Behind The Shelves ~ Jang Jin Ah

[alexander thyme]

Ah, so that's what it meant. Confusing cleared up from Alex's face and a smile appeared. "I see... kam- sa- ham- ni-da... how might one say you are welcome in Korean?" He asked, eager for more knowledge. That was so like him, once he finds something that interests him, he would forever want to learn more about it.

Alex smiled back when a big grin appeared on Jin Ah's face. He then chuckled softly when she replied in the same way he did. "That would be correct, but I prefer the name Alex. However 'The Cute Referee' would do too." The boy said with a wink sent in the girl's direction.

Glancing between the girl and the window, Alex waited rather impatiently for Jin Ah's answer. However his waiting was soon rewarded when the girl closed her books to face him and asked if the should or not. Alex nodded his head eagerly. "I suggest that we do, but if you want, we could stay here."

[jang jin ah]

The best way to learn a foreign language is always to ask the person who literally grew up with it. Books can only help you up to a certain extent and since Koreans are extremely particular about hierarchy standings and the expected etiquette just like the Japanese, a formal and informal mode of speech. It made learning just a little harder but not impossible. With the mind and attitude of a Ravenclaw, the result is clear.

Seeing the interest that had perked up, she felt extremely delighted. A delight that someone wishes to learn her language. Learning her language is like learning a part about her that she still treasure. 'Well there is no set answer to it but there are a few phrases.' She tore out a page from her notepad and began scribbling down some words before explaining them. 'A-ni-e-yo which literally means no but if used in this context it will mean no problem. Chon-man-e-yo is another way but it's not used so often.' She scanned his face, hoping she did not lose him in the process.

Ah! Alex! His suggestion sounded much more of a plea. However, Nana had already decided the moment she chooses to close the book. She looked at him with a you got to be studying face before letting out a laugh. "Well the books closed so what do you think?" 

[alexander thyme]

As Alex listened to the girl talk, he subconsciously lean closer to her. If he could learn forever, that would be a wonderful thing. Alas, life is rather short, so he had to be prepared to stop knowing stuff one day. But as for now, he was going to cram in everything that pass his way.

"I see." The boy said slowly, jotting down a mental note or two. It seems strange for a language not to have a set phrase, but then again, different cultures have different ways of doing things. Alex wasn't going to be the judge for that. He looked down at the notes that Jin Ah had been writing and nodded his head. His mouth twitched slightly at the different forms of thank you he was learning. "Why do you still use chonmaneyo if it's not so popular?" The boy asked.

At Jin Ah's laugh, Alex grinned. "Excellent, plan Jin Ah." He said as he started to put everything away. "Where do you want to go?" The boy was going to give her the decision making power since he was going to be okay anywhere, as long as they were outside.

[jang jin ah]

'Well it's too formal. You wouldn't use such formal sounding word to a friend would you?' Formal and informal mode of conversation annoys her occasionally even though she was brought up strictly on that sort of mindset and principles that are firmly engrained from one generation to the next. Unlike the western people, she never understood why the Japanese and Korean had to have two forms of conversation. Just when that wasn't enough, there is the hierarchy system.

"Where do you want to go?"

The decision lays with her. So, where should they go? She wasn't that particular about it. Well perhaps a little. She prefers a quieter location. Outdoors have a higher chance of inviting unnecessary distraction and hence her constant seclusion to either the library or her dorm room. However she had the feeling that despite the decision to 'study' outdoors for a change, they won't be getting much done today. They did be 'studying' each other instead like some interesting specimen. 

'The haunted forest? Just kidding. Then, how about the...lake?' 

[alexander thyme]

Oh so the latter version was much to formal for everyday use. That slightly confused Alex, but he just let it pass. It wasn't like was going to Korea anytime soon anyways. Looking down at the paper a few more minutes, trying to memorize the two phrases and how to say them, the boy momentarily forgot about the girl next to him until she spoke again.

"Humm... WHAT?" Alex looked at her with surprise and shock before he grinned. "Oh, you want to go to the lake. Okay, that sounds good to me. It's rather peaceful and quite there. I don't think we will get disturbed there."

Finish packing his bag, the boy slung it over his shoulder as he stood up. Walking around the table, he came to stand next to Jin Ah. He then gestured to the door and said with a smile, "After you, Miss Jang."

[jang jin ah]

Nana chuckled upon seeing his reaction. The haunted forest did be a completely peaceful place to study if one were either a werewolf or a vampire. It is decided. To the lake it is! She stack up her books and carry them in her arms like a cuddly plushie. To her, they are. There weren't many but they are rather thick and bulky. 

"After you, Miss Jang."

For some unknown reason, she felt the need to curtsy and she did it while grinning at him. 'Kamsahamnida Alex-ssi.' Since he had mentioned his name again, she managed to remember it. Just in case she were to forget again,  she had scribbled down his name secretly on the cover of one of her books while he was preoccupied with the new knowledge of Korean Language. She walked out of the door before her. Out towards the bright tempting outdoors. Well it won't kill her to take a break once in a while. She was way ahead in her class anyway. 'To the lake we go...splish splash...' She sang softly in a randomly made up tune of her own. 

[alexander thyme]

Alex gave Jin Ah a playful pout when she chuckled at his reaction. He was actually a little scared when she suggested the woods. Didn't she know that there were dangerous creatures in there? Not that he actually hated them, he just didn't want to get anyone hurt. He then smiled at the way Jin Ah was carrying her books. The boy would do that, but since he had a bag, why not put it in it?

A light laugh bubbled up from Alex's lips as he saw the girl curtsy to him. "Anieyo, Jin Ah." He said with a wink and followed her out of the door. On the way there, he heard her sing a song. Chuckling, he hummed along with her. The boy was glad that he had met the girl.

[end rp]

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