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[lastesper.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Terra, Mitsuru and anyone who wants math tutoring/is in the library
Location: Library
Rating: PG?
Open/Closed/Finished: Finished
Summary: As promised at the ball, Mitsuru meets with Terra at the library for a little tutoring.


Terra was frustrated. And tired. But she will perservere, because Terra was bound and determined to make some progress with this. She didn't honestly think she would ever EVER use it again, but if it was a requirement, by god she would understand it. She'd claimed a four-desk area and spread out her books and notes (she didn't know what to note down, so she wrote everything down that she heard) and was looking over what she saw, occasionally glancing up to look towards the door for Mitsuru's arrival.

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Even if she'd been flung into an unknown world, punctuality was still something Mitsuru deeply valued. Right on the appointed time, she appeared at the library entrance with a set of books and stack of ntoes under one arm, and quickly scanned the room for that green-haired acquaintance from earlier.

It didn't take Mitsuru long to locate her, and Mitsuru quickly moved across the room to set her own supplies down on the table.

"I see that you're already putting an effort into this."

She took a seat as she said that, with a hint of approval in her voice. (Although she did speak quietly; they were in a library, after all.)

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Easy enough to spot Terra, what with the green hair, hoho. She sticks out like a sore thumb, probably. By the time Mitsuru spotted her, Terra was scowling at a formula that made no sense to her. It was just letters and numbers!

"Thank you for coming," she smiled quietly to the redhead, grateful. "I think I figured out one or two on my own, but the others..." Not so much.

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

"If I may?"

She put one well cared for and trimmed nail on the corner of one of Terra's papers. Mitsuru kept one eye on Terra, but the other was starting to scan some of the formulas written down.

"I'd like to see what level of understanding you do have, before diving into the tutoring."

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"Hn? Oh!" Terra surrendered her papers quickly and leaned back in her chair to watch Mitsuru look over her notes.

And the notes, such as they were, were kind of all over the place, disconnected. Sample equations are written down here and there, and she has tiny scribbles trying to work out what they mean - while it's all copied word for word it's pretty clear she doesn't really 'get it' when the equation goes past, 3+(x-4)=37.

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

'We have a lot of ground to cover' Mitsuru's expression said that for her, with how her eyes narrowed over some of the notations.

"...Perhaps it would be best if we started around..." She scanned over the notes again, before settling on a spot. "Multiplications? You said that you had an understanding of addition and subtraction, and this,"

She tapped a finger over the upper half of the paper.

"Stands as good proof."

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Watching Mitsuru, Terra wasn't sure if that narrowing of eyes was a good sign or not. "All right. As I understand it it's supposed to be a faster way to add, right?" She picks up her pen, thoughtful. Focused.

"... you seem to be familiar with it - you have tutored before?"

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"Not in the classic sense." Mitsuru looked up when she said that. "I've helped a fr...A pair of friends and allies with their studies, though. Some times they needed it more badly then usual."

The less said about those times trying to teach Shinjiro Aragaki about the fine points of western poetry, the better. Still, she would have given a lot to have that frustration, and him, back.

She went back to writing down a few basic problems on a piece of paper, before pushing it over to Terra.

"I think we should try starting with these."

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"Classic...?" Terra furrowed her brow in confusion, then glanced down to the papers that Mitsuru was writing on, curiously.

"So this sort of environment is more familiar to you then." She taps the pen against her lower lip, hesitantly jotting a number down. She makes clumsy mistakes on the first one - adding by accident, not carrying a number on another - but the others she fills out with out TOO much trouble. She hopes.

Correctness on the other hand!

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"I admit, the library here is quite impressive."

She glanced up and looked around them as she said that...And there was definitely no mistaking that look of respect, and slight awe, that flashed across her face. Proof that yes, there is an extreme bibliophile somewhere underneath that ice queen exterior.

"I enjoyed the one in my old school and spent a lot of time there, but this...It's of very fine quality, I think."

Watching Terra focus on the problems, Mitsuru decided that instead of breaking her concentration, it would be easier to stand up and move over to where she was, and do some tutoring over the shoulder.

"Hm...Correct answers on the first and third. That's good. You're off by two on this one, though...And remember to carry over here."

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"You're right. I rather like being in here. It's quiet, and they let you keep to yourself." She scratches out an answer on the second question, pausing at the explanation.

"Off by tw-- oh." Right. She jots the correct answers down, all but staring holes into the paper. Mitsuru's shift in position is acknowledge with a brief glance, before she sets in on the next problem, content to work in silence for a few minutes.

"I appreciate the help, Mitsuru. I think there is a test at the end of the week for class. I was feeling rather overwhelmed." Her classmates were probably having no problems with the math like Terra was.

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"Then we'll have you ready for it by then."

The way she says it, that sounds like a foregone conclusion; no ifs or the like attached to it. At the very least, no one can say that Mitsuru lacks confidence. On the other hand, she can't help but feel like Terra has the proper drive for this, which helps a lot.

"Believe me, it gets much simpler, and easier, as you start to memorize the multiplication tables."

There's a pause, as Mitsuru scans the library again, almost like she's looking for eavesdroppers, before she continues in an even softer whisper.

"...To be frank...Some of this is still new to me. Mainly the classes, although the subject matter is welcome. 'Magic,' as they call it...Was never a common thing where I come from."

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For a moment, Terra waits to hear an ominous or else at the end of Mitsuru's confident vow. When none comes, she goes back to jotting numbers down.

"That is a relief. I imagine I shouldn't have difficulty remembering things - I don't have a great deal to lose as it is." ... It's a very poor attempt at humor- she certainly meant it in a humorous sense.

Having no memories was frustrating, but she could work that frustration out in the training center later. She pauses at the confiding tone, glancing up to the redhead briefly.

"Really? ... I... don't think it was very common in my home either. As little as I remember, I do know I always was able to use magic. It's ..." one of the things. "What set me apart from others, I think."

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

Threats of execution can wait until there's a reason for them. Mitsuru just keeps that confident stance, watching as Terra continues. After a moment, when it seems like she's doing well (and after giving a little more math-based advice) Mitsuru takes her seat again.

Which is just as well, as she looks surprised at what Terra has to say.

"You...Always?" There's a voice in the back of her mind warning her not to pry, ESPECIALLY after that hint of a joke, but Mitsuru can't help herself. "How natural is it, for you? What does it feel like?"

She only keeps herself from asking more with a great amount of difficulty.

[lastesper.livejournal.com]

Meep Q_Q

For the most part, the more she works on the problems the easier it does come to her. She is naturally slower on the higher multiples, but she's already fallen into the habit of double checking herself before she shows it to Mitsuru if she has a question.

"How natural?" She pauses at the question, since she's... really not sure how to explain it to someone, especially if they aren't as familiar with it.

"It's... I'm not sure how to put it in words. It's as natural as breathing, and the thought of being unable to use it - it'd be like tearing out a part of me. Unnatural." She wasn't sure if it was because she was 'different' that she couldn't relate to most people, or because of her lack of memories, but it didn't particularly matter.

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

And Mitsuru just seems to...Absorb what she says, without comment. Or much expression, beyond a slightly intense and very interested look. (Hopefully, there's no comparisons that can be drawn between her and any psycho clowns.)

"Very curious...And different from where I come from. Calling up the...The paranormal," that change in wording probably very telling, with how Mitsuru classifies things. "Usually requires assistance and tools. However,"

And here she closes her eyes. Artemisia has been quiet since arriving here...But she can still feel the Persona's presence in the back of her mind. Cool, calm, and regal. The sort of thing she aims to be.

"...I think I can agree with you, that losing the ability would be a lot like losing part of yourself."

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( Keep away from the pancaked-on-makeup and flamboyant clothing and you should be fine ^^)

"Assistance and tools...?" Terra puzzles over the next problem for a few minutes.

Surprised by the agreement, she glances up to Mitsuru again, offering a faint smile. It was a bit of a relief that someone could understand at least a little bit. "I can show you sometime, during class - or after, in the training room, if you like."

Just as a demonstration. Or a way of repaying Mitsuru's kindness.

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

(Even if it is oh-so FABULOUS-. Right. Desisting with that joke, now.)

Mitsuru dips her head in agreement when she hears that.

"I would welcome that. It would be interesting to see how our techniques differ. I would also be glad to demonstrate how it works for us, as well."

And...She actually seems like she is genuinely interested in such a thing.

[lastesper.livejournal.com]

(Oh dear lord. XD)

Truthfully Terra was curious about the same. Magic wasn't so plentiful back home, so she would like to see how it worked in other places. The paramagic they have here was certainly different enough.

"I'd like that." She smiles, agreeable. It'd probably be the first time she went to the training center with another person, rather than by herself. Shock and horror!

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There's a moment where Mitsuru glances back down at the papers, looking like she's turning something over in her mind. Whatever it is, she manages that internal debate for a good minute before she looks back up.

"I apologize for all the questions," Especially when SHE'S the one supposed to be giving advice and answers. "But a lot of this is still new to me. I've been busy with catching up on the school work and going over some of the cadet documents, which hasn't left me as much time to explore as I'd like. So...Perhaps you can tell me; what is the training center like?"

[lastesper.livejournal.com]

In the time that Mitsuru takes to debate and ponder, Terra works her way through the last set of problems, pausing only when she's stumped, and moving on to the next.

"You needn't apologize." Terra glances up with a small smile. "If you like, we can go there when we've finished here. I need to train a little, and I did promise to show you my magic besides." Still she considers the question.

"The Training Center is essentially a closed area divided into quarters, simulating a forested environment that I imagine the creatures of the area thrive in. Primarily there are plantlike monsters, bugs, and dinosaurs. The dinosaurs are really the only creatures that can prove to be troublesome though, especially if you run into more than one."

(I vote for T-Rexaur!)

[willnotsubmit.livejournal.com]

"...Dinosaurs?" This time there's no masking the shock on Mitsuru's face, and she doesn't even bother to mask any surprise in her voice. Congratulations, Terra, you've managed to well and truly knock the honor student, who KNOWS that dinosaurs are extinct, fully off kilter.

One can count the seconds it takes for her to get her thoughts back together.

"I...I would be interested in seeing this area for myself. Once we've finished reviewing the lessons, of course."

(For President of Balamb?)

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Whoah. That was enough of a reaction to get Terra to blink and stare for a moment. "Yes, dinosaurs." Her tone is more matter of fact. But she didn't know dinos were extinct. Someone should tell them that.

Smiling again, puzzled by how off kilter Mitsuru had been, she responds. "There are still a few hours before curfew so we have plenty of time yet. Um - this one here though," She points to one of the problems she was stumped on. "How do I do this?"

(SCREW OFF, GALBADIA. WE HAVE A DINOSAUR IN *OUR* OFFICE.)

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"A-ah, of course." Deep breath, Mitsuru. It takes more then the discovery that a previously extinct species is alive and being used in extracurricular activities to throw a Kirijo off.

...Not a lot more, mind, but still.

By the time they get through the rest of the lesson plan, Mitsuru is mostly back to being calm. As it is, she's a bit fast when she starts to pack up her notes.

"If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to stop by my dorm before we go to the training center. If there's any fighting involved, I'd like to be prepared."

This should now be Balamb's motto.

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And before either of them know it, tutoring session is over, and Terra closes her book, head heavy with numbers and words that mostly make sense now. Somehow.

"Not at all. The training center is right near here, if you don't know where it is." She should probably use her sword too, but being that this would be a magic demonstration... "I'll meet you there?"

T-Rexaur for president. This is a flawless plan.

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"If necessary, I can consult the maps." Mitsuru decides not to comment that, what with the large placards outside each branching hallway on the main floor, it would be a horrible blow to her pride and intelligence if she COULDN'T find her way.

"A sound plan; I shouldn't be more then fifteen minutes."