[Date: Thursday February 19th, 2004. Mid-Afternoon.] [As an athelete and foreign student with an undeclared major, Satoshi has regular meetings with an academic advisor.] [His advisor is a middle aged African American with close cropped hair. After covering initial pleasantries they get to the cruxt of matters.] [Start!] So, any thoughts on your major? * Satoshi is all serious academic business today, dressed in a dark purple shirt, black and gray patterned tie, black pants, and black boots, his hair carefully combed. "No, ma'am," he says. Then he stops. "Well, actually..." * Mrs. Cooper smiles. "Go ahead, anything you say isn't binding." I was talking with one of my friends back home a few weeks ago, about classes and things, and I mentioned that I really was enjoying my writing class this semester. She said maybe I should look into more of that. Writing, I mean. * Satoshi smiles shyly. "But I don't know." * Mrs. Cooper glances at the computer at her desk and then nods. "Writing is a fundamental skill. But that does narrow the field. Was this in your English class or your essays for other classes?" This is for English Composition. I am going to have to write a brief paper for Psychology, but that's not until later in the semester. That could support a classic English major with a creative writing specialty. That approach focuses on your use of language. We also have a newer program in Communications, and if you find you like non- fiction writing just as much there's any number of writing heavy majors depending on your subject matter of choice. * Satoshi blinks. "But... English isn't even my native language. I mean, all right, I'm probably effectively bilingual at this point, but..." * Mrs. Cooper blinks for a second. "Right." She glances at the computer before looking back at Satoshi. "Hm... well, that does open up possibilities. Linguistics might be appropriate if you have an interest in translation. We have had some students signing up for Japanese for that purpose in the past few years." But that just seems like a waste. * Mrs. Cooper hold a pencil in her right hand, quietly tapping it on the desk, contemplative. * Satoshi is confused for a moment, but then he remembers that okay, yeah, all those speech lessons from when he was young and thus his complete lack of a foreign accent (heck, it's a complete lack of an accent, period) probably does throw people. "I mean, can I actually be an English major without being a native speaker?" * Mrs. Cooper laughs. "You do realize we have multiple foreign language departments?" Besides your English is better than many of students I advise. * Satoshi blushes slightly. "True. I guess an advanced foreign language major probably would be doing a lot of writing. And thank you." * Mrs. Cooper nods. "So then, my assignment to you. Pay attention to what sort of writing you enjoy. If it's creative, that's English. If you like the mix across two languages, I think you even mentioned French once, that may be linguistics." She taps the pencil one more time, leaving touching the desk this time. * Satoshi nods. "French was what I was considering for my foreign language requirement." He chances a small smile. "Japanese seemed like cheating." * Mrs. Cooper chuckles. "You are remarkably honest. So, one other possibility. You don't have a particular subject you definitely want to talk about or we wouldn't be here. But if you find you like your essays more than the creative process, consider journalism." * Satoshi blushes again, nodding. "All right. That makes sense. I'll think about the different types of writing, and what I like. Maybe I'll write a few things for practice just to see what appeals." He pauses. "After midterms." * Mrs. Cooper grins. "Good. So at our next meeting, let me know how you are leaning and if you still aren't sure I'll arrange meetings with a professor or advisor that seems relevant. [Cut!] [Later that night, Liam and Grant swung by Satoshi's room, Paul was around and they all decided to go out for dinner.] [After the indecisively discussing the same old options, Satoshi suggested actually trying somewhere new for once. Grant mentioned that he'd heard that the one pub under the Indian buffet place by the main strip was actually pretty good.] [The Rock Cellar has a bar in front with several tables, include a few table style arcade games. There's another room, past the bar and the juke box, that's more traditional dining with a small stage setup at the far end. This being a Thursday night, the stage is unoccupied.] [Liam had ordered chicken wings to share around. After a bit of amiable conversation, Paul can't wait any longer.] Shizaru-chan's chocolates just arrived yesterday! I was thinking they wouldn't come but apparently they just got delayed in the mail. * Satoshi nods. "It's tricky to time these things. I've been mailing stuff to friends back home that wasn't time-sensitive for the most part." * Grant snorts. "Nice work stud. I got some chocolates back in senior year. Most years it goes the other the ways. Nothing this year, though I tell myself that's cause we were out of town." * Liam takes a long drink out of his water glass. * Paul nods. "Right, you got those heart shaped pretzels on Wednesday. Those were really good, thanks for sharing." Pretzels? * Satoshi smiles a little. "Yeah, one of my friends from back home actually ordered from a local place. Chocolate-covered pretzels." He pauses. "She actually said she had something for me, but I thought she meant she'd just give it to me when I got back home. So I should send her something in return for White Day." He looks at Grant and Liam. "Valentine's Day in Japan is usually just girls giving to guys. Guys give back on White Day a month later." Then he turns to Paul. "If you want to get something for Yamada-san, it might make sense for us to mail one package together. It'll be a little complicated, but my friends can make sure it gets to her." * Paul grins. "That's great. I'd bought some things. But then couldn't afford to ship them. I think Shizaru-chan will really like West Wing." * Liam nods at Satoshi's comment. "Interesting tradition. Easier for guys I think, since the girls have to give them first." * Satoshi nods. "Yeah, reciprocating makes it easier. But it's fun. I liked picking things out for my friends." * Paul nods. "Could you help me pick something for Shizaru-chan? I'm a little worried I'll mess up the nuances." * Grant grins. "Not sure you want to do that Paul. Sato here's a bit of a accidental heartbreaker." * Liam snorts and grabs a drumette. * Satoshi blinks. "Wait, what?" * Paul is intrigued. * Grant holds his hands up. "I've said too much already." Damn right. * Satoshi is still dressed pretty nicely from earlier, although he's taken his tie off and now has his hair pulled back. "Oh, okay. You guys are just teasing me. All right." I wouldn't say that, I've noticed you have at least one fan out in the stands. And no, not her Liam, she breaks other's hearts. Ooh, Satoshi-sensei, I will definitely need your advice. * Satoshi looks a bit confused. "I'm sure they just... they just appreciate that I play well, that's all." And then he turns to Paul. "Uh, you don't have to go that far. I'm definitely not a 'sensei.'" * Grant nods. "Yeah, my bad. Just people appreciate your physique and want to keep a close eye on it I'm sure." * Liam snorts. * Satoshi grabs a chicken wing, blushing furiously. "I'm wearing a jersey just like every other guy on the ice." <@Grysar> * Grant dramatically runs his hand by his coiled hair, glancing at Satoshi and then Liam. "Right, of course. How could I forget. So, who did you get chocolate from?" <@Grysar> * Liam nods, curious. Haruko. * Satoshi looks at Liam. "The one who's studying engineering at Tokyo Tech." * Satoshi looks at Grant. "And she has a boyfriend, so don't go reading too much into that. She's one of my best friends, though, and extremely generous. So." <@Grysar> * Grant grins. "Had you dated anyone back home?" <@Grysar> * Liam nods. "She sounds fun, though maybe a little forward to be your type anyways." * Satoshi looks at Grant. "Yeah, uh, do you remember the phone call I got back in December?" Then he turns to Liam and chuckles. "You know me well." <@Grysar> * Liam leans back in the chair with an easy going smile. "Part of the job." <@Grysar> * Grant thinks for a second and nods. "Right. When you and Elise went racing." * Satoshi suppresses a grimace. "Yeah. That." He takes a bite of chicken wing and chews thoughfully. "Anyhow, that was the girl I dated in high school, who actually is friends with Yamada-san." He looks over at Paul. "Small world, huh?" <@Grysar> That's Shimiru-chan, I mean Shimiru-san right? <@Grysar> * Paul shakes his head. "That's some serious shoujo coincidence man. I'm half worried you'll meet Shizaru-chan and discover that she's your long lost childhood friend." <@Grysar> [And the food comes out, everything smells surprisingly good.] * Satoshi *eyes* Liam using honorifics. Just *eyes*. "Yes. That's her." Then he looks at Paul again. "Probably not. But I guess I'll get a chance to meet her this summer." And now there is food! Yay! <@Grysar> There's two Yamadas right? One male, one female? It's a really common name. Yama means mountain and Japan has a ton of them. * Satoshi has ordered a cheeseburger and fries. It really does smell good. He nods. "Yeah, they're not related at all. It's a very common last name. Mine's even more so, actually." He munches on a fry. <@Grysar> [Two famliar voices carry from the bar area. "Yeah, I don't think any of the freshmen have discovered this place yet. It gets crowded sometimes, but the music is good. You just have to watch your head in the bathroom." The second replies, "I doubt I'm tall enough to worry, but I'll keep that in mind Ju-Yin."] * Satoshi is a freshman. He is, in fact, at a table full of freshmen. <@Grysar> * Grant looks over. "Well, this should be interesting." He then looks to Liam. "You, stop your moping, and sit up straight." * Satoshi takes a sudden and compelling interest in his food. <@Grysar> [And the two figures enter and Liam waves. "Hey Elise, Ju-Yin. Good to see you before you leave for the sectionals.] <@Grysar> * Elise smiles. "Hey guys, I was just telling Ju-Yin I was afraid I wouldn't see you before the trip. I hope your schedules mesh better with midterms than mine." <@Grysar> * Ju-Yin looks mortified, perhaps having realized that the freshmen heard her. * Satoshi decides to join in the conversation. Be bold, Satoshi! Or at least don't hide behind your hamburger. "Yeah, our next away game isn't until the 27th, so it's right as spring break starts." <@Grysar> * Elise laughs and walks over. "Better schedule than your last one." She reaches for one of Grant's fries but he gives her a look so she steals one from Liam instead. * Satoshi waits to see how Liam reacts. <@Grysar> * Liam hesitates a moment before looking up. "I'll expect a replacement later." Oh, you know me, I only order vegetables. Have to watch my figure. ::She takes a second fry:: <@Grysar> * Paul laughs and quick introductions are traded around for the people that haven't met yet. Ju-Yin tries to snag a two person table about halfway down the room, but Elise insists on a closer one. * Satoshi laughs a little and helps with the introductions. <@Grysar> * Liam shoots Satoshi a somewhat confused look. * Satoshi looks confused too and shrugs? Sadly, Liam's not Arcana so he can't ask him what's wrong telepathically. <@Grysar> Girl, you know I saw you order those crazy Canadian fries. Hey, I've tried them. They're actually pretty good. <@Grysar> * Elise nods. "You're darn right they are. They're worth the calories." <@Grysar> Like curly fries? <@Grysar> [And the conversation goes easily for a bit as poutine is explained. Seems like Paul is sticking with Japanese as his exotic cuisine of choice.] <@Grysar> [Time passes fairly easily, although Ju-Yin is quieter than usual. Grant does shoot her a glance every now and then. In what seems like no time at all the waitress has brought meals for the two girls and is checking if the rest of you want anything else as she clears away your plates.] * Satoshi tells the waitress that he's fine, thanks. <@Grysar> * Elise stretches, true to her word she did get the vegetable of the day as a side. She forks over a few green beans to Liam's plate. "I do wish I wasn't gone for a week and a half. Rescheduling two exams wasn't that hard, but hard to study on the road." <@Grysar> * Ju-Yin shakes her head. "Oh you make a big deal about it every year but then you do well at the race and get good grades." * Satoshi grins at Liam as the green beans are exchanged. It is tricky to study on the road. <@Grysar> * Grant shrugs. "I got used to it. Dad would take us on trips so long as we worked in the car. Not so bad as long as you take breaks." <@Grysar> * Elise shrugs. "I get headaches. And I've felt like I've had one coming on all week anyways. Losing my phone for like five days didn't help either." <@Grysar> * Ju-Yin shakes her head. "It wasn't five you flake." <@Grysar> * Elise glares at Ju-Yin for a moment. "I keep telling you, I don't lose stuff like that. But you did find it ultimately, so I'll let that one go." * Satoshi blinks. "Wait, you lost your phone?" He glances over at Liam. <@Grysar> * Elise nods. "Yeah, like Sunday night. Turns out it was in our couch, right? Although I swear I checked there." <@Grysar> You did party pretty hard that night. Oh, like you were so innocent. <@Grysar> * Paul just watches and listens. * Satoshi waits for Liam's reaction again. <@Grysar> So lost in the couch? So I guess that was after you got home Sunday night? <@Grysar> * Elise looks away slightly. "Well, Monday morning if I'm honest. But yeah, must have been. That party is really a bit of a haze." <@Grysar> * Grant's tone is concerned. "You sure you were alright?" <@Grysar> We just all went out dancing at a few Valentine's weekend parties. Jane and Bill were around some too, and Jane doesn't drink. So you had someone keeping an eye out, then. That's good. <@Grysar> * Elise looks a little concerned herself at Grant's question, but nods at that bit of conversation. "Still, I don't like not remembering. I didn't drink that much." * Ju-Yin coughs. So maybe I was lightly toasted. You were speaking in French. I'm fluent! * Satoshi sighs. "You're starting to remind me of a friend of mine, except she doesn't know any French." Pauses. "Wait, that's not true. She's just started to study it." <@Grysar> * Liam nods, "I have gotten language practice late at night once or twice." * Satoshi does not say that Liam totally was not speaking *any* recognizeable language that one night of the road trip. <@Grysar> * Paul nods and whispers over to Grant. "He probably means Haruko- san. She's vivacious and flakey." * Grant laughs. <@Grysar> * Elise pokes Liam. "You, defend my reputation." <@Grysar> She does sometimes get on the far side of toasted, but it's true. I don't recall her losing stuff and even when she's had a few she does remain quite articulate. <@Grysar> Which is more than I can sometimes say for your late night German. * Satoshi says to Paul, "She's only told me stories. I haven't actually seen this in person. I worry about her a little, sometimes, but she's good at taking care of herself." <@Grysar> * Paul nods. "Probably okay then. Just kind of genki." Genki... genki's a pretty good way to describe that. <@Grysar> Not sure what that means, but you might want to talk to her about it sometime. <@Grysar> Also, she's never mentioned memory problems before. <@Grysar> Thank you. <@Grysar> * Liam glances to Satoshi. * Satoshi looks at Grant. "I have. She just tells me that I'm being very sweet but she's a big girl and she can take care of herself." <@Grysar> * Grant nods. "Is she right?" She's never gotten in trouble that I'm aware of, and her roommate looks out for her. <@Grysar> * Ju-Yin looks a bit uncomfortable at this whole conversation. <@Grysar> * Grant looks a little relieved. "That'll go a long way." And she's very much unafraid to stand up for herself. <@Grysar> * Grant nods. <@Grysar> * Liam quietly asks Elise, "So you don't remember any calls that night?" <@Grysar> What? No. ::She actually blushes a bit, this is a first:: Would someone else have used your phone? <@Grysar> * Elise shakes her head. "Don't think so." She checks her call log. "Oh, right, the thing hard reset itself. I've been reentering my contacts these past few days before the trip." <@Grysar> Must have been something about how it got stuck in the couch. At least it still works. <@Grysar> * Elise puts her phone away. "Yeah, I do not need the expense of a new one of these." * Satoshi stands up. "I'm, uh, going to hit the bathroom real quick." He attempts to catch Liam's eye. <@Grysar> [Liam catches Satoshi's message and doesn't need much convincing. He gives Satoshi a minute and then meets him by the tiny step intensive bathrooms.] <@Grysar> You played that message? Yeah. It was something in French. I couldn't understand it, but it was definitely her. But, I mean... she may not have meant to call me at all. Maybe she meant to call you. Maybe she meant to call somebody else. <@Grysar> * Liam closes his eyes for a moment. "She called you Sato, up to you what you do with it, but if you want a translation, I'll give you one." I deleted the message, Liam. I can't remember what she said. <@Grysar> * Liam gives an easy smile. "Well, if there's no 'je t'aime' or 'je t'adore' I'm probably okay." He then looks distant. "Still, noble sentiment, but you should be more careful with evidence." <@Grysar> * Liam then shoos Satoshi back to the table. Okay. * Satoshi scoots! <@Grysar> [Satoshi rejoins the group and once Liam gets back, the guys head off!] <@Grysar> [End!]