thoughtformed | (no subject)

Looks like you need to work on that class participation, buddy.

[Melodramatic and a tinge amused.]

Alas, that is an area in which I fear I am woefully inadequate.

Just like English and music, apparently.

Maybe if you direct that melodramatic sighing at your teachers, they'll feel bad and bump up your grade.

You got Bs there, that's not so bad.

[Mock-excited.] Really? Do you think that will work? Why didn't I think of that?

It is fairly bad for me.

Then again, I spoke Japanese almost exclusively before I came to the island, so I probably have a pretty good excuse there.

Edited 2012-12-31 04:30 (UTC)

If that's the case, I couldn't tell. You've adjusted incredibly well.

Ah - thank you for saying so. I had received a couple semesters of tutoring in English before I came, and I had this summer to brush up before I was graded on it.

Nevertheless, it is not quite up to the caliber of my other subjects, excluding music. Though I feel that this school's standards are significantly lower than those I am used to as well - that is certainly reflected in my grades.

Just keep at it. Learning any language can be difficult, but yes, really, you've come a long way if you didn't speak it fluently before.

May I ask, do you speak any other languages?

I picked up a little bit of Spanish from my mother, and some German from my grandparents, but I can't hold a conversation in anything but English, unfortunately. Just never stuck.

[There is a thoughtful pause.]

You know, this whole 'fictional' thing puts our lives in an entirely new perspective, if you believe that story.

Assuming it is true, for the moment, what if you never successfully learned another language because whatever book or movie you came from had an English-speaking author and an English-speaking audience?

Something that bears thinking about, I'm sure.

I'm still of two minds on the whole story, anyway, but I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? Whatever the truth is, we're here now.

A good way to look at it. I merely find it interesting to explore the philosophical implications.

You're a surprisingly deep-thinker for your age.

[You can almost hear his inscrutable smile.]

I will take that as a compliment.

It was meant as one. Don't let it go to your head, though.

Oh, you know me. Egotistical and conceited, one hundred percent.

You know how the ladies love that. Nothing like a big ego to make 'em swoon.

[He makes an exaggerated noise of agreement.]

Can't keep them off me. Half the time, I don't even know what to do with them all.

[He pulls the line off smoothly, but after a couple seconds he can't successfully suppress the beginnings of a laugh.]

Got all of the overblown egotism out of your system now?

[Still amused -]

Never.

It hasn't been that bad lately, has it?

Ah - well, I fell behind when we had amnesia, and with the mistletoe right afterward...

If I hadn't recruited Souji to help, it would have been beyond my power. As a result, I didn't have time to study for any of my semester finals, and had to reschedule several of them.

You could have asked for someone's notes.

Perhaps that is true. However, this is really not what I was worried about at the time.

Besides, it is only a couple B's - low for me, especially given the school's standards, but hardly something to worry about.

You not doing your homework?

[ooc: This is after he takes her to closed space, right? Because that was during the mistletoe event?]

There's been a lot of closed space recently. I haven't always had the time.

[ooc; Yes, it'll be after!]

[Kate's face turns serious and she nods in understanding. Seeing the report card was actually a surprise to her; Koizumi always seemed so much older than he let on, and especially after the mistletoe, knowing his actual grade kind of makes her want to crawl into a hole and die.]

You think they'd give you a pass considering the circumstances but... I guess grades don't really mean that much here anyway, in the long run.

For them to give me a pass in the given circumstances, they would have to be aware of the circumstances in the first place.

[After all he's been through, and all he's responsible for, he doesn't act like a seventeen year old. He's been saving the world since he was thirteen, and for the past year especially, his life literally has been a stage.

His face darkens, though almost imperceptibly.]

And I do not know or trust any of them even remotely well enough for that.

It's true, though. Grades mean very little here, at least to me.

Edited 2013-01-02 22:43 (UTC)

[Kate nods. She understands wanting to keep it under wraps, but she's still concerned for his welfare. She knows what it does to people to keep secrets bottled up inside for too long.]

But you trusted me?

[A startled look breaks through his masked exterior, and then he smiles more genuinely.]

Yes, I suppose I did.

[He closes his eyes a moment, a small exhale of breath indicating amusement at himself.]

Do.

I hope there's more to that than the pretend history where you and I took over a pirate ship together.

While that... unique experience may have been the catalyst for us getting to know each other in the first place, I do not think it would be a good basis for a relationship in this world. Particular given what the events that trust was based on.

[Done talking about the pirate episode, his expression becomes more relaxed.]

No, I'd like to think we've given each other plenty of reasons for trust in this world.

[There is a pause, and though his voice remains cheerful, there is a gravity to the next statement that is normally lacking.]

You are without a doubt one of the best friends I have made since my arrival here.

[Kate raises her eyebrow, surprised at his admission. She didn't feel particularly close to Koizumi until he showed her what was going on - or maybe before she kissed him but she wasn't planning on lingering on that for too long - but even she couldn't deny that there was a connection there since Castle's Dark Hour.]

That's sweet, Koizumi. And I... I mean, I can't really argue that. You saved my partner's life and you've been there for me. There's not really any good way I can thank you for that.

[He glances down briefly, though his smile turns gently amused.]

When you are good friends with someone, is that not the point? You don't think about owing each other, or who has done what; you don't have to pay something back. You just make sure you are there for them when they need you. No questions asked.

Well, consider it going both ways. If you need anything, I'm definitely here.

Even if it's just help with homework.

[There's surprise and amusement in his smile, and suddenly it looks a lot more genuine.]

Ah, maybe I'll just have to take you up on that. I could always use help on my English - I spoke Japanese before coming here, and I'd only had a couple semesters of English at the time.

Are you any good with musical instruments?

I know a little guitar.

["Know" is a... relative term. She's been trying to teach herself guitar but she's not very good at it.]

But English, I definitely got you covered. Actually... [She pauses.] My boyfriend is a writer back home. Career-wise, and I'm sure he could help with papers and that kind of thing.

Well, you are almost certainly better than I at it. The only reason I am not failing instrumental music is because it is mostly based on effort, not actual talent. [He's a little overly cheerful about how bad at music he is.

He smiles a little more broadly.]

I will keep that in mind, if I need someone to look over one of my papers.

Edited 2013-01-15 05:57 (UTC)

I'm sure that Castle would be willing to help. [He probably wouldn't but Kate would make him.] I can teach you a few chords. Maybe enough for you to feel like you can put some effort into it.

Arigato, gozai - ah. I mean, thank you.

[He gives a bit of a chuckle.] See, if I'm not careful, I can still lapse back into Japanese on instinct.

Edited 2013-01-18 07:06 (UTC)

[She smiles.]

Then in exchange maybe you could teach me a little Japanese.

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