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Post by jess1z1 on Feb 24, 2009 17:43:14 GMT -5
The fact that the apartment currently looked like Middle Asia kept prickling Anne in the back of the head all morning. It just irked her to know that upon coming home, tired and fed up that afternoon, she would have to face the piles and piles of crap that had imminently filled her tiny home and that she would have to inescapably kill it this time. On top of that, she was puffy (which made the process of putting on make up really unpleasant), her vibrator was broken and the coffee tasted like shit that day, for some unfathomable reason, as it was always pretty decent.
The week before, Anne had surprised her freshmen students with a long overdue diagnose theory exam but only now was she getting around to examine them. Not because she liked procrastination (which she did... who doesn't?) but also because she had attempted to spare the recently gone weekend to put her personal life (i.e. TiVo/groceries/official documents/photo albums/call mother/arrange closet/etc.) in order. Instead she had rented a car and drove to the next state to see a sick friend. Stupid friends.
The awful coffee was nearly all gone as she turned the corner that led to the library, but luckily so were the papers left to grade. She sat, now coffeeless, on one of the wooden tables in the back as she revised for the third time one particular paper belonging to a fifteen year old who knew absolutely nothing about nothing. Oh, you poor bastard. She had almost instantly become a target for the rest of her stance at the school. School had begun a couple months back and although this was Anne's second year in the teaching post, it still hadn't beat all those years of nighttime living. The morning was moving real slow. Ketchup slow. Anne finished grading the inept girl's paper right before throwing it on the 'done' pile, heaving a sigh and leaning back on her comfortable chair.
She had chosen the library because first, they were quiet and second, almost no students could be found in it. It was repellent and since Anne wasn't having the best morning, it suited her better. Mmm, it was cozy. And her jacket was doing a pretty good job at keeping her warm too... |
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Post by Viktor Criss Smirnov on Feb 26, 2009 0:45:29 GMT -5
Generally speaking the library wasn't a place Criss went to often, now or when he was in school. It just never was a place he cared much for. Far to quiet with to many people milling about doing nothing. Only for his sister would he come to this place. But she owed him. Not really, Criss would help her without any pay back. She was his little sister, it was his job to protect her and do what she needed. So it was seen in his eyes. But a game of Poker later, would likely be asked of her. She would willingly agree, and very likely beat him at it too. She was good. He had an old deck, at least ten years old, he had put raised marks on in braille type format so that she could play with him. It was a common thing for them to play Poker or other card games at nite.
The appearance he gave off as always didn't scream teacher, it instead screamed more student. With his baggy worn jeans and the black muscle shirt nothing about him looked as if he held a position of any kind of authority much less a teacher. But he was with in code for his job duties. Besides today he was off so he didn't really care if he looked like a teacher or not.
He had a list books sent to him on his cell. She needed for a class. It was far easier for him to pick them up for her than for her to try to find books, being blind didn't lend well to such. Besides a few were reference books she couldn't check out anyway. So he being a teacher could get a hold of them for her.
Walking around a book self, already with a few books in hand, he milled about searching the reference section for the other book his sister needed. His eyes glanced towards movement, to his right, he looked a moment to see if he recognized her. Nothing rang a bell to him, she could be either a teach or a student. But judging from the large stack of papers near her, teacher was more accurate as one pile had grades and marks for corrections. He offered a smile and nodded towards her. "You have my sympathy, I've got a stack of papers to grade waiting for me at home too." He said his accent heavy in his voice. His eyes drifted back to the spines of the books, finally finding the one he sought.
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Post by jess1z1 on Feb 26, 2009 11:41:42 GMT -5
The handwriting of the kid she was currently reviewing appeared to be some sort of rune system she was not familiar with and it so freakin small! For Anne's already foggy head it was like a kick in the nuts and she could actually hear her brain cells chorusing a big 'aw, come on!'. Just as she was about to give up trying to figure the font out and throw the paper on the table with a solemn vow of never doing theoretical exams again, a voice behind her spoke. While at first Anne did jump a little, the moment she looked over her shoulder the woman relaxed, actually glad for a distraction.
"You have my sympathy, I've got a stack of papers to grade waiting for me at home too."
He was one of the teachers. Music, she was almost certain. Although guessing from his general appearance, she was most surely correct. The rockstar look implied so. She had seen him many times but had actually never had a conversation with him. Though their areas were basically right next to each other, Anne had never ventured there but maybe once or twice and only briefly. All she knew was that he was foreign (now his accent confirmed it) but she wasn't sure where he was from. It was a big school. You could avoid meeting the entire staff and faculty with very little effort.
She did put the paper down on the table although not with as much as force as she had in her mind and leaned back a little, stretching her arms.
"Don't." She said finally. "Tell them the real test was proving that they were reliable and that they all passed and use the spare paper for cleaning your dog's shit." Anne joked, looked over at him and turned a little on her seat to face him more easily.
"You're music, right?" |
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Post by Viktor Criss Smirnov on Feb 28, 2009 2:01:41 GMT -5
Criss had almost found all the books on the list. One however, still evaded him. His eyes scanned along the titles but was very close to giving up or searching the card catalog to see if it was even at the library. It could be checked out or not here at all. Either way he needed to find it for her.
His eyes fell upon the teacher ahead of him. He'd seen her around, and was pretty sure she was a teacher, her name just escaped him at the moment. Criss was well aware too that his looks didn't give off the appereance of a teacher, but more a rockstar wannabe. If not one for real. He knew too his accent gave away other things. He certinally wasn't from around here.
Watching as she set the paper down, she looked pleased for the distraction. He was simply being friendly, couldn't hurt.
As she spoke he looked to her listening. Her words made him raise a brow. She had, a mouth, or at least that was one way to put it. He nodded lightly. "That is one way to look at it. I don't do papers often an besides, as for my dog.." He chuckled trailing off. She turned to face him more and he moved to her setting his books on the table near him.
"Yes." He answered then added, "I don't think officially met, I'm Criss." He said politely in his rough accent as he extending a hand to her.
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Post by jess1z1 on Mar 1, 2009 15:45:11 GMT -5
Anne took the hand and shook it gently. "Anne." She said. "Yeah, I don't do papers often either, I guess I should be more concerned with their feet than their brains but hey, just like to see what I'm working with."
True. Most students looked at her funny on the first lesson when they were asked to take out a pen and a piece of paper. They would all walk in with their dance shoes ready, their leotards and hair pulled up, backpacks forsaken in one corner of the room or even elsewhere where they might not stand in the way. Some would even look at her with murderous eyes, surely exhausted from a long morning of taking history, english or biology notes. And then, upon the mention of the words 'diagnose exam', groans, sighs and even a few muttered swear words would colonize Anne's ears. It was a little fun. And hey, that's how she had learned. And it had all turned quite nicely for her... up until she went and screwed it all up, of course.
Which brings us back to the why. Anne was amazed at hose young most of the professors in this school were and they kept hiring them younger. It did surprise her because she wondered why anybody would like to teach as a first choice. She would see what her teachers go through and vow never to be in their place. Life, of course, is an ironic mother fucker. But in spite of everything, Anne at least had managed to taste the spotlight even if briefly so she wasn't all that bitter about the outcome.
Seeing Criss, it did intrigue her as to why somebody who was young and attractive and she assumed talented enough that they'd pass the required audition for teaching in this place.. would in fact choose to teach. It sometimes evaded her mind that some people were actually passionate about passing on wisdom.
"Eastern Europe?" She asked after a couple of seconds, in an attempt to narrow down the possible origins of his accent. [Sorry, I mean to post like twice before but had to leave] |
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Post by Viktor Criss Smirnov on Mar 3, 2009 19:29:10 GMT -5
As she shook his had he smiled slightly, "Nice to finally put a name to the face." He said politely, then nodded in agreement, "I don't either, far to much effort them and me for the reward from it. Besides the music is far more important."
He was often looked at funny too, by his style of dress and accent. The first day though for Criss hadn't been a test or something with notes. For his group it was going around the room telling a lil about themselves. Criss told of himself too, he could see the eyes of some of the girls clearly looking as if they would totally drool over him if given the chance. That was a little strange to say the least, but he was use to it.
Criss was young just out of college really, only twenty-two. He was a head a bit in Russia, so when he moved here he was long out, and could go straight into the system. He had only an associates at the moment, but planned to get a bachelor's as soon as he could. Maybe this summer he could work on that. Or just pursue his truest passion of music and magic.
He found the longer he taught the more he liked it. This was his second year teaching and already he found it a new interesting challenge even if at times he was ready to throw a towel in to work on his dreams. But at least now he could make the rules, and wasn't the one in the principal's office. He was never a bad kid, but he did have his moments.
Nodding in a 'yes' he smiled, "Yes, part of it. Born and raised in Russia." He answered, most never got that close, unless they heard his full name the Smirnov if they knew anything about alcohol an where it was from originally, knew it to be Russian.
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OOC: Not a problem, I know how it is. (: My muse is bit sketchy at times too, real-life and college don't help. lol
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Post by jess1z1 on Mar 4, 2009 15:26:09 GMT -5
"Russia?" Anne raised her yebrows slightly and her smile grew wider. "Talk about exotic. See, I was gonna guess Ukraine but I'm a dumbass. I've actully been to Russia once, Moscow, to perform."
Although the assigned period of time for sight-seeing had been two days only and you don't have to be a braniac to know that forty-eight hours are nowhere near enough to remotely enjoy the place. Especially when you're in you're early twenties and time that is originally intended to be for cultural spots gets reasigned to impromptu attractions such as gorgeous men and strong vodka, well... it's not as if you didn't get to know Russia... you just got to know a different side than what is shown on a brochure.
"Gotta be jealous of your ballerinas. Those skinny bitches have got bones made of grace. It's not good for a dancer's self-esteem." She joked.
The library probably wasn't the best place to start a conversation but now she was intrigued.
"When d'you move here?"
He did have an accent but other than that he seemed pretty well adjusted and the process can't have been easy. Anne had moved several times in her life, being originally from New York but having lived for long periods of time in France, Spain and England. Chicago had actually never been on her plans but life was known to be a tricky bastard. As for Criss, she was sure he had been teaching at the school at least for a year because she had seen him last term, when she herself had taken the post. |
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Post by Viktor Criss Smirnov on Mar 4, 2009 22:05:17 GMT -5
"Yea, Russia." He answered, he laughed lightly at her comment of 'exotic' "Exotic eh? That's a new one." He said the added, "Ukraine I've heard, not the strangest, some guessed Austria once. That's the weirdest yet." Nodding lightly, "I didn't spend a lot of time in Moscow, I was born in a small town.You said you were performing.. been at the dancing gig a bit eh?"
He'd been born in Labinsk, a small town hardly anyone had heard of. So he didn't even bother to name it, though would if she asked. He'd seen the good the bad and the ugly when it came to Russia. But it wasn't Russia itself that drove him away it was his father. It was very true though what was shown on the brochure's weren't always true to life.
Criss laughed lightly, "Yea, guess so. It's about self-esteem and image everywhere though." He said his voice still held a laugh as his accent heavier with the laugh in his voice.
He didn't mind it, and they weren't talking loudly enough to disturb any else who were here.
"I moved to the states when I was eight-teen, almost four years ago." He answered then added, "I moved around, my sister and I from New York, to New Orleans even to California for a bit, then came back to this side, colder almost like Russia but not even close." He told her with a light smile.
"You have an interesting accent yourself, I take it you traveled a bit besides Russia." He said more a statement than a question. It was true too, he had been here last term. this was his second year teaching.
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Post by jess1z1 on Mar 5, 2009 22:17:56 GMT -5
"You have an interesting accent yourself, I take it you traveled a bit besides Russia."
"Oh, yeah. Well I was born and raised in New York, which I dnno if it shows but people are constantly telling me to watch my mouth." She laughed a little. "But right after high school I moved to France and lived there for a bunch of years although I had to go on tour a lot, so I've traveled enough. Then I met a guy and we moved to Spain and then England after a year and a couple years after that I was back home. Now Chicago, which yeah, I'm sure doesn't compare to the cold over there. But you know, you might know the States better than me because other than New York and Chicago, never been anywhere."
"You said you were performing.. been at the dancing gig a bit eh?"
Anne smiled. "Yeah..." she began slowly, "I had some good times. Got to stand on a lot of petty stages."
She had even gotten to be the principal in a prestigous company for a few years, before she had screwed up. She had had the techinque, the feet, the passion... just not the discipline and it had come to bit her in the ass eventually. She could have been great. Now all there was was getting by and moving on. Luckily, Anne wasn't a bitter person. Which didn't mean that if she could do things all over again, she wouldn't do them differently. She would. But those chances were a fantasy and what was the point imagining it? |
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Post by Viktor Criss Smirnov on Mar 7, 2009 3:15:32 GMT -5
Criss nodded lightly, "Pretty well traveled yourself it seems. I only traveled within the states. Nothing over seas interested me enough to go travel it. Tour, I have to say I'm impressed. Of those I think, New York and Chicago are the best. Cooler and and snowy like Russia. Miss it sometimes, but far to much crap to ever go back." He admited not really meaning to let that slip out but it was out an there was nothing he could do to take it back.
"I've been in the spotlight a few times. Had a few musical gigs with a band in Russia or with my magic. But you dance? I couldn't do that."" Criss chuckled lightly, "My sister says I have two left feet." He said the chuckle still heard in his voice as his accent broke in heavily.
Criss wasn't the best at discipline either, he wasn't one for the nine to five. Getting up everyday clocking in at some job and working 'till close and going home. It simply wasn't who he was.. An here he was living it, he didn't really have regrets, only that he wasn't able to persue his music the arts of magic and the mind. He wanted go back to school to study the human mind gain his masters and work with people that way. But if it was a fantasy or just a pipe dream he was chasing like a dog after it's tail.
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Post by jess1z1 on Mar 8, 2009 15:22:17 GMT -5
"Miss it sometimes, but far too much crap to ever go back."
Anne pondered this for a second and wondered about it, meant to ask him to elucidate, but then he had changed the subject quickly and the woman decided that they had only just met and this was one of those times she would have to be sensitive and bite her lip. And then something he mentioned caught her interest again.
"Wait, magic? You mean you're a magician, who performs?" Well that was new. She had never ever met a magician before or anybody who knew how to pull a coin from behind your ear even. She had only ever seen David Copperfield on TV and she'd never been to Las Vegas yet. This quite intriguing. She would have never guessed that this young guy who looked like a rockstar and taught music in Chicago would have anything to do with magic.
She was sat at the edge of her chair now, looking at Criss intently and then she looked around for a second.
"Oh, um, I need a cigarette. You smoke? Care to join me outside?" |
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Post by Viktor Criss Smirnov on Mar 9, 2009 0:35:52 GMT -5
His eyes closed as he felt himself tense, hating the fact that he'd let that subject slip from his lips.
Criss had changed the subject quickly on purpose, he hadn't meant for that to come out and didn't want to talk about it. So he was very glad when she got the hint and moved to a lighter more pleasent converstion.
He nodded in a 'yes' with a light smile. "Not the kind who pulls rabbits from hats, more with the mind and cards. I like making people wonder how the heck I didn't something." He answered. He could do the 'basic' stuff too. He'd pulled his share of coins from behind ears, but that was parlor tricks he liked things with more subtance. There were a lot of great magicians out there. His favorite was likely the one dubed 'The MindFreak' He had some weird tricks. Criss had to admit a lot of his tricks and illusions were modled after him.
He saw the shift as she moved forward more in her seat, he was use to it, the "eyes" he got. It was the accent an there was denying he had a look about him he wasnt the norm by any stretch.
"I don't smoke. But let me check these out, an I'll join you." He answered. He never picked up the habit aside from a few times back in high school when he'd tried it. Not something he took a shine too. Besides, he had enough bad ones in his drinking an the cracking of his knuckles so it was good he didn't add any others to that list.
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