first drawing ∮ video

[daimeinashi]

[‘SUP imPorts, hope you like overly zoomed-in videos!!!! The first thing that’s visible is a headband with an insignia (upside-down) that looks like a stylized leaf, before the camera pans down to an eye, then a nose…

...before he eventually gets the picture enough to back away a little, though the picture remains upside-down. He gives the communicator a mostly blank stare for a few more moments, tilting his head as if uncertain what to do, before he suddenly smiles. It probably looks a little jarring in its abruptness.]

Hello. My name is Sai.

[The comm gets up close and personal with his shoulder for a second as he reaches to pick up a writing pad on the table, on which he has written サイ, because his experiences with the locals have made him assume that autographs are a standard form of greeting around here. He holds it up to the camera for a few seconds before putting it back down.]

This is quite the impressive device. It’s definitely more efficient than messenger hawks. Anyway, I’m certain I am not the only one with questions, so I’ll make this quick: If anyone is familiar with a place called Konoha, I’d like to speak with you.

Additionally...I’ve read that speaking about one’s experiences is a good way to get to know people. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share theirs on the matter of “high school”? It would be helpful to know what to expect when attending.

Comments

VIDEO.

[soldiarity]

You didn't have high school where you came from, either? I mean, it's not so bad as long as you pay attention -- the routine is just like any other kind of training.

[ Which he says because he assumes what Sai's wearing is a type of uniform. ]

I'm Reiner. We'll probably be at the same school.

VIDEO.

[daimeinashi]

There's the Academy for young prospective shinobi, but from what I understand, it's not quite the same.

[He's never been an Academy student anyway, since Root happened instead.]

Is it truly so similar to training?

It's nice to meet you, Reiner. [He almost says 'Reiner-san' out of habit, but the book said dropping honorifics was a good way to get close to people more quickly.]

VIDEO.

[soldiarity]

It's training for something. But you don't just go off to war here when you're old enough -- you can do practically anything. That's what school's supposed to teach you.

[ He seems to consider Sai's question further, but ultimately just shrugs. ]

What's a shinobi?

VIDEO.

[daimeinashi]

Anything? [He honestly can't even appreciate the scope of that. Being a shinobi is literally all he's ever known.]

A shinobi is...a warrior, I suppose, to put it in simplest terms. We serve as the main military strength for our individual countries. For example, as a Konohagakure shinobi [he points to his headband], I represent the Land of Fire.

VIDEO.

[soldiarity]

Apparently. That's what they tell us.

[ Reiner's a bit overwhelmed by the concept himself, but he sounds neutral enough talking about it now. He only loses his composure slightly on the next words: ]

... A warrior. [ His brows knit together. ] For diplomacy, or something else?

text

[lyingheart]

Reiner's correct. If you pay attention, the routines will make sense.

This may be a strange sounding question, but were you considered an adult yet where you're from?

[ High school makes him between what, 14 to 18, and only one of those ages counts as "adult" here. She's not sure from how he looks - he may be mid-teens, he may be older, he may be younger. She doesn't know. ]

permavideo. also perma-upside down till someone tells him ROFL

[daimeinashi]

[That's definitely an unexpected question. Sai's unsure how to answer it at first, but eventually he says:]

One becomes a genin after graduating from the Academy at twelve, unless skilled enough to graduate sooner, or selected to become a member of ANBU. There are other special cases, such as orphaned children like myself taken in and trained by Root, bypassing the Academy entirely. Other than that, it's generally a matter of opinion.

annie unfortunately is that person sometimes sobs

[lyingheart]

[ Okay... then... Both the video and the explanation is chancy. ]

That answer doesn't make much sense to anyone who doesn't understand your culture. Or to me, at least. What academy, what is a genin, what is the Anbu, who is Root?

Also, will you please stop recording upside down? It's difficult to watch.

bless u annie

[daimeinashi]

[...upside down? Huh, so it is. Sai turns it right side up, and now you can see his fakeass smile properly.]

Ah. Apologies.

The Academy is the institution in which young, prospective shinobi are trained. Upon graduation, they become genin, the lowest ranked shinobi of their village, after which is chuunin, then jounin. The highest rank is the Kage, the leader of the village. ANBU are are a separate force of shinobi personally selected by the Kage, reporting directly to him or her. Root is a division within the ANBU of Konohagakure, led by Shimura Danzou. I'm afraid I can't tell you any more than that on the matter, however.

[Because of the cursed seal...which no longer works here, but he doesn't know that.]

her blunt little soul

[lyingheart]

You're still using words that don't make sense to explain these things... but I can guess what it all means, one way or another. What would you describe a shinobi as being? Other than a type of fighter or warrior, based on what you're saying. One that has the political and military power within your community.

video

[askedtobe]

[ Oh, lord. Highschool? There was something he didn't talk about with much regularity but what the hell. Why not. It wasn't like he had any secrets to hide when it came to that part of his life. At least not anymore. ]

High school sort of depends on how you approach it.

video

[daimeinashi]

How did you approach it?

video

[askedtobe]

Not as well as I could have? I was kind of... angry at the time.

video

[daimeinashi]

Why?

[Sai is pretty new to the whole emoting thing. Also completely lacking in understanding of boundaries, whoops.]

video

[askedtobe]

[ Not like Peter minds, he did bring it up after all. ]

My brother'd left for the navy, didn't really get along with my parents very well. Didn't leave me with anyone but my dog. And high school- you want friends. Someone on your side.

[Text]

[bloodonthestones]

[wait a second, that's a Konoha headband. the only time Siegmund's ever seen those in real life is cosplayers and sad otaku. a dude this age asking what high school is like is probably neither.]

[it makes him curious enough to engage, at least.]

High school is tedious and terrible.

Is Konoha where you come from?

permavid. still upside down too.

[daimeinashi]

How so? And yes.

[permatext]

[bloodonthestones]

[whaaaaat for real?? anime universes are real? that is ridiculous. he doesn't even know how to react to that.]

[play it cool, he guesses??]

Flip your phone over.

High school wastes most of the week for things you don't care about.

[daimeinashi]

[By now Annie's already told him what's up (lol), so now he's fakesmiling at you from the right direction.]

What sort of things?

[Pls stop being vague or just tell him you can't say more, he won't be offended.]

[bloodonthestones]

Everything.

History, maths, literature, chemistry. Even if the subject is interesting they give so much pointless homework that it turns tedious.

audio;

[iwatobi]

What's there to tell? You go to class, take notes, and go home.

audio;

[daimeinashi]

[Okay, information-gathering he understands.]

To whom do we present the information we collect from this class?

audio;

[iwatobi]

At the end of the semester, there's an exam.

whoops i meant permavid

[daimeinashi]

[Assessments are definitely another thing that makes sense to him, and he nods.]

I see. Thank you.

np!! permavoice for me!

[iwatobi]

Mm. Before then, your notes are your own.