2692/Punk-tual

Punk-tual
Date of Scene:	14 July 2025
Location:	Classroom
Synopsis:	Roman is late to class and made to stand outside, which is a new experience for him. Adrien is also late, and the two classmates meet and introduce themselves, noticing they have some things in common.
Cast of Characters:	Roman Talleday, Adrien Agreste

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Roman Talleday has posed:
Despite Lincoln's efforts to rouse Roman, or his alarms, or Darjeela's urging (and hair tugging), he was not easily motivated to get out of bed early. A late night spent gallavanting about Tokyo, and fighting in the Shed with an upperclassman, and generally goofing around took its toll.

He missed breakfast, but Roman was not one to go without eating-- rather than hurry himself, he'd pulled on his uniform and, bedraggled, snuck himself to a vending machine. Taking his time, as Darjeela squeaked more and more frantically from the diminutive teacup earring in which she hid during the day, Roman drank strawberry tea from a can and made his way through a packet of crisps first. Or near enough to crisps. Like crisps dipped in chocolate, really. Crunchy and sweet.

So, by the time he appeared to class, very late, the reception had been very cold. His teachers back home had been much more tired and casual, and nobody might much have cared-- a detention slip for later probably, a half-hearted scolding or, more likely, a roll of eyes and some tutting (got some more grey hairs for you, sir).

Not so, here. Other classmates also gave him looks, and the teacher had no patience for banter of any kind.

So, now Roman was standing in the hallway outside of class, wondering very much what the hell had just happened. He wasn't allowed into class? Part of him thought, 'Well, I could've just slept in longer and gone to the next class on time', but oddly, a little bloom of shame had started sprouting in his chest. He felt bad about not being in class, a bit, like he was letting himself and others down somehow.

That was a first.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Being late was something that didn't happen too often to Adrien. Typically his schedule was down to the minute, when Nathalie was in charge. Though she'd left strict instructions on today's schedule, the photographer had unfortunately felt 'inspired by the morning light' which had meant he'd taken another few rolls of photographs before deeming it 'acceptable' so that Adrien could rush away.

Even with a personal driver it had been difficult to get from the tower to Radiant Heart in time. While Roman is already standing there for similar reasons, the blonde French boy comes hurrying up with his jacket slung crisp over his forearm, and messenger bag clutched at his shoulder.

Unlike Roman, he knew not to try and enter until a break when he could apologize to the teacher, and not interrupt the other students.

A friendly, wry smile is offered to Roman as he takes a spot next to him against the wall with a quiet greeting of, "First time?"

Roman Talleday has posed:
"Being an idiot? No. I'm good at that." Roman admits freely, shrugging his shoulder a little. He's leaning back against the wall rather than standing up straight, which is probably another faux pas, but he hasn't thought about it that much. "Bit of an adjustment, how they do things here though, yeah."

His mouth ticked, and steely blues drifted over the other boy. Roman himself with tussled blond hair and a slight tan, athletically built and with a cute grin, had always fancied himself fairly charming. It wasn't often that he found trouble in socialising, or talking his way out of things, but there were different rules here.

"What's the point of bein' stood out here for? Just about to ask if she wants to hang a sign on me, or something. Are we being shamed, like?"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste listens while Roman bemoans the situation with a sympathetic, soft smile that crinkles the corners of his green eyes. "Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes situations come up that can't be avoided," he offers in an attempt to reassure the boy from his depreciating remark.

A light sideways tilt of his head comes along with a very quiet chuckle. One hand lifts to give a quick run of fingers back through his perfectly styled hair. There was clearly product in there since it goes back to the same style it had before. "Oh, no, nothing like that. It's considered rude to interrupt the education of your peers. As soon as there's a pause in the lesson that won't disturb the class, we can go back in. Although you'll just want to go quietly straight to your seat so you don't disturb them further," he adds in an attempt to be helpful.

"We're foreigners so they're usually a bit more forgiving with us when we make mistakes." A quiet sigh comes as he remarks, "My work ran late. Not the first time, so I've been here a few times before."

Roman Talleday has posed:
"Yeah, I got that," Roman makes a face, indicating that he noticed they found it very rude, "Bit rough to be turned out like that. but. School back where I came up ain't like this at all."

Another look, and he can't help but take stock of the other boy. He's a little too put together, a little too stylish. His first thought it that he must've been quite wealthy, or some kind of influencer. But then he mentions work.

"What kinda job's got you up when sparrows fart, then? And on a school day?"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste busies himself casually by lowering his messenger bag to the floor by his feet. It's almost reluctantly that he lets it rest down by how gently he places it there rather than just dropping it. It's done with care, and without creating any further noise that presumably would disrupt the class. His hands are freed up to shake out his school jacket.

Just as Roman asks what job he has, he snaps his jacket back to loop around his shoulders. He doesn't shrug into his jacket so much as slide into it with a practiced motion that one might expect to see on a runway. The jacket is settled around him with a quick firm tug on the sides to adjust it properly, and he gives his loose tie a little tug to neaten up.

"Hm? Oh, I'm a model for the Gabriel brand." Adrien pauses looking just a little embarassed. "Er, my father's brand. My schedule is kind of 'whenever he needs me'."

With that he offers a hand out toward Roman in greeting. "I'm Adrien Agreste."

Roman Talleday has posed:
Roman rights himself off the wall now, standing in full height to take the hand-- he slaps at it, a sort of grasp and slide motion rather than a handshake, that is both incredibly casual and very specific to where he hails from. He hooks fingers into a fist, and squeezes, before letting go with a splay of his hand.

"I get that a bit. My old man's family run a ballet school, s'pretty well known amongst the kind. I pulled out of all that about a year ago, Baba was pretty upset... but it was gettin' too much, you know?"

With a nod, he adds, "Roman Voznesensky-Talleday. Don't hurt yourself tryin' to say it. Rome's fine."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
The hand slap and pull and... Adrien doesn't completely get it. He tries. He honestly tries, and he's quick enough to adapt that it seems he may be vaguely familiar with such a greeting before. Nino usually did handshakes like that but it had been ages since he'd seen his bestie from back in Paris.

"Ah, ballet?" An all-too-knowing nod comes at that. "That was part of my schedule when I was younger before father wanted me to focus on fencing and piano instead. Great for balance and posture, but," he shifts his weight back onto his heels sparing a glance down for his feet. "When we were learning to wrap our feet so they wouldn't bleed through the shoes, I thought that might be a bit much for me."

Raising his gaze up again he grins warmly. "Nice to meet you Roman. I've been here for about a year now, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. I'm happy to help out. You can usually find my dorm by following the scent of coffee." A pause as he grins with just a bit of mischief. "I snuck an espresso machine in."

Roman Talleday has posed:
There's an audible squeak, at that mention of coffee, and his earring swings-- Roman's fast at bring his hand up to snatch it, and cover it over as he turns away with a cough into elbow. "Sorry, choked on my spit. Not into Dark Roast, I hope? More of a tea drinker, me."

He acts like nothing happened, sniffing. "I used to love breaking in my pointes. Felt like pre-emptive karma." He smirked a bit. "Don't miss the ice-baths, but." Or the resin sticky feet, or being barked at by his grandmother, or the hours and hours of practice, or the constant comparison to his father.

Just as those memories start to well up, a beep sounds from inside his shirt, and he takes out a tamagotchi attached to a lanyard on his neck. He presses a few things, steadied.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
The unexpected 'choking' from Roman earns a quick surprise blink as Adrien grows momentarily concerned. "Are you okay?" The explanation is met with a soft 'ah' which causes him to relax a bit.

"I've got a bottle of water if you'd like?" He's already crouched down to reach for his messenger bag to which he gives a light pat to the side before opening the top to reach within. There's an odd little noise, almost a sleepy grumble, which could perhaps be ignored as just something shifting in the bag. Surely it wasn't a quiet whine of 'five more minuuutes'.

The bottle of water is held out for Roman if he'd like it.

"Dark roast? Sometimes, I guess? Usually it's whatever my girlfriend or roommate feel like. I'm flexible. It just really helps having a taste of home in a way."

Roman Talleday has posed:
Taking the water, Roman spares a moment to peer at the bag. That, absolutely, was the same sort of 'did your inanimate object say something' moment that he'd just been having, and there was some relief and solidarity to be found in that. Uncapping it, he took a long swig, and sighed.

"Yeah. I know what you mean, man. Thanks."

The bell sounded, causing him to glance up. Changeover for class. a few minutes to sort themselves and shuffle in.

"I'm pretty good on a coffee machine, myself. Maybe I'll come see about that." He smiled at the other boy. "And you can tell me how to get by here, better."