NationStates Jolt Archive

Each of the exchange students in Naoley was assigned to a host family and given two weeks to settle in before school started. It was a time to shop, take in the local scenery, and maybe get to know a few people before getting down to serious work.

Violet was housed Maganas family. Her host mother and father both worked in local factories and the house was in an area of town dominated by industrial working class families. The Maganases had one daughter in town, living near but not with them. Their other daughter was herself abroad as an exchange student. The family was devoutly Orthodox and took Violet to services regularly.

Bentley was placed with the Alans. They were a family with only one son who was himself abroad. Mr. Alan was a police officer and his wife was a full time homemaker. They lived in a suburban neighborhood and had recently acquired the necessary accomodations for a differently abled young man.

Jason was placed in the home of the Irons family. Both parents were academics. The father was a professor of physics and the mother of English. The house was fairly large and was filled with a very diverse collection of books, including cheesey Sci-fi books belonging to their son who was now abroad.

Alena was housed with the Martins, a middle-class family. The mother was a secretary and the father an accountant. The Danaan Government has provided her with her requested security. A female guard who could easily pass as a high school student was sharing the room of the Martins' absent daughter with Alena. There was also a younger daughter still present.

Kelly-Ann was placed with the Waynes, a wealthy family living on the outskirts of town. Mr. Wayne was a single father, his wife had died years before. He had a two sons and two daughters although one of his daughters was abroad. He was a charming man and had infinite freetime for the children, living entirely off his investments.

Yuezz was the only student housed with a family of non-human sentients, the Tharars. The Tharars belonged to a species with hawklike wings, capable of flight. They were a conservative but friendly family and were eager to learn about their guests ways and teach him theirs.

Tzavane was staying with the Brames. Mr. Brame was a carpenter and his wife had been unexployed every since she'd lost her foot in an accident. They were somewhat reclusive parents but rather friendly. Their house, however, was something of a dump, even though they'd made their son make some effort at cleaning his room before going abroad.

Yasi was sent to live with the O'Haras, a Catholic family living in the downtown area. Mr. O'Hara is a boxing instructor and his wife is a nurse. They have three children, including one infant son. Their middle child, their daughter, is abroad. Yasi found that the older son was especially friendly but very unathletic.

Stanley was sent to stay with the Taylors. Mr. Taylor was an officer in the local militia and Mrs. Taylor was the manager of a sandwich shop. The family was rather old fashioned, eating home cooked meals every evening.

Anacaona was sent to stay with the Cherokee Mankiller family. They received her warmly and did everything they could to make her feel at home, curiously asking about her culture and people.

Karina was placed with the Ingrams, a middle-class African-Danaan family. They have two daughters, one of whom is abroad and the other of whom is a few years older than Karina herself.

Spencer was placed with the Wright family. They owned a local motorcycle shop. They had one son who was abroad.

Tomoya was placed with the Jones family. They were quiet types. The father was an accountant and the mother was a librarian.

Luminate was placed with the Davidsons, an animal loving family who eagerly provided him with his required pets. They were very friendly and talkative although Mr. Davidson had a tendency to brag.

What's with all the native kids being "abroad?" Does no one in your country actually live in their houses? :-/

OOC:Umm.. wasnt this supposed to be with The Resurgent Dream? im confused. Also, slight misunderstanding with the pets thing, he brings them with him.. sorry bout that.

IC:
Aidan politely corrects the family when they call him Luminate, informing them that it is a title, marking him as a Lumina and not a normal human.

Friendly, open and polite, he quickly tries his best to befriend his host family, and orient himself with his surroundings. Mr davidsons bragging is tolerated with a smile.

He also tries to locate some of the other exchange students.. perhaps make some friends before studies start.

His pets, all of alien appearance, consist of some kind of ferret-like creature and two beautiful birds that look like eagles with brightly coloured plumage. of the fifth there is no sign. They accompany him everywhere, ferret on his shoulders and birds wheeling overhead.

Each of the exchange students in Naoley was assigned to a host family and given two weeks to settle in before school started. It was a time to shop, take in the local scenery, and maybe get to know a few people before getting down to serious work.

Violet was housed Maganas family. Her host mother and father both worked in local factories and the house was in an area of town dominated by industrial working class families. The Maganases had one daughter in town, living near but not with them. Their other daughter was herself abroad as an exchange student. The family was devoutly Orthodox and took Violet to services regularly.

Bentley was placed with the Alans. They were a family with only one son who was himself abroad. Mr. Alan was a police officer and his wife was a full time homemaker. They lived in a suburban neighborhood and had recently acquired the necessary accomodations for a differently abled young man.

Jason was placed in the home of the Irons family. Both parents were academics. The father was a professor of physics and the mother of English. The house was fairly large and was filled with a very diverse collection of books, including cheesey Sci-fi books belonging to their son who was now abroad.

Alena was housed with the Martins, a middle-class family. The mother was a secretary and the father an accountant. The Danaan Government has provided her with her requested security. A female guard who could easily pass as a high school student was sharing the room of the Martins' absent daughter with Alena. There was also a younger daughter still present.

Kelly-Ann was placed with the Waynes, a wealthy family living on the outskirts of town. Mr. Wayne was a single father, his wife had died years before. He had a two sons and two daughters although one of his daughters was abroad. He was a charming man and had infinite freetime for the children, living entirely off his investments.

Yuezz was the only student housed with a family of non-human sentients, the Tharars. The Tharars belonged to a species with hawklike wings, capable of flight. They were a conservative but friendly family and were eager to learn about their guests ways and teach him theirs.

Tzavane was staying with the Brames. Mr. Brame was a carpenter and his wife had been unexployed every since she'd lost her foot in an accident. They were somewhat reclusive parents but rather friendly. Their house, however, was something of a dump, even though they'd made their son make some effort at cleaning his room before going abroad.

Yasi was sent to live with the O'Haras, a Catholic family living in the downtown area. Mr. O'Hara is a boxing instructor and his wife is a nurse. They have three children, including one infant son. Their middle child, their daughter, is abroad. Yasi found that the older son was especially friendly but very unathletic.

Stanley was sent to stay with the Taylors. Mr. Taylor was an officer in the local militia and Mrs. Taylor was the manager of a sandwich shop. The family was rather old fashioned, eating home cooked meals every evening.

Anacaona was sent to stay with the Cherokee Mankiller family. They received her warmly and did everything they could to make her feel at home, curiously asking about her culture and people.

Karina was placed with the Ingrams, a middle-class African-Danaan family. They have two daughters, one of whom is abroad and the other of whom is a few years older than Karina herself.

Spencer was placed with the Wright family. They owned a local motorcycle shop. They had one son who was abroad.

Tomoya was placed with the Jones family. They were quiet types. The father was an accountant and the mother was a librarian.

Luminate was placed with the Davidsons, an animal loving family who eagerly provided him with his required pets. They were very friendly and talkative although Mr. Davidson had a tendency to brag.

Violet said good-bye to her family and friends as she boarded the plane to the Resurgent Dream (or Danaan Ambara) for her student exchange program. She sat next to a grandmother who talked about her grandkids, Violet respectfully listened as she read the Alexiad of Anna Comnena.

Violet's luggage was secure and so was she, everything for the flight was A-Ok. She had a good flight, thinking of how her time in this new land would be. Perhaps it would be a great time.

When Violet got to her new family, she respectfully greeted them in her Greek tongue before going into their language. She was a bit amazed they were Orthodox but she was ok with it, she was Orthodox herself.

Violet admired the scenery of the city and said that the home of the Maganas family was nice and cozy. She asked them about the city and what there was to do in it.

Violet took some time to explore the city, admiring the city but knew to spend her time wisely, soon it would be time to hit the books.

OOC-I hope this is a good post.

Each of the exchange students in Naoley was assigned to a host family and given two weeks to settle in before school started. It was a time to shop, take in the local scenery, and maybe get to know a few people before getting down to serious work.

Violet was housed Maganas family. Her host mother and father both worked in local factories and the house was in an area of town dominated by industrial working class families. The Maganases had one daughter in town, living near but not with them. Their other daughter was herself abroad as an exchange student. The family was devoutly Orthodox and took Violet to services regularly.

Bentley was placed with the Alans. They were a family with only one son who was himself abroad. Mr. Alan was a police officer and his wife was a full time homemaker. They lived in a suburban neighborhood and had recently acquired the necessary accomodations for a differently abled young man.

Jason was placed in the home of the Irons family. Both parents were academics. The father was a professor of physics and the mother of English. The house was fairly large and was filled with a very diverse collection of books, including cheesey Sci-fi books belonging to their son who was now abroad.

Alena was housed with the Martins, a middle-class family. The mother was a secretary and the father an accountant. The Danaan Government has provided her with her requested security. A female guard who could easily pass as a high school student was sharing the room of the Martins' absent daughter with Alena. There was also a younger daughter still present.

Kelly-Ann was placed with the Waynes, a wealthy family living on the outskirts of town. Mr. Wayne was a single father, his wife had died years before. He had a two sons and two daughters although one of his daughters was abroad. He was a charming man and had infinite freetime for the children, living entirely off his investments.

Yuezz was the only student housed with a family of non-human sentients, the Tharars. The Tharars belonged to a species with hawklike wings, capable of flight. They were a conservative but friendly family and were eager to learn about their guests ways and teach him theirs.

Tzavane was staying with the Brames. Mr. Brame was a carpenter and his wife had been unexployed every since she'd lost her foot in an accident. They were somewhat reclusive parents but rather friendly. Their house, however, was something of a dump, even though they'd made their son make some effort at cleaning his room before going abroad.

Yasi was sent to live with the O'Haras, a Catholic family living in the downtown area. Mr. O'Hara is a boxing instructor and his wife is a nurse. They have three children, including one infant son. Their middle child, their daughter, is abroad. Yasi found that the older son was especially friendly but very unathletic.

Stanley was sent to stay with the Taylors. Mr. Taylor was an officer in the local militia and Mrs. Taylor was the manager of a sandwich shop. The family was rather old fashioned, eating home cooked meals every evening.

Anacaona was sent to stay with the Cherokee Mankiller family. They received her warmly and did everything they could to make her feel at home, curiously asking about her culture and people.

Karina was placed with the Ingrams, a middle-class African-Danaan family. They have two daughters, one of whom is abroad and the other of whom is a few years older than Karina herself.

Spencer was placed with the Wright family. They owned a local motorcycle shop. They had one son who was abroad.

Tomoya was placed with the Jones family. They were quiet types. The father was an accountant and the mother was a librarian.

Luminate was placed with the Davidsons, an animal loving family who eagerly provided him with his required pets. They were very friendly and talkative although Mr. Davidson had a tendency to brag.

Anacaona enjoyed her flight, she was an Aztec, daughter of a offical of the Empire. Her father told her to behave herself, he did not want the Aztec Empire to be embarrased or what not.

Anacaona was dressed in Aztec dress, a necklace of the Mexican Eagle and Snake was around her neck. When she landed, she greeted nicely her host family.

She explained as best as she could to them, her culture and people, explaining about the Aztec Empire. She asked them questions too and she respected them for their kindness.

When Anacaona had the chance, she explored the city, it was quite different from the Aztec capital but it was still good. She hoped everything would go well, she was an Aztec girl in a foreign land. She would not be here, if Hernan Cortes won over the Aztecs.

Jason got off the plane, his carryon over one shoulder. Exiting the boarding-pass section of the airport, he looked around until he caught sight of the sign with his last name on it.

Walking over, he gave both adults a partial bow, "Hello, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Irons. As I'm sure you already know, I'm Jason."

After introductions and the rest of the usual stuff was completed, Jason grabbed his bags and the case which contained a foil, épée, sabre as well as the clothing for fencing as well as the gear for Kendo, something he'd taken up recently. With his bags well in hand, they headed to the car.

Driving to his new home for the next while, he asked and found out about the Irons, as well as asking if the Geller High School had a fencing or Kendo team or club.

Arriving at the home, he began unpacking and shortly went to sleep, requesting excusation from the meal due to get lag. He intended to explore the area a bit to see what was around.

ooc: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11050301&postcount=4

Accueillir à Jacques Eiffel, l'Aéroport International de Montréal!

The large, neon sign welcomed Yasi and her family as her fathers' car roared through the rain and into the crowded airport. For sixteen-year-old Yasi Rolland (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11075580&postcount=11), the airport sign felt more like a good-bye than welcome. Leaving Kelse, leaving Montréal, it was a little surreal - even though she was only leaving for a semester abroad. It was late at night, but the many lights inside the airport made it seem like the sun was shining brightly. Earlier, her little sister Vanessa pleaded with her parents to let her go to the airport and was filled with joy and excitement when they agreed - and now she slept next to her mother in the back seat unaware of the bright surroundings.

"Which terminal is it again?" her father said as Yasi was rummaging through her carry-on backpack. "I don't know the number... but its Air Kelse... the regional one," she replied, as her mother soon butted in with "Honey, your going international, theres no reason why you should be on a regional flight." "Well, i'm transfering in Sivaris, so it make sense..." said Yasi as her mother looked at the window and silently said "We're paying all this money and they can't get you on a non-stop flight!" Vanessa was awakened and soon after began to bombard Yasi with questions about Naoley. Shortly after that, the car came to a halt in front of a massive terminal complex. "Air Kelse, Regional... this is it! Okay, we don't have much time... do you have everything? Here, take this umbrellla..."

Her father rushed out of the car and back into the trunk, followed by Yasi and her mom. "Have you got everything? Make sure to call us when you get to Sivaris! And after we'll talk once you get to Naoley!" her father said as he handed Yasi her bags. "Dad, i'll be fine... listen, i'll call you and don't worry about me, okay?" she said as she stepped onto the curb. "Don't worry, i'll make sure he won't!" her mother said. They exchanged their good-byes and hugs on the rainy terminal road as hundreds of people walked in either direction passed them. Finally, Yasi had turned her back, and was walking into the terminal. She looked back, waved, and set her foot inside. The last thing she heard from them was her sister, yelling something about souvenirs.

The flight into Sivaris was a bit-short, and when she arrived the time was only 1:00pm. Only four hours... she thought as she sat her self down on the rather comfortable terminal floor. She placed her head against the wall, pressed play on her mp3, and dozed off for the next hour or so. When awoken by the loudspeaker, she suddenly remembered to make the phone call. When the call was over, "Air Kelse, Flight 049, Sivaris-Naoley, is now boarding at Gate 12..." echoed through the room from the loud-speakers. It was time for the next part of the journey, in which she spent more than half the time sleeping. The plane suddenly went through a period of massive turbulence, which worried Yasi a bit. It stopped just as quickly as it had started, however, but Yasi couldn't fall back asleep as she was perfectly rested. The plane touched down two-hours later at around 6:30am. As soon as Yasi stepped off the plane, it felt like she had been hit by a sack of bricks. It was a pretty awful feeling. As soon as she entered into the terminal, she sat down, drank water, and hoped the feeling went away. After about fifteen minutes, she felt better, and proceeded through the baggage terminal and out onto the airport terminal curb with her bags, looking around for the O'Haras.

A relatively fit man in his fourtys' came to her side with a hearty smiled and said "Good morning! I'm Mr. O'Haras, and you must be Yaht-zee?" Yahtzee? she thought as she began to giggle slightly. "Yes, and it's actually pronounced Yasi , like Yah-see..." "Oh i'm terribly sorry, Ya-see, well anyways, welcome to Naoley!" he said as he shook her hand. "Oh don't worry at all, it's okay! And thank you Mr. O'Haras, i'm so happy to be in your great nation!" she said. "Please, call me Jack."

The two learned a great deal about each other on the car ride home, and Yasi learned a lot about her surroundings as she looked at her new settings from the passenger window. When they arrived at the O'Haras, they were greeted by Mrs. O'Haras, an attractive woman that looked a lot younger than Jack. "Hello i'm Mrs. O'Haras, but you can call me Jennifer! Welcome to our home, and welcome to Naoley! How do you like it so far?" she said as she put her arm around Yasi and brought her into the house. "Oh, it's quite nice, I like it a lot actually..." she replied as she was greeted on the inside by their son, Ryan. "Well we've got the barbecque set out so come on out for lunch, you must be starving!" said Mrs. O'Haras as Yasi walked out into their lovely yard.

This is going to be so much fun!

Most of Naoley had been built fairly recently, given the entire city the air of a modern metropolis. Downtown, glimmering skyscrapers kissed the sky. The streets were broad and organized largely (although not entirely) in a neat grid. Commercial activity seemed concentrated in large, brightly lit malls and vibrant shopping centers. In the older part of town, tourists could see white-painted neoclassical sandstone structure of White Palace where Princess Chrysanthenum was currently in residence.

The first few days the students were mostly exposed to museums and the like, the sort of thing which most people liked to think of as their culture. However, it didn’t take them long to pick up on the local popular culture. As opposed to fried foods, the local fast food consisted of sandwich shops. Caffeinated beverages were so scarce it sometimes seemed they were unknown. Local television had a fairly wide variety of programs but an awful lot of them were action or adventure stories based upon some take off of a medieval or classical hero.

Jason was able to find out that there was a fencing team but no kendo at the school. The immediate area of the house where he was staying was relatively. There was a small store and a laundry around the corner but the rest of the area seemed entirely residential. There were a lot of dogs in the neighborhood and quite a few pretty girls who walked them. A few of them smiled a little at Jason when they passed him on the street.

Yasi discovered that Jack O’Hara was quite fond of the barbeque. It seemed he was constantly trying to make steak or beef patties or sausages. Eventually, Jennifer insisted that it was time for something healthier and took the cooking back over, but only after Yasi had had several nights of the grill.

Most of Naoley had been built fairly recently, given the entire city the air of a modern metropolis. Downtown, glimmering skyscrapers kissed the sky. The streets were broad and organized largely (although not entirely) in a neat grid. Commercial activity seemed concentrated in large, brightly lit malls and vibrant shopping centers. In the older part of town, tourists could see white-painted neoclassical sandstone structure of White Palace where Princess Chrysanthenum was currently in residence.

The first few days the students were mostly exposed to museums and the like, the sort of thing which most people liked to think of as their culture. However, it didn’t take them long to pick up on the local popular culture. As opposed to fried foods, the local fast food consisted of sandwich shops. Caffeinated beverages were so scarce it sometimes seemed they were unknown. Local television had a fairly wide variety of programs but an awful lot of them were action or adventure stories based upon some take off of a medieval or classical hero.

Jason was able to find out that there was a fencing team but no kendo at the school. The immediate area of the house where he was staying was relatively. There was a small store and a laundry around the corner but the rest of the area seemed entirely residential. There were a lot of dogs in the neighborhood and quite a few pretty girls who walked them. A few of them smiled a little at Jason when they passed him on the street.

Yasi discovered that Jack O’Hara was quite fond of the barbeque. It seemed he was constantly trying to make steak or beef patties or sausages. Eventually, Jennifer insisted that it was time for something healthier and took the cooking back over, but only after Yasi had had several nights of the grill.

At the airport terminal, Tomoya's mother gave her a great big hug.

"You be good now, mind your manners."

"Yes mom."

"Show them a good Kanamian Tiger. Work hard."

"I will dad. I'll miss you when I'm gone."

"Yeah we will too honey. Now if you get homesick do not be afraid to call me, and I'll make you feel better."

"I will."

"Keep your glasses clean. Who are you staying with again?"

She pulled out a paper. "I'm with the Jones Family."

Flight 648 to Naoley, is now boarding

"Well I'd better go. Bye mom bye dad!" She ran to the gate handing her boarding pass.

"Excuse me sir, ma'am, if your daughter has boarded, we must show you out of the terminal."

"Oh right right. I hope she'll be all right."

"She'll be fine. She's smart, and polite, she'll be just fine darling."

(*In Kanami, family members w/o criminal background may escort their loved ones to the terminal, but they are watched the entire time*)


She settled back for her long flight. After some long hours, she arrived. She was nervous, it was her first time alone, miles away from her family. "Oh my what family am I in again?" She looked at the paper, oh right, the Jonses. Calm down Tomoya." She wasn't sure of the security measures of this country. She didn't know if people could go beyond security check or not. Some countires it was "No one beyond That Point" period some others didn't worry.

She felt she might have a panic attack if she can't find her host family, or someone who was also on this expendenture.

The family took the day off to welcome their surogate duaughter.

"I hope she doesn't get lost, I tell you this air-port is too big with too little service." The Wife said.

"Don't worry honey, I have her picture, we're holding a sign printed in three difrrent languages, saying 'Welcome Tomoya.' "

"Is that her?"

"No. Ah there she is, Tomoya Orimoto?!"

"Tomoya over here sweetheart."

"Here give her the flowers."

She walked to the sound of the strangers calling. "I'm Tomoya Orimoto, are you my host family?"

"Yes we are. How do you do Tomoya, I'm Tobe Jones, this is my wife Amber, it's a pleasure to meet you. Oh here let me take your bag."

"No it's all right."

"No no no, don't be silly. You're our guest we should treat you like our guest."

He took the suitecase

"So I guess you can't go beyond the security point?"

"No I'm afraid not. Can you?"

"Well if you don't have a ticket, but you are escorting someone, you must have no criminal background, not even a ticket. And you have to show the security your are clearly escorting your immediate family member. The whole nine yards."

They escorted her out of the Air port, they seemed like freindly people.

Yuezz stood in the airplane's bathroom, looking himself in the mirror. He brushed his greesey hair rapidly, knowing that the plane would be landing soon. He wore a typical black tunic of a Zombein, with his family's crest--a grey griffon head with two rapiers crossed behind it--sewn on his left sleve.

The vehicle landed, and Yuezz came out into the airport's lobby with his one suitecase. He looked around with his sunken-in eyes and examined the room, trying to find his surrogate caretakers. He figured that people with wings would not be hard to find.

Jason was pleased about the fencing team, and the lack of a Kendo team didn't dismay him that much as it was a recent hobby and missing a while would not really cause any problems. He stopped by both laundro-mat and store to see what was sold at one, and the generalness of the other.

He was happy to see the profusion of attractive girls, and those few who smiled at him, he returned the smile and if they seemed receptive he would introduce himself.

Jason was pleased about the fencing team, and the lack of a Kendo team didn't dismay him that much as it was a recent hobby and missing a while would not really cause any problems. He stopped by both laundro-mat and store to see what was sold at one, and the generalness of the other.

He was happy to see the profusion of attractive girls, and those few who smiled at him, he returned the smile and if they seemed receptive he would introduce himself.

OOC-Can you tell me if this is an ok post?

Anacaona walked through the city, looking at all the stores and other places, it was truly different from the Aztec capital. As she walked, she noticed a young man (Jason) smile at him.

Smiling back, she greeted him as she walked, Anacaona wanted to be polite in her host country.

Perhaps this man was another student, Anacaona wondered, perhaps a first friend could be made.

"Hello there. I'm Jason, a foreign exchange student. Might I ask your name?" He asked the girl who appeared to be about his age. She looked like a foreign exchange student as well, what with her wide-eyed stare.

"Hello there. I'm Jason, a foreign exchange student. Might I ask your name?" He asked the girl who appeared to be about his age. She looked like a foreign exchange student as well, what with her wide-eyed stare.

''My name is Anacaona.'' Anacaona said in her native accent but not in the Aztec language. ''It's nice to meet you, Jason. I'm a foreign exchange student too here in this nice nation. I want to spend all the time I have before I have to get to the books.'' Anacaona said.

"Ah, that sounds sort of like what I'm doing." He replied, "It's nice to meet you as well, and may I ask what accent that is?"

''That is good. I hope we both have fun here. Also, the accent you said I have would be Aztec. I am from the Aztec Empire.''

"I hope we have a good school year as well." He replied with a grin. "Thought I regret to say I've never heard of the Aztec Empire as anything other than a blurb in a history text."

"I hope we have a good school year as well." He replied with a grin. "Thought I regret to say I've never heard of the Aztec Empire as anything other than a blurb in a history text."

''I know lots about it, my dad taught me much of the history. My dad is a minister of the ruler of the Empire.'' Anacaona said. ''The Aztec Empire is my homeland, I understand if you've never heard of it save that blurb.''

''It is nice to be talking to you, Jason.'' Anacaona said in the Aztec language.

"That's good. It's always nice to know about your history and heritage." He replied, before blinking at the foreign language.

"That's good. It's always nice to know about your history and heritage." He replied, before blinking at the foreign language.

''Indeed it is. My dad taught me most as I said.'' Anacaona said. ''Jason, would you like to explore the city with me? I'd love to have someone with me, to explore this city.''

"That sounds like a good idea." He replied before checking his watch, "Thought I'll have to go in about an hour. So what are your hobbies?"

Spencer stepped off the plan. He was exicted. He saw his host family the Wright Family.

"You must be Spencer. Welcome, here let me take that for you."

"Thanks it's really exciting to be here. "

"Ah you'll love it. I wish you could meet our son but he's abroad right now. We own a motorcycle shop, but we're no Hell Angels I'll tell you that." He showed them to his car.

"Hop in, buckle up."

OOC: Revised post so that it goes somewhere.

Karina was placed with the Ingrams, a middle-class African-Danaan family. They have two daughters, one of whom is abroad and the other of whom is a few years older than Karina herself.

When she steps off the plane and into the terminal in Naoley's airport, Karina isn't sure what to expect, because while the intelligent part of her knows there really is not that much difference between Weyr and the Resurgent Dream, instinct says that this terminal is a new place, and new places and people are strange and different. She adjusts her floppy hat once past the customs agent, who seemed so nice and was genuinely apologetic about needing to match Karina to her passport photo. The hat is black, with a white band; its brim extends almost to the ends of her long, gently tapering ears and casts her face into the safety of shadows.

Maybe it is the prevalence of black in her costume, or that she is the only person in the airport terminal with ears much longer than those of any elf, but the Ingram almost instantly recognizes Karina as 'their' exchange student as she emerges through the sliding glass doors of the customs office, pulling a worn green luggage, a well-kept and quite old backpack slung over her shoulder. From beneath the brim of her hat she scans the few people waiting to meet arriving passengers. The Ingram father raises the sign he holds slightly higher. Karina's smile is nearly invisible beneath her hat; she half-expected to have to make her own way to the Ingrams'. She makes for the waiting family member, and then trails behind him out into the just-past-midnight outside the airport, the hat still firmly on her head.

***

Over the first few days Karina slowly grows into her new home, though she cannot remember the name of her 'big sister' no matter how much she tries. The Ingrams work for most of the day; 'big sister' is seemingly nowhere in sight except at meal times. In the early mornings Karina is afraid to venture outside her room for fear of disturbing the utter silence broken only by the ticking of clocks and the humm of the fridge, to which the Ingrams have affixed a sticky note of emergency numbers and messages. Skipping breakfast, she ventures outside after looking up the directions to a shopping center, her floppy, wide-brimmed hat firmly on her head, matching her usual shirt and jeans that are the sort of plain black someone wears because they do not want to think about what to put on every morning. On the bus Karina does not really warrant a second look.

In town, Aidan probably attracts alot of attention with his strange pets and unusual dress. He is dressed in a loose open-fronted blue silk robe over a skintight sapphire jumpsuit. His boots are military issue zg-boots, with reinforced ankles, and the duffel bag on his shoulder contrasted to the silver circlet on his brow completes the strange combination of navy cadet and prince.

His birds circling overhead spot the girl as she gets off the bus.. out of place, and he surmises from her ears that she may be one of the other exchange students. He slips out of the crowd and begins to walk in her direction, the ferret-like creature falls comically off of his shoulders and into the hood of his robe, then pokes its head out to look behind him.

Kelly-Ann was more excited about her time in the Resurgent Dream than she had told anyone. It was not that she did not like her family, but she was looking forward to standing on her own two feet for a while, even though she would be living with a family while she was there. But she would not have her mother constantly telling her what to do, she would not have her school teachers moaning the minute she was not standing with the correct deportment and we would not have her brother and sister treating her like some freak of nature, the way they always seemed to.

She stepped off the plane, smiling as she took her first look at her temporary home. Even though all she could see was tarmac and airport buildings, she could not stop the huge smile that crept onto her lips at the feeling of freedom that swept over her.

As she made her way through the airport, following the rest of the passengers as they headed off to luggage collection, she let her mind wonder over some of the information that she had on the family she would be staying with. She felt a little sorry for the family, having lost their mother. Although, there were times when she wished she could lose hers for a while, but when she truly thought about it, she knew that she would miss her mother if she were to die.

There were four children, two boys and two girls, a nice mix, although one of the daughters would not be present during her stay, as she too was on the same programme. She hoped that she was going to be having a fun time wherever she was visiting. Not really sure what ages the children would be, she crossed her fingers that she was not about to step into a home from home situation.

Finally getting her luggage, which was surprisingly not the last off the plane, she made her way through to the arrivals area, hoping to meet someone who was waiting for her.

OOC: Please check the OOC thread for some important posts and keep all future OOC conversation, however small, to the OOC thread. I’ve responded to all OOC comments there.

Gehenna Tartarus

Kelly-Ann saw a man in his mid-thirties waiting for her, holding a sign with her name on it. He was wearing designer trousers and a nicely cut white shirt. He seemed to be in great physical shape for his age and he still had all of his dark hair. He smiled warmly as the Tartaran approached, offering his hand. “I take it you’re Kelly-Ann? I’m George Wayne. I’ll be your host for this school year.”

GenTec Amalgamated

Aidan did attract a good deal of attention although most of it was discrete. People would take glances at him when they thought he wasn’t looking. A few would stare at him after he’d walked past. No had said anything beyond giving him a polite greeting by the time he spotted Karina.

Weyr

The name of Karina’s big sister was Tarama. She was one of the most popular girls in school and one of the seniors on the varsity cheerleading squad. The reason she wasn’t around much was because she was constantly out with her friend and with some of the boys she was interested in. She was friendly to Karina when they were around the hours together but wasn’t too solicitous of her temporary little sister, at least not so far.

"Let's go get your bags." George Wayne said to Kelly-Ann.

Kelly-Ann greeted George Wayne with a smile that showed genuine pleasure in meeting him as well as relief that she had not been forgotten. Her fear had been that somewhere along the way something would have happened to stop someone from her host family appearing and her spending several unpleasant hours lounging around an airport.

From her first impression, Kelly-Ann felt comfortable with George. He seemed respectable, tidy and polite. She quickly banished one of her other fears which had been the possibility of being housed with a family that spent the day in their underwear while making dinner with a cigarette balances precariously on their lower lip. She grimaced at herself, wondering why she had such an overactive imagination.

She nodded her head and clutched her hand luggage, following behind George as he led the way. She thought it would only be polite to attempt some conversation. “I understand you have several children, did they come with you?” She ventured. It seemed like a good starting point, and would help her learn a little about the family that she would be living with.

"I actually drove out to the airport alone." George answered. "But I'll introduce you to my kids as soon as we get home."

After socializing with Anacaona for a while longer, Jason said his good-byes and headed back to his host family's home for lunch as he was beginning to regret skipping breakfast, but only somewhat as it wouldn't have set right anyways.

Arriving at the house, he took off his shoes, before heading to wash up for the midday meal.

"Is that you, dear?" Selina Irons, the mother of the family, called out as Jason came in.

"Yes Mrs. Irons." He called back as he headed into the bathroom. After utilizing the facilities and washing his hands, he headed out and down to the dining room.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone,” Kelly-Ann replied as she followed George Wayne through the airport. Like all new arrivals, her eyes were flicking around her, reading advertisements, looking out of windows and generally glancing at the people around her, trying to see if there was a stereotypical look that people from the Resurgent Dream had.

At the same time, she was wondering what her stay in the Resurgent Dream would be like. She had only heard good things about the Resurgent Dream, but she put that down to the Empress’ cousin marrying the High King. It was always good to portray nations in a good light when a connection was made. Of course, that meant that Kelly-Ann was going to be suddenly stunned to find that she had just walked into some hellhole. But first impressions made her think that that would not be the case.

“Do you live far from the airport, Mr Wayne? And your house; is it in the middle of town or on the outskirts?” She was once more standing next to her host, having sped up a little, no longer focusing on her surroundings. She was excited about meeting everyone.

"I live on the outskirts." George told Kelly-Anne. "And it's about a half hour drive."

The Tartaran would have been hard pressed to determine a stereotypical Danaan's appearance from the airport at Narich. Narich was the largest city in the Resurgent Dream which meant both that it was a major hub and many of the people Kelly-Anne saw were foreigners like herself and also that it was far more cosmopolitan than most places. The people Kelly-Anne saw were white, black, Asian, Amerindian, Arabic, Polynesian, and Latino. Some of them were even non-human sentients such as Fae, Elves, Hobbits, or similar beings. Most of them were speaking English although the girl could detect dozens of languages here and there, some of which she might never have heard before. The style of dress, at least in a place of this kind, seemed to be what would best be termed generic Western with some people in suits and others in typical casual wear of jeans, trousers, or shorts with various fairly generic shirts. Businesswomen, or those dressed like businesswomen at least, seemed to prefer pantsuits to suits with skirts. Nonetheless, there were a few more exotic outfits present. Kelly-Anne even passed one man wearing the red robes of a Masai warrior.

...

"It's Dr. Irons, actually." Selina corrected Jason. "But I'd like it if you called me Selina."

"Alright." He replied before asking, "What is for lunch Selina?"

"What would you like?" Selina asked.

"Then I would like a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, if it's no trouble." He replied as those two food items went well together in his opinion.