Third Floor Common Room - Sunday Evening

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

Sunday wasn't exactly a study day, but he'd had a slow week and didn't want to fall behind. He worked better with other people around and so had his Chemistry homework out in front of him. Jack was sitting cross-legged on the floor, occasionally glancing at the door as if hoping for a distraction.

[OOC: HI!]

Comments

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

"Spanish?" Elphaba asked, thinking it was a term she'd read in one of her books. "Is that a... language?"

She'd be proud of herself if she'd gotten that right.

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

"Sorry," Jack said, shaking his head, "I forget you're not from around here. Yeah, it's a language. It's originally from Spain, which is Europe, but a lot of Americans speak it too since it's the national language of Mexico, which is the country we share the south border with."

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba was not only pleased with herself, but pleased with Jack's simple and thorough explanation. She nodded and gave him a polite smile. "Then a good language to learn. You plan to travel there?"

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

Jack shook his head. "It's not on the agenda, but some colleges have a language requirement and it makes sense to learn one that I might actually use." And yeah, okay, it was his father's first language, but he so wasn't getting into that. "Do you have to learn other languages at home?"

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

"There are a few," Elphaba said. "The Quadlings have their own language, certainly. But often it is not a matter of a different language, but the same language used somewhat differently. Like the difference between how a Munchkinlander or a Gillikinese speaks."

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

"Dialects," Jack replied, nodding in understanding. "You get that here too. Between different countries, but even in this one with the different regions. Drop a New Yorker in the Deep South and they'd probably have communication issues. If you don't have to do languages, what do you learn at school?"

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

"This is my first real school," Elphaba admitted. "My sister and I had tutors for much of our life. We learned maths and biology and the Unionist texts, mainly. A healthy amount of history as well."

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

Jack equated the tutors with home-schooled kids and suddenly a lot about Elphaba made sense. "I'll let you in on a secret," Jack said conspiratorially. "This isn't a normal school. Not even close. So if things seem weird, it's not you."

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba laughed at that. "This school isn't a normal one?" her tone was playful, even if she was being sarcastic. "Thank you for sharing such a secret with me, Jack."

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

"I know," Jack said in a mock serious tone. "It's hard to accept with all the normal we see around here on a daily basis, but it's the truth. Though the cafeteria food doesn't really change no matter where you go," he admitted.

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba nodded, though that was a concept she was utterly unfamiliar with. "I've found it is quite easy to eat without visiting there."

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

"I go there for lunch. Some habits are hard to break. So's some of the bread."

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba chuckled. "All the more reason to keep avoiding it, I think."

[notlikebobby.livejournal.com]

"I won't argue," Jack replied. "For lunch though, it's easier having someone else make it, so I'll probably keep going."