Alec (
foepas) wrote in
birdwithoutasong2014-12-27 05:33 pm
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College AU meme [open]
Pick one of my characters and I'll toss a college au scenario at you! I've got some rough descriptions below.
Alec: prickly as can be, likes to pick verbal fights with people stronger than him to show he's smarter, not really concerned with his own safety. Double major in mathematics and astronomy.
Annabel: cheery but socially awkward, prone to babbling. Kind of the mad scientist type. Major in biomedical engineering.
I-No: the bitchiest mean girl, she's loyal when she considers her loyalty earned but she's capricious and enjoys causing others pain. Major in business.
Ky: incredibly earnest, religious, repressed. Army ROTC participation and major in political science
Nyxnissa: practical and prone to arguing with people in a way to try to get them upset, although she doesn't really enjoy that, just can't help herself. Major in mechanical engineering.
Sol: grouchy, not very talkative, lazy but really smart. Major in physics.
Valentine: much more interested in drinking and partying than college classes, in fact pretends to be less smart than he is. Audacious and outrageous. Major in LGBT studies, as much to piss off his conservative father as anything else. Minor in business, because otherwise his father won't pay for college.
Alec: prickly as can be, likes to pick verbal fights with people stronger than him to show he's smarter, not really concerned with his own safety. Double major in mathematics and astronomy.
Annabel: cheery but socially awkward, prone to babbling. Kind of the mad scientist type. Major in biomedical engineering.
I-No: the bitchiest mean girl, she's loyal when she considers her loyalty earned but she's capricious and enjoys causing others pain. Major in business.
Ky: incredibly earnest, religious, repressed. Army ROTC participation and major in political science
Nyxnissa: practical and prone to arguing with people in a way to try to get them upset, although she doesn't really enjoy that, just can't help herself. Major in mechanical engineering.
Sol: grouchy, not very talkative, lazy but really smart. Major in physics.
Valentine: much more interested in drinking and partying than college classes, in fact pretends to be less smart than he is. Audacious and outrageous. Major in LGBT studies, as much to piss off his conservative father as anything else. Minor in business, because otherwise his father won't pay for college.
Alec, for Naoto
No, instead Alec has to find his partner. Still, there's no reason that this had to be as painful as it sounds. So Alec finds...him? and makes a point to draw himself up to his full height, 6'2" and scarecrow thin. It's no-one he recognizes from any of his mathematics classes this semester, or the undergrad math lounge.
"You don't have to worry about how difficult the assignment sounds for you." Alec's voice is an arrogant drawl, slow and snide, and then there are the words. "I have no problem putting both of our names on the work I'll do."
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Almost.
At a height of 5'4, Naoto is almost a foot shorter than Alec, but his height nor the way he presents himself bothers her. His tone and the comment, however, does.
"I beg your pardon?" she says, her voice low- she's been presenting as a boy since she was in middle school, and even though the deception is no longer a carefully crafted disguise it's a hard habit to break (and she has no desire to be 'girly'). As irritated as she is by that simple statement, she will remain calm. She's dealt with worse. He's probably just been the one to carry the load in one too many projects... she's been there. "I understand your disdain for group work, but there's no reason to be rude. I assure you, I intend to do my load of the work as well."
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He's of half a mind to repeat himself just to be obnoxious, but he can be plenty obnoxious in other ways. There's no need to be dull about it. Perhaps if he's too rude his partner will complain to the professor, but what is he really going to do? Alec's individual work this semester has been impeccable, like it should be.
"Don't worry yourself about it," Alec says. "I'd feel bad if your efforts to help ended up lowering my grade." And certainly whatever they might manage to stick together is going to be worse than a single effort. Group projects usually lack a genuinely unifying theme, and of course Alec has better things to do than get together with someone else outside of class.
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"I think perhaps you misunderstand," she said, her voice with a definite cool edge to it now, "Looking around the classroom and judging from previous interactions, it is highly likely that our professor has assigned partners based on similar grade scales to ensure that one partner isn't taking advantage of the other and doing all the work, and that the two people working together should receive a similar, if not slightly higher, than either individual working alone. Furthermore, it is always obvious when a group hasn't worked together for a decent period of time, and even though this does not have anything in it to ensure that everyone must meet up, it will be fairly obvious when we present the end product if we've barely spoken."
Naoto sighs, eyes still set on him. "More succinctly put, I am participating in this project, I will certainly not be the cause of a lowered grade, so may we now resume acting like civilized adults and get this done?"
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...
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Ky!
Well, they've been living together for a couple of months. May as well attempt some kind of conversation, right? Besides, his roomie is kind of cute, all hunched over like that and writing away. Venom puts his book aside and sits up. "How is your paper coming along?"
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Even today hadn't been bad, and Ky has made a lot of progress on his paper. Which is part of why he's happy to answer the question. The other parts are that he'd like to get to know his roommate a little better and the neatest thing about college is that he's truly interested in the paper topic. So it's with a cheerful smile that he looks up from his handwritten notes and laptop keyboard.
"Pretty well. I know which overarching comparisons I want to draw between the American revolution and modern international politics. Which is hard, of course, because there are so many directions that could go."
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"How much more do you have to write?"
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"How's your book?"
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Albert the professor; various history classes including military
Today, though, he has everyone's attention. World War II history is always a sensitive subject and teaching it to a varied group of students from a plethora of backgrounds when he's clearly from the aggressive country is always tricky. There are always the prying questions, but he'll let them wait until the end, standing with his cane as he goes over the beginnings of the war with clinical efficiency. Only the facts and only the European front for now. The Pacific Theater is an entirely different class and as for propaganda and Axis conditions, he teaches that later in the semester.
Which doesn't stop the questions at the end of the first lecture. Usually prying, every time he teaches this. Every year it's 'sir, were you a Nazi?' 'Did you ever meet Hitler?' and all manner of other stupid questions. As said, he's ceased to be surprised, but he can still be annoyed. How old do they think he is?
After he's done with his lecture on Poland's invasion, he leans on the podium and steels himself for the onslaught of cheekiness or idiocy that's to come. "Any questions?"
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The lecture hasn't been about post-war Germany, and even it had, their professor clearly has a lot more to offer than a simple recitation of his own experiences. There are always better questions to ask, about the content of the lecture. Ky usually has a question or two, and he's found that asking them means he can come back with more thought rather than simply things he doesn't understand when he visits office hours.
So Ky raises his hand, and tries not to sign heavily at the more idiotic of his classmates. So his question is about the specifics of Poland's defense strategy, or what had had to suffice as one. Still, there are other things Ky is curious about, and so he finds himself at his professor's office hours the next day.
"I hope it's not rude of me to ask, but is how you taught the lecture yesterday the way it is taught in Germany?" After all, the audience is different.
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"It is taught much the same, though with perhaps an overshadow of guilt. Patriotism is frowned upon in my home country for this reason as it is far too associated with Nazism." He swirls a spoonful of honey into his mug, careful not to knock any of the items on his desk as he reaches for it from the small tea tray set there. There are stacked boxes labeled 'out' and 'in' with his mail piled neatly on the 'in' box, a cup of pens, a bauble or two from travels - a snowglobe of the taj mahal and a tiny nutcracker painted as an alpine skiier. There are photos there too, one old and faded, bunt at the corners of a woman turned half away from the camera and another of a red-haired youth with a large nose who doesn't look much older than a student. He's laughing in a carefree way, his windbreaker flipping up at the bottom edges and the Statue of Liberty is visible out of focus in the background.
"In all my years teaching, I've never had anyone ask that question. I almost want to give you extra credit." He smiles, amused since he knows his reputation for being a harsh, if fair, grader, and sips at his tea.
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"Is world war two history something you asked to teach, or is it something that's just part of the curriculum you get assigned?" Ky asks. He knows that more senior professors, those with tenure, usually have a say in what they'll be teaching, but he also knows that some introductory courses just plain need to be taught. He doesn't know what Dr. Heinrich's research speciality is.
There are more questions that Ky would like to ask, particularly about the ways the curriculum Dr. Heinrich learned from demonstrated that guilt, but he's feeling a little self conscious about the positive reaction he'd gotten, and he doesn't want to seem like he's sucking up to the professor. Besides, every question answered brings up at least two new ones.
And if Ky is subtly studying the office that they're sitting in, well, that gives his professor the chance to sip his tea without Ky pressuring him for an answer, so it's okay, right?
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for Ky
His other habits likely leave much to be desired - he comes and goes at odd hours (particularly late) with absolutely no warning, he doesn't sleep much as far as Ky would be able to tell, he's talkative, over-curious and constantly full of sarcasm and sass, but simultaneously evasive as hell. What Ky knows about him could probably fill a thimble - he's an outgoing flirt, a musician, a double-major in psychology and history with a small group of longtime friends (who do come over fairly often to discuss work and projects).
Perhaps it'd be a surprise, when Ky comes back to the room, to find Thancred actually there, muttering to himself as he sorts through a pile of books and red-penning the printed draft of a paper - and then he glances up for a moment, greeting him with a cheery wave.
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That means that when Ky spots Thancred sitting there, he has to spend a moment reminding himself that this is not an opportunity, as they can be considered. Not for that, anyway. It may be an opportunity for Ky to learn more about his roommate and get to know him a little better, but that's still different. It would be a waste to cut this conversation sort because one or both of them got upset. Probably.
So Ky tries hard not to look quite as startled as he actually is to see Thancred there, and his polite smile soon turns a little more authentic. "If you need some space to think, I can head somewhere else for a bit. You look a little in the middle of things."
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(At least he's not easily upset.)
A slender shoulder raises in an easy shrug, as he meets Ky's smile with one of his own. "I'm not so easily distracted as that, so stay if you wish."
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As soon as he knows he can stay, Ky responds with a "Thanks," and starts to unload his backpack, setting aside his class notes and the book they've been working with.
He isn't sure if Thancred wants to talk or not, but he can always be reluctant to respond to Ky's question. Ky can take a hint, if its necessary. But personally, he'd enjoy a little background conversation. It, oddly enough, will help him focus. "What class are you working on?"
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for Sol
Until the next year, when they were assigned to the same two-man dorm. A common room, two bedrooms. He immediately started to act like they hadn’t had an argument at all, choosing to be cheery about the arrangement instead, always quick to attempt conversation whenever Sol was in the room. He kept his strange behaviors—leaving in the middle of the night, somehow getting back inside even when the door was locked and he left his key on the kitchen counter. Nice things also started to happen while he was around. Whenever anything need fixed or an item from the kitchen ran low, it was replaced without question before anyone could complain.
There were two things, though, that were different from when they’d met before. The first was that he didn’t have a boyfriend, and the second was that he’d been victim to some sort of attack over the summer that left his face scarred. He never talked about it, nor did he try to hide it. It was what prompted him to talk to Sol one day. Sol was just minding his own business like usual, and the cheery voice of his roommate interrupted whatever thought he was having. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he looked over at Sol in their common area, and asked only one question.
“You don’t ever ask any questions, do you? It’s almost like you don’t want to know me at all. It makes a man feel boring, you know. Isn't there anything you're curious about?” As far as he knew, Sol didn't care, but it still seemed like a good time to ask.
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Which is why Legault might not see him much, but every once in a while Sol decides that it is worth the effort to do more than order a couple of pizzas and eat leftovers for a couple of days, which is when he can be found in the kitchen, ingredients all around him and some chopped vegetables and ground beef shimmering on the stove.
As far as Sol is concerned, his roommate exists only to be a nuisance to him, but that had been true the year before, and held true for every roommate that Sol had ever had. If he could afford a single he might do that, but they're usually a minor irritation at worst. Legault, in fact, has been better than Sol had expected him to be, and if he's a little chatty, Sol can make a point of not being around.
"I prefer boring," Sol says, because dramatic fights aren't really his thing, and nor is idle chit chat. In fact, he exists in a fairly continual state of silence or Queen music. He's also not someone who considers much if he's being rude, or thinks it matters of the answer to that quandary would be yes.
So Sol focuses on chopping his green peppers, only half his attention on any response Legault may give. The fact that he has a kitchen is a very important part of his college experience, or at least his living experience.
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He doesn’t really expect much in the long run, but he can at least turn off the TV, pick up one of his own magazines (sorry about that, Sol, each week there’s a new copy of Entertainment Weekly floating around). “I see,” he says thoughtfully, flipping a page. He could be studying, but he’s never studying. There are rumors as to why he gets good grades, none of them flattering. “So, if I feel boring, you must be saying that I’ve been your type all along. I’m not sure what to say to that, really. It's an honor.”
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NEW THREAD!
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oh no is that icon new, it's cute
it's because I have an excuse to have a paid account for him now
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For Alec.
Richard. He's not a student - rumor has it that he's actually illiterate, but nobody knows for sure, since nobody can actually catch him at anything but being fast, intelligent, and, despite the company he keeps, unfailingly polite - but he's still always around Alec. Another rumor has it that he's done something terrible, before Alec found him, but the details are incredibly vague.
Today, he's come home, a bruise purpling on his cheek but his eyes bright with another victory, and he starts on his practice almost as soon as his winter coat is off. It's in-between fake punches that he asks, almost casually, "do you want me to get you a Christmas present?"
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Although even then, it does seem a waste of everyone's time for Richard to try to buy anything for Alec. And it isn't as though people give each other bar fights for Christmas presents. At least, not in the circles Alec is generally in.
"Although you could come home with me." Alec isn't certain that he even wants to come home, although he's fairly certain the dorm closes over the holidays, but he can see plenty of reasons to reconsider if Richard comes with him.
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Not exactly an idea that meshes well with both of them.
But then the suggestion comes out of Alec's mouth, and Richard laughs, lavender eyes wide and bright...
... until he realizes Alec did mean it.
And his mouth clamps, the same eyes now watching his man shrewdly.
"You really do love courting disaster, don't you. It'll probably be less fun of one than you anticipate."
Which... is not a no.
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But the boys make it so worth it.
There's this one guy in this class she shares with Cinder, and she knows Cinder thinks he's hot too and just won't admit it because she's too Serious and Focused and stuff, but Iko has no such reserves. Which is why today, when Cinder has made the very poor decision of not being in class, Iko will just plop herself down next to said boy when they're made to divide up in groups for discussion. "Hey! I'm Iko. What's your name?"
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She probably has an interesting personality, but the color of her hair has provided neither a compelling argument towards him speaking with her, nor a good reason he hasn’t.
Her sitting next to him and addressing him, on the other one, does a better job of the former. “Oh, hi. I’m Kaito.” A shrug. “You can call me Kai, if you want.”
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"Nice to meet you, Kai!" Very nice indeed. She leans forward, twirling a piece of her very, very blue hair and completely ignoring the fact that they're technically supposed to be doing work right now. "So, you're a freshman too, right? What's your major?" That's a good starting point, right? She's scared off a couple people by getting too nosy too fast...
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