Preventative Actions
sandi Guest
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Post by sandi on Oct 18, 2009 11:45:31 GMT -6
Akemi twirled her finger through her short lavender hair as she looked through the shelves of the library. She had been in the knack for a non-fiction book. Looking in the animals section seemed proper. After turning down books about cats that she had already read in the past. She continued down the alphebetical line of books; Cats, Dogs, Dolphins, Emus... Magpies, Nightingales, Sandpipers, serows....
Wait, Serows?! When had the library attain a book on serows? Akemi snatched the book off of the shelf and stared at the cover. A beautifully painted portrait of a serow's adorable narrow face caught her attention. She hobbled in a trance-like walk over to the corner of the room, where a few pillows were stacked together. She plopped herself down on them, and flipped the book open.
It was a moderately sized book, at roughly 150 pages of information and photographs of the serow. It, nonetheless, kept Akemi busy. She frowned as she read onto how the Serows were over-hunted in the 1950s, and were still endangered species. At that point, she closed the book and set it beside her. Akemi pulled a piece of paper out of her bag, as well as her led pencil, and she began drawing. Using the book's pictures as a reference, she drew and worked on shading and detailing a Serow. She could post informational posters around the school about them, couldn't she? Not many people knew what a serow was. She could teach them. In case of any hunters in the school, she could forewarn them, with preventative actions.
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Post by Sakamoto Mitsuko on Oct 21, 2009 18:53:01 GMT -6
Got To Do Research, Bleh.Mitsuko slowly made her way towards the library. At the moment her hands were just laying limply at the side. She would have had them in pockets or something, but the school uniform for girls had a skirt, which obviously did not have pockets. In the past she had made a complaint towards the higher ups in the schools to have an optional pants for the female uniform, but she was completely ignored. So unfair really, though technically if they wanted to be fair they would have had to allow the males to wear skirts if they allowed females to wear pants. And she really did not want to see some of those guys in skirts (even if it would be funny).
Random thoughts about skirts and pants aside, Mitsuko actually had a reason to be going to the library. She had a report in one of her classes. Something to do about some English writer and their works (curse the higher levels of the English classes actually having them read English literature). She already knew the library had a small stock of books like that, so it was the easiest place to get started. After that she would stop by a public library for more information…sometime this week at least.
Walking in, she headed straight to the shelves to find her book. No point in doing anything else around here really; the only sight of interest was that Kotomi girl, and she didn’t talk to anybody so she was kind of boring. Scanning the shelves, she found the book she needed and pulled it out. As she headed towards a place to sit and read, however, Mitsuko saw a girl sitting on some pillows (that wasn’t Kotomi) drawing…something. Normally she would have ignored it, but since the only other option was to work on her research paper, she decided to talk to her. An artist was more interesting that a dead English guy anyway.
Wanting to play around a little, Mitsuko made sure to be as quiet as possible as she made her way over. Hopefully the girl wouldn’t hear here, so when Mitsuko got right in front of her she didn’t see her. If the girl was like Kotomi, then it was guaranteed she didn’t. She seemed rather engrossed in her drawings. Squatting to get to eye level with the girl, Mitsuko started talking.
”So then, what’cha you drawing there?” [/color]
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sandi Guest
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Post by sandi on Oct 22, 2009 4:56:05 GMT -6
Akemi, never quite so inspired before, continued working on her drawing. She vaguely noted that someone had entered the premises, but quickly forgot as she became delved into her drawing again. Though, it felt like her pencil was doing all of the work. She tried harder to force the pencil to draw at her will. Make something beautiful, not ugly. Serows proved difficult to draw- mostly because of their narrow snout that nearly lined up with the top of their head... Those delicate hooves... Those- hey, back to work! She hadn't skipped Gym class for nothing.
She continued to pursue her dream of helping the serows, by becoming more engrossed in her drawing. It had turned out, instead of her normal cartoon-like art, to be more realistic. She couldn't help but draw the serow smiling anyways. A few minor details on the hooves, and- "Gahh!" She pulled in a sharp intake of breath as someone knelt in front of her and spoke. Her pencil dropped to the floor, and Akemi scrambled to pick it up. After doing so, she got a good look at the person who had almost just scared her halfway to Shikoku.
Akemi didn't recognize the girl that squatted before her, but she did appear interested in her drawing, and this could be her chance to spread the love for serows. "It's a serow." Akemi murmured, her voice turning out a bit more quiet and shy than she had even expected. She turned the nearly-finished drawing of a serow to face the girl, so she could see it. Her mahogany eyes glistened in delight. Nobody had really taken notice to her artwork before.
"S-serows are beautiful goat-antelope creatures. I-i'm spreading the word about them, because they are endangered." Akemi continued slowly, stammering as she went. "Aren't they cute?" She asked, referring to the drawing, and then the cover of the book.
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Post by Sakamoto Mitsuko on Oct 22, 2009 18:18:43 GMT -6
Speak Up Why Don’t Yah?[/color] Mitsuko had to stifle a laugh as the girl screamed. Apparently her ‘sneak up on the person’ plan had worked magnificently, and the girl was sent scrambling to gather all her stuff. She seemed rather scared by it all, which wasn’t exactly the plan. Sure, Mitsuko had wanted her to jump, but not drop all her stuff and have to scramble like a scared little rabbit to get it all back together. The least she could was apologize.
”Sorry about that, but I couldn’t resist the chance to do that. It’s not often you find someone so engrossed in her work like that”
Having no need to squat anymore, Mitsuko went all the way and sat down on the ground in front of the girl. She really didn’t need the pillows; the floor was fine. Getting herself comfortable, she picked up the girl mentioning something about serows. It was in a rather quiet voice, one that Mitsuko almost missed. Another socially awkward girl hiding in the library. At least Kotomi would have a friend. Though she did have to wonder if she was like that before, well, she had that little incident.
Her attention was drawn towards the girl’s drawing. It was rather well done, if unfinished. And it seemed to be something that brought joy to the girl as her eyes were lit up. Seemed like every girl around here was like that; they had that one thing that drew their love and attention towards it, and they went completely insane about it. But at least they had something to love, and if that made them feel better who was she to torment them about it?
”Yeah, that’s a really cute animal you got there. It’ll be a big help for them since everybody loves to help cute, endangered animals.”
Mitsuko had noticed that the girl had been rather slow speaking, and she stammered a lot. She was still being a little soft-spoken again. So in her mind, she had to bring it up.
”For future reference, you might want to speak up a bit louder. I’ve known mute people who spoke louder than that.”
Mitsuko knew that was a rather harsh way to tell the girl to speak up. Still, she couldn’t sit by and let this girl barely speak so quietly. Someone needed to get her to speak up so people could hear. No point talking if you can’t get your message through, right? So a little tough love was going to be needed. If the girl got offended by it and got mad, she had to speak louder. A very odd way to get to it, but if it worked that was all that mattered. Now then, it was time to be friendly.
”Anyway, the name’s Sakamoto Mitsuko. And you are?”
She had left out the year and class on purpose. She wanted to see how the girl acted without knowing Mitsuko might outrank her in the school’s hierarchy. Lower-year students always seemed to cower before third years…most of the time. There were a few who weren’t like that though. [/blockquote]
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sandi Guest
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Post by sandi on Oct 23, 2009 4:54:14 GMT -6
"I don't mind. People must get their kicks somehow. To be the target of humiliation is a normal thing, for everyone- in one form or another." She said, her voice a little stronger than before. She even smiled a little bit. Akemi had to wonder about the girl named Kotomi she had seen much before in the library. Although, Akemi had never spoken with Kotomi, but she always did appear engrossed in her work. Would she not be an easy target? Akemi wasn't sure so much of how jumpy the girl might be. She'd never seen her talking to anyone, but she knew that she probably had friends, and that made Kotomi so much better than her.
Akemi was determined that she would make this person her friend and keep her promise to her mother; to be social at school. She hadn't done it for the last eight years of school. It was complicated to change now, but she had to try, right? Especially if the opportunity sat right in front of her. Akemi's eyes focused on the girl named Sakamoto Mitsuko, but bit her lip as she wasn't sure how to title the girl properly. Would she prefer Mitsuko-San, since she was so unsure of any information other than name? Yes, she decided to go with that, since it was more proper.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mitsuko-San. My name is Akemi Ryoku of the Freshman class." Akemi informed her pointedly. Her grin was ever-growing. Maybe she could do this. "I'm glad you think serows are cute, too." She noted, hugging her drawing to her chest. She still felt a bit reserved. Uncomfortable, in a way. She wasn't used to one on one conversation. Maybe it was because she was just used to the average everyday stranger saying 'You dropped your pencil' or 'What's the answer to number three?'. That was about as far as her conversations ever went. It was nice to try this- something new for her.
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Post by Sakamoto Mitsuko on Oct 26, 2009 18:10:35 GMT -6
She Needs Some Serious Work[/color] So the girl didn’t mind being picked on? Huh, that was a really weird way to look at things. It also made her a rather easy target for Mitsuko, and an even better reason for her to hang around. If the girl thought like that she would be bullied and teased for sure. Somebody had to get her to grow a backbone; and Mitsuko thought her the perfect choice to do so. Only Tomoya Okazaki was snarkier than her, if a little more violent in his methods (she had seen how often that Sunohara kid was beaten up by, well, everybody).
”Yeah, it’s great being such an easy target, isn’t it? I’m sure the delinquients around here will love that philosophy of yours.” she responded, placing a hand on the girls head and roughing it around like she was some five year old. The point was to treat her like that till she snapped; no one could deal with that sort of situation forever.
Eventually the girl got around to introducing herself, and Mitsuko raised an eyebrow at the mention she was a freshman. No wonder she was so naïve about the place; she just got here. Given that, Mitsuko just had to protect the girl. Unlike some of the other third years, Mitsuko actually gave a care about the younger grades. Someone had to get them ready for the real world. Many of them were a bit too idealistic, too stressed out over grades, and over all too naïve. This girl seemed to be a combination of the first and last one of those.
Then again, if she was spending all this time in the library then she might have some issues with grades. What was it with purple-haired girls and grades anyway? First that Kotomi, then herself, and now this girl. Was intelligence a common factor of purple-hairness? Then again, that girl Kyou and her sister Ryou weren’t up there. So it was probably just a simple coincidence. Anyway, random thought time was over; it was time to get some work.
Mitsuko noticed the girl was clinging the picture to her chest, and was still rather withdrawn. This uncomfortable behavior was going to have to stop if they were to get anywhere. And while some people would have preferred to just slowly draw them out, Mitsuko had adopted a “jump in and hope you swim” way to dealing with these issues. She got right next to the girl and placed her arm around her, bringing her closer so she could here what she was going to whisper to her.
”Freshman, eh? Hmm, no surprise there. You are a little on the small side, and rather adorable looking. Surprised nobody’s messed with you. Tell you what, I’ll hang around with you a bit, show you around here and such…once I get this report done but don’t worry about that. Trust me, you act the way you are now, and you’ll be messed with for the next three years.” [/blockquote]
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sandi Guest
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Post by sandi on Oct 27, 2009 14:01:35 GMT -6
Akemi's grin faded, and she cocked her head curiously to the side. she wasn't quite sure what was wrong with her philosophy. Wasn't being picked on a normal thing for freshman to deal with? Her brother had dealt with it, and he had made it through school, and was well into college. He had apparently been picked on for his whole first year, but had kept a positive outlook on the future. Akemi thought it was better if she saw life that was, as well. Could her brother have been wrong?
"I'm not an easy target." She seethed quietly, cringing as Mitsuko ruffled her hair. She quickly smoothed it down as she continued a little more audibly, "I just don't respond negatively. Aggressors just want a reaction out of their victims. I don't need to supply them with that." She concluded, and set her drawing and pencil down beside her on the library book.
As she set her belongings down, she hardly noticed the upperclassman sneak up and hook her arm around her. Akemi winced delicately as she was pulled closer. The level of her discomfort couldn't be measured. She wasn't used to physical contact from anyone except her mother and brother. The fact that this strange girl was in close contact and calling her small and adorable was frankly... awkward. Akemi knew this was a friendly sign, though, if the girl wasn't just tricking her.
"T-thanks, Mitsuko-san. I can help you with your work if you'd like. As long as it isn't high-grade math, I shouldn't have too much of a problem." Akemi offered. This was right, wasn't it? a friend helping a friend? An eye for an eye? Why shouldn't she make an attempt to socialize herself? This could be a wonderful experience.
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Post by Sakamoto Mitsuko on Oct 29, 2009 19:18:00 GMT -6
Off To A Good Start[/color] Seeing as the girl didn’t like her hair ruffled, Mitsuko made it a note to do it a bit more often till she stood up for herself about it. As the girl spoke, Mitsuko noticed some quiet fury down in there, which was a good start. At least she was sticking up for herself, a little bit anyway. Still, her quiet nature, small size, and seemingly ‘bookwormness’ was making her an easy target. As for her plan of not giving them a reaction, that would work for some. Some bullies, however, were only made worse that way. They would keep working at till she cracked. So while she didn’t have to give them a reaction, at the same time she would have to eventually let someone know when enough was enough.
”All right, you don’t have to give them a reaction. That works for the casual bullies. But if someone starts going to far, eventually you are going to have stand up for yourself. Besides, it can also help with non-bully related issues as well. Learn to be more confident in yourself, and therefore speaking a little louder, is going to get you a lot more friends. Or you can sit here in your little corner and do nothing for the next three years. Trust me, most people aren’t as curious about girls sitting in the library as I am.”
Mitsuko could think of one person who probably be curious, but this wasn’t the time to bring it up. Bullies were enough of an issue for first year students. Bringing Sunohara on her would simply be too much. Sure, he was okay, but when it came to the ladies, well, he was a big pain in the butt. By this point he’d probably hit on every girl in this school. And about half of them probably beat the snot out of him in return.
When Akemi offered to help her with work, Mitsuko just gave her a sly grin. The girl was a freshmen, so Mitsuko forgave her for not knowing who she was. Mitsuko was going to reject the offer; she may be lazy and a procrastinator, but she didn’t want to take advantage of this freshman girl. That was what she was trying to make sure didn’t happen to her to begin with.
”Don’t worry about that. I can handle it myself. No trouble at all for me. Now then, let’s get this little tour started. I assume you’ve been outside of the school library before, correct?”
Standing up, Mitsuko offered the girl a hand to help her up. And if the girl didn’t take, Mitsuko was going to force her up. This girl was leaving this library one way or another. [/blockquote]
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sandi Guest
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Post by sandi on Oct 30, 2009 4:53:15 GMT -6
Akemi wasn't quite sure what this girl was up to, telling her ways to fend of bullies, and ways not to. Her theory had tested positive through middle school, and normally she was left alone. High School couldn't be much different. It just had more grade levels and more students. This could mean more bullies, but the chance of her coming across them would be slimmer with the larger school. Was this girl a bully? She didn't seem like it. She seemed friendly, just trying to give advice. Akemi would be thankful for it, but doubted she would use it. Or at least, she probably wouldn't use that little bit of advice on bullies unless she saw it necessary.
"Thank you for the advice." Akemi said, dipping her head in gratefulness. She wanted to be nice in return, so she used all of her effort to be polite and friendly. Saying 'thank you' for things was where to start, offering to help with homework. What? She'd rejected her for helping with homework? Perhaps Mitsuko thought that she didn't want to use Akemi? It would be a good reason, but friends are friends. If she would be her friend, and help her make friends, Akemi had to thank her somehow.
As Mitsuko offered her tour, Akemi nodded slowly. She saw Mitsuko's outstretched hand, and was reluctant to take it, but it would only be nice. Akemi gathered her belongings under her arm, leaving the book on a short table beside her, and took Mitsuko's hand to help her up. "Yes, I'm familiar with the Freshman hall." Akemi said quietly. "Are there going to be a lot of people where you are taking me?" She asked warily. The last thing she wanted was to be in a crowd of loud people. That would be truly awful.
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Post by Sakamoto Mitsuko on Oct 31, 2009 20:58:34 GMT -6
”Eh, no problem kid,” Mitsuko replied as Akemi thanked her. She wasn’t big on manners, which is why she didn’t give a very polite response. Still, some people enjoyed people who were like that, and sometimes being respectful came in handy. Teachers lapped that up, and some students were smart enough to not mess with a student that teachers liked.
Akemi was a bit hesitant to take her hand, which made Mitsuko a little bit impatient. She didn’t have all day to help the girl out, so she wanted to get a move on it quickly. By the time the girl had gotten all her stuff ready, Mitsuko had withdrawn her hand. But when she saw Akemi was ready to go she offered it again and pulled the girl up. Not used to doing that, Mitsuko was a little rough with it, pulling the girl a little hard. Sometimes she forgot her size compared to the younger students. Still, Akemi would be all right.
Not surprisingly, Akemi didn’t seem to like the sound of going out where there were people. At this time of day there probably wouldn’t be too many people in the hall, but the point of the exercise here was to get her to meet other people. Sitting in a library all day was not the way to get over shyness; you had to interact with others to do that. Besides, this was Japan; small country plus large population equals crowded cities. One way or another Akemi would have to get used to them; better now than later then.
”We might run into some people, but that’s the point. You aren’t going to get over that shyness staying cooped up in here all day.”
With that Mitsuko started to ‘drag’ Akemi towards the library exit. After that she would probably take her towards the courtyard or the cafeteria. That usually had a lot of people there they could run into, though the cafeteria might be a bit much. Whenever the food was available, it becomes a madhouse that scared even her. So if they did get there, it would have to be before or after the lunch rush because otherwise they probably wouldn’t survive.
”All right then, let’s see. We’ll go towards…the courtyard. Sound like a plan?” [/b][/color][/size][/blockquote]
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