Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 9, 2008 23:30:13 GMT -5
Somewhat excited, I found myself pacing around my house trying to burn off some energy, anticipating my first chance to play teacher. I'd mulled over topics, subject matter, material volume, and difficulty. In the end, I hadn't made up a clear decision.
Nonetheless, I found myself caught inbetwix thought as Rene alerted me to a knock at the door.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 9, 2008 23:44:39 GMT -5
When I arrived, I felt as though I might faint from the nervousness that put my stomach in a flutter. This was to be my first lesson with Tabien. I would be beyond embarrassed if I didn’t do well on my first day. There was somewhat to be said about making good impressions upon people.
I glanced down at the small basket held in my left hand, it contained a fresh sweet bread swathed in a white cloth as a starting payment for my lesson today, then nodded and took a deep breath as my eyes focused upon the door as I politely knocked.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 10, 2008 0:07:01 GMT -5
Rene answered the door with a polite smile, and ushered Odette in quietly without a word, though I could here her humming from my study. I decided not to intimidate my first student using own room, instead holding the lessons in the living room, so to speak. It wasn't used that often really, and lacked any sort of decoration to make it admirable. But then again, such things would only serve as distractions.
I entered carrying just a single book, deciding to go with what I knew best, and what she seemed most interested in, Ch'n language. The book was a old beginner's guide. Oddly, it wasn't that accurate from what I knew, so I had a good idea of how the lesson my progress for the day. Still, no time putting it off.
"How are you Odette, well rested I hope." I said with a calming smile.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 10, 2008 0:21:37 GMT -5
For some reason I envisioned his home stacked from floor to ceiling with books, all stacked neatly or in some form of organization though I was put aright when I had time to glance about the space. Nothing captured my interest, mayhap that was done a-purpose though it would be rudely to ask it directly from my tutor.
When he strolled into the room with a book in hand, I greeted him with a curtsey and extended out the basket to him. “It is good to see you again. I’m well rested with a sated stomach to match.” I smiled kindly. “This is for you. It should last a few days until you find the courage to test my cooking capabilities.” My lips curled into wide smile as I teased him.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 11, 2008 16:04:41 GMT -5
"Ah, execellent, I'd almost forgotten about food." I said, taking the basket. I had somewhat modeled this room after my visits to Ch'n, with a low laying table, forcing the person to sit on the ground to access it usefully. I'd made sure to pad the floor nicely nonetheless.
"Have a seat Odette, I hope you don't mind the foreign accompaniments. "
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 12, 2008 7:57:15 GMT -5
I curiously spied the make of the table on my approach, as it was unfamiliar to my eyes. A dozen questions about the piece lay upon the tip of my tongue concerning the décor of the space but I was here to educate myself on languages, not on his foreign tastes.
Gradually I lowered down onto my knees to then settle in a comfortable kneeling position that I felt would later be uncomfortable as I lacked the practice of holding such a position thusly for a prolonged period of time. I’d naught complain though, any discomfort was well worth me gaining knowledge.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 12, 2008 14:37:04 GMT -5
"It takes some getting used to," I started, seeing her sit hesitantly. "However, there's something to be said about the small amount of pain that it invokes; it will keep you focuses. Were it compelled comfortable, you might be tempted to slumber.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 13, 2008 8:34:01 GMT -5
His reasoning was understandable so I nodded my acknowledgement to that before taking a deep breath and exhaling to let my focus center on my tutor, setting aside a portion of my nerves in order to do so. “Mayhap I’d be tempted to sleep if I was brought up to have no appreciation for knowledge. Luckily I have a taste for it so I naught mind to terribly my seating arrangement, my Lord”
I smiled warmly then allowed my hands to fold onto my lap in preparation for my lesson. The truth be told, I’d sit through the bitter cold or sweltering heat in order to be wiser in the world. This was an opportunity to accomplish that and I would be a fool to let it slip through my fingers due to physical discomfort.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 13, 2008 13:15:29 GMT -5
"Excellent to hear then. With that enthusiasm, you should progress quite nicely."
Some scrap parchment and quill with in had been laid out for her. With no further delay, I set the basket aside for now, and opened the book to a page I'd marked.
"Language is the topic of the day, and since you seemed so interested, Ch'n it will be. Now, repeat after me. Ohiyoo Gozaimasu"
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 15, 2008 0:06:45 GMT -5
I listened carefully to the pronunciation, working it through my mind before repeating what he uttered. When I poured it over in my mind, it sounded well and smooth. Though when I finally spoke, I had stumbled through it. I frowned.
Not letting the mistake detour me from finding the proper delivery, I tried once again and did a better job of it though not making it exact as he had. This was not going to be an easy language to learn I surmised.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 20, 2008 22:39:56 GMT -5
I listened her first couple times. I learned that any errors in intonation need be corrected harsly and quickly, less they lead to more egregious errors later.
"Alright. Now, make sure to take note of the silent syllables, and long vowels. It should be noted that if you hold a sound long, you are in fact stating a different word. Understood?"
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 21, 2008 13:04:34 GMT -5
I was horribly fascinated at the correction, wondering what it was that I said rather than what I intended to utter. Had the lesson be less serious, I would have spared laugher for the moment though I kept my mind on the lesson, dismissing any laughter to remain focused.
“Understood...my apologies.” I took great care to make no errors on the next turn. To my ears, I had correctly spoken though I was not entirely certain that I had properly communicated the phrase so, I lifted a brow in silent question to await his approval or disapproval of the pronunciation.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 21, 2008 13:07:19 GMT -5
I smiled inwardly, though I kept tone prompt. "No time for apologies." I said quickly and lively. "Now, repeat."
I heard her response, much improved. "Better. Let's continue." I said, giving her two new phrases, similarly a formal and informal introduction.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 22, 2008 20:15:16 GMT -5
I suckled on my lips whilst repeating the phrases in my mind, nodding lightly with each syllable as they flowed along. Believing that I was prepared to speak them aloud, I passably repeated what was directed of me.
It wasn’t correct, this I knew though took measures to smooth out my errors by saying them again and again until it was perfected. I had at last spoken them true and I smiled a bit for doing well.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 22, 2008 22:08:59 GMT -5
"Not bad, no mistakes I haven't done before. Repeat again, note that the ending should be less annunciated." I repeated for an example. "In common speech, it's hard to understand the fast pace."
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 26, 2008 15:42:00 GMT -5
This was all perfectly sensible to me so I echoed what was taught to me, taking great pains to annunciate sufficiently when needed or lacking such when I understood it to be thusly so.
I breathed deeply then repeated it to see if my mistakes remained. Patiently I sat, spying him questioningly from my growing uncomfortable position on the floor. I had little doubt that he would correct any mistake I made, I hoped that I had spoken correctly.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 26, 2008 17:03:15 GMT -5
"Much better." I said. She was young, and learned quickly, much better than I did. I didn't encourage her too much though, for fear of making her arrogant. I did notice her starting to shift a bit, the sitting pains setting in. What I didn't tell her is that knowledge learned under duress is more easily recalled than that learned under leisure.
"Alright." I said I pulled out a piece of parchement I'd written out ahead of time. "Here is one of the basic character sheets of the Ch'n language. I want you to copy each one five times." I laid out the parchement and ink. Afterward, I attended to her basket of lunch, a prime time to eat while she wrote. Over forty characters, at five times a pieces, she'll be busy for awhile.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Feb 27, 2008 18:16:44 GMT -5
Quickly the numbers added up in my mind as I took to my writing. This task I set willing upon would take me the better part of his lunch to complete and then some. Often I inquired as to what the character stood for before committing four more alike the character under the each one as I inquired about them.
Ah the pains of my lower body, combined with the cramping of my hand, I reminded myself more than once it was worth all the troubles. One day, I would be able to read, write, and speak the Ch’n language without fault. A smiled touched my lips as I wrote.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Feb 28, 2008 9:24:25 GMT -5
An hour or two passed before she finished. Explainations of characters, at least these anyways, amounted to short answers, as this character set was a builing block to another one, and they carried no intrinsic value themselves. After she finished, I granted my first reprieve.
"Excellent work, I'm quite impressed. Feel free to take a walk, and stretch out while I look over these," I said calmly. I offered my hand to help her up.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Mar 1, 2008 10:29:01 GMT -5
Appreciatively I took his hand, grasping it firmly yet gently to pull up from my position on the floor. As expected, stiff muscles protested against the strain of use as they stretched as my full height was taken. I winced more or less to myself then smiled at my tutor.
“My thanks…I’ll be about outside.” He had the task of reviewing my work so I let him in peace, doing what I may to abstain from hobbling a path to the door, which I entered hours ago, to wander outside for more than fresh air.
Alone, I moaned softly and walked out the cramps in my legs. Over time I would become accustomed to maintaining, at length, such a position though not in the immediate future. Until then I would be somewhat content with the pain, it was a stepping stone to the path of knowledge to which I pursued for my own gain.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Mar 4, 2008 9:27:03 GMT -5
It seemed she stepped outside, obviously feeling stiff. I smiled inwardly, glad she was so willing to go through with all this. In truth, I'd expected a lot more resistance to my teaching methods. As I looked over her writing, I saw a steady improvement on each character, she was a quick learner. I guess it is a good starting student for me.
I continued to make mental notes on what to emphasize, as I enjoyed her food that she'd prepared for me. Quite good for a basket meal, I could definitly get used to this.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Mar 12, 2008 19:56:49 GMT -5
I took an appropriate amount of time to stretch out my limbs before wandering back inside to be in the presence of my wise tutor. He was still in the midst of consuming what I suspected was the last of the food I had prepared for him when I quietly entered the room to take my position on the floor.
Anxiously I waited for the results of my writings, subtly fidgeting as I minded his study of my work.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Mar 12, 2008 21:08:28 GMT -5
I looked up, swallowing the last bite. "Very good." I said at first. I put down the parchments. "Both the food and the writing. I won't tax you for to much longer, so we'll do a few more, maybe an hours more of work, and I can let you go. Does that sound alright?" I asked. I still had to get the feel of how much a student could handle.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Mar 17, 2008 6:22:47 GMT -5
“Thank you.” I replied kindly. I tried to naught see myself made a fool by grinning at the news so I took a moment to collect myself. It was a laboring task though I believed I shined through the moment by nodding my head gently to consent.
“Yes…that will do just fine.” I nodded once again.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Mar 17, 2008 9:19:20 GMT -5
"Good, take a seat, will you." I waited as she order herself. "Now I hope you won't mind if I try a few different teaching methods." I gone ahead, and looked for some classic pictures in various books, and tried my best to replicate them, though my drawing was perhaps not as good.
"I'll show you these pictures, and you are to use the Ch'nese word, which I'll tell you to describe the scene. Understand?"
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Mar 22, 2008 23:08:48 GMT -5
I would embrace his methods of teaching, for so long as they naught involve devices that I would find offensive. Nodding in clear understanding, I awaited further instruction in much anticipation.
There would be many a mistake in my tongue, I’d do my best to pay close attention to his pronouncement to limit my errors. I wet my tongue briefly and prepared for what was to come. In time the pain would return in my legs and back though I was willing to endure my seating arrangement for as long as needed to complete my first lesson.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Mar 23, 2008 12:35:09 GMT -5
I tried not to laugh at my own crude drawings, turning the first of several. "ikimasu" I said, indicating a lone figure walking towards a building. The figure was badly mishappen and disproportioned, and the building left something to be desired. A simple arrow indicated direction.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Mar 27, 2008 13:13:15 GMT -5
His drawings were lacking an artistic quality to them but they would hold true in offering the jest of what I was learning in each of them. Testing the word out first in my mind, I took pause before uttering the word more than thrice, arranging it properly upon my tongue.
“He is going…on his own accord or is he being summoned?” Questions beget answers, I wanted to be certain of what I was seeing in the amusing drawings before me.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Mar 27, 2008 13:39:27 GMT -5
"Hey, don't laugh, I worked hard on these." I started. "No, just going, reason is not inferred by that verb alone." Well, at least I had a humorous student, that's certainly more enjoyable.
As she practiced, we went through several others: come, eat, drink. Each with an equally sub par talent.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Apr 1, 2008 8:04:05 GMT -5
Rudimentary words in my own tongue came slightly mangled in my newly evoked foreign tongue. Occasionally I stifled a laugh at the sight of his art by sealing my lips tightly together, and pressing my finger tips against the softness of lips to pose somewhat in a thoughtful manner.
When I had contained my laughter, I repeated the word several times until it fell without error. On one particular drawing, I could naught help but laugh. “Forgive me for I know this is a serious matter…I attempted to keep it at bay.” I smiled as my laughter subsided.
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