shake of her head, "You do not have to worry about that. I'm not incorrect, that I am certain of. But me knowing I'm correct does me no good if you do not believe in yourself.. Which is fine, we're at a stage of our lives where we're not entirely certain of many things.. What is important here is that you do not fear disappointing me, but rather having the drive to make a difference. If you have the drive, then I will support you no matter how many times you 'drop the ball'. So with that said.."
Yurika relaxes a bit again, her arms crossing in front of her. ".. I did not intend originally to throw all of this on you so soon. I had wanted to you relax a bit and get a bit more comfortable with the surroundings, first."
"Evolution of the scholastic approach is good, but..." Well, yes. There is, in fact, that stereotype. "...you are correct. It is extremely difficult to make the necessary changes sometimes, without angering those that support the traditional ways the school offers." Alexis -- diplomatic to the core when necessary.
"Certainty isn't my problem, I assure you. I am /certain/ that I will compete in the Olympic games and come out of them with a medal. I am /certain/ that if I so chose I could follow in my father's footsteps. I am /certain/ that I am a horrifically hyper fangirl that would probably not promote the best image for Seijyun." Pause. Rubbing the back of her neck, she continues. "After all, change /is/ difficult, and I don't think that's an aspect of me I'm quite willing to give up just yet."
Yurika seems slightly taken aback at first, but when Alexis is done speaking, she may notice that Yurika's smile has become considerably brighter, almost as if she were smiling genuinely for the first time today. It seems the gymnast truly does understand; but the fact that she can admit so much without even the slightest waver like that apparently really moved her. ".. You are absolutely adorable.."
But it doesn't last long, she once more calms, and gives a shake of her head, "But I understand.. But I wonder just how difficult that change would really be, from what I've seen, you can change but at the flick of a ribbon.." a slight pause, ".. Mn, no.. That must have just been my imagination." There's a chime, then, and Yurika reaches into her handbag to take out her cell phone, "Excuse me.."
"Hello? ... I see, that is a problem. Very well, I will." The musician snaps the cell shut and gives an apologetic smile to Alexis. "I'm sorry but something rather important has come up.. If you're interested, I'd love to have tea with you sometime and talk with you more.. I haven't given up just yet."
Wow.
The only thing that's missing when Yurika calls her adorable is that old Auntie Agnus cheek-pinch type thing.
It's very hard for Alexis not to laugh at that image, but she does well, giving just the slightest little titter. "Can I? Or is it just the perception? Just what I want everyone to see?" Truthfully, she /can/ change just like that. From fangirl one day, to calm little ladylike thing. Partially how she was brought up, partially as a way to impress those she's closest with.
When the phone rings, she quietly moves away from the gymnasium door and looks around at the hallway while her host is on the call. "Hmm? Oh! By all means, go take care of what you need to. I can show myself out without getting into any trouble, I promise!" Yurika had just better hope that the bubbly girl doesn't run into someone like Mignon, or everyone's in trouble! "Tea would be lovely. You have my number and everything so like, just call whenever you want and we can set something up."
With that, she allows the other girl to get on her way, turning to head back out of the school herself. It's only as an afterthought that she thinks to look back and offer a friendly little wave over her shoulder.
The tour, while not entirely completed, has definitely given her food for thought.
Can she? Or is it just the perception?
Well that's exactly what Yurika intends to uncover the truth of that. Because, well, if she is somehow wrong, it'd have all been an embarassingly huge waste of time, and no ones fault but her own. "Much appreciated.. Until next time then." The wave is responded with a curtsey, and she heads off in the opposite direction to handle her affairs.
She has plenty of her own to think about.. Not to mention try to figure out a little more about the student's family since they appear to be an important part in all of this as well.
Log created on 16:04:27 09/01/2008 by Alexis, and last modified on 15:14:34 09/02/2008.