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[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

Excuse me, 'Welcome Ball' what is that? Everyone 'Welcome Ball' is saying. What should I wear? Now I just have this yukata. Should I wear yukata?

...And do I need a date?

Really sorry. I do not know nothing.　I've been reading everyone's message, but I do not know at all.

[ This message is brought to you by Google Translate, which is my best approximation of what someone who happens to be a genius might sound like after a week of learning English. Below it is more or less the same message in Japanese, only far less broken. ]

Excuse me, but what is this 'Welcome Ball' everyone is talking about? I have some understanding that it is a kind of formal event, but I'm afraid I've only limited exposure to social gatherings. As far as formal wear goes, I only have the yukata I arrived in as well as my school uniform. I am curious to know what everyone else is doing.

I also believe I saw someone mention a date. In English, a 'date' in the possessive is the kind that implies romantic involvement or interest, if I'm not mistaken. Are dates the status quo for a 'Welcome Ball'?

My deepest apologies if this message is redundant or if this information is readily available and I have simply missed it. This first week has been a little overwhelming, to say the least.

Comments

[nordr.livejournal.com]

I don't think a date's necessary. We've only been here for a week, I think nine days... a date seems like a lot to expect.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

I understand. Thank you. I do not know of dating. You could teach me?

[ Language barriers suck more than I anticipated. 8'D Haku may go hunting for a translating doohicky soon. ]

[nordr.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'm the right guy for the job.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

Not right? [ Oh, he gets it. =w=b ]

If I find out, should I share notes with?

[nordr.livejournal.com]

Nope. I'm good without them.

... have you never heard of dating at all?

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

Heard of, yes.

...but only heard of. Too busy to study dating.

[nordr.livejournal.com]

Nothing wrong with that.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

No, not wrong. I think this also. But in new world, good to study new things. Not knowing is possible to be dangerous.

[nordr.livejournal.com]

They don't exactly have classes on dating, but... that's a good attitude. I guess.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

'Good attitude'. Thank you. You are very kind.

My name is Haku. Your name is?

[nordr.livejournal.com]

The name's Cloud. Nice to meet you.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

Nice to meet you too. Will Cloud be at 'welcoming ball'?

[nordr.livejournal.com]

I might stop in for an hour, at the beginning. Before it gets too crowded.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ Good luck with Reno letting you leave, Cloud. ]

Will it be okay to see Cloud at 'welcoming ball'?

[nordr.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Sure. No problem.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ Never. 8) ]

I am glad. &hearts

[nordr.livejournal.com]

How will I recognise you? There's gonna be a lot of people in there...

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, that is right. For Cloud to find easier, I will wear yukata. It is like... robe? No sleeves, pink, and length to my knees. I have long black hair and tea color eyes.

And you?

[nordr.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Blond hair. Spiky. I'll be in uniform.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ ;; Awh, you think so? &hearts Cloud's pretty squishy himself. /paws all over him with various muses. ]

I will look for spiky blond hair in uniform who answers to 'Cloud'!

[nordr.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Got it.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ /feels much better. ;; Haku's one of my favorite muses, but all my previous attempts at playing him have somewhat crashed and burned. o7 Thanks for the vote of confidence~ ]

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. And no- come with your friends.

And the 'welcoming ball' has been set up specifically for the new cadets - that's you - to meet your fellow cadets and get to know each other.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

It is 'welcoming ball'? Did I make English mistake?

'Formal' meaning is?

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

No mistake.

Formal meaning dressed up.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[Let's have some culture clash.]

A 'yukata'?

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ Ahahaha, explaining things in languages you don't really know. Good times. 8') ]

Yukata is 'clothing'? Mine is pink, but yukata is not always pink. Dress for summer.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

It's a dress? Like...a skirt?

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

No, no. Dress like... clothing. Like a robe.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[The only robe he's seen people wear in his day and age is this one (http://ffnext.com/images/game/ffxiii/screenshots/Miscellaneous-Dec-10-2009/galenth-dysley-stern-look.jpg). Serves to say it's a skewed image.]

...Oh, I see. It's kind of...long, isn't it? Wouldn't that be hot in summer?

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ Oh wow, that is very different yes. x3 ]

Mine is not long and has no sleeves. Good for summer.

[fleeorflight.livejournal.com]

[You can bet he's trying to picture Dysley in a shorter robe with no sleeves. Ugh. Old man saggy arms. Okay, stopping that now.]

...I see.

[He doesn't.]

If that's the formal attire for where you come from, I don't think anyone will complain.

[fierybluebird]

I think the school uniform will work. [Because he thinks something even more formal for a yukata.]

And I'm going stag. Which means without a date. Since it's a greeting ball, I think the idea is more that you'd walk away with a date than show up with one.

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

[ Haku's yukata is pretty casual. :|a He's not so sure about spending a whole evening in a short skirt, but he'll think about it. ]

Ah, thank you. 'Stag' means without a date. [ He's taking notes. Must learn new language. :|b ]

'Walk away with a date'? Does that mean I should find a date at 'welcoming ball'?

[fierybluebird]

[Poor little trap.]

Right. It's a slang term based on deer.

Only if you want to kid. It basically just means you're supposed to get to know people. Or have a chance to. Or something.

(Japanese)

[knell]

Hello again, Haku! How have you been doing?

As far as formal wear, surely the uniforms we were issued will be fine. And I don't think that many people are planning to go with a proper date, probably. Most of us don't really know each other yet, after all... It's a "Welcome" ball because they want to make us new people feel welcomed, and help us make friends. So it will probably be mostly an event to meet people and chat. It should be fun, though.

I'm not planning to go with anyone right now. If you don't want to be there by yourself, we could go together as friends?

(Japanese)

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

Ah, Tsukumo! I've been doing my best to adjust. I imagine it's been a fairly hectic week for you as well.

I was considering my uniform as it seems many others are planning to go that way, but I'm afraid I'm not perfectly comfortable in such attire. As for dates, that does make sense. Thank you for taking the time to clarify.

If you would like to, I would also be glad to go with you as friends. It's a relief, to be honest. I wasn't sure what I was going to do at the ball as I still struggle with this new language.

[knell]

It's been very busy, but interesting! I've learned a lot.

And to be truthful, my English isn't that great either, but I'm fairly good with interpreting at least. Between the two of us I'm sure we can manage. I do understand about the uniforms, though... I'm not too fond of mine, but it's easier than looking for something else right now. I guess you could say I'm lazy, haha.

Where should we meet?

[madeforbreaking.livejournal.com]

In the front lobby, perhaps? Perhaps a little before the ball? I'd like to catch up with you while it's still quiet if I can.

[knell]

Sure, that sounds good. I'll see you there.