daybreakacademy | Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power

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Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power

WHO: Héctor, OTA Catch All
WHERE: Around the school
WHEN: Various times after the 9th and/or the Valentines dance
WHAT: Various opens in the late evening
WARNINGS: Standard spoilers

You can't turn around a bad day, week, month, year, decade... you can't turn any of that without trying first. And so, once the monster's beaten back, his lost arm is returned, and the dance wraps up, so begins his annual rejuvenation. It's his return to the grind, starting every January (late this year but, well, he's doing his best), when he goes back to the drawing board and renews his plans-- only this time, not just for his return home. He's got a few things in mind this year, and isn't that exciting in and of itself?

A - OTA

With his arm back in place and whole again (gone for that week of the 2nd to the 9th and leaving him looking more like a zombie to people than he'd ever let himself before), he can actually get back to repairing the other one who took some hits this past while.

Rather than steal from the shop class, this time Héctor has decided to break in. Which, considering how much they let him use this place for doing repairs around the school, it isn't really breaking in is it? He doesn't think so. And so, upon a work table, in the dead of night, he's lain out a broken guitar. He's got nails and tools, bits of wood and scrap metal, anything he thought he could need for trying to repair the old thing. The guitar's not going to sound good when he's done, but it'll be something.

Despite everything, he's not quite ready to give up on music yet. In fact, he takes to humming a little as he works, breaking into soft song only to quiet again into humming as he hammers and cuts and sands away at the guitar. Until he hears footsteps and abruptly stops, that is.

B - Aube

Not every night can be spent on fixing the guitar. He's still got occasional evening classes to TA for, things to mark, essays to read. On those nights, he settles in the Aube common room, quietly working this time.

Being nocturnal as he is means bad news for any kids sneaking out of the dorm late in the night. "Ah, ah!" He says to any looking a little too ready to go, eyes lifting from his work to them and brows lifting higher. "Did you text Bee for this little excursion?"

C - Aube

Of course, not every child getting up in the night is looking for rowdy adventure. He knows all too well by now that some of these kids have had more adventure than they ever asked or bargained for. Those quiet wanderers, or ones who settle in corners, they're no less apt to get his attention.

He gives them their moment of space and quiet. Just a moment. Then, trying not to scare or disturb them, he walks over, placing a hand to the back of any given chair and tilting his head down at them.

"Hey," He says, soft as he can. "You okay? Can't sleep?"

D - OTA

In the early mornings, for any early risers who seek him (and not one of the smarter or more experienced of adults in this place) he's of course there to tutor those who need it. He may not always know what he's doing with magic but he can work out a lesson and, more than that, he can work with kids.

He draws another example upon paper when he can't simply show it, and he presents it, explaining each piece and part. "Do you understand?" He asks.

Perhaps you're the one he's tutoring. Or, perhaps, you're catching him just as the last kid wanders off and he's gathering up the books and papers, time soon running out with the coming dawn. But he might have time for one more.

E - OTA

He doesn't know the first thing about this, any of this. He keeps telling himself he's not a fighter, but more and more he's coming to realize he might need to be. It's not just about him anymore.

That evening he finds himself in one of the training areas. The bow he takes up is tall and heavy, heavier than a guitar. He's got the dexterity for that and the experiencing of firing... his arm. But it's not the same and he hasn't entirely got the strength built in him for using this thing. He's not sure if he can build the strength or if what he's got is as good as it's going to get. But he can't see himself yet using anything else.

So, there he is in the range, practicing. His shots mostly miss but every now and again he gets somewhere and he's encouraged to go farther. He gives a little laugh of victory and surprise in these moments. Hopefully he's not interrupting anything.

Of course in all his focus, anyone interrupting him is almost certain to make him jump and yelp and send and arrow flying far off target.

F - OTA

At some point before the library's closing for the night, he's managed to surround himself so thoroughly in books that he's built something of a wall around himself. His hand is half tangled in his hair and his brow is knit with concentration, pencil tapping absentmindedly in his other hand as he reads. The books seem to be all about defensive and offensive runes and spells.

"Wait, what?" He straightens up, flipping pages back, and then to his current page, comparing them. "That doesn't make sense, how can you-- what?"

G -[Closed to Orihime]

"Orihime?"

The call comes with a knock. Finally, at long last, he can repay this girl. He's ready at her door, smiling in his newly repaired clothing and holding a bag of tools and materials (nabbed from the shop class as usual).

As the door opens he laughs and say, "Repair service! Is now a good time?"

H - St. Valentine's eve - [Closed to close CR and/or those who ask first]

He's only been here so long, only saved up so much and a lot of it goes towards his hopeful plans. But for this, he can spare a small expense.

The shopkeeper had eyed him curiously, as exhausted and nervous as he'd appeared to be that morning of the thirteenth, pushing the limits of his magic into the day. He knows, in some sense, that he shouldn't. He really, really shouldn't.

But it's the first time in ten years he could do anything and... well, she deserves something. After ten years she deserves so much and a simple carnation or rose just isn't cutting it. Even this doesn't quite but... he can't push more, because even with this, the best gift he could give is his distance.

The note simply reads "for Imelda Rivera" in fancy calligraphic script. He presses the tiny card to his lips then places it back into the bouquet. It's a bright one, colorful, with full, giant blooms. There's soft pinks and bright ones, oranges and reds and blues, greenery, and vivid purples-- her favorite. It'll remind her of home, he's sure.

Off he goes into the night, bringing his delivery to the Lumiere dorms. He just needs to leave it at her door and go. So far so good. He won't get to see her reaction like this, but that's fine. She doesn't need to be happy with him, he just needs her to be happy. That's what he tells himself as he slowly and quietly works his way back, turns the corner-- and freezes, a deer in headlights as the second worst thing that could happen here, does.

I - Other, Make your own

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He looks up from his book at the sound of Gongenzaka's voice-- then jumps in his seat when he sees the boy's bear form. His hand goes over his heart and his breath rushes out.

"Oh, Gongen, you scared me there." He laughs a little at himself, then immediately makes space to the side of him so Gon can see what he's working on.

"Si, yes. That and other things. I had the time so I thought I'd do a little personal studying."

Fortunately he is not a very large bear. ...But, he's still a bear. "Auh-" While he would normally start with 'i told you not to call me that!', the awkwardness of causing a mild startle comes first. "My apologies..! That was far from my intent..."

As it is, he peers at the book. "I did not know, that you were interested in runes..! What is it you are studying for?" Obviously not a class if it's 'personal', but runes are so multipurpose that, well...

"...Mnh? ...These are for...protection?"

"No, no, I know, I'm just jumpy lately. It's fine." And, you know, he's still not entirely used to seeing a talking bear. He waves the boy's apology off nevertheless.

Before he's even got the chance to really answer, Gon is working it on his own. Though put so simply like that he can't help but feel a little foolish.

He laughs a little and rubs at his neck. "Yyyyyes. A little of that. A little of other stuff. Things get dangerous around here sometimes and what I do isn't really anything close to useful or powerful. But I'd like to get better with these things. That way I can actually be of help to you kids." And not in need or rescue to boot. "Ideally the sort of help that doesn't cost me an arm again. I don't know if you saw me at all a week ago but, safe to say, it wasn't good."

"Auh....that is somewhat worrying, Héctor..." Gongenzaka mutters, what parts of fur passing for 'brows' now furrowing. "Mnnh...I admittedly, was rather distracted w-" wait

"MNH- Y-Your arm..!?" he wheezes, wrinkling his nose despite himself. Well, nothing smells replaced??? Maybe?? "...I... ...I am glad, you have retrieved it..?"

He's not really sure what you say to that.

He's nodding in agreement. Yes, definitely worrying. Supremely worrying, he was really glad at least one kid around here was considering it as such and would, therefore, probably stay out of trouble.

But as Gongenzaka focuses upon his arm, He grins wide. "Yes!" He quickly rolls back the sleeve of his right arm, revealing said arm as... rather unnaturally thin. But otherwise it's whole, there, and his. "Look! Perfectly mobile too! Might even be better than it was! This thing had been shattered, but now look! The healers here are amazing."

He couldn't be more grateful Ekkehardt had convinced him to see him all that time ago now. Having someone he could trust with this stuff was one thing, but being able to heal that? He's beaming.

"But, ah, what were you distracted with?"

"Th- Even though it is...Auh-" A quick look around to make sure no one can even hear what they're talking about- though Gongenzaka still avoids the word. "...Even, despite typical interferences, then...that truly is amazing..!" he marvels, blinking widely.

Ah-

Though, as for his distraction... "A...Auh...truthfully, though staff were at least notified, the details are somewhat personal..." Fun with being attacked by an angry hollow ghost thing. "For now at least, it seems to have been dealt with..."

For. Now.

He takes a minute, rooting out Gon's secondary and actual meaning there. Though the boy has already looked, he does too, then smiles rather rueful into the text book.

"Señor Ekkehardt convinced me to see him. I'm sure you noticed I wasn't in the best shape when I first got here. It's been better recently, that aside. He helped a lot, including with this all. I wasn't sure he could do it either but..." He shrugs. Clearly the man could.

He won't pry into the personal, so he simply says, "I'm glad you got things sorted at least. And that the faculty was able to help."

"Oh- the RA..." he murmurs, nodding familiarly. "He is quite good, as a doctor, yes?" Best as he can tell anyway. "I am glad you are doing better then," he continues honestly. "It is progress in a better direction, after all."

Though, he seems a bit unsure about the better direction with his own stuff. Nervously, he rubs the back of his head. "Auhhhh...w..well...we were certainly able to get help for ourselves but..."

He trails off, grimacing at the thought of how the hollow he and Peter encountered vanished. "...Mnhh...perhaps I, should also look into more combatively focused runes..."

"As much in that direction as I can go," He laughs.

But he's soon frowning. He watches in concern. And then his brow lifts.

"Combative? Yeesh, Gon, you're a bear. Whatever you're dealing with must be insane. Are you sure you're okay?"

It is a somewhat nervous laugh- hard to be entirely amused when the somewhat unfortunate truth of the matter is lingering in there-

He has to grimace about being called out on combat however. "A..Auuuh...well, defense is also a part of combat, of course..." There's not entirely a good way to hide having to explain himself here- so Gongenzaka does not take long to relent. "...mnhhh...admittedly...a part of that recent matter involved being quite outmatched, despite things..."

He sighs. "While it is certainly 'okay' now, it is an eye-opening experience, yes? While I certainly, do not take part in the missions the others are called for, it would be, unacceptable, to be unable to help from here, at least!"

He feels a little bad, what with how clearly uncomfortable Gon is with this topic and, if he's getting this at all, maybe even fighting in itself. He could certainly understand.

He smiles sadly. "I used to think it was just me and the way of the outlands but I'm starting to think every part of this world might be overwhelming for everybody. You think you have your footing and there goes the rug."

Dios, he's tired. Mentally.

"But I don't think unacceptable is the word. I know they're all trying to teach you kids to take on this world's burdens but I don't agree with it. That said, if you'd like to study with me, please, do join in."

"Mnh... ...Perhaps, you are correct about the...rug thing," he admits, not entirely sure he's understanding the metaphor properly. Stupid ESL struggles,

(Or is it 'E-T-L' for him??? ...Third language???)

"Auhh... ...th... ...Thank you, Héctor," he starts honestly, taking a chair. "Auh...do you have a spare book, or..."

Even if the rug metaphor has lost the poor boy, they're both on the same page for feeling lost and overwhelmed in all this at least. Or mostly the same page. Same book.

And speaking of books, he gestures out at all he's gathered around him like a fortress.

"Take your pick. Happy to trade the one I'm looking at if it interests you."

It's the same book, and they're absolutely stuck in it somewhere. Who knows who's closer to the end of it.

As it is, Gongenzaka nods and quietly takes a seat next to the other, doing just as Héctor offers by taking one from the pile. "Aaauh, thank you, Héctor. Perhaps later, we can even compare findings!" It's easier to enjoy the research into runes when he's talking about it with someone- it helps to not think about the fact that they're both looking into it for...well.

Danger related reasons.

Or if there is an end to it.

He laughs a little. Comparing findings. He's never been this studios in his life. This school is doing weird things to him.

"Maybe together was we can actually find something that repels blight and the like without it repelling us," He says a little rueful. "They do say two heads are better and all."

"Haahaaaaaah...that would be, the absolute 'dream' yes? But indeed! Two heads!" He nods furiously.

...

"...That is one of the few 'idioms' I have heard, that truly makes sense..." The English language is Cursed

He can't help himself. He laughs. Hearing Gon awkwardly call it "the dream" is just a bit too much not too. Not to mention, he hears what's implied there.

"My apologies, my friend. I've always been something of a writer, interested in language, I don't always think about what idioms aren't so easily caught. It's probably because many of them are really old when they were said first, making more sense in the time period or being a way to sort of walk around things that couldn't be said otherwise."

There are many, many advantages to Gongenzaka and the language barrier- this sort of thing is definitely one of the biggest ones. "Auuuh..." On the one hand- alas! One less person to completely get it...but on the other, "mnh...well, even though they are, difficult to understand, I can at least understand the interest, aah?"

He pauses from where he was about to start going through the book. "...Mnh. That... is likely true, I suppose...given those which made more sense years ago, in other languages as well..."

Don't mistake it, Gongenzaka. He still has trouble sometimes too.

"It can be tricky, but it can be pretty fun too," He says, bobbing his head. "I'm a lot better at this than I was years ago." Though English is still a rough language.

He leans in, getting excited suddenly. "You got to think about it in the frame of metaphor. Not so literal. See, like in México, some would say, a fuerza, ni los zapatos entran. You can't force your shoes to fit. Which is to say, you can't force your way into things. But in turn then there's, a mí la muerte me pela los dientes! Which literally sounds like death peels my teeth but it means that nothing, nor death, can stop me!" He laughs again. There's amusement now in those lit up eyes. He turns a little more Gon's way, their studying forgotten. He gestures out to the boy. "But ay, you know, you should teach me some of your language sometime! Make things a little easier for you."

Edited 2019-03-23 14:03 (UTC)

"Think of it as a metaphor..?" he begins, listening intently. Well, the shoes one certainly makes sense- but he wrinkles his nose a bit at the teeth one. "Mnh! How did it gain such a meaning, though..."

Hmrn. The bear crosses his arms, frowning. "I could, I suppose, think of some....one would be... 'Minu ga Hana'. Or....I suppose, 'looking', or 'hoping', is 'flowers'... It is to say, what you imagine or hope for, will not be what you actually see. Flowers are...'imaginative', and frivolous, and reality will not compare." He just had to pick one of the harder ones to start with, hoof.

Maybe an easier one as well, to balance it. "There is also... ..'Kaeru no ko wa Kaeru'," he adds- the Japanese passing with far more speed and readiness than his English by far. "Or...the Frog's child, is a frog." Like father like son, in other words.

"Well, see, I would think of it like, death usually does a lot more than just get at your teeth a little. So to say that is like to say that it's nothing, no big deal!" At least, that's how he would figure it. Some linguist might go back and claim otherwise. He's just a guy who likes words.

He falls quiet and listens intently as the bear that is Gon speaks. It's... still really bizzare to see and probably always will be but hey, it's not like he can talk have the time. He bobs his head at the description and immediately tries to pronounce the phrase, repeating words that don't sound quite right in his accent.

He stops as he learns the last one's meaning. "Oh! That's so cute." His hand goes over his heart. Coco would like that. He can imagine her making frog noises. And he'd make some back, and...

"Perhaps then...that is what is meant by, 'By the skin of your teeth', in English..?" It may well be actually...

And oh! "Auh! You feel so?" Gongenzaka asks, unaware of Héctor's internal thoughts. "It at least seems to be one, that could be interpreted as 'cute', yes...perhaps another then could be... 'Neko ni koban'..! Gold coins, to a cat..!"

It's basically 'pearls before swine', but that one is definitely far cuter yes.

"I don't have a clue on that one but it would make sense," He says, wry. Though now he's thinking of teeth-skin and that's just. Horrible. Skin alone is horrible and that's so much worse.

He shakes head of that, much happier to have more metaphors. "Neko ni koban," He repeats, then grinning. Ha! He didn't pronounce then when entirely horribly, he thinks. But he asks, "How'd I do there?"

He knows better of pearls before swine, of course, not the least bit to do with being a long ago lapsed catholic.

"It at least sounds close..?" Ah well.

Neko ni koban... "Auh! Very good! With Japanese...it is a little easier than English, I think, as the syllables will always sound as they should! 'Chi' will always be 'Chi', and so on...so, once you know how they are meant to sound, it is very easy to repeat statements!"

That is. Assuming he even wants to learn the language, but Gongenzaka is spectacular at jumping over sharks.

"Ha! You're telling me! My language uses the same letters and all the sounds are still messed up. I'm not even going to try getting rid of my accent, there's no way I can keep the english one up. I'm going to say the words how they look, and that's that. That's what I've decided to do."

But that little rant aside, he is listening for what Gongenzaka is teaching him. He'll probably never truly pick up the language in the time he has but maybe he can learn a phrase or too.

Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power

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wheeze we can probably wrap up from here