thefolder | 「 ★ 」closed;

Who: Jin Uzuki, Joshua.
What: English lessons.
When: The first Friday after the fist of courage event.
Where: Terminal Tokyo: Library.

[After the attack on the city, Sorcerymon, of course, was still Sorcerymon. She'd actually liked her new form far more than she expected, and had refused to come out of it - claiming that she was only able to stay in Champion form for so long because of Joshua's power - something that certainly piqued his interest - but unfortunately nothing he had the resources to look into at the moment. Joshua had merely allowed her to go along with it (after all, an alliteration monster was somewhat far more adorable than any form she'd ever had); and he'd allowed her to resume the task of creating various tinctures out of god knew what which had been lying around the apartment. She'd gone with it quite contentedly, so Joshua'd headed off to the library - arriving at a small, almost dingy top room with one table and surrounded by books.

And he unpacked, glancing over some of his own research material as he waited. Jin, of course. He'd been quite pleased with the progress the former soldier had made so far. Nothing above human capability, of course not. But, the higher end of human capability certainly was enough for him. In two months, the soldier'd taken on quite a bit. His mistakes were rare, his attention to detail impressive, capability to take on information rather good, and his questions about subjects raised in the material covered good.

Joshua brushes a clump of hair from his face. Unfortunately, being human is full of nothing but drawbacks. One of which is his appearance. He's woefully aware of the fact he's almost two inches taller than what he was when he arrived, and his hair seems to have grown markedly. So much, in fact, it's mainly pushed upward and tied over, worn up, only his bangs and the curl which resembled a lightning bolt loose.

When he heard the door open, he didn't look up from the digital glyphs he'd been memorizing, alike so many kanji in earlier times. ]

You're early. I imagine you're normally like this?

[Of course he was. Joshua didn't need any ESP at all to know that Jin seemed to adore this place more than any other.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*Jin found the English lessons to be fascinating. Not necessarily because of the language itself, it had enough similarities in basic structure to the Galaxy Federation trade language that he didn't consider it entirely unusual, but simply because of its origin. The fact that it was a language of Lost Jerusalem, that land from the past that held his focus so, was enough to prompt him to give the lessons his full attention.

He'd been sharing his lessons with Veemon, with the intent of having someone to practice with aside from Joshua, but had quickly found that while his partner had more than enough curiosity to be interested in the material, he lacked the attention span to keep focus on them. Soon enough, he'd figured out that evolving his partner to Sorcermon helped with that, much like it was easier to get an adult to sit still than a child. Obviously he couldn't stay like that long-term, but it helped.

Working in the library also helped with the lessons. The job was an enjoyable one, leaving him in an area that was often quiet, where he could easily spend his idle minutes studying. If he hadn't devoted his entire life to U-TIC, he'd mused, he might have even considered running something like this back home. It would honestly be a disappointment when this ended and he had to move on to a different job, unless he could get it again for next month. But until he found out, he would act as if it wasn't feasible...which meant taking as much advantage of his time in the library as he could. And that was what brought him to the lesson early, still wearing his ever present sword despite the peaceful setting.*

Better to be early than to risk showing disinterest in my lessons. Besides, it's easier to fill spare time than it is to make up for lost.

Hmmm.

[There's a faint smile, and Joshua merely tilts his head to look at Jin. He folds away a weathered, dusty old book filled with the digital symbols, and places it on the floor. Of course, on the table are the same mnemonics that have been in use for the past few sessions, as well as a few cheat sheets. Can't hurt, after all. And even the best minds sometimes need a little poking.

He indicates for the other to sit after his things are safely put away. And he speaks, as he tends to in these little sessions, strictly in english.]

Very good. For today, I've got something fun for you, since you're about done with the basics. The structure's simple, since it's a translation anyway, but it's interesting enough. Here.

[And! He pulls a book from a small pile at the side of him. And what a book it was. One of his favourites, actually. It's slightly aged looking, and indeed, it's got pictures - more of an afterthought than anything, of course charming.]

I'm sure someone of your ability won't feel self-conscious enough to read aloud. So, shall we?

Of course.

*His response also comes in English as he takes the book carefully, as usual acting as if he's used to any book he handles being a valuable and potentially fragile antique. His words have a noticeable accent that's impossible to pin down to a specific language as he reads, but his pronunciation is solid enough that it's not a struggle to understand them. When he reaches the end of the first chapter, he shakes his head with a sad, disappointed smile.*

I guess people in every time find it hard to see the real worth of what's in front of them.

[As Jin reads, Joshua merely allows a smile to stay on his lips. It's not like an accent is anything that can be corrected, or even complained over. He rests one elbow on the table, cupping his cheek with it and resting his head to the side.

He couldn't say he'd ever been read to before, but the experience isn't exactly unpleasant. Especially when the book in question is one of his favourites. After Jin finishes the first chapter, he lifts his head from his hand to respond - violet eyes certainly picking up that smile and the sentiment which caused such a thing.]

Every time and every world. Very good, by the way. Continue.

*He continues, occasionally pausing briefly after some of the more uncommon words as he works out their meaning from context. When he reaches the end of the second chapter, his smile is a bit more amused.*

Well, I hope he learned a lesson about holding onto the ability to think in unusual ways.

Everyone forgets that sort of thing. It's what growing up is.

[His tone sounds a little sad. But then it's back to indifferent almost immediately. ]

In Earth's culture, becoming an adult involves developing drab, boring outlooks on the world to fit in with everyone else and become part of a society. It's not like someone can balance both, unfortunately. Perception's like language. Speak a second language too long, and you'll start to think in that form.

Only if you let it. To use your metaphor, I've spoken both Japanese and the...hrm, I don't think I've learned this word yet. But the main power where I come from has its own language that most planets use along with their own, and I've spoken that and Japanese for most of my life. Even so, I still made a point of staying true to my Miltian roots by using my first language whenever possible.

Outlooks are the same in that way too, are they not? It's all a matter of whether you let yourself be taken in entirely by the common viewpoint or make sure to let your own beliefs shine, or even combine with those of others to create something unique.

*And here he holds up the dangling ends of his sword belt, showing Josh the Taoist symbol hanging from one and the inverted cross hanging from the other.*

Good for you.

[There's a small breath of a laugh, and Joshua leans back in his seat. Everyone says that. It's not like this one would be any different - applying terms meant in a general sense to oneself specifically was only human. ...And something they tended to do a lot. Though he does move his eyes to the charms hanging from the swordbelt - mainly because of the little comment about combining beliefs. That keeps his attention long enough to look. He switches back to Japanese.]

Anyway, the author was a remarkable man. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, if you're wondering. He maintained a strong belief about humanity. He said- “There is one problem and only one in the world: to revive in people some sense of spiritual meaning.” He goes for it with this piece by celebrating a worldview without any restrictions. It's more noticeable in later chapters of course - that's storytelling, after all. What you've covered so far, and some three chapters after it, are all about pointing out varying behaviours in characters with occupations that are supposed to be considered important. To adults, anyway.

*He keeps that vague smile that could be knowing, pleased or melancholy as he toys idly with the symbols in his hand and switches to Japanese himself, maintaining a neutral tone. It's almost as if he's trying to keep the depths of his emotions regarding a topic he feels strongly about hidden.*

I believe I'm starting to like this man already. A lack of the spiritual and the resulting focus on the material and personal gain is a major problem in my own time, as well. I suppose that sort of selfishness is simply in human nature, but it truly is a shame to see the beauty of the universe and the value of our history go unappreciated.

It's to the point that paper books like this are rare antiques. The feeling and smell of a real book are considered unimportant in the face of the compact size and easy portability of a virtual display.

「 ★ 」closed;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject