ROLEPLAY HQ - interview-or-permitted-stalking

Kairo hadn't applied to the school. His father had for him. He didn't know he was attending until he was dropped at the door with a schedule and all his stuff in a duffel bag. And the year had been a surprisingly peaceful affair. His bag over his shoulder he walked for the lecture hall, knowing it was communication and literature. The class was basically useless; the curriculum based around journalism and language skills. Most of the others looked to be new to the school. Most were about the age of normal college kids, many up to a few years younger than he was. He'd been there for five years after all. Never been able to finish classes properly due to his competitions and training. He could likely leave as he pleased but part of him liked the organization of his day. He set down his bag, a leather bag stamped with deer and forest prints, and slipped into the chair next to it taking the table for himself. The teacher greeted him sitting across, and the two chatted quietly about Kairo's exposé about the shit food in the cafeteria being the same as jail food. "You gonna actually get a degree this year. Twenty two after all. An art and music degree is supposed to be easy to get." The instructor, an older man graying in the hair and beard, laughed as Kairo smiled. "Perhaps. Perhaps I'll stay forever hm?" He teased lightly, "Lots of new people this year." He flipped open his laptop as the instructor started on teaching the rest in the tiny hall. The people who'd attended longer often did their own work, despite supposed to be doing the same things as everyone. He wasn't even paying attention to whatever the guy was saying, lounging back in his seat with headphones in. His next period was training but part of him wanted to skip to get coffee. After all this lecture was way too early for him at noon..... @SirFüncelot

It took a great deal of convincing and pressure to even consider applying to a college so far away from home. Such a fancy place as well… Nao didn’t feel comfortable at all the first few days he had been here, but now… He had slowly gotten used to it over time, but all the people were still something he hadn’t quite gotten used to. Especially in the hallways and in the cafeteria… It was often a bit unbearable, but at least it had turned him into a master at finding all the nooks and crannies to hide away in and have his peace and quiet for a few minutes. Right now, he was in just one of them. Far in the back of a lecture hall that had been empty. Nao sat down there, absorbed in his sketch, and realized too late that slowly people started to come in and sit down. Getting up and leaving now would have been a bit weird, so he stayed, glad that the class didn’t seem too big, so he stayed by himself in the back, undisturbed by everyone else. Nao was still very much embarrassed by his stupid mistake, obviously blushing behind his sketchbook, but he chose to ignore this, focusing on his music and the drawing he had been working on. It was a general landscape, showing nothing specific besides a small hut and a few trees. It reminded him of home, but he had lost interest, leaving it half-finished, not satisfied with the result anymore. With a sigh, he turned the page, grabbing a thick pencil and beginning to sketch a few of the other students instead, picking out the ones with an interesting style. Despite hating being stuck here in the beginning, he quickly came to like this strange arrangement. Nao didn’t understand a single thing that was said by the professor, but he didn’t focus on that. Maybe he should do this a bit more often? After all, he had been told to practice his anatomy skills because they were more than lacking.

12:19 AM

But… Not all lessons were like this, and he was kind of afraid of getting approached or talked to by a stranger, unsure how he should react when someone told him to leave or wanted to know what he was doing here. No… That would be simply too stressful. This would be a one-time thing! He had no time in between his classes anyway, so Nao decided to forget about it very quickly and go look for a different spot the next time he had some time on his hands. @Vox

The instructor paired people off, bypassing Kairo. After he went to Nao with a soft smile. "Hey. I don't mind if you stay in here for my lunch period, I'll leave the door open. Kairo sits in here alot." He gestured to the dark haired man who was packing a leather satchel. "Do you want some extra points for other classes? You seem to be working on figures I have an idea for you." The teacher offered sinking to sit on a chair on the opposite side of the table. "Pick your worst class you hate and I'll work on getting it replaced. But you interview someone of my choice." He explained lightly, grinning like it was some secret, naughty thing to do. "Never have to do mathematics or P.E. or anything in exchange for writing an interview? Good deal eh." Kairo passed them glancing at Nao, paused, took his pencil from his hands and moved a few lines lightly on the sketch. Light enough they could be easily erased. "The neck connects here. No harsh angles. And muscles don't band like that unless you're like.... Arnold." He muttered then set the pencil back down, uncaring he'd done one of the rudest faux-pas as he left. The instructor shook his head sighing. @SirFüncelot

As everyone started to leave, Nao waited for them to walk past them, leaving as one of the last people, but his plan was crossed as the instructor walked directly towards him, eyes fixed on his face. Slight panic rose up in him, making him want to flee, but his body didn’t move. Even trying to cover up his sketches didn’t work. It was like Nao was frozen in place, gulping hard as the man in front of him talked. His offer? Tempting. Not having to do chemistry… That would be too good to be true, but if he was being honest? Would it really be as easy as that? Nao had just opened his mouth to answer but got interrupted again, surprised as the last student began drawing on top of his sketches. His lines flowed with ease, easily showing him how it should be done. He could just stare as his flawed figures turned into something much more appealing. Was he an art student as well? He didn’t look like one, and Nao didn’t believe he had seen him in one of his art classes before. Maybe he was older and in one of the upper classes? It took him a moment to get his composure back. Nao found him following the stranger with his eyes as he left the room, blushing slightly with embarrassment as he realized this. His head snapped back to the instructor in front of him. Quickly, he closed his sketchbook, looking up at him, though their eyes didn’t meet. “Is that really possible?”, Nao asked quietly, still in disbelief because of how good this offer seemed. “What do you expect me to do, sir?”, he added after a short pause, opening one of the last pages in his sketchbook to quickly note down any details the man would give him, determined to make the best out of this strange situation that had just presented itself in front of him right now. @Vox

He passed across a folder smiling softly. "Kairo has been here for five years and dogged interviews for all of them. I don't even bother assigning him to people because he avoids them. I'd like you to try." He explained lightly, "Kairo's the one who drew on your pages." The teacher sighed softly setting his head to the side, "If you get the interview I'll waive the full class. If you get parts, I'll take off partial credits. Make sense?" ~ Kairo took the steps and sat on some in the back hall, clicking through his phone. He'd been given someone on campus to interview but knew the otherway wasn't likely. Mm... an art student. Nao... he blinked realizing it was the guy from the class, and took the steps back up praying he'd still be talking to the professor. He caught them as both were leaving, the professor for lunch locking his door behind them. He paused realizing how awkward it might be, chewing his cheek, and turned to walk the main hallway hoping Nao would walk the same path.

9:59 AM

@SirFüncelot

Kairo? He hadn’t paid too much attention to the stranger from before, but he hadn’t seemed too bad. A little bit… rough around the edges maybe, but otherwise? Nao was sure he could work around that if it meant he got out of that one stupid class. And… The other seemed to know some things about anatomy… Maybe he could help him in that regard as well? This seemed like the best thing to do, even if it made him nervous. It would save his grade and prevent him from potentially failing the semester because of something as stupid as chemistry. Nodding, he accepted the offer eagerly, listening to what else the professor had to say about this interview. Apparently, it was mostly focused on one's ambitions and dreams for the future. When did they start? How did they progress and shift? Like something he had done in school, just a lot more detailed. Nao didn’t quite understand what it was used for or why the professor even did this, but he didn’t want to lose this chance because he began to question everything. He wanted this to be over as quickly as possible. Even if it was simple, it was still somewhat awkward, and he wasn’t entirely sure how he would deal with this situation. As the professor locked up behind them, and they parted ways, he glanced up at the same black-haired man from before. Kairo. The professor had mentioned he would tell him about this arrangement, but Nao hadn’t expected him to be here already. Why would he? If it was hard to get him to agree to do an interview… Shouldn’t it be hard to even approach him? At least that’s what Nao had thought, yet here he was, watching Kairo walk away from him. Maybe he was just passing by? Though it was kind of awkward to follow him like this… He had thought he’d get a chance to mentally prepare for this beforehand, but now it looked like he had to talk to him right away.

9:26 PM

Or… Could he just pretend he hadn’t seen him? Could he just walk past him and go about his day? But how and when was he supposed to meet him again? Nao had never seen him around, and he knew no one he could ask. Maybe this was his only chance? Slightly worried and very flustered, he gripped the straps of his bag tighter, eyes directed mostly onto the ground as he started to make his way down the main hallway as well. He would just ask him for his contact details, and then he would drop it for now. If he could easily contact him, they could meet again later, when he had time to calm down and gather his thoughts a little bit more. Yes… Yes, that seemed like a good idea! Now he just had to catch up to him. But where had he gone? He hadn’t really paid attention, and there were quite a few people around them now… @Vox

"Hey." He carefully waved to Nao trying to get his attention not wanting to touch him, "You're Nao right?" Kairo looked aside, arms laced across his chest. "You're my interviewee for a project. Here's my number. When you get a moment to sit down I'd appreciate it." He smiled in what he hoped was disarming. He'd not done and interview in two years after all.... His number was scrawled across a studio sheet from the college, the header for dance room two in the other building, explaining his school focus pretty quick. "I'm heading to the studio right now so I can't talk long, text me later. I'll give ya ten bucks to text me the shit." He rattled off a bit fidgety, spinning his ring around his thumbs, looking aside at the crowd that split about them. He waved over his shoulder heading for the stairs leather strap soft under his fingers. He always rubbed it when he got nervous making a worn mark across the strap. Eager to get out the crowd he tucked into the backstairway the cement echoing loud. The path was the long way around between the buildings so few took it. @SirFüncelot

Was he trying to get rid of him? Nao couldn’t quite make that out, but he was offering him money. Surely that’s what this was? Right? He couldn’t let that happen. After the talk he went through and the reassurances, he was determined to get this right. There was no way in hell he would take up another chemistry class if he didn’t have to. Still… How was he supposed to do this? He had no idea, but he had to do his best nonetheless. “I am.”, Nao replied, a bit hesitant, bowing his head slightly, while trying not to crumple the paper in his hand too much while fidgeting with it. He needed it later, and it would be worthless if he couldn’t read the number written on it. Should he put it away? Probably, but he didn’t. He held onto it, while trying not to lose the other, who snaked around the people like an expert, until reaching a less well-traveled path. Nao hadn’t known it even existed, but seeing it now… He would certainly remember it. “I… I’m going to interview you!”, he blurted out, blushing as soon as he realized how loud he had basically screamed this sentence. His head lowered even deeper in embarrassment. He had meant to start this somehow, but not exactly like this. Why could he never do something normal? Nao sighed, the piece of paper in his hands already a mess. “I… You don’t need to pay me…”, he began again, this time a little bit quieter and slower. “We… We can meet up and just go through the questions together.”, Nao added, his mind racing as he tried to come up with something Kairo couldn’t resist. “I… I will treat you to some food! We… can go to a food place… Your choice!”, the idea had been spontaneous as well, resulting in another involuntary blurt out that made Nao want to get swallowed up by the earth, never to be seen again. A very good first impression he left… First he showed him his ugly drawings, and now he showed every possible embarrassing side of himself. How would Kairo want to have an interview with him like this? @Vox

He winced as the others yelling echoed through the stairway, "Look mate. I don't do the interviews. I don't like doing them. I don't need food and I'm not up for drinks. Just text me the questions and your answers." He called over his shoulder walking down stairs, hand trailing on the railing, rounding the corner. He hated anytime he had to deflect someone but Nao looked the type to be timid. I don't have to worry. He popped out onto the walkway outside, adjusted his bag, and quietly headed for his studio across campus. The new faces were amusing to him. Everyone he'd been friends with had left and he hated constantly explaining why he wanted to stay. So he just didn't anymore. He avoided making friends and avoided others. Tucking earbuds into his ears under his beanie Kairo stopped at the campus Cafe to get coffee, humming softly as he mixed his cup. Wonder if that guy will text me or just be petty.... @SirFüncelot

His shouting and even his offer hadn’t done anything, and now Nao felt like an idiot. There were just a handful of people around, but all of them stared at him as if he had just grown a second head. He wanted to vanish and never return, but… He couldn’t give up this easily. The professor had said that even if he just got some answers, he would at least get some of his workload lightened. Maybe that was the way to go? Though he wasn’t usually the one to further pressure someone… He had a goal now, so wasting that opportunity would probably leave him devastated. Maybe even lead to him failing this semester. He couldn’t have that. Quickly vanishing from the side of his embarrassment, he found a quiet spot on the grass on the backside of the campus, taking a moment to just breathe and calm down before he looked at the crumpled paper in his hand and saved the number on it in his phone. What should he write? At least this wasn’t talking, but Nao was still unsure what to do now. He spent a good while just thinking and imagining different approaches, even formulating a few messages in his head, only to scratch them after the first two sentences. It seemingly took him an eternity to come up with something even slightly usable. Hey. This is Nao. From the interview. You remember me, right? We met in the hallway. Nao deleted the part about him shouting at Kairo, once again getting embarrassed by his own stupid actions. Instead, he decided to give an explanation as well as a deal. Surely Kairo was getting something out of this too? He wasn’t entirely sure if he was in a similar situation, but he probably needed the interview as well. Or at least that’s what Nao hoped, because right now he was putting all his hope on this specific gamble. I need this interview, and you probably do too. How about we trade an answer for an answer? He had written a few drafts of this simple suggestion, but none had really expressed what he wanted.

6:48 AM

Now he had finally given up and just gone with the first thing he had thought of. As soon as he had sent it, Nao regretted doing so, but there was no way to undo this now. Instead, he opted for the next best thing to do, turning off his phone completely and trying not to think about what he had just done while he went about his day. By the end of it, Nao really didn’t remember it anymore, stressed out about too many other things. Mostly art projects that were due by the end of the week, and he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to finish them even if he pulled all-nighters every single day. @Vox

When he finally turned back on his phone it only had, I only have about 10 minutes I can sit down tomorrow. Just text me your answers and I'll write some of mine. I'm not answering everything. Which meant not full credit... I'm not comfortable necessarily explaining everything. I talked with prof about your deal. I'll say as much as the first page. Beyond that you're on your own. Im up for trades or deals for touchier shit. I can sort of art and sew. Mostly like bio and chem. Whatever i dont answer ill trade tutoring for. Kairo leaned back in bed, flipping a vaporizer pen idly in his fingers, hearing the couple next door to him scream and fight. Part of him felt bad. Knowing Nao needed his answers for credits and knowing he was going to avoid them like the plague. Sighing softly he clicked on his phone again to watch TV, pretending not to care for a thing in the world.... @SirFüncelot

Nao didn’t pick his phone up again until the evening after a very late dinner, because he had forgotten about the time, too absorbed in trying to finish another one of those stupid anatomy studies. Even with his own body as reference, it just wasn’t the same. His poses weren't as dynamic and the proportions were all over the place. Kairo's advice... It had helped, but it certainly wasn’t enough to safe his homework, so reading about him offering to teach him... It was tempting, but not tempting enough. Not having to sit through the torture chemistry was... Nothing could compare to that, and he certainly didn’t want any tutoring for that. Nao wouldn't remember much anyway, even if he tried. Why was Kairo so against answering those questions anyway? Yes, they were a bit more personal than the ones on the first page but nothing overly dramatic. Those were still things one would share with an acquaintance, some even with strangers one met for the first time, and... It wasn’t as if anyone would check whatever Kairo would say. If something was too personal, he could just lie or make something up. It certainly wasn’t that hard, but he had already gotten a step closer. Nao sighed, once again overwhelmed by what to reply. He got up to make coffee first and get himself a snack so he could keep on working throughout the night, before he decided to deal with a potential response to all of this. While boiling the water he went through a few things he could say, not liking any of them and in the end sitting in front of his phone unsure what to write. Thank you, Nao left it at that for a moment, frantically thinking about how to follow up after accidentally already sending this short message.

11:10 AM

He panicked slightly, which didn't help in the slightest, only making him even more nervous. We can meet up some other time. I'm busy this week as well. Nao finally added, fighting through what felt like several panic attacks due to overwhelming embarrassment. I don't want tutoring. I want to drop my chemistry class with this., he added, finally offering a small explanation for his current situation. Please just answer the questions. No one will know the truth anyway., he almost immediately regretted writing this, but it was already too late. The message had sent, and once again he found himself in denial. Throwing his phone on the bed, while Nao tried to keep himself occupied by smearing a little bit more color onto his already ugly painting of something that vaguely resembled a human silhouette. @Vox

It's not about fact checking. It's stressful and embarrassing I suppose. The last page goes alot into things I'm not one to share even with friends before. I've avoided them for five years for a reason lol. But ill help. Long as its between us and prof. Im going to be gone for a minute. My neighbors are fighting so im gonna go somewhere to work. He picked up his bag heading out his dorm, sighing softly and pounding his neighbors door as he past. 10 pm and their screaming.... Heading down into the cafe he snagged a table, and a cup of coffee

11:26 AM

@SirFüncelot

Painting wasn’t going well. He hated where it was going and just covered the entire canvas with paint before picking up his phone again, surprised to already find an answer from Kairo. Nao hadn’t expected him to give in this easily. With what the professor had told him and how many seemed to have tried to interview him… Maybe they gave up after the first try? Or they just hadn’t been as persuasive. Not that he thought he was particularly good at persuasion himself, but… No one said you couldn’t withhold your answer. That’s a thing with interviews, right? It should be fine if we answer most of the questions. Nao offered, unsure if that really was a thing, but he believed that no one should do something they weren’t comfortable with. If Kairo really didn’t want to answer something… He certainly wouldn’t force him. Even if that potentially meant not getting full credit, but he also wasn’t that mean. Just getting this opportunity was good enough, and maybe… If Kairo was still up for it later on… Maybe he could use some tutoring. Even if it wasn’t in chemistry, but looking at his recent art pieces… He could certainly use some help in that regard. But after firmly denying that offer before… Asking about that right now just because he was desperate seemed wrong as well. Maybe it will go better tomorrow. He just had to look for some inspiration somewhere. Make a few sketches… And he should be good to go! @Vox

If I withhold answers you lose credits. That's not much a good thing. He sent a video of two girls in inflatable dinosaur costumes walking through the Cafe over his computer, which he was on dance equipment to buy. Theres Dinos in the cafe. He clicked through his screens, cheek on a fist, music quiet in his ear. Part of him felt quilty to potentially fail someone else on his anxiety about the questions.... Groaning he rubbed his face frustrated by it, but resumed his searching around. Part of him liked having someone to talk to.... One of the girls in the Dino suits rustled to him, the plastic loud against each other. He wasn't sure exactly what they said before they toddled off, but the flyer in his hands did for them. Rollerskating and skateboarding... apparently renting a rink and the park. Heh. He tucked the paper in his bag to throw away later. @SirFüncelot

Nao couldn’t quite wrap his head around why he was getting punished for Kairo withholding information from him, but that was the education system at its finest… But maybe… If they spent enough time together, and he pressed for it enough… Maybe he could get him to answer everything, even if he currently didn’t want to. Surely it couldn’t be that bad. Nao couldn’t even imagine why one would have such huge problems with revealing a few details about one's past. Sure… Some things were uncomfortable, especially if shared with a stranger, but if it made him miss out on chemistry… He would probably lay his entire life bare in front of the professor. While he was writing his reply, a short video reached him of two dinosaurs trying to order coffee and cookies. He wasn’t able to understand much, but just watching it brought a smile to his face, and he replied with a laughing smiley. The suddenness had made him lose his thoughts, and he had to rewrite what he had tried to say before, but maybe it was better that way. Nao didn’t want to write something embarrassing again. Do you have a place and time in mind already for us to meet? I’m free on the weekend. Or at least I’m able to make some time. He started, followed by another short, We can start slow if that helps. We don’t have to start with the interview right away. Maybe we can do a proper first meeting instead?, Nao offered, hoping that it would be a good approach to Kairo’s and his own insecurities. @Vox

Not at this moment. I'll move some stuff. You might have to wait until after my teaching hour but near that building is a couple places to do shit at. Cafe, skate rink, pizza, drinks whatever. He set his chin in a palm debating, Else the craft studio tomorrow while I figure out my uniform. Up to you. He went offline, turning off his notifications and returning to his dorm to sleep. His laptop was returned to its table, his bag to its hook, and stripped climbing into bed. He couldn't sleep staring at the ceiling waiting until tomorrow. Morning training was exhausting but he was happy he was alone for it, his music in and thoughts elsewhere. He used the gym shower, scrubbing down and heading for classes before he checked his texts. Part of him was depressed no one texted..... @SirFüncelot

There were quite a few choices, but considering that they would mostly just talk… A café seemed nice. They could get something to drink or eat while they got a little bit more comfortable with each other. It seemed like the safest choice, so that’s what he wrote Kairo, followed by a quick question if it would be alright if he could come to his studio too. Nao was kind of expecting a response, but never got one. Maybe he had gone to sleep already. A wise decision, and Nao should consider doing the same. His art project was going nowhere anyway, and he had to get up early tomorrow for his first class. Nao didn’t sleep particularly long, rudely woken up by his alarm so he would be on time. During his first class, he nearly fell asleep, not really paying attention to the instructions. Because of that, he was slightly confused, as they were supposed to put what they had just learned to good use and turn it into an art piece. It went… not too well. Again, it was the anatomy he struggled with most, not having a clear understanding of what went where and how exactly a human body worked. At least his background looked stunning, but his advisor was quick to tell him that it wasn’t supposed to be the main focus and his figure should be a lot bigger. Once again, he had to scratch the entire painting, starting over, forcing himself to enjoy this. @Vox

He sent the area of his studio how to get there through the building, heading there after his few classes. The class was a cross of dance studios and gyms, including the pool and indoor tracks and weight rooms. They'd converted one of the dance rooms to help design and make costumes for the upcoming performances. He sat down at a table picking through fabrics, knowing he'd be on the hook for himself again. He was adjusting an outfit as Nao came in, lead by one of the girls when he'd gotten lost. "He's over there." Kairo glanced up waving lightly in a two finger acknowledgement. The dancers had raided a few machines and seamstresses to help fix uniforms. Kairo had a glue bottle in one hand and fake crystals in the other. "Hey. Glad you could find it." He chipped focusing on his uniform, cussing from glue on his fingers. "Whatever I'll answer, will you write your own for me. I have glue fuckin'..." He stopped talking to angrily growl at his defective bottle. @SirFüncelot