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Post by Nagi-kun on Jul 29, 2010 2:51:24 GMT 1
Rahmu looked over at the boy and could tell he was uncomfortable and carefully took a deep breath before looking the woman in the eyes. "Your son has a keen interest in Japanese culture, as he told me so in the library this afternoon. I offered to teach him Japanese painting and possibly later calligraphy or something, if it was alright with you first." He clasped his hands calmly in his lap and considered his next words a moment before once more making polite eye contact. "It wouldnt have to be at the school if he would be uncomfortable in that setting. I could tutor him privately here, as my studio is upstairs." He unclasped his hands and laid them flat on his thighs as a way of saying he would accept her decision and said, "Whatever you decide. I wouldnt force your son to do anything he's uncomfortable with or suggest he do anything without your consent. He is, after all, a minor. I am but a teacher f art, ma'am."
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Post by stievel on Jul 29, 2010 13:03:15 GMT 1
"Maybe that is becouze we live in a japanese setting... The houce was once of my grandmother and we kept it in it's original style... "
She said being mere reasured now.
"But yes, I would prefer if you would teach him in your studio. And then I'd also would like your phone number just in case. So, How much will it cost me?"
Alex stood up.
"Um.. Where is your toilet Mister Nekoi...?"
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Post by Nagi-kun on Jul 29, 2010 22:52:13 GMT 1
Rahmu smiled at the mother and reached over and took a card from the holder he kept in the parlor and handed it to her. "Here's my card with both of my contact numbers and address. I can usually be reached here or at the school, since I'm most often in either of two places. If I'm not available, you can leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible." He wasnt sure whether or not he wanted to be paid for the tutoring, since it went either way and he took care of all the expenses himself. He was about to decide on giving her a low price as well as the option for free lessons when Alex asked about the bathroom.
He rose to his feet and said, "It's just this way." He turned to Alex' mother apologetically, "I'll be just a moment." He then lead Alex back towards the foyer, entryway, and pointed to a door down the short hall beside the stairs. "The washroom is right in that door there. There's a short step stool if the sink is too high for you. Some of the students have complained about that so I remedied the problem for them." He gave Alex a reassuring pat on the shoulder and turned to head back to the boy's mother waiting in the parlor. "Take your time. We'll be in the parlor when you're done."
Returning the the boy's mother, he sat back down and looked towards the door to listen and make sure Alex made it alright before he'd discuss the money matters. His smile faded as it often did, being small anyways, and he met the woman's eyes as he said, "I dont normally require payment for my services when I am the one making the offer, ma'am. Though, if you insist then I feel I should offer you a reasonable bargain. You may have the choice of paying me 25 for the full extent of his lessons, or I am completely willing to teach him free of charge." He took a moment to collect his words before looking at her again and continued with, "I typically cover all expenses myself for private tutoring if I am the one to offer it. Commissioned tutoring is another matter entirely, of course. However, seeing as I provide all the materials at my leisure it hardly seems right to set my prices very high, and I consider it my treat to pay for my students if I take them out on field trips. I think 25 is more than fair for both of us if you truly wish to compensate me for the effort, but I couldnt in good conscience accept more than that."
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Post by stievel on Jul 29, 2010 23:04:04 GMT 1
Alexander thanked him and quickly went to the toilet.
"I see..."
She put down her cup.
"25 seems reasonable enough... It still is a service so I wouldn't feel comfortable if I wouldent pay you.. But... Now that Alexander is gone I would like to set something straight..."
She sighed and looked him in the eyes.
"My son is very precious to me.. and I would like to protect him from a lot, since he does need it... He's bad with changes and likes things clear. So I don't mind you teaching him, but I would like that you keep an eye on him.. "
She said slightly worried.
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Post by Nagi-kun on Jul 29, 2010 23:45:07 GMT 1
Rahmu listened and allowed her concerns to wash over him. He could understand her protectiveness towards her child, and while he didnt understand a mother's love from never having it himself, he could empathize with her desire to look after Alex. The boy really seemed to need a friend, not just a teacher and a loving mother.
He carefully nodded and folded his hands in his lap before he said in a gentle voice, "I understand you perfectly, ma'am. I can assure I would never let anything happen to him under my care. He would be with me at all times and I intend to help him with anything I can whenever he has need of it. I look after my students, Mrs. Halbert, so your son will be quite safe with me." He smiled in his small polite way and continued looking her in the eyes as he said, "I like to encourage the parents to participate in the student's studies, so you're welcome to come and visit during Alexander's lessons anytime. Anything to put my students and their guardians at ease, I am willing to do it."
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Post by stievel on Jul 31, 2010 8:17:00 GMT 1
"Very well then.."
She smiled somwhat relieved.
"You seem to be honest and willing to do what it takes, but I wouldn't belong here... So I Will ask him at home how his day was. But I think you could do this for him."
She drank the last of her tea.
"So when did you plan to start this?"
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Post by Nagi-kun on Jul 31, 2010 19:47:12 GMT 1
Rahmu smiled, feeling relieved now that he had her approval, and relaxed somewhat as he picked up his own tea for a drink. Replacing it on the table, he met the mother's face again and deigned to answer her question. "I've already prepared to start right away, but it's really up to Alexander when he would like to begin his lessons. I teach for about five hours a day during the week at the school, but afterward I come home and tutor privately the children that have commissioned my services." He looked on the back of his cards to see if there was a chart of his schedule, and finding none he checked in the sofa-side table for one. He didnt want to have to leave his company to go find one if he didnt have to, and fortunately he found one last sheet underneath the stationary in the drawer.
Sliding it across the table to Alex's mother, he pulled out the pen he kept on hand and indicated the empty boxes. "I have a lunch break between classes during the week and then I'm open for the rest of the evening from about four thirty to ten. Naturally I dont expect students Alexander's age to be in lessons that late, but it's available nevertheless. Then as you can see, most weekends I'm open as well. If I'm not, I let the students know ahead of time so there's as little inconvenience as possible." He sat back and looked at her, wondering when Alex would return from his restroom break, and continued by saying, "At the moment I dont have any private lessons scheduled this term of the summer, but that could change around when the Fall school term begins. For now though, Alexander would have my full attention in private studies."
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Post by stievel on Jul 31, 2010 20:17:09 GMT 1
She nodded.
"Yes.. That sounds just right.. I surely sugjest you really look the first couple of times just how much atention Alesxander needs.. you might want to keep a bit of extra time available for him, he tends to want to do everything perfect.. so he might not want to stop until it is done"
She explained and looked a bit at the scedule.
Alexander was done and before going back his curiocity took teh better hand and he looked to see the work space.
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Post by Nagi-kun on Aug 2, 2010 4:29:14 GMT 1
Rahmu didnt seem to mind when he heard the bathroom door close when the boy finished and did not see him return to the room where his mother was. He was sure the boy was taking a curious look around, and for a few minutes it shouldnt be a problem to let him be free to do so.
Focusing his attention back on the woman before him, he smiled politely and inclined his head in agreement before he said, "I understand. I can be a bit of a perfectionist myself, so it's not problem at all if he needs to stay a bit longer until he feels satisfied enough to stop. Naturally I'll make sure he doesnt push himself too much. That can happen when it comes to learning something new sometimes."
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Post by stievel on Aug 2, 2010 10:54:32 GMT 1
"Then i have full faith that everything will turn out alright... "
she smiled.
"So you wanted to start today... Well he is free now, so if he would want to then he could stay now for his first lessons"
She thought for a moment.
" How about this.... You can go to him now and ask him, I'll wait here for a moment... 'So that you can see how comfortable he is with you..."
Alexander had gone into his studio and was looking at all the things he had in there.
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