alabaster-prince:

“If we have time after the tour, then I will take you to the studio to perform tests which will let me know the level you are currently at. Once I have assessed your abilities, I will make assignments for you that will both refine your strengths and build up your weaknesses.”

Camus nodded his approval at the receptive attitude his new kouhai was taking. He wished the spoiled prince would act more like Aine did. Much more appeased now that he was certain the tealette wouldn’t be as hard to handle as the other one, the Count of Permafrost motioned in an almost lazy manner to the stacked bunk beds.

“Unfortunately, it is Aijima whom holds seniority. It will be he who has the first choice of sleeping quarters. However, you can still unpack and wash up should you so desire. The baths are located at the end of the hall to the right. The room is large, clearly intended for more than one person to bath at a time, with a large pool for bathing and shower heads attached to the wall. I suppose it would resemble something like what you would find in a public bath residing along the beach.”

Bathing was something Camus found hard to get accustomed to after coming to Japan. Back in Permafrost, it was customary to bath alone, not in groups. Least to say, the poor man was appalled the first time his band mates forced him into a public bath. Even after living in Japan for the past few years, the Count still found it difficult to bath with others – especially other men. There was just something morally wrong about it to him, but he was trying his best to overcome his disdain over it.

“Meals are served three times a day – the customary breakfast, lunch and dinner; if you happen to miss out on a meal, or are simply craving a snack, you must make it yourself. I expect you to arrive on time to each meal, which is held down in the dining hall. I will give you the times for each event when our tour leads us there, so for the moment we’ll focus on other things. As you know, the first and foremost rule guiding life in the Master Course is to not get involved romantically with individuals. You are not to be in other participants rooms past 10:00 pm – especially rooms containing members of the opposite sex. Fortunately or unfortunately enough, there is only one woman participating in the Master Course this term – Nanami Haruka. I suspect you shall bump into each other sooner or later.”

He walked over to the glass doors that lead out onto the roundabout balcony, swinging them open and letting the warm, spring air from outside flood into the room (much to Camus’ displeasure). His eyes caught sight of a book lying forgotten on the patio table near the edge overlooking the grounds – it was all the evidence that remained of the activity he was engrossed in before he was forced to go down and greet Aine.

“I’ll give you time to get yourself situated. Once you are ready to begin the tour, come let me know. I will be waiting out here on the balcony.”

With that said, Camus slipped outside and out of sight – leaving the tealette to his own devices.

“Alright, that’s fine.”

Aine glanced over the clock on the wall, it was 5 minutes after two. They would probably have enough time for the assessments.

After understanding all the living conditions and rules of the dorms, nothing here seemed unreasonable to him. Aine knew he would be able to adapt again, provided that he followed all the rules and conditions.

However, he was very curious to know how his other colleague Aijima acted; it seemed as though Camus held him with disdain. Aine’s initial thought of Camus was that he was definitely a strict, yet proud man.

As Camus walked out to balcony to wait on him, Aine spotted from the corner of his eye, a small box labeled ‘Aine Kisaragi.' 

Gingerly, he walked over to it and opened the small box to find a couple of his journals from the hospital, and several bottles of medications his doctors prescribed for his recurring insomnia and stress. He frowned clenched the insomnia medication tightly, tempted to throw it away. It didn’t help his sleeping problems at all. Sighing, Aine lifted the box and placed it where he deemed the space he was allotted to.

Ripping out a blank sheet of paper from his journal, Aine quickly wrote himself a reminder to shop later, for clothes and daily necessities.

He folded it neatly and placed it in his pocket, before going out to the balcony to tell Camus he was ready.

“I don’t have much stuff with me, so I’ll have to go shopping later, Camus.”

Tagged as: #alabasterprince #discharge #ic