(¯`° · (¯`°·. Exotic Mystery .·°´¯) · °´¯)

ICP 10. No flaws when you're pretending...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:10:41 GMT

It's so nice to know that my barista skills are still in tact and weren't squandered away while I was in China.

[PRIVATE] It's so easy to fall back into the usual routine, it seems. But things won't stay the same, I'm sure. They can't. Not after all this. We can't make the same mistakes again...[/PRIVATE]

In retrospect, taking time off to fly off to another country... just to do basically the same thing I had been doing is not what I call a vacation. But then again... this wasn't exactly an impulsive sabbatical. Hopefully my presence helped if only a little. He's had it for so long, it's hard to imagine it not being there anymore...

But it's good to be home. I was starting to miss Tokyo ~~and a few people in it~~. So wonderful to see that Godzilla and the others decided to leave it alone for once.

So tell me, what's been going on with you guys?

ICP 09. Sometimes solutions aren't so simple...

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:19:56 GMT

There are not many very good or very bad people, but the great majority are something between the two.
-- Socrates, as quoted in Plato's Phaedo

Which makes things all the harder to consider.

Staying another week or two. Again, call my phone if you need to reach me. Or comment here if you can't be bothered to find the number.

ICP 08. This is the part where I love you too much...

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:41:16 GMT

Of all things upon earth that bleed and grow,
A herb most bruised is woman.
-- Euripidies, Medea

If anyone needs to reach me, call my phone. Otherwise... I'll see you in a few weeks.

ICP 07. I think I found my way home...

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:46:24 GMT

I don't know about you, but that... was certainly a party to remember. And not necessarily in a good way, unfortunately. Geez. Where do I even begin?

Then again, maybe I shouldn't even bother ~~because you're both idiots and - what the hell is going on anyways?~~.

I guess it's a good thing Spirit Week starts off with Pajama Day. I don't think I've quite recovered fully from all that... ~~drama~~ alcohol consumed that night. And I don't know about any of you, but I'm ready to hide out in the back of the class and just nap for an hour. Who's with me?

[[ OoC: Yes. We're implementing Spirit Week. Poster will come shortly. ]]

ICP 06. Somethings you just don't question...

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:27:34 GMT

You meet interesting people every day. Or at least I do. That's... really nothing new, I guess. Especially since I work in a cafe. That's... kind of a very public forum. Most of the time it's nothing special. Customer comes in, orders whatever, and moves on so the next person can do the same. Sometimes you never see them again. Sometimes they come back.

But sometimes life enjoys giving you that little surprise to keep you on your toes...

...Perhaps I truly am a student of my studies.

I received a call from the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space today. Not sure what they wanted. Was at work and couldn't answer. But I'll admit. It's caught my attention. I wonder if this has anything to do with their Christmas Program last year and the part I played in it.

PS. Welcome to Tokyo, Hinata. I hope we didn't scare you too much.

ICP 05. The miles are getting longer, it seems...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:15:55 GMT

Interesting first week back. But for the most part, I'm not complaining. They had a good selection of History courses this semester, and it was hard to keep from wanting to just take them all. Although I guess I need to start loading up a bit more on my Philosophy to even things out. Maybe next term. Yeah. Sure. Next term.

And with a new term, we have a new schedule. For everything. Since a majority of my courses are in the morning, Tochiro's taken it upon himself to give me the early afternoon and late evening shifts til closing before and after volleyball practice. In addition to a the morning shift on Saturday since I can't come in Wednesday afternoons. Looks like I'll have to start bringing my work clothes to school. Or at least start wearing them to school. Go figure.

Well... I've had worse before.

Only thing is, I don't like leaving Itoshii home alone for so long. Saturday morning's fine, I guess. But with school in the morning and work and/or practice in the afternoons, I can't just leave her home all day by herself. So I think I might have to start bringing her to work with me in a cat carrier or something. The hours I'm working are really only busy between four to maybe seven? Eight at the latest? The rest of the time... well, I guess she can keep me company in between customers.

So if you guys wanna play with the baby, you know where to find her~

[[ OoC: Oh, god. I do bad... baaad things when I'm sleep deprived. x___x ]]

ICP 04. She works hard for the money...

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:40:44 GMT

Geez, and I thought March was a busy month.

Things are coming down to the wire with the expo and all the preparations. Apparently invitations to specific dojos weren't sent out in advance as planned and I had to spend all of last week making up for ~~that inconvenience~~ the mistakes of others. In between the volleyball bootcamp from hell ~~someone's got a stick up their ass this year~~ and work, might I add.

Conclusion? Tired Tenny is tired. As much as I actually enjoy watching the demos and all of the students interacting, I'll be glad when the whole thing is over. It'll be a nice end to the summer, that's for sure.

Speaking of which... I still need to pick up my schedule...

In any case, if you haven't seen the note posted on the bulletin:

I'll be participating in the Archery and Kenjutsu (possibly Aikido if sensei can't find a substitute) demos if anyone's looking for me. Times are ~~shitty~~ a little sketchy, but ~~I'm pretty sure they can't get worse~~ I'll be at the park all day.

ICP 03. Wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand...

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:08:43 GMT

[[ OoC: Before I get nudged to post again... ]]

Ow, ow, OOOOOOOW.

That is the last time I agree to help out a new student at the dojo. Kid didn't know what he was doing and just started flailing around. Wouldn't even listen when I tried explaining techniques to him either. It's a good thing I had enough sense to at least give him a wooden sword instead of a real one. Ugh, next time sensei asks me to help out, I'm demanding he give me at least an intermediate student.

Meh, well... I guess I'm no worse for the wear. A little bloodied, but nothing that hasn't happened before.

...No wonder Shikamaru thinks I'm crazy. ~~I'm not crazy. 8|~~

She misses you. Go visit her before she completely forgets your face.

Nothing new with volleyball ~~boot camp~~ practice. Or with the cafe. Although, Tochiro did give me a few extra shifts to make up for the time I'll lose when I start school again. Such a considerate guy, really. But I guess I owe him one. And more work means more money. So, at least I know I'll be able to make rent this month. Speaking of which, my next shift starts in half an hour...

PS. I'll stop by soon, Keebs. Help is on the way!

ICP 02. It’s like I want to hear a silent sound...

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:33:38 GMT

It's that time again. Or at least it will be pretty soon.

I always know when the new school year is about to start ~~whether I want to or not~~. Because coach always thinks it productive and useful to hold a boot camp for her players a month or so in advance. 'To get a jump on the competition,' she says. Not that there aren't benefits to extra Volleyball training and practice before tryouts are held, but couldn't she have at least waited another week before ruining summer for us? Guess not.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to figure out ways to enjoy what's left of the break.

Speaking of which... I think it's time to put Operation Save the Pup into play...

[PRIVATE] ...Alright, so I don't exactly have a plan. But when have we ever? Just roll with it. I'll be by the clinic soon. [/PRIVATE]

[[ OoC: THERE. A POST. 8| ...♥ ]]

[ Event 01 ] The gift of giving...

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:09:49 GMT

Early Friday morning ~~two weeks late, but hey, it still got to him~~ the following will be found on Neji's doorstep:

Insert appropriate note inside (use your imagination?).

ICP 01. Been far away for far too long...

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:09:25 GMT

A month in China? Really? Don't you think it would've been convenient to tell me that before I came to help out with the restaurant? Honestly, Uncle Katsuro...

No wonder he told me to bring Itoshii with me. I'd hate to think what would've happened if I had just left her behind...

SO, anyways! After a long and unexpected leave of absence... I'm back! Tired and with a hint of noodles, but back. And the first order of business goes to Neji. I'm sorry I missed your birthday. BUT you'll be happy to know that I did manage to pick up something for you while I was away~ Expect it to pop up on your doorstep in a box sometime before the end of the week... as soon as I generate enough energy to wrap it up and send it your way.

Speaking of which, what in the world happened to my apartment? I thought I told you guys to stay out of trouble while I was gone. You know who I'm talking to. 8/

Meanwhile, I'll be returning to my barista duties on Thursday. I think after my not-so-vacation, a day of rest is in order. Which means... Keebs? Naruto? Your muffins will be waiting for you when you come in for lunch.

OOCP 01. It's time to trust my instincts...

Fri, 15 May 2009 16:31:54 GMT

NOTE: Subject to slight and small changes from original application.

Character's Name: Tenten
Character's Age: 20
Character's Model: Mika Nakashima
Year in School: Junior
Major / Minor: History and Philosophy Major / Creative Writing Minor
Clubs / Activities / Job?: Clubs: Archery (Kyuudo), Kendo
Activities: Volleyball, Martial Arts
Job: Full-time waitress at the Far and Wide Cafe

History / Biography:

- Personality: Originating from a middle-class background, Tenten knows the meaning of hard work and dedication. These principles she puts into her schoolwork as well as every other aspect of her life. Often overlooked by the other students but always a presence, whether in the lives of all those around her or just in general, she serves as a maternal figure to the other students and puts forth an even mix of determination, confidence, and respect to all those around her with an ever mellow attitude; she provides a quiet comfort to anyone she comes across.

She is very talented in math (it's reminiscent to her 100% accuracy; math would play a big part in that I'd imagine), but struggles a bit in science. In her high school days, she served as a tutor with great influence from her mother who works as a teacher on a primary level (elementary school). She might consider doing so again sometime in college for any who seem to be struggling with the subject as Tenten finds some satisfaction in helping others. But it is her pragmatic personality that drives the young woman to study history and philosophy. Tenten is fairly good on the piano, having received lessons in her early days, but will decline in joining the school band or orchestra ("I'd rather play for fun."). Tenten is not exactly anti-social, but she has a tendency to blend into the background, which in turn actually aids in her observational skills.

But there are two sides to every story. While mostly reserved in the classroom (blending into the background), she appears to be one of the more aggressive kind of girls which keeps her stuck under the label of tomboy. More of a jeans and tee kind of girl, Tenten is always ready to get down and dirty with the guys. But that’s not to say that she doesn’t have the capacity to be feminine as well when the mood strikes her. A typical average girl in a typical modern world, her only noticeable flaw would be the lack of confidence concerning her love life. Not one to go searching for a relationship, she is at a loss when one comes looking for her. And as comfortable as she is with the boys, it’s a whole different story when faced with one she actually likes in that way.

- Biography: [Let it be known that I assume the school's in Japan or the general 'real world'] Both her parents belonged to the strict codes of the working class, her mother Mei making her living as a teacher while her father Shirou rented himself out as an artisan crafting beautiful works of mostly steel and wood. Because of this, Tenten likes to view herself as being well balanced between logic if reality and the fantasy of creativity. Her younger days are a fair example of that belief.

When she was only three years old, her mother had been transferred to a school in Japan that offered a slightly better salary for her teaching career, forcing Tenten's family to pick up and move for the sake of maintaining a better income. It was during the process of finding a place to stay that Tenten came across a lady who owned a piano. Curious, the young girl spent her time studying the keys while her parents talked with the landlord, a woman by the name of Ms. Suzume. While they decided against renting in that particular building, Ms. Suzume had seen the spark of interest Tenten held for the black and white keys. But she understood that money was tight and so proposed another option for the young girl's family to consider. Tenten would help around the building doing small errands in exchange for piano lessons and a babysitter for days when both Mei and Shirou were unable to stay home to care for Tenten until she started school.

And so, at the young age of three, Tenten began her lessons and continued them with a love and talent that held no comparison in the young girl's life. Unfortunately, it did not last.

At the age of ten, both her parents were killed in a tragic fire caused by an electrical storm. As Mei's younger brother and next of kin, Tenten was sent to live with her Uncle Katsuro in China where she eventually began working part time at his restaurant until she graduated from high school.

Since beginning college at a major university, Tenten has been living on her own in an apartment a few blocks away from campus and working as a part-time waitress at the local coffee shop to help pay for rent and tuition, occasionally receiving aid from her Uncle and Grandfather (when she lets them). Occasionally, while on campus, in between classes and clubs or practice, you will find her in the music department toying with the piano like she used to so many years ago, never having lost her love for it. The coordinating professor in charge of the department had been kind enough to extend the same agreement Tenten had with her high school music teacher, giving her permission to come in from time to time to practice on the piano as long as she was no disturbing anyone else.

Third person writing sample:

Thin fingers glided over the black and white keys as if they were made of precious gold and adorned with the rarest of jewels. It had been a while since she had a chance to play, the week filled with mid-term projects and research papers, not to mention a double shift at the cafe to further eat up Tenten's spare time. But at least volleyball season had not yet arrived, giving the young girl some reprieve from the hectic schedule of college life so that she was not completely overwhelmed. She supposed that her time could have been better spent outside socializing with the other students, her friends and companions. It was such a nice day after all. The sun was shining and the temperature was a balmy 75 degrees. But it was Tenten's belief that a person needed time to themselves as well. And it had been far too long since she had felt the cool touch of the ivory keys under her fingers.

Breathing in deeply, she started with a basic C scale to warm up, before eventually shifting through other chords stored in her memory to keep her fingers loose and receptive to the pieces she would be playing in a moment. And as always, when the last chord was completed, she instantly moved into the first song, a small smile turning up the corner of her lips as the harmonic melody drifted and echoed around her, bringing back good memories of her childhood when she closed her eyes and simply let her fingers recite the familiar notes.

It was then that she took note of the soft click of the door. A visitor. Them again.

For the past month or so since the Fall Semester had begun, Tenten had noticed a quiet presence slip into the orchestra room to watch while she played. They would never stay for long, just for a song or two before disappearing without a word. A student perhaps? Or even a professor? With her back to the door it was hard to tell. And initially Tenten preferred not to stop now as this was a particularly favorite piece of hers, the first difficult song she had managed to learn at the age of seven or eight (it seemed so long ago, it was hard to remember). Initially, she had not been interested to find out. But as the days passed, curiosity got the better of her. So Tenten waited until she was done, the song ending soft and eloquent like an autumn breeze. And she waited until she heard the soft shuffle of footsteps moving towards the door before speaking out to her unknown guest.

"...You know, you're welcomed to stay if you'd like. I don't mind."

She remained facing forward out of respect for whoever had decided to step in and listen to her play. It was easier for her that way, not to be able to see their faces or picture them watching her. Because while the young woman was perfectly comfortable sitting at the bench and playing out the beautiful notes, Tenten was somewhat shy of attention. But Tenten believed that anyone who wished to listen to good music deserved to hear it if they desired. And so there would be no objections of he or she stayed.

But the room had fell silent after her question, as if Tenten's unexpected audience had paused in hesitation at the offer she had proposed. She decided to wait a moment more before she would speak, giving them a chance to come to a conclusion. And soon enough, the young pianist heard the faint scuffle and soft thump as they seated themselves in a nearby chair by the door. Taking that for their answer, Tenten began playing another piece.

Maybe after I finish playing, I'll turn around this time and see who keeps coming in to watch me.

Other Notes: ~~Um...not at the moment.~~
♦ Has a tattoo of her name written in Elvish just above her left shoulder blade
♦ Will eventually get another tattoo of a scarab beetle to represent a sort of transformation/transition in her life; it's location and existence currently remains a secret
♦ Took art, photography, and drama in high school
♦ Used to tutor in Math during high school
♦ Occasionally auditions to play accompaniment for university and/or local theatre productions, mostly during the winter and summer months
♦ Has been scrapbooking since she was little and has a fairly impressive collection of memories in them
♦ Is very sensitive around the general neck area and, in turn, typically enjoys nomming on that particular region when in a relationship
♦ Has a fairly good collection of weapons and an equally impressive library of books, both of which she views as a lingering influence from her parents and who they were
♦ Carries around an old and worn stack of tarot cards with her at all times
♦ Keeps a specially crafted knife on display in her bedroom that was made by her dad when she was about nine; has a jade and steel handle, although Shirou told her that it was dragon bone, and she totally still believes it is ~~although not really, but she likes to believe it is from time to time~~
♦ Used to have a grey cat named Nezumi when she was little that originally belonged to her mother; it died when Tenten started attending Konoha no Gakuen Boarding School. Although she still has its collar and keeps it right next to her father's blade.
Any Questions: Nopers~